false 485BPOS 2025-01-17 0001771146 2025-01-17
~ http://ilsetf.com/role/OperatingExpensesData column period compact * column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact ils_S000088027Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~
~ http://ilsetf.com/role/ExpenseExample column period compact * column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact ils_S000088027Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~
0001771146 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:C000254055Member 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member rr:RiskLoseMoneyMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ReinsuranceRelatedSecuritiesRisksMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:QuotaShareNotesExcessOfLossNotesAndILWNotesMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:EventLinkedBondsMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:MoralHazardRisksMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:MarketRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:DebtSecuritiesRisksMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:CreditRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:HighYieldBondRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:InterestRateRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:FloatingRateInstrumentRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:PrepaymentRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ClimateRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ETFRisksMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:AuthorizedParticipantsMarketMakersAndLiquidityProvidersConcentrationRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:CashRedemptionRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:CostsOfBuyingOrSellingSharesMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:SharesMayTradeAtPricesOtherThanNAVMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:TradingMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:SignificantExposureRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:FocusedInvestingRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ReinsuranceIndustryUnderperformanceRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:CurrencyRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:NonUSInvestmentRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:LiquidityRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ManagementRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ModelsAndDataRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:NewFundRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member rr:RiskNondiversifiedStatusMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:SpecialPurposeVehicleRisksMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:LackOfVotingRightsRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:SubordinatedSecuritiesRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:RiskOfNonQualificationAsQualifiedInstitutionalBuyerMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:ValuationRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:VolatilityRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member ils:TaxAndRegulatedInvestmentCompanyQualificationRiskMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 0001771146 ils:S000088027Member rr:RiskNotInsuredMember 2025-01-17 2025-01-17 iso4217:USD xbrli:pure

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 17, 2025
 
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. 212
   
and/or
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
   
Amendment No. 214
 
ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Karen Shupe
Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205
Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 267-7400
(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 The Corporation Trust Co.
Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
 
With Copy to:
John H. Lively
 Practus, LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
  __________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

  This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 17, 2025

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

Ticker Symbol: ILS - NYSE

 

Although these securities have been registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the SEC has not approved or disapproved any shares offered in this Prospectus or determined whether this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Not FDIC Insured

May Lose Value

No Bank Guarantee

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY – Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND 13
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND 24
DISTRIBUTION 12(b)-1 PLAN 26
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES 26
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 27
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 27
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS 29
OTHER INFORMATION 30
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 30

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY – Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

 

The primary investment objective of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF (the “Fund”) is to seek to generate current income with a secondary objective of capital preservation.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and example below.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

 

     
Management Fees 1.20 %
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees(1) 0.00 %
Other Expenses(2) 0.38 %
Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.58 %
Waivers and Reimbursements(3) 0.00 %
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.58 %

    

(1)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.
(2)Other Expenses are estimated for the Fund’s initial fiscal year.
(3)The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse the Fund to the extent that total fund operating expenses exceed 2.0%. This agreement is in effect through December 31, 2025, and thereafter is reevaluated on an annual basis. The expense reimbursement arrangement relates to all expenses incurred by the Fund except interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, including, but not limited to, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following the date such waiver and/or reimbursement was made, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped. This agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the investment management agreement with the Adviser.

 

1

 

 

Expense Example

 

This Example helps you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to 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 sell or redeem all 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. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Investors in the Fund may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Fund shares, which are not included in the examples below. The Example reflects expense limitation agreements and/or waivers, if any, in effect for the one-year period and the first year of the three-year period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

 

1 Year   3 Years
$161   $499

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions or spreads, 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. Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, no annual portfolio turnover rate information is available.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in catastrophe bonds. Catastrophe bonds, also known as event-linked or insurance-linked bonds, are structured securities whereby insurers or reinsurers transfer specific risks, typically those associated with severe events such as catastrophes or natural disasters, to capital market investors. These investments also may cover risks such as mortality, longevity and operational risks. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% test, catastrophe bonds include other forms of insurance-linked securities (“ILS”), including quota share instruments (a form of proportional reinsurance in which an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer’s portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies), bonds or notes issued in connection with excess-of-loss, stop-loss, or other non-proportional reinsurance (“Excess of Loss Notes”), collateralized reinsurance investments and industry loss warranties, and other insurance-and reinsurance-related bonds.

 

The return of principal and the payment of interest and/or dividend payments with respect to catastrophe bonds and other ILS typically are contingent on the non-occurrence of a pre-defined “trigger” event, such as a hurricane or an earthquake of a specific magnitude or insurance losses or other metrics exceeding a specific amount. The trigger event’s magnitude may be based on losses to a company or industry, industry indexes or readings of scientific instruments, or may be based on specified actual losses. If a trigger event (as defined within the terms of a catastrophe bond or other ILS) occurs, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its principal invested in such security and the right to additional interest and/or dividend payments with respect to the security.

 

Trigger Events

 

Trigger events with respect to the Fund’s investments typically relate to natural disasters or events, including hurricanes, windstorms, tornados, fires, floods, and other weather-related phenomena. Trigger events may also include earthquakes and tsunamis. In addition, catastrophe bonds may have trigger events that are non-natural catastrophes, such as plane crashes, or other events resulting in a specified level of physical or economic loss, such as mortality or longevity (life-span). The Fund does not expect to invest significantly in such securities.

 

Trigger events are typically defined by three criteria: an event; a geographic area in which the event must occur; and a threshold of economic or physical loss (either actual or modeled) caused by the event, together with a method to measure such loss. In order for a trigger event to be deemed to have occurred, each of the three criteria must be satisfied while the bond is outstanding. The Fund has no limit as to the types of natural catastrophes, geographic areas or thresholds of loss referenced by event-linked bonds in which it can invest. Generally, the event is a natural peril of a kind that results in significant physical or economic loss.

 

2

 

 

Within each natural peril and geographic region, the Fund seeks to diversify exposures to underlying insurance and reinsurance carriers, trigger types, and lines of business.

 

Because catastrophe bonds and other forms of ILS are typically rated below investment grade or unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund’s assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade (high yield) debt securities that are high risk or speculative. Securities in which the Fund may invest may also be subordinated or “junior” to more senior securities of the issuer. The rating for a catastrophe bond primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur, which will cause a loss of principal. This rating may also assess the credit risk of the bond’s collateral pool, if any, and the reliability of the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event.

 

The Fund has no limit as to the maturity of the securities in which it invests. Catastrophe bonds typically have maturities between three and five years, while quota shares, collateralized reinsurance investments and industry loss warranties typically have maturities that generally do not exceed two years. Maturity is a measure of the time remaining until final payment on the security is due.

 

The Fund invests in catastrophe bonds across a varied group of available perils and geographic regions (for example, Florida hurricanes, California earthquakes, Japan typhoons, Europe windstorms, and Europe earthquakes). There are no limits on the Fund’s potential investment in a particular issue, peril or geographic exposure. However, from time to time, the Fund may have relatively more exposure to U.S.-related perils. In addition, from time to time, the Fund may have relatively more exposure to catastrophe bonds linked to Florida hurricanes than to other regions or perils as a result of the greater availability of such investments in proportion to the overall market.

 

In addition to catastrophe bonds and other ILS, the Fund may invest in a broad range of issuers and segments of the debt securities market. Debt securities may include instruments and obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and other non-governmental entities, those of U.S. and non-U.S. governmental entities (including government agencies and instrumentalities), floating rate loans and other floating rate securities, subordinated debt securities, certificates of deposit, money market securities, securities of other investment companies (including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds) that invest primarily in debt securities, and cash, cash equivalents and other short term holdings.

 

The Fund’s investments may have fixed or variable principal payments and all types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, floating rate, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features.

 

Catastrophe bonds and other ILS may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other U.S. or non-U.S. entities. Accordingly, the Fund may invest in catastrophe bonds and other ILS issued by non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may also invest in special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”) that issue catastrophe bonds or other ILS. These SPVs are typically organized as offshore entities that qualify for exemptions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), such as Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and Regulation D under the Securities Act. The securities issued by these SPVs are offered to qualified institutional buyers and are structured to transfer specific insurance risks to investors.

 

3

 

 

The Adviser will have primary responsibility for managing the Fund’s investments, including designing the Fund’s overall investment strategy, liquidity risk management, and ensuring that the Fund’s investments are consistent with all applicable investment limitations. The Adviser is also responsible for overseeing the activities of King Ridge Capital Advisors LLC, the Fund’s investment sub-adviser (the “Sub-Adviser”). The Sub-Adviser will manage a portion of the Fund’s assets, as determined by the Adviser, primarily investments in 144A securities. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will select the Fund’s investments utilizing a proprietary methodology based upon qualitative and quantitative elements, including peril type, geography, payout trigger, and issuer. In selecting catastrophe bonds and other ILS for investment, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser considers their relative return potential in view of their expected relative risk, using quantitative and qualitative analysis. The Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s analysis may consider various factors, such as expected loss, probability of occurrence or loss, trigger term (measurement of loss event specific to an instrument) or other terms of an instrument, sponsor quality, deal structure, alignment of interests between the Fund and the sponsoring insurance company, and model accuracy. The Adviser’s analysis guides the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser in determining the desired allocation of reinsurance-related securities by issuer, peril and geographic exposure. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser also may consider the financial condition and risks associated with the sponsoring insurance company, and may rely on information and analysis obtained from brokers, dealers and ratings organizations, among other sources.

 

The Adviser and Sub-Adviser may sell a portfolio security when it believes the security no longer will contribute to meeting the Fund’s investment objective. The Adviser or Sub-Adviser make that determination based on the same criteria it uses to select portfolio securities.

 

Non-U.S. Investments

 

The majority of reinsurance-related security issuers are domiciled outside the United States. As a result, the Fund typically invests a significant portion of its assets in reinsurance-related securities issued outside the U.S. Non-U.S. issuers of reinsurance-related securities include non-U.S. sovereigns (e.g., a government or government backed entity) and non-U.S. entities, including insurance companies, reinsurers, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and other types of business entities.

 

Non-Diversified

 

The Fund is a non-diversified fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), but intends to adhere to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.

 

Principal Risks

 

The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Funds—Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds.”

 

An investment in the Fund entails risk. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective and there is a risk that you could lose all of your money invested in the Fund. The Fund is not a complete investment program. It is important that investors closely review all of the risks listed below and understand them before making an investment in the Fund.

 

4

 

 

Reinsurance-Related Securities Risks. The Fund is subject to the risk that a triggering event(s) of a particular size/magnitude occurring in a designated geographic area, and as a result, the Fund will lose all or a significant portion of the principal it has invested in a particular security and the right to additional interest payments with respect to the security. If multiple triggering events occur that impact a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund could suffer substantial losses. In addition, it is possible that certain triggering events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural catastrophes, will significantly impact the Fund’s net asset value, market price, and volatility, in the period leading up to, during, and immediately after, such triggering event as market participants assess the impact of the event and the particular terms of the Fund’s investments. A majority of the Fund’s assets will be invested directly or indirectly in reinsurance-related securities tied to natural events and disasters, and there is inherent uncertainty as to whether, when or where such events will occur. There is no way to accurately predict whether a triggering event will occur and, because of this significant uncertainty, reinsurance-related securities carry a high degree of risk.

 

Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes. The Fund will gain exposure to reinsurance contracts through Quota Share Notes and may gain exposure to reinsurance contracts through Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes. These securities are subject to the same risks discussed herein for event-linked or catastrophe bonds. In addition, because Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes represent an interest, either proportional or non-proportional, in one or more underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the individual underlying contract(s) and, therefore, must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the sponsor. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund’s investment in Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes, which will place the Fund’s assets at greater risk of loss than if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser had more complete information. The lack of transparency may also make the valuation of Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes more difficult and potentially result in mispricing that could result in losses to the Fund. In Quota Share Notes trades, ILW Notes trades and Excess of Loss Notes trades, the Fund cannot lose more than the amount invested.

 

Event-Linked Bonds. Event-linked or catastrophe bonds carry large uncertainties and major risk exposures to adverse conditions. If a trigger event, as defined within the terms of the bond, involves losses or other metrics exceeding a specific magnitude in the geographic region and time period specified therein, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its investment in such security, including accrued interest and/or principal invested in such security. Such losses may be substantial. Because catastrophe bonds cover “catastrophic” events that, if they occur, will result in significant losses, catastrophe bonds carry a high degree of risk of loss and are considered “high-yield bonds.” The rating, if any, primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur. Thus, lower-rated bonds have a greater likelihood of a triggering event occurring and loss to the Fund.

 

Moral Hazard Risks. Reinsurance-related securities often incorporate specific activation criteria, commonly referred to as “triggers”, one of which is the “indemnity-trigger.” An indemnity trigger is contingent upon the verifiable losses sustained by the ceding sponsor, the entity procuring the reinsurance. Securities possessing this type of trigger present concerns pertaining to “moral hazard”. The underlying reason for this apprehension is the potential for the ceding sponsor to make decisions or interpret losses in a manner detrimental to the Fund. This potential for discrepancy, where the sponsor could potentially skew bond performance through their loss reporting and claim settlement practices, is encapsulated by the term “moral hazard.” In essence, given that bond payouts are intimately tied to the sponsor’s disclosed claims, there exists an inherent risk of misrepresentation.

 

Market risk. The market prices of securities or other assets held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, political instability, recessions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, weather or climate events, armed conflict, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes, sanctions or other government actions, or other factors or adverse investor sentiment. If the market prices of the Fund’s securities and assets fall, the value of your investment will go down. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole.

 

Debt Securities Risks.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or guarantor of debt instruments will be unable or unwilling to make its timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. Debt instruments are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which may be reflected in their credit ratings. There is the chance that the Fund’s portfolio holdings will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default (i.e., fail to make scheduled interest or principal payments), potentially reducing the Fund’s income level or share price.

 

5

 

 

High Yield Bond Risk. The Fund will invest primarily in securities rated below investment grade or that are unrated and may be subject to greater risks than other investments, including greater levels of risk related to changes in interest rates, credit risk (including a greater risk of default), and illiquidity risk. Such investments are speculative and are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry or business conditions than higher-grade investments. Yields on securities rated below investment grade or that are unrated will fluctuate and may, therefore, cause the Fund’s value to be more volatile. Certain investments of the Fund may be initially rated investment grade but may be downgraded to below-investment-grade status (or may be determined by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality) after the Fund purchases them. The rating for reinsurance-related securities primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event (e.g., a hurricane) will occur. Therefore, securities with a lower rating reflect the rating agency’s assessment of a greater risk that a triggering event will occur and result in a loss. The rating also reflects the reinsurance-related security’s credit risk and the model used to calculate the probability of the trigger event. The rating system for reinsurance-related securities is relatively new and significantly less developed than that of corporate bonds and continues to evolve as the market develops. Most rating agencies rely upon one or more of the reports prepared by the following three independent catastrophe-modeling firms: EQECAT, Inc., AIR Worldwide Corporation, and Risk Management Solutions, Inc. Different methodologies are used to evaluate the probability of various types of pre-defined trigger events. If the reports used by a rating agency are flawed, it may cause the rating agency to assign a rating to a reinsurance-related security that is not justified. Additionally, because there are few major independent catastrophe-modeling firms, the effects of a flawed model or report issued by one or more of such firms will be magnified.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Generally, the value of fixed income securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities tends to decrease. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of fixed income securities tends to increase. This risk will be greater for long-term securities than for short-term securities. Changes in government intervention may have adverse effects on investments, volatility, and illiquidity in debt markets. In addition, the interest rates payable on floating rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The interest rate on a floating rate security is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate. Floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

 

Floating Rate Instrument Risk. Some of the reinsurance-related securities in which the Fund invests are variable rate, or floating-rate, bonds. Floating-rate instruments and similar investments may be illiquid or less liquid than other investments.

 

Prepayment Risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that the issuer of a debt security will repay principal prior to the scheduled maturity date. Debt securities allowing prepayment may offer less potential for gains during a period of declining interest rates, as the Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds of any prepayment at lower interest rates. These factors may cause the value of an investment in the Fund to change.

 

Climate Risk. Climate Risk refers to the financial and structural vulnerabilities entities face due to changing climatic conditions, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns. The unpredictable nature of climate change presents substantial risks to the Fund because trigger events with respect to the Fund’s investments typically relate to natural disasters or events, including hurricanes, windstorms, tornados, fires, floods, and other weather-related phenomena. To the extent that changing climate conditions increase the probability of trigger events occurring, the Fund could lose the principal value and remaining interest payments from its investments in catastrophe bonds, resulting in losses to the Fund and resulting in a decrease in the Fund’s share price.

 

ETF Risks.

 

Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “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 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.

 

6

 

 

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. For example, the Fund may not be able to redeem in-kind certain securities held by the Fund. In such a case, 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. By paying out higher annual capital gain distributions, investors may be subjected to increased capital gains taxes. Additionally, there may be brokerage costs or taxable gains or losses that may be imposed on the Fund in connection with a cash redemption that may not have occurred if the Fund had made a redemption in-kind. These costs could decrease the value of the Fund to the extent they are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an AP.

 

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, 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.

 

Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as New York Stock Exchange LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Shares will develop or be maintained or that the Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. Shares trade on the Exchange at a market price that may be below, at or above the Fund’s NAV. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

 

Significant Exposure Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests a large percentage of its assets in a single asset class or the securities of issuers within the same country, state, region, industry or sector, an adverse economic, business or political development may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund were more broadly diversified. A significant exposure makes the Fund more susceptible to any single occurrence and may subject the Fund to greater market risk than a fund that is more broadly diversified.

 

Focused Investing Risk. Issuers of event-linked bonds and other reinsurance-related securities are generally classified within the financial services sector. The industries within the sector, including issuers of event-linked bonds and other reinsurance-related securities, may be subject to extensive government regulation, which can limit both the amounts and types of financial products they offer. Profitability can be largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Insurance companies can be subject to severe price competition. Non-U.S. financial services companies, including insurance companies, may be subject to different levels of regulation than that to which similar companies operating in the U.S. are subject.

 

Similarly, to the extent the Fund has exposure to a significant extent in investments tied economically to a specific geographic region, country or a particular market, it will have more exposure to regional and country economic risks than it would if it had more geographically diverse investments.

 

7

 

 

Reinsurance Industry Underperformance Risk. The performance of reinsurance-related securities and the reinsurance industry itself are tied to the occurrence of various triggering events, including weather, natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.), large catastrophes and other specified events causing physical and/or economic loss. Major natural disasters in populated areas (such as in the cases of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in the New York City metropolitan area in 2012 and Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Caribbean in 2017) or related to high- value insured property can result in significant losses and investors in reinsurance-related securities tied to such exposures may also experience substantial losses. If the likelihood and severity of natural and other large disasters increase, the risk of significant losses to reinsurers may increase. Typically, one significant triggering event (even in a major metropolitan area) will not result in financial failure for a reinsurer. However, a series of major triggering events could cause the failure of a reinsurer. Similarly, to the extent the Fund invests in reinsurance-related securities for which a triggering event occurs, losses associated with such event will result in losses to the Fund, and a series of major triggering events affecting a large portion of the reinsurance-related securities held by the Fund will result in substantial losses to the Fund. In addition, unexpected events such as natural disasters could lead to government intervention. Political, judicial and legal developments affecting the reinsurance industry could also create new and expanded theories of liability or regulatory or other requirements; such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

 

Currency Risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s foreign currency holdings and investments denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Non-U.S. Investment Risk. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. Securities of non-U.S. issuers may have relatively low market liquidity, greater market volatility, decreased publicly available information and less reliable financial information about issuers, and inconsistent and potentially less stringent accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. Securities of non-U.S. issuers also are subject to the risks of expropriation, nationalization, political instability or other adverse political or economic developments and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers also may be subject to dividend withholding or confiscatory taxes, currency blockage and/or transfer restrictions and higher transactional costs. As the Fund will invest in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the values of other currencies may adversely affect investments that are denominated in non-U.S. currencies and may negatively impact the Fund’s returns.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that particular investments, or investments generally, may be or become impossible or difficult to purchase or sell. Although most of the Fund’s securities and other investments must be liquid at the time of investment, securities and other investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil or due to adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. Liquidity and value of investments can deteriorate rapidly. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities or when dealer market-making capacity is otherwise reduced. During times of market turmoil, there have been, and may be, no buyers for securities in entire asset classes, including U.S. Treasury securities. A lack of liquidity or other adverse credit market conditions may affect the Fund’s ability to sell the securities in which it invests or to find and purchase suitable investments. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, the Fund may be harder to value, especially in changing markets. If the Fund is forced to sell or unwind an illiquid investment to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, or to try to limit losses, the Fund may suffer a substantial loss or may not be able to sell at all. The Fund may experience heavy redemptions that could cause the Fund to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, which could cause the value of your investment to decline. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities and other investments, the Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.

 

Management Risk. The Fund is actively-managed and may not meet its investment objective based upon the Adviser or Sub-Adviser’s success or failure to implement investment strategies for the Fund.

 

8

 

 

Models and Data Risk. The composition of the Fund’s portfolio is dependent on third-party and proprietary quantitative models as well as information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon may lead to the inclusion or exclusion of securities from the Fund’s portfolio that would have been excluded or included had the Models and Data been correct and complete.

 

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized 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.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

Special Purpose Vehicle Risks. The Fund may invest in SPVs, which involve the following risks in addition to the risks of other types of catastrophe bonds and ILS.

 

Lack of Voting Rights Risk. If the reinsurance-related securities in which the Fund invests carry voting rights, the Fund will ordinarily limit such investments to 5% or less of the issuing SPV’s outstanding voting securities so as not to be deemed an “affiliate” under the 1940 Act. However, to enable the Fund to invest more of its assets in certain SPVs deemed attractive by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, the Fund may also contractually forego its right to vote securities or may purchase non-voting securities of such SPVs. If the Fund does not limit its voting rights and is deemed an “affiliate” of the SPV, the ability of the Fund to make future investments in the SPV or to engage in other transactions would be severely limited by the requirements of the 1940 Act. Such limitations may interfere with portfolio management of the Fund, which may adversely impact the Fund’s performance.

 

To the extent the Fund holds non-voting securities of an SPV or contractually foregoes its right to vote securities of an SPV, it will not be able to vote to the full extent of its economic interest on matters that require the approval of the investors in the SPV, including matters that could adversely affect the Fund’s investment in the SPV. This restriction could diminish the influence of the Fund in an SPV and adversely affect its investment in the SPV, which could result in unpredictable and potentially adverse effects on shareholders. Moreover, there is a risk that a court or securities regulators could disregard the statutory definition of “affiliated person,” and still treat the SPV as an affiliated person of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

 

Subordinated Securities Risk. Certain SPVs in which the Fund invests may issue multiple tranches of interests to investors. A holder of securities that are subordinated or “junior” to more senior securities of an issuer is entitled to payment after holders of more senior securities of the issuer. Subordinated securities are more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take more time. As a result, even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer is likely to have a greater impact on them.

 

Risk of Non-Qualification as a Qualified Institutional Buyer. Certain SPVs may require investors to be “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If the Fund fails to meet the requirements to be a qualified institutional buyer, the Fund’s investment opportunities may be more limited as a result of not being eligible to invest in such SPVs.

 

9

 

 

Valuation Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of its investments, in particular to the extent that its securities are fair valued. There is a risk that one or more of the securities in which the Fund invests could be priced incorrectly due to factors such as incomplete data, market instability, or human error. In addition, pricing of reinsurance-related securities is subject to the added uncertainty caused by the inability to generally predict whether, when or where a natural disaster or other triggering event will occur. Even after a natural disaster or other triggering event occurs, the pricing of reinsurance-related securities is subject to uncertainty for a period of time until event parameters, ultimate loss amounts and other factors are finalized and communicated to the Fund. The Fund’s investments in reinsurance-related securities for which market quotations are not available will be fair valued. Even for reinsurance-related securities for which market quotations are generally readily available, upon the occurrence or possible occurrence of a trigger event, and until the completion of the settlement and auditing of applicable loss claims, the Fund’s investment in a reinsurance-related security may be priced using fair value methods. The majority of the Fund’s reinsurance-related securities are priced using fair value methods. Portfolio securities that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including fair valued securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations were used. There is no assurance that the Fund could sell a portfolio security for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio security is sold at a discount to its established value.

 

Volatility Risk. The market value of the investments in which the Fund invests may increase or decrease, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to the occurrence of trigger events, changes in market perceptions of risk, and other factors unique to the insurance-linked securities market and/or overall market and economic conditions. Because many of the Fund’s investments may be illiquid and/or below investment grade (or unrated, but of a similar quality), the Fund may be subject to increased volatility risk.

 

Tax and regulated investment company qualification risk. As described in the section of this prospectus entitled “DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES” and in the Statement of Additional Information, in order to qualify for the favorable tax treatment generally available to regulated investment companies, at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income each taxable year must consist of qualifying income, the Fund must meet certain asset diversification tests at the end of each fiscal quarter, and the Fund must meet certain distribution requirements for each taxable year. The tax treatment of certain ILS is not entirely clear. Certain of the Fund’s investments (including, potentially, certain ILS) may generate income that is not qualifying income. The Fund might generate more non-qualifying income than anticipated, might not be able to generate qualifying income in a particular taxable year at levels sufficient to meet the qualifying income test, or might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it has derived for a taxable year until after year-end. The Fund may determine not to make an investment that it otherwise would have made, or may dispose of an investment it otherwise would have retained (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), in an effort to meet the qualifying income test.

 

Certain investments made by the Fund (including certain ILS) may be treated as equity in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) for federal income tax purposes. In general, a PFIC is a foreign corporation (i) that receives at least 75% of its annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or (ii) where at least 50% of its assets (computed based on average fair market value) either produce or are held for the production of passive income. If the Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. A “qualified electing fund” election or a “mark to market” election may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. Gains from the sale of stock of PFICs may also be treated as ordinary income. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.

 

10

 

 

If a sufficient portion of the interests in a foreign issuer (including certain ILS issuers) is held or deemed held by the Fund, independently or together with certain other U.S. persons, that issuer may be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”) with respect to the Fund, in which case the Fund will be required to take into account each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain portions of that issuer’s income, whether or not such amounts are distributed. The Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances) to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to meet its distribution requirements and avoid fund-level taxes. In addition, some Fund gains on the disposition of interests in such an issuer may be treated as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments. If the Fund were to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it would generally be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders generally would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to meet the qualifying income test or the diversification test if such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, but in order to do so the Fund may incur a significant penalty tax that would reduce (and potentially could eliminate) the Fund’s returns.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. As with any investment company, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.

 

Performance

 

Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, no performance history has been provided. Performance information will be available at ilsetf.com. Keep in mind that past performance does not indicate future results.

 

Portfolio Management

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (“Brookmont” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

King Ridge Capital Advisors LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the sub-adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

Ethan Powell, Portfolio Manager for Brookmont, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.

 

11

 

 

Rick Pagnani, co-founder, lead portfolio manager and CEO of the Sub-Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.

 

Vijay Manghnani, Managing Partner, Chief Underwriting Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser, has been a Portfolio Manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund issues and redeems shares only to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor (“Authorized Participants”) in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a basket of assets (securities and/or cash) in large blocks of at least 50,000 Shares, known as creation units (“Creation Units”). Retail investors may purchase and sell shares only on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Fund shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount).

 

Important Additional Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or otherwise investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. If you are investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged arrangement, you may be taxed later upon withdrawals from that account.

 

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 intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

12

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND

 

The primary investment objective of the Fund is to seek to generate current income with a secondary objective of capital preservation.

 

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.

 

Please see the Fund’s SAI for additional information about the securities and investment strategies described in this Prospectus and about additional securities and investment strategies that may be used by the Fund.

 

The Board may change the Fund’s investment objective, investment strategy, and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or in the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), including the Fund’s investment objectives and its 80% investment policy. The Fund will provide shareholders with written notice at least 60 days prior notice of any change in investment objective or its 80% investment policy.

 

Percentage limitations in the Fund’s investment strategies apply at the time of purchase of securities.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in catastrophe bonds. Catastrophe bonds, also known as event-linked or insurance-linked bonds, are structured securities whereby insurers or reinsurers transfer specific risks, typically those associated with severe events such as catastrophes or natural disasters, to capital market investors. These investments also may cover risks such as mortality, longevity and operational risks. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% test, catastrophe bonds include other forms of insurance-linked securities (“ILS”), including quota share instruments (a form of proportional reinsurance in which an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer’s portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies), bonds or notes issued in connection with excess-of-loss, stop-loss, or other non-proportional reinsurance (“Excess of Loss Notes”), collateralized reinsurance investments and industry loss warranties, insurance-linked swaps and options, and other insurance-and reinsurance-related bonds. The Fund may also use derivative instruments that provide exposure to catastrophe bonds or that have similar economic characteristics.

 

The following provides a high-level description of the reinsurance-related securities in which the Fund invests:

 

Event-linked bonds: Debt securities whose principal or interest payments are contingent upon the non-occurrence of a predefined catastrophic event, such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Event-link bonds, including catastrophe bonds, are an example of insurance securitization in which risk-linked securities transfer a specific set of risks (typically catastrophe and natural disaster risks) from one or more insurers or sponsors to investors (such as the Fund).

Quota Share Notes: Securities issued in relation to quota share reinsurance, where both premiums and losses are shared proportionally between the primary insurer and reinsurer. In general, Quota Share Notes are profitable when claim losses are low or predictable, the risks are well-diversified, and both the insurer and reinsurer manage pricing, underwriting, and operational costs efficiently. However, higher-than-expected losses or major catastrophic events can make them unprofitable.

Excess of Loss Notes: Securities associated with non-proportional reinsurance, wherein the reinsurer covers the insured’s losses exceeding a pre-defined threshold. Excess of Loss notes are typically profitable when claim losses remain below a predetermined threshold, as these notes only require payment when losses exceed this limit. However, they can become unprofitable if significant or catastrophic events lead to losses surpassing this threshold.

ILW (Industry Loss Warranties) Notes: Securities related to industry loss warranties, which are a type of reinsurance contract where payments are triggered by industry-wide loss amounts, rather than an individual insurer’s losses. ILW notes are generally profitable when industry-wide losses remain below a predefined threshold, as their payout is contingent on aggregate industry losses. If significant events cause industry losses to exceed this threshold, the notes can become unprofitable.

Collateralized reinsurance investments, are privately structured securities or derivatives utilized to gain exposure to the reinsurance market. Collateralized reinsurance entails an SPV entering into a reinsurance arrangement that is then collateralized by invested capital and premiums related to the insurance coverage. The collateral is designed to cover in full the potential claims that could arise from the underlying reinsurance contract.

 

13

 

 

Insurance-linked swaps and options: Insurance-linked swaps are financial derivatives that transfer insurance-related risks, such as those arising from natural catastrophes or mortality, between two parties. These swaps provide a way for insurers, reinsurers, and investors to manage or take on insurance risks without the need for traditional reinsurance contracts or insurance-linked securities. Insurance-linked options are derivatives that give the holder the right (but not the obligation) to receive a payout linked to an insurance-related event.

 

The return of principal and the payment of interest and/or dividend payments with respect to catastrophe bonds and other ILS typically are contingent on the non-occurrence of a pre-defined “trigger” event, such as a hurricane or an earthquake of a specific magnitude or insurance losses or other metrics exceeding a specific amount. The trigger event’s magnitude may be based on losses to a company or industry, industry indexes or readings of scientific instruments, or may be based on specified actual losses. If a trigger event (as defined within the terms of a catastrophe bond or other ILS) occurs, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its principal invested in such security and the right to additional interest and/or dividend payments with respect to the security.

 

Trigger Events

 

Trigger events with respect to the Fund’s investments typically relate to natural disasters or events, including hurricanes, windstorms, tornados, fires, floods, and other weather-related phenomena. Investments in catastrophe bonds linked to weather risks provide insurance to companies, or insurers of companies, whose sales depend on the weather, and provide a hedge on the impact of weather-related risks. For example, a weather catastrophe bond could provide coverage based on the average temperature in a region over a given period. Trigger events may also include earthquakes and tsunamis. In addition, catastrophe bonds may have trigger events that are non-natural catastrophes, such as plane crashes, or other events resulting in a specified level of physical or economic loss, such as mortality or longevity (life-span). The Fund does not expect to invest significantly in such securities.

 

Trigger events are typically defined by three criteria: an event; a geographic area in which the event must occur; and a threshold of economic or physical loss (either actual or modeled) caused by the event, together with a method to measure such loss. In order for a trigger event to be deemed to have occurred, each of the three criteria must be satisfied while the bond is outstanding. The Fund has no limit as to the types of natural catastrophes, geographic areas or thresholds of loss referenced by event-linked bonds in which it can invest. Generally, the event is a natural peril of a kind that results in significant physical or economic loss.

 

Within each natural peril and geographic region, the Fund seeks to diversify exposures to underlying insurance and reinsurance carriers, trigger types, and lines of business.

 

The Fund may invest in other types of catastrophe bonds where the trigger event maybe based on company-wide losses (“indemnity triggers”), index-based losses (“index triggers”) or a combination of triggers (“hybrid triggers”).

 

Indemnity triggers. Indemnity triggers are based on losses of the insurance company or other entity issuing the catastrophe bond. The trigger event would be considered to have occurred if a company’s losses on catastrophic insurance claims exceeded a certain aggregate amount of insured claims. If the company’s losses were less than the pre-determined aggregate amount, then the trigger event would not be considered to have occurred and the Fund would be entitled to recover its principal plus accrued but unpaid interest. Indemnity triggers require investors and rating agencies to understand the risks of the insurance and reinsurance policies underwritten by the company, which may be difficult to obtain and ascertain, particularly in the case of complex commercial insurance and reinsurance policies. In addition, catastrophe bond investors are dependent upon the company’s ability to settle catastrophe claims in a manner that would not be disadvantageous to investors’ interests.

 

14

 

 

Index triggers. Index triggers follow one of three broad approaches: parametric, industry-loss and modeled-loss, or a combination thereof, which is discussed below as “hybrid triggers.” Index triggers are based on pre-defined formulas, which eliminate the risks relating to a company’s insurance claims-handling practices and potential information barriers. However, index triggers are generally riskier than indemnity triggers, since investors in catastrophe bonds that have index triggers are dependent upon the accuracy of the models and reporting services used to calculate the formulas.

 

Parametric. Parametric index triggers are based upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event with certain defined physical parameters (e.g., wind speed and location of a hurricane or magnitude and location of an earthquake).

 

Industry-loss. Industry loss index triggers are based upon the estimated loss for the insurance industry as a whole from a particular catastrophe. Estimates are derived from a reporting service, such as Property Claim Services.

 

Modeled-loss. Modeled-Loss index triggers are based upon a catastrophe-modeling firm’s database estimate of an industry loss, or a company’s losses compared to a modeling firm’s industry estimate of losses.

 

Hybrid triggers. Hybrid triggers involve more than one trigger type in a single transaction or tranche of a catastrophe bond. For example, a hybrid trigger could involve the occurrence of both a U.S. hurricane and a Japanese earthquake with a different kind of index trigger for each. Another example of a hybrid trigger involves different trigger types occurring in a particular sequence. For example, after the occurrence of a qualifying U.S. earthquake, a modeled-loss index is used to establish a company’s overall market share, and then applied to the industry loss index associated with the qualifying event to determine any principal reduction. Hybrid triggers may be more complicated and difficult to understand for investors, and involve the applicable risks associated with the types of triggers described above.

 

Because catastrophe bonds and other forms of ILS are typically rated below investment grade or unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund’s assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade (high yield) debt securities that are high risk or speculative. Securities in which the Fund may invest may also be subordinated or “junior” to more senior securities of the issuer. The rating for a catastrophe bond primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur, which will cause a loss of principal. This rating may also assess the credit risk of the bond’s collateral pool, if any, and the reliability of the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event.

 

The Fund has no limit as to the maturity of the securities in which it invests. Catastrophe bonds typically have maturities between three and five years, while quota shares, collateralized reinsurance investments and industry loss warranties typically have maturities that generally do not exceed two years. Maturity is a measure of the time remaining until final payment on the security is due.

 

The Fund invests in catastrophe bonds across a varied group of available perils and geographic regions (for example, Florida hurricanes, California earthquakes, Japan typhoons, Europe windstorms, and Europe earthquakes). There are no limits on the Fund’s potential investment in a particular issue, peril or geographic exposure. However, from time to time, the Fund may have relatively more exposure to U.S.-related perils. In addition, from time to time, the Fund may have relatively more exposure to catastrophe bonds linked to Florida hurricanes than to other regions or perils as a result of the greater availability of such investments in proportion to the overall market.

 

In addition to catastrophe bonds and other ILS, the Fund may invest in a broad range of issuers and segments of the debt securities market. Debt securities may include instruments and obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and other non-governmental entities, those of U.S. and non-U.S. governmental entities (including government agencies and instrumentalities), floating rate loans and other floating rate securities, subordinated debt securities, certificates of deposit, money market securities, securities of other investment companies (including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds) that invest primarily in debt securities, and cash, cash equivalents and other short term holdings.

 

The Fund’s investments may have fixed or variable principal payments and all types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, floating rate, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features.

 

15

 

 

Catastrophe bonds and other ILS may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other U.S. or non-U.S. entities. Accordingly, the Fund may invest in catastrophe bonds and other ILS issued by non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may also invest in SPVs that issue catastrophe bonds or other ILS. These SPVs are typically organized as offshore entities that qualify for exemptions under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act, such as Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and Regulation D under the Securities Act. The securities issued by these SPVs are offered to qualified institutional buyers and are structured to transfer specific insurance risks to investors.

 

The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will select the Fund’s investments utilizing a proprietary methodology based upon qualitative and quantitative elements, including peril type, geography, payout trigger, and issuer. In selecting catastrophe bonds and other ILS for investment, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser consider their relative return potential in view of their expected relative risk, using quantitative and qualitative analysis. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser’s analysis may consider various factors, such as expected loss, probability of occurrence or loss, trigger term (measurement of loss event specific to an instrument) or other terms of an instrument, sponsor quality, deal structure, alignment of interests between the Fund and the sponsoring insurance company, and model accuracy. The Adviser’s analysis guides the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser in determining the desired allocation of reinsurance-related securities by issuer, peril and geographic exposure. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser also may consider the financial condition and risks associated with the sponsoring insurance company, andT may rely on information and analysis obtained from brokers, dealers and ratings organizations, among other sources.

 

The Adviser or Sub-Adviser may sell a portfolio security when it believes the security no longer will contribute to meeting the Fund’s investment objective. The Adviser or Sub-Adviser makes that determination based on the same criteria it uses to select portfolio securities.

 

Non-U.S. Investments

 

The majority of reinsurance-related security issuers are domiciled outside the United States. As a result, the Fund typically invests a significant portion of its assets in reinsurance-related securities issued outside the U.S. Non-U.S. issuers of reinsurance-related securities include non-U.S. sovereigns (e.g., a government or government backed entity) and non-U.S. entities, including insurance companies, reinsurers, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and other types of business entities.

 

Non-Diversified

 

The Fund is a non-diversified fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), but intends to adhere to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.

 

The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as currency forward contracts and bond and interest rate futures. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market price of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities; to seek event-linked exposure; to attempt to increase the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative; and to manage portfolio characteristics. The Fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be limited by applicable law and regulations. The Fund also may hold cash or other short-term investments.

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The following information is in addition to, and should be read along with, the description of the Fund’s principal investment risks in the section titled “Fund Summary— Principal Investment Risks” above. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.

 

16

 

 

Reinsurance-Related Securities Risks. The Fund is subject to the risk that a triggering event(s) of a particular size/magnitude occurring in a designated geographic area, and as a result, the Fund will lose all or a significant portion of the principal it has invested in a particular security and the right to additional interest payments with respect to the security. If multiple triggering events occur that impact a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund could suffer substantial losses. In addition, it is possible that certain triggering events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural catastrophes, will significantly impact the Fund’s net asset value, market price, and volatility, in the period leading up to, during, and immediately after, such triggering event as market participants assess the impact of the event and the particular terms of the Fund’s investments. A majority of the Fund’s assets will be invested directly or indirectly in reinsurance-related securities tied to natural events and disasters, and there is inherent uncertainty as to whether, when or where such events will occur. There is no way to accurately predict whether a triggering event will occur and, because of this significant uncertainty, reinsurance-related securities carry a high degree of risk.

 

Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes. The Fund will gain exposure to reinsurance contracts through Quota Share Notes and may gain exposure to reinsurance contracts through Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes. These securities are subject to the same risks discussed herein for event-linked or catastrophe bonds. In addition, because Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes represent an interest, either proportional or non-proportional, in one or more underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the individual underlying contract(s) and, therefore, must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the sponsor. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund’s investment in Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes, which will place the Fund’s assets at greater risk of loss than if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser had more complete information. The lack of transparency may also make the valuation of Quota Share Notes, Excess of Loss Notes and ILW Notes more difficult and potentially result in mispricing that could result in losses to the Fund. In Quota Share Notes trades, ILW Notes trades and Excess of Loss Notes trades, the Fund cannot lose more than the amount invested.

 

Event-Linked Bonds. Event-linked or catastrophe bonds carry large uncertainties and major risk exposures to adverse conditions. If a trigger event, as defined within the terms of the bond, involves losses or other metrics exceeding a specific magnitude in the geographic region and time period specified therein, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its investment in such security, including accrued interest and/or principal invested in such security. Such losses may be substantial. Because catastrophe bonds cover “catastrophic” events that, if they occur, will result in significant losses, catastrophe bonds carry a high degree of risk of loss and are considered “high-yield bonds.” The rating, if any, primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur. Thus, lower-rated bonds have a greater likelihood of a triggering event occurring and loss to the Fund.

 

Moral Hazard Risks. Reinsurance-related securities often incorporate specific activation criteria, commonly referred to as “triggers”, one of which is the “indemnity-trigger.” An indemnity trigger is contingent upon the verifiable losses sustained by the ceding sponsor, the entity procuring the reinsurance. Securities possessing this type of trigger present concerns pertaining to “moral hazard”. The underlying reason for this apprehension is the potential for the ceding sponsor to make decisions or interpret losses in a manner detrimental to the Fund. This potential for discrepancy, where the sponsor could potentially skew bond performance through their loss reporting and claim settlement practices, is encapsulated by the term “moral hazard.” In essence, given that bond payouts are intimately tied to the sponsor’s disclosed claims, there exists an inherent risk of misrepresentation.

 

Market risk. The market prices of securities or other assets held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, political instability, recessions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, weather or climate events, armed conflict, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes, sanctions or other government actions, or other factors or adverse investor sentiment. If the market prices of the Fund’s securities and assets fall, the value of your investment will go down. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole.

 

17

 

 

Debt Securities Risks.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer or guarantor of debt instruments will be unable or unwilling to make its timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. Debt instruments are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which may be reflected in their credit ratings. There is the chance that the Fund’s portfolio holdings will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default (i.e., fail to make scheduled interest or principal payments), potentially reducing the Fund’s income level or share price.

 

High Yield Bond Risk. The Fund will invest primarily in securities rated below investment grade or that are unrated and may be subject to greater risks than other investments, including greater levels of risk related to changes in interest rates, credit risk (including a greater risk of default), and illiquidity risk. Such investments are speculative and are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry or business conditions than higher-grade investments. Yields on securities rated below investment grade or that are unrated will fluctuate and may, therefore, cause the Fund’s value to be more volatile. Certain investments of the Fund may be initially rated investment grade but may be downgraded to below-investment-grade status (or may be determined by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality) after the Fund purchases them. The rating for reinsurance-related securities primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event (e.g., a hurricane) will occur. Therefore, securities with a lower rating reflect the rating agency’s assessment of a greater risk that a triggering event will occur and result in a loss. The rating also reflects the reinsurance-related security’s credit risk and the model used to calculate the probability of the trigger event. The rating system for reinsurance-related securities is relatively new and significantly less developed than that of corporate bonds and continues to evolve as the market develops. Most rating agencies rely upon one or more of the reports prepared by the following three independent catastrophe-modeling firms: EQECAT, Inc., AIR Worldwide Corporation, and Risk Management Solutions, Inc. Different methodologies are used to evaluate the probability of various types of pre-defined trigger events. If the reports used by a rating agency are flawed, it may cause the rating agency to assign a rating to a reinsurance-related security that is not justified. Additionally, because there are few major independent catastrophe-modeling firms, the effects of a flawed model or report issued by one or more of such firms will be magnified.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Generally, the value of fixed income securities will change inversely with changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities tends to decrease. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of fixed income securities tends to increase. This risk will be greater for long-term securities than for short-term securities. Changes in government intervention may have adverse effects on investments, volatility, and illiquidity in debt markets. In addition, the interest rates payable on floating rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The interest rate on a floating rate security is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate. Floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

 

Floating Rate Instrument Risk. Some of the reinsurance-related securities in which the Fund invests are variable rate, or floating-rate, bonds. Floating-rate instruments and similar investments may be illiquid or less liquid than other investments.

 

Prepayment Risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that the issuer of a debt security will repay principal prior to the scheduled maturity date. Debt securities allowing prepayment may offer less potential for gains during a period of declining interest rates, as the Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds of any prepayment at lower interest rates. These factors may cause the value of an investment in the Fund to change.

 

18

 

 

Climate Risk. Climate Risk refers to the financial and structural vulnerabilities entities face due to changing climatic conditions, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns. The unpredictable nature of climate change presents substantial risks to the Fund because trigger events with respect to the Fund’s investments typically relate to natural disasters or events, including hurricanes, windstorms, tornados, fires, floods, and other weather-related phenomena. To the extent that changing climate conditions increase the probability of trigger events occurring, the Fund could lose the principal value and remaining interest payments from its investments in catastrophe bonds, resulting in losses to the Fund and resulting in a decrease in the Fund’s share price.

 

ETF Risks.

 

Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “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 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. For example, the Fund may not be able to redeem in-kind certain securities held by the Fund. In such a case, 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. By paying out higher annual capital gain distributions, investors may be subjected to increased capital gains taxes. Additionally, there may be brokerage costs or taxable gains or losses that may be imposed on the Fund in connection with a cash redemption that may not have occurred if the Fund had made a redemption in-kind. These costs could decrease the value of the Fund to the extent they are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an AP.

 

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, 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.

 

Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as New York Stock Exchange LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Shares will develop or be maintained or that the Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. Shares trade on the Exchange at a market price that may be below, at or above the Fund’s NAV. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

 

19

 

 

Significant Exposure Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests a large percentage of its assets in a single asset class or the securities of issuers within the same country, state, region, industry or sector, an adverse economic, business or political development may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund were more broadly diversified. A significant exposure makes the Fund more susceptible to any single occurrence and may subject the Fund to greater market risk than a fund that is more broadly diversified.

 

Focused Investing Risk. Issuers of event-linked bonds and other reinsurance-related securities are generally classified within the financial services sector. The industries within the financial services sector, including issuers of event-linked bonds and other reinsurance-related securities, may be subject to extensive government regulation, which can limit both the amounts and types of financial products they offer. Profitability can be largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Insurance companies can be subject to severe price competition. Non-U.S. financial services companies, including insurance companies, may be subject to different levels of regulation than that to which similar companies operating in the U.S. are subject.

 

Similarly, to the extent the Fund has exposure to a significant extent in investments tied economically to a specific geographic region, country or a particular market, it will have more exposure to regional and country economic risks than it would if it had more geographically diverse investments.

 

Reinsurance Industry Underperformance Risk. The performance of reinsurance-related securities and the reinsurance industry itself are tied to the occurrence of various triggering events, including weather, natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.), large catastrophes and other specified events causing physical and/or economic loss. Major natural disasters in populated areas (such as in the cases of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in the New York City metropolitan area in 2012 and Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Caribbean in 2017) or related to high- value insured property can result in significant losses and investors in reinsurance-related securities tied to such exposures may also experience substantial losses. If the likelihood and severity of natural and other large disasters increase, the risk of significant losses to reinsurers may increase. Typically, one significant triggering event (even in a major metropolitan area) will not result in financial failure for a reinsurer. However, a series of major triggering events could cause the failure of a reinsurer. Similarly, to the extent the Fund invests in reinsurance-related securities for which a triggering event occurs, losses associated with such event will result in losses to the Fund, and a series of major triggering events affecting a large portion of the reinsurance-related securities held by the Fund will result in substantial losses to the Fund. In addition, unexpected events such as natural disasters could lead to government intervention. Political, judicial and legal developments affecting the reinsurance industry could also create new and expanded theories of liability or regulatory or other requirements; such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

 

Currency Risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s foreign currency holdings and investments denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Non-U.S. Investment Risk. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. Securities of non-U.S. issuers may have relatively low market liquidity, greater market volatility, decreased publicly available information and less reliable financial information about issuers, and inconsistent and potentially less stringent accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. Securities of non-U.S. issuers also are subject to the risks of expropriation, nationalization, political instability or other adverse political or economic developments and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers also may be subject to dividend withholding or confiscatory taxes, currency blockage and/or transfer restrictions and higher transactional costs. As the Fund will invest in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the values of other currencies may adversely affect investments that are denominated in non-U.S. currencies and may negatively impact the Fund’s returns.

 

20

 

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that particular investments, or investments generally, may be or become impossible or difficult to purchase or sell. Although most of the Fund’s securities and other investments must be liquid at the time of investment, securities and other investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil or due to adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. Liquidity and value of investments can deteriorate rapidly. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities or when dealer market-making capacity is otherwise reduced. During times of market turmoil, there have been, and may be, no buyers for securities in entire asset classes, including U.S. Treasury securities. A lack of liquidity or other adverse credit market conditions may affect the Fund’s ability to sell the securities in which it invests or to find and purchase suitable investments. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, the Fund may be harder to value, especially in changing markets. If the Fund is forced to sell or unwind an illiquid investment to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, or to try to limit losses, the Fund may suffer a substantial loss or may not be able to sell at all. The Fund may experience heavy redemptions that could cause the Fund to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, which could cause the value of your investment to decline. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities and other investments, the Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.

 

Management Risk. The Fund is actively-managed and may not meet its investment objective based upon the Adviser or Sub-Adviser’s success or failure to implement investment strategies for the Fund.

 

Models and Data Risk. The composition of the Fund’s portfolio is dependent on third-party and proprietary quantitative models as well as information and data supplied by third parties (“Models and Data”). When Models and Data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon may lead to the inclusion or exclusion of securities from the Fund’s portfolio that would have been excluded or included had the Models and Data been correct and complete.

 

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized 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.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is considered to be non-diversified, which means that it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it were a diversified fund. As a result, the Fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer or a smaller number of issuers than a fund that invests more widely. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

Special Purpose Vehicle Risks. The Fund may invest in SPVs, which involve the following risks in addition to the risks of other types of catastrophe bonds and ILS.

 

Lack of Voting Rights Risk. If the reinsurance-related securities in which the Fund invests carry voting rights, the Fund will ordinarily limit such investments to 5% or less of the issuing SPV’s outstanding voting securities so as not to be deemed an “affiliate” under the 1940 Act. However, to enable the Fund to invest more of its assets in certain SPVs deemed attractive by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, the Fund may also contractually forego its right to vote securities or may purchase non-voting securities of such SPVs. If the Fund does not limit its voting rights and is deemed an “affiliate” of the SPV, the ability of the Fund to make future investments in the SPV or to engage in other transactions would be severely limited by the requirements of the 1940 Act. Such limitations may interfere with portfolio management of the Fund, which may adversely impact the Fund’s performance.

 

To the extent the Fund holds non-voting securities of an SPV or contractually foregoes its right to vote securities of an SPV, it will not be able to vote to the full extent of its economic interest on matters that require the approval of the investors in the SPV, including matters that could adversely affect the Fund’s investment in the SPV. This restriction could diminish the influence of the Fund in an SPV and adversely affect its investment in the SPV, which could result in unpredictable and potentially adverse effects on shareholders. Moreover, there is a risk that a court or securities regulators could disregard the statutory definition of “affiliated person,” and still treat the SPV as an affiliated person of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

 

Subordinated Securities Risk. Certain SPVs in which the Fund invests may issue multiple tranches of interests to investors. A holder of securities that are subordinated or “junior” to more senior securities of an issuer is entitled to payment after holders of more senior securities of the issuer. Subordinated securities are more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take more time. As a result, even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer is likely to have a greater impact on them.

 

21

 

 

Risk of Non-Qualification as a Qualified Institutional Buyer. Certain SPVs may require investors to be “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. If the Fund fails to meet the requirements to be a qualified institutional buyer, the Fund’s investment opportunities may be more limited as a result of not being eligible to invest in such SPVs.

 

Valuation Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of its investments, in particular to the extent that its securities are fair valued. There is a risk that one or more of the securities in which the Fund invests could be priced incorrectly due to factors such as incomplete data, market instability, or human error. In addition, pricing of reinsurance-related securities is subject to the added uncertainty caused by the inability to generally predict whether, when or where a natural disaster or other triggering event will occur. Even after a natural disaster or other triggering event occurs, the pricing of reinsurance-related securities is subject to uncertainty for a period of time until event parameters, ultimate loss amounts and other factors are finalized and communicated to the Fund. The Fund’s investments in reinsurance-related securities for which market quotations are not available will be fair valued. Even for reinsurance-related securities for which market quotations are generally readily available, upon the occurrence or possible occurrence of a trigger event, and until the completion of the settlement and auditing of applicable loss claims, the Fund’s investment in a reinsurance-related security may be priced using fair value methods. The majority of the Fund’s reinsurance-related securities are priced using fair value methods. Portfolio securities that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including fair valued securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations were used. There is no assurance that the Fund could sell a portfolio security for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio security is sold at a discount to its established value.

 

Tax and regulated investment company qualification risk. As described in the section of this prospectus entitled “DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES” and in the Statement of Additional Information, in order to qualify for the favorable tax treatment generally available to regulated investment companies, at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income each taxable year must consist of qualifying income, the Fund must meet certain asset diversification tests at the end of each fiscal quarter, and the Fund must meet certain distribution requirements for each taxable year. The tax treatment of certain ILS is not entirely clear. Certain of the Fund’s investments (including, potentially, certain ILS) may generate income that is not qualifying income. The Fund might generate more non-qualifying income than anticipated, might not be able to generate qualifying income in a particular taxable year at levels sufficient to meet the qualifying income test, or might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it has derived for a taxable year until after year-end. The Fund may determine not to make an investment that it otherwise would have made, or may dispose of an investment it otherwise would have retained (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), in an effort to meet the qualifying income test.

 

Certain investments made by the Fund (including certain ILS) may be treated as equity in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) for federal income tax purposes. In general, a PFIC is a foreign corporation (i) that receives at least 75% of its annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or (ii) where at least 50% of its assets (computed based on average fair market value) either produce or are held for the production of passive income. If the Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. A “qualified electing fund” election or a “mark to market” election may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. Gains from the sale of stock of PFICs may also be treated as ordinary income. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.

 

22

 

 

If a sufficient portion of the interests in a foreign issuer (including certain ILS issuers) is held or deemed held by the Fund, independently or together with certain other U.S. persons, that issuer may be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”) with respect to the Fund, in which case the Fund will be required to take into account each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain portions of that issuer’s income, whether or not such amounts are distributed. The Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances) to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to meet its distribution requirements and avoid fund-level taxes. In addition, some Fund gains on the disposition of interests in such an issuer may be treated as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments. If the Fund were to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it would generally be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders generally would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to meet the qualifying income test or the diversification test if such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, but in order to do so the Fund may incur a significant penalty tax that would reduce (and potentially could eliminate) the Fund’s returns.

 

Volatility Risk. The market value of the investments in which the Fund invests may increase or decrease, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to the occurrence of trigger events, changes in market perceptions of risk, and other factors unique to the insurance-linked securities market and/or overall market and economic conditions. Because many of the Fund’s investments may be illiquid and/or below investment grade (or unrated, but of a similar quality), the Fund may be subject to increased volatility risk.

 

Temporary Defensive Measures. From time to time, as part of its investment strategy, the Fund may invest without limit in cash and cash equivalents for temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic, or political conditions. For this purpose, cash equivalents include: bank notes, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements, commercial paper, and commercial paper master notes, which are floating rate debt instruments without a fixed maturity. In addition, a Fund may purchase U.S. government securities, preferred stocks, and debt securities, whether or not convertible into or carrying rights for common stock. There is no limit on the extent to which the Fund may take temporary defensive measures. In taking such measures, the Fund may lose the benefit of upswings and may limit its ability to meet, or fail to achieve, its investment objective.

 

Derivatives Risk. Using swaps, futures, forward currency exchange contract and other derivatives can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies or the derivative instruments themselves behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value and may not provide the result intended. Derivatives may have a leveraging effect on the Fund. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund’s initial investment. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. Changes in a derivative’s value may not correlate well with the referenced asset or metric. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and such differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments have adopted and implemented or are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.

 

23

 

 

Counterparty Risk. The Fund may engage in certain derivatives transactions that involve counterparty risk. Fund transactions involving a counterparty are subject to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund. The Fund may be unable to recover its investment from the counterparty or may obtain a limited recovery, and/or recovery may be delayed. These risks may be greater when engaging in over-the-counter transactions or when the Fund conducts business with a limited number of counterparties.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. As with any investment company, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Investment Adviser.

 

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (“Brookmont” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). The address of Brookmont is 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420, Dallas, Texas 75225. Organized in 2007, Brookmont is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. As of December 31, 2024, Brookmont had approximately $1.1 billion in assets under management.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for designing the Fund’s overall investment strategy, selecting investments that the Fund purchases and sells and executing brokerage transactions, liquidity risk management and ensuring that the Fund’s investments are consistent with all applicable investment limitations. The Adviser also determines the allocation of the daily management of the Fund’s assets to one or more investment sub-advisers, including the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser also: (i) furnishes the Fund with office space and certain administrative services; (ii) provides guidance and policy direction in connection with the Sub-Adviser’s daily management of the Fund’s assets, subject to the authority of the Board; and (iii) oversees the activities 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 annualized daily net assets, at the rate of 1.20%.

 

The Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 2.00% of the daily net assets of the Fund.

 

This expense limitation agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Board of Trustees with respect to the Fund at any time after December 31, 2025. The waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following the date such waiver and/or reimbursement was made, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped. The expense limitation agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the Adviser’s Advisory Agreement with the Trust; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Funds shall survive the termination of the expense limitation agreement unless the Board of Trustees and the Adviser agree otherwise.

 

Sub-Adviser

 

King Ridge Capital Advisors LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Sub-Adviser is a leading investment manager specializing in reinsurance risk, and offers a broad range of investment products focusing on insurance-linked securities, catastrophe bonds, insurance-linked swaps, and private transactions. The address of the Sub-Adviser is 87 Summit Road, New London, New Hampshire 03257. As of November 30, 2024, Sub-Adviser is a newly formed entity.

 

24

 

 

Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to it by the Adviser, including determining the securities and financial instruments purchased and sold by the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board.

 

For its services as sub-adviser, the Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive a fee from the Adviser, which fee is calculated daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser.

 

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements

 

A discussion regarding the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund is expected to be available in the Fund’s report filed on form N-CSR for the period ending May 31, 2025.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

The portfolio of the Fund is managed by Ethan Powell of Brookmont, Rick Pagnani and Vijay Manghnani of King Ridge Capital Advisors LLC .

 

Mr. Powell is a principal and the Chief Investment Officer of Brookmont. Mr. Powell has spent over two decades in financial services, primarily working with alternative fund strategies. Ethan incorporated Impact Shares Corp in 2014 and left his previous employer to focus on building and growing Impact Shares in 2016. Additionally, Ethan serves as the Chairman of the board for a $4 billion mutual fund complex and was a finalist for 2016 mutual fund director of the year. Previously, Mr. Powell was the Chief of Product and Strategy at Highland Capital Management Fund Adviser, L.P. In this role he was responsible for evaluating and optimizing the registered product lineup offered by Highland. Mr. Powell also served as the portfolio manager of the Highland ETFs and worked with other portfolio managers and wholesalers on the appropriate positioning of these ETF strategies in the marketplace. Prior to joining Highland in April 2007, Mr. Powell spent most of his career with Ernst & Young LLP providing audit and merger and acquisition services. Mr. Powell received an MS in Management Information Systems and a BS in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Mr. Powell has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

 

Rick Pagnani is the co-founder, lead portfolio manager, and CEO of King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC. Prior to KRCA, Mr. Pagnani was Executive Vice President, Head of PIMCO’s insurance-linked business, and CEO of Newport Reinsurance Ltd. Before joining PIMCO in 2018, he was the CEO of Mt. Logan Re, where he launched and grew the third-party ILS investment business for Everest Reinsurance.

 

Previously, he was a partner at TigerRisk Partners, focusing on production in the Life and P&C markets and new product development. He also served as chief executive officer of Ascendant Reinsurance, a class 3 Bermuda–based reinsurance company focusing on catastrophe derivatives. He was a Managing Director at Swiss Re New Markets, a division of Swiss Reinsurance Company. He has 36 years of investment experience and holds an MBA from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree from Hobart College.

 

Vijay Manghnani is a Managing Partner, Chief Underwriting Officer and Chief Investment Officer of King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC. He is a recognized leader in ILS, catastrophe risk management, and innovative climate-related financial products. With a distinguished career spanning global financial and insurance institutions, Vijay has been instrumental in driving advanced science, analytics, and risk management strategies.

 

He was a founding member of the ILS team at PIMCO, serving as SVP, Head of Risk and Analytics for the ILS Fund and was the Chief Risk Officer & Chief Actuary at Newport Re. Previously, he led the Catastrophe Risk Management and Analytics Center of Excellence at AIG. Throughout his career, Vijay has held senior leadership roles at ACE/Chubb, Weather Predict (Renaissance Re), and Aquila Inc, managing portfolios of climate, weather, and catastrophe insurance products.

 

Vijay holds a Ph.D. in Meteorology from North Carolina State University, is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS), and is a member of the American Meteorological Society. He also served as Chair of the North American Actuaries Climate Change Committee, contributing to the quantification of climate risk for the insurance industry. Beyond his corporate achievements, Vijay has shared his expertise as an Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at Clemson University. 

 

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

 

25

 

 

Manager-of-Managers Structure

 

The Adviser and the Trust have filed an application for an exemptive order from the SEC that, if granted, will allow the Fund to operate in a “manager of managers” structure whereby the Adviser, as the Fund’s investment adviser, can appoint and replace both wholly owned and unaffiliated sub-advisers, and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisers, each subject to Board approval but without obtaining prior shareholder approval (the “Manager of Managers Structure”). The Fund will, however, inform shareholders of the hiring of any new sub-adviser within 90 days after the hiring. If granted, the SEC exemptive order will provide the Fund with greater efficiency and without incurring the expenses and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisers.

 

The use of the Manager of Managers Structure with respect to the Fund will be subject to certain conditions that will be set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the Manager of Managers Structure, the Adviser will have the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Adviser will also, subject to the review and approval of the Board: set the Fund’s overall investment strategy; evaluate, select and recommend sub-advisers to manage all or a portion of the Fund’s assets; and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each sub-adviser complies with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to the review of the Board, the Adviser will allocate and, when appropriate, reallocate the Fund’s assets among sub-advisers and monitor and evaluate the sub-advisers’ performance.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the SEC has not granted the Adviser’s and Trust’s application for an exemptive order to operate in the Manager of Managers structure, and there is no guarantee that such order will be granted. The Trust and the Adviser will not rely on the exemptive order unless and until such order is granted.

 

DISTRIBUTION (12B-1) PLAN

 

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.

 

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 (i) in the SAI and (ii) on the Fund’s website at www.ilsetf.com.

 

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

 

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

 

26

 

 

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

 

Authorized Participants may acquire shares directly from the Fund, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to the Fund, at NAV per share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of at least 50,000 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.

 

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. 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.

 

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

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

 

27

 

 

Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least quarterly 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 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.

 

Taxes

 

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares.

 

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

 

  - A Fund makes distributions,
  - You sell your shares listed on the Exchange, and
  - You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

 

Taxes on Distributions 

Distributions from 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 subject to similar requirements. Any long-term capital gain the Fund distributes is taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your shares. 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 in the Fund.

 

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.

 

28

 

 

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.

 

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 received. 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 not 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 Creation Units have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units 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 Creation Units 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 (including redemptions of Creation Units) and the Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.

 

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

 

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current 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 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 and fund accounting services to retail and institutional exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.

 

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

 

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.

 

29

 

 

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, 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.

 

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.ilsetf.com.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Because the Fund had not yet commenced operations, financial highlights are not presented.

 

30

 

 

Privacy Notice

 

The following is a description of the Fund’s policies regarding disclosure of nonpublic personal information that you provide to the Fund or that the Fund collects from other sources. In the event that you hold shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your nonpublic personal information would be shared with unaffiliated third parties.

 

Categories of Information the Fund Collects. The Fund collects the following nonpublic personal information about you:

 

Information the Fund receives from you on or in applications or other forms, correspondence, or conversations (such as your name, address, phone number, social security number, assets, income and date of birth); and

 

Information about your transactions with the Fund, its affiliates, or others (such as your account number and balance, payment history, parties to transactions, cost basis information, and other financial information).

 

Categories of Information the Fund Discloses. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about their current or former shareholders to unaffiliated third parties, except as required or permitted by law. The Fund is permitted by law to disclose all of the information it collects, as described above, to their service providers (such as the Fund’s custodian, administrator and transfer agent) to process your transactions and otherwise provide services to you.

 

Confidentiality and Security. The Fund restricts access to your nonpublic personal information to those persons who require such information to provide products or services to you. The Fund maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your nonpublic personal information.

 

The Fund’s Privacy Notice is not part of this prospectus.

 

31

 

 

 

More information about the Fund is available without charge upon request through the following:

 

Statement of Additional Information (SAI): For more information about the Fund, you may wish to refer to the Fund’s SAI dated January 17, 2025, which is on file with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports: Additional information about the Fund’s investments, once available, will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in Form N-CSR. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. In Form N-CSR, you will find the Fund’s annual and semi-annual financial statements.

 

You can obtain a free copy of the SAI, annual and semi-annual reports, and other information, such as the Fund’s financial statements by writing to Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll-free at (855) 682-2229, by email at: mail@ccofva.com. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, prospectus and SAI are all available for viewing/downloading at www.ilsetf.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

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

 

The Trust’s Investment Company Act

Registration Number: 811-23439

 

32

 

 

Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF 

Ticker: ILS

 

(the “Fund”)

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 

Richmond, Virginia 23235 

(855) 682-2229

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Dated January 17, 2025

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus for the Fund dated January 17, 2025, 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 Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling the Fund toll free at (855) 682-2229 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.ilsetf.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Investment Adviser:

 

 Brookmont Capital Management, LLC 

5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420 

Dallas, TX 75225

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE TRUST 1
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 2
   
investment strategies, policies, and risks 2
   
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 12
   
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 13
   
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST 19
   
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS 23
   
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE 24
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES 26
   
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 34
   
TAXES 34
   
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES 45
   
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS 47
   
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 48
   
PROXY VOTING 49
   
CODES OF ETHICS 50
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 50
   
EXHIBIT A  – TRUST’S PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 51
   
EXHIBIT B – ADVISER’S PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 53
   
EXHIBIT C - TRUST’S NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMM. CHARTER 57

 

 

 

 

THE TRUST

 

General. This SAI relates to Brookmont Catastrophic Bond 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 Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the investment sub-adviser to the Fund is King Ridge Capital Advisors LLC .

 

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 50,000 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
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF ILS NYSE
     

 

Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. In the event of the liquidation of either 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.

 

 1

 

 

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 “Investment Strategies, Policies and Risks” in this SAI.

 

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 have not yet commenced operations and therefore do 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

 

General Investment Risks. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and their risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI.

 

Insurance-linked Securities. The Fund may invest in insurance-linked securities (ILS). The Fund could lose a portion or all of the principal it has invested in an ILS, and the right to additional interest or dividend payments with respect to the security, upon the occurrence of one or more trigger events, as defined within the terms of an insurance-linked security. Trigger events, generally, are hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural events of a specific size or magnitude that occur in a designated geographic region during a specified time period, and/or that involve losses or other metrics that exceed a specific amount. There is no way to accurately predict whether a trigger event will occur, and accordingly, ILS carry significant risk. The Fund is entitled to receive principal and interest and/or dividend payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the instrument. In addition to the specified trigger events, ILS may expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences.

 

The Fund’s investments in ILS may include event-linked bonds. Event-linked bonds may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities. In addition to the specified trigger events, event-linked bonds may also expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. Event-linked bonds are subject to the risk that the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event was not accurate and underestimated the likelihood of a trigger event. This may result in more frequent and greater than expected loss of principal and/or interest, which would adversely impact the Fund’s total returns. Further, to the extent there are events that involve losses or other metrics, as applicable, that are at, or near, the threshold for a trigger event, there may be some delay in the return of principal and/or interest until it is determined whether a trigger event has occurred. Finally, to the extent there is a dispute concerning the definition of the trigger event relative to the specific manifestation of a catastrophe, there may be losses or delays in the payment of principal and/or interest on the event-linked bond. Lack of a liquid market for these instruments may impose the risk of higher transactions costs and the possibility that the Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. Event-linked bonds are typically rated below investment grade or may be unrated. Securities rated BB or lower are considered to be below investment grade. The rating for an event-linked bond primarily reflects the rating agency’s calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur, which will cause a loss of principal. This rating may also assess the credit risk of the bond’s collateral pool, if any, and the reliability of the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event.

 

 2

 

 

In addition to event-linked bonds, the Fund also may invest in other insurance-linked securities, including notes or preferred shares issued by special purpose vehicles structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer’s or insurer’s catastrophe-oriented business, known as sidecars, or to provide reinsurance to reinsurers or insurers, known as collateralized reinsurance (“Reinsurance Notes”). An investor in Reinsurance Notes participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance Notes are subject to the same risks discussed herein for event-linked bonds. In addition, because Reinsurance Notes represent an interest in underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the underlying insurance policies and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the reinsurer and/or insurer. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Sub-Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund’s investment in Reinsurance Notes and therefore place the Fund’s assets at greater risk of loss than if the Sub-Adviser had more complete information. The lack of transparency may also make the valuation of Reinsurance Notes more difficult and potentially result in mispricing that could result in losses to the Fund. Reinsurance Notes are also subject to extension risk. The sponsor of such an investment might have the right to extend the maturity of the notes to verify that the trigger event did occur or to process and audit insurance claims. In certain circumstances, the extension may exceed two years.

 

Event-linked bonds and other insurance-linked securities typically are restricted to qualified institutional buyers and, therefore, are not subject to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any state securities commission and are not listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to event-linked bonds and other insurance-linked securities is generally less extensive than that available for issuers of registered or exchange listed securities. Event-linked bonds may be subject to the risks of adverse regulatory or jurisdictional determinations. There can be no assurance that future regulatory determinations will not adversely affect the overall market for event-linked bonds.

 

Structured Reinsurance Investments. Insurance-linked securities (“ILS”) may include special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”) or similar instruments structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer’s catastrophe-oriented business, known as quota share instruments (sometimes referred to as reinsurance sidecars), or to provide reinsurance relating to specific risks to insurance or reinsurance companies through a collateralized instrument, known as collateralized reinsurance. Quota share instruments and other structured reinsurance investments generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund.

 

Structured reinsurance investments developed along with event-linked bonds as a mechanism to facilitate risk-transfer from insurance markets to capital markets investors. These instruments are typically more customizable but less liquid investments than event-linked bonds. The instruments typically mature in one year. Like event-linked bonds, an investor in structured reinsurance investments participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts. Structured reinsurance investments are subject to the same risks as event-linked bonds. In cases where structured reinsurance investments represent an interest in underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the underlying insurance policies and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the reinsurer and/or insurer. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Sub-Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund’s investment in structured reinsurance investments and therefore place the Fund’s assets at greater risk of loss than if the Sub-Adviser had more complete information. The lack of transparency may also make the valuation of structured reinsurance investments more difficult and potentially result in mispricing that could result in losses to the Fund. Structured reinsurance investments are also subject to extension risk. The sponsor of such an investment might have the right to extend the maturity of the notes to verify that the trigger event did occur or to process and audit insurance claims. In certain circumstances, the extension may exceed two years.

 

 3

 

 

The Fund may invest indirectly in reinsurance contracts, by holding notes or preferred shares issued by a SPV whose performance is tied to an underlying reinsurance transaction, including quota share instruments. Quota shares are a form of proportional reinsurance in which an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer’s portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies, according to a pre-defined percentage. For example, under a 10% quota share agreement, the SPV will be entitled to 10% of all premiums associated with a defined portfolio and be responsible for 10% of all related claims.

 

Collateralized reinsurance investments are privately structured securities or derivatives utilized to gain exposure to the reinsurance market. Collateralized reinsurance entails an SPV entering into a reinsurance arrangement that is then collateralized by invested capital and premiums related to the insurance coverage. The collateral is designed to cover in full the potential claims that could arise from the underlying reinsurance contract.

 

Industry loss warranties (“ILWs”) are a form of insurance-linked security used to finance peak, non-recurrent insurance risks, such as hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes. ILWs feature an industry loss index trigger, and, in some cases, a dual trigger design that includes a protection buyer indemnity trigger. A traditional ILW takes the form of a bilateral reinsurance contract, but there are also index products that take the form of derivatives or exchange traded instruments. The common feature among these forms is that the payout trigger is based on an industry loss index or a parametric index.

 

The reinsurance market is highly cyclical, with coverage being written at the beginning of the year and midyear for coverage for the following 12 months. The pricing of reinsurance is also highly cyclical as premiums for reinsurance coverage are driven, in large part, by insurers’ recent loss experience.

 

Since ILS are typically structured so as to be bankruptcy remote SPVs or similar structures it is unlikely that the Fund could lose its investment if the applicable trigger event never occurs, However, there can be no assurance that ILS in which the Fund may invest in the future will be structured in a similar manner or that a court would uphold the intended bankruptcy remote characterization of the structure. If ILS issued in the future is structured in a different manner, it may be possible that the Fund would lose its entire investment in an event-linked bond even though the applicable trigger event never occurs.

 

Debt Securities. The Fund may invest in a variety of debt securities to seek its objectives. In general, debt securities may be subject to the risks described below.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in value of a debt security resulting from the relationship between price and yield. An increase in general interest rates will tend to reduce the market value of already-issued debt securities and a decline in general interest rates will tend to increase their value. Debt securities with longer maturities are usually subject to greater fluctuations in value from interest rate changes than obligations having shorter maturities. Variable rate debt securities pay interest based on an interest rate benchmark. When the benchmark rate changes, the interest payments on those securities may be reset at a higher or lower rate. Except for investments in variable rate debt securities, fluctuations in general interest rates do not affect the amount of interest income received. Fluctuations in the market valuations of debt securities may, however, affect the value of Fund assets. “Zero-coupon” or “stripped” securities may be particularly sensitive to interest rate changes. Risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened given that interest rates in the U.S. are near historic lows.

 

 4

 

 

Duration Risk. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio to interest rate changes. Duration risk is the risk that longer-duration debt securities are more volatile and thus more likely to decline in price, and to a greater extent, than shorter-duration debt securities, in a rising interest-rate environment. “Effective duration” attempts to measure the expected percentage change in the value of a bond or portfolio resulting from a change in prevailing interest rates. The change in the value of a bond or portfolio can be approximated by multiplying its duration by a change in interest rates. For example, if a bond has an effective duration of three years, a 1% increase in general interest rates would be expected to cause the bond’s value to decline about 3% while a 1% decrease in general interest rates would be expected to cause the bond’s value to increase 3%. The duration of a debt security may be equal to or shorter than the full maturity of a debt security.
   
Credit Risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to meet interest or principal payments or both as they become due. In general, below-investment-grade, higher-yield bonds are subject to credit risk to a greater extent than lower-yield, investment-grade bonds. In making investments in debt securities, the Fund’s investment adviser may rely to some extent on the ratings of national statistical rating organizations or it may use its own research to evaluate a security’s credit-worthiness. If securities purchased are unrated, they may be assigned a rating by the Fund’s investment adviser in categories similar to those of a national statistical rating organization. There are no investment policies establishing specific maturity ranges for investments, and they may be within any maturity range (short, medium or long) depending on the Fund’s investment adviser’s evaluation of investment opportunities available within the debt securities markets.
   
Credit Spread Risk. Credit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market expects below-investment-grade bonds to default more frequently. Widening credit spreads may quickly reduce the market values of below-investment-grade and unrated securities. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may trade less actively than rated securities, which means that it might be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price.
   
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that when interest rates fall, it may be necessary to reinvest the proceeds from a security’s sale or redemption at a lower interest rate. Callable bonds are generally subject to greater reinvestment risk than non-callable bonds.
   
Prepayment Risk. Certain fixed-income securities (in particular mortgage-related securities) are subject to the risk of unanticipated prepayment. Prepayment risk is the risk that, when interest rates fall, the issuer will redeem the security prior to the security’s expected maturity, or that borrowers will repay the loans that underlie these fixed-income securities more quickly than expected, thereby causing the issuer of the security to repay the principal prior to expected maturity. It may be necessary to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate, reducing income. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest rates fall. If these securities are purchased at a premium, accelerated prepayments on those securities could cause losses on a portion of the principal investment. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the security’s price volatility. Interest-only and principal-only securities are especially sensitive to interest rate changes, which can affect not only their prices but can also change the income flows and repayment assumptions about those investments.
   
Event Risk. If an issuer of debt securities is the subject of a buyout, debt restructuring, merger or recapitalization that increases its debt load, it could interfere with its ability to make timely payments of interest and principal and cause the value of its debt securities to fall.

 

 5

 

 

Risks of Below-Investment-Grade Securities. Below-investment-grade securities (also referred to as “junk bonds”) are those rated below investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), and Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) or other nationally recognized statistical rating organization or unrated securities the Adviser believes are of comparable quality. While below-investment-grade securities generally may have a higher yield than securities rated in the investment-grade categories, they are subject to increased risks. Below-investment-grade securities are considered to be speculative with respect to the ability of the issuer to timely repay principal and pay interest or dividends in accordance with the terms of the obligation and may have more credit risk than investment-grade securities, especially during times of weakening economic conditions or rising interest rates. The risks of below-investment-grade securities include:

 

Prices of below-investment-grade securities are subject to extreme price fluctuations, even under normal market conditions. Negative economic developments may have a greater impact on the prices of below-investment-grade securities than on those of investment-grade securities. In addition, the market values of below-investment-grade securities tend to reflect individual issuer developments to a greater extent than do the market values of investment-grade securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates.
   
Below-investment-grade securities may be issued by less creditworthy issuers and may be more likely to default than investment-grade securities. The issuers of below-investment-grade securities may have more outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of higher-grade securities. Below-investment-grade securities are vulnerable to adverse changes in the issuer’s industry and to general economic conditions. If the issuer experiences financial stress, it may not be able to pay interest and principal payments in a timely manner. The issuer’s ability to pay its debt obligations also may be lessened by specific issuer developments or the unavailability of additional financing. In the event of a default of an issuer of a below-investment-grade security, a Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery or to negotiate new terms.
   
Below-investment-grade securities are frequently ranked junior to claims by other creditors. If the issuer cannot meet its obligations, the senior obligations are generally paid off before the junior obligations, which could limit a Fund’s ability to fully recover principal or to receive interest payments when senior securities are in default. As a result, investors in below-investment-grade securities have a lower degree of protection with respect to principal and interest payments than do investors in investment-grade securities.
   
There may be less of a market for below-investment-grade securities and as a result they may be harder to sell at an acceptable price. Not all dealers maintain markets in all below-investment-grade securities. As a result, there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities and such securities possibly may be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it is generally not as liquid as the secondary market for investment-grade securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the market price of the security. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its securities. Market quotations are generally available on many below-investment-grade securities only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or prices for actual sales. In addition, the trading volume for below-investment-grade securities is generally lower than that for investment-grade securities and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. Under certain economic and/or market conditions, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain below-investment-grade securities due to the limited number of investors in that sector of the market. When the secondary market for below-investment-grade securities becomes more illiquid, or in the absence of readily available market quotations for such securities, the relative lack of reliable objective data makes it more difficult to value a Fund’s securities and judgment plays a more important role in determining such valuations.
   

 

 6

 

 

Below-investment-grade securities frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from a Fund before it matures. During times of falling interest rates, issuers of these securities are likely to redeem or prepay the securities and finance them with securities with a lower interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the securities, or otherwise redeem them; a Fund may have to replace the securities with lower yielding securities, which could result in a lower return for such Fund.
   
Below-investment-grade securities markets may also react strongly to adverse news about an issuer or the economy, or to the perception or expectation of adverse news, whether or not it is based on fundamental analysis. An increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for below-investment-grade securities. Additionally, below-investment-grade securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These developments could adversely affect the Fund’s net asset values and investment practices, the secondary market for below-investment-grade securities, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value and liquidity of outstanding below-investment-grade securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

 

These additional risks mean that a Fund may not receive the anticipated level of income from these securities, and such Fund’s net asset value may be affected by declines in the value of below-investment-grade securities. Credit rating downgrades of a single issuer or related similar issuers whose securities a Fund holds in significant amounts could substantially and unexpectedly increase such Fund’s exposure to below-investment-grade securities and the risks associated with them, especially liquidity and default risk.

 

While securities rated “Baa” by Moody’s, “BBB” by S&P or Fitch, or the similar category by the Adviser if an unrated security, are investment grade, they may be subject to special risks and have some speculative characteristics.

 

Foreign Securities. Foreign securities include equity and debt securities of issuers organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governmental or by supra-national entities, such as the World Bank, or by their agencies or instrumentalities. They may also include securities of issuers (including those that are located in the U.S. or organized under U.S. law) that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits from foreign businesses, investments or sales, or that have a significant portion of their assets abroad. Securities denominated in foreign currencies issued by U.S. companies may also be considered to be “foreign securities.” Foreign securities may be traded on foreign securities exchanges or in foreign over-the-counter markets.

 

Investing in foreign securities offers potential benefits that are not available from investing only in the securities of U.S. issuers. Those benefits include the opportunity to invest in a wider range of issuers, in countries with economic policies or business cycles that differ from those in the United States and in markets that often do not move parallel to U.S. markets. Because of these features, foreign investments may reduce portfolio volatility.

 

The percentage of assets allocated to foreign securities may vary over time depending on a number of factors, including the relative yields of foreign and U.S. securities, the economies of foreign countries, the condition of foreign financial markets, the interest rate climate in particular foreign countries, and the relationship of foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar. The Adviser may analyze fundamental economic criteria, including for example: relative inflation levels and trends, growth rate forecasts, natural resources, reliance on particular industries, balance of payments status, interest rates, market conditions, currency values, international trading patterns, trade barriers, diplomatic developments, social and political factors, and economic policies.

 

 7

 

 

Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American Depository Receipts, or similar depository arrangements, or that are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets are not considered “foreign securities” for purposes of a Fund’s investment allocations, because they are not subject to many of the special considerations and risks that apply to foreign securities held and traded abroad.

 

Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities present risks and considerations not usually associated with investments in U.S. securities. Those may include:

 

a lack of public information about foreign issuers;
   
lower trading volume and less liquidity in foreign securities markets than in U.S. markets;
   
greater price volatility in foreign markets than in U.S. markets;
   
less government regulation of foreign issuers, exchanges and brokers than in the U.S.;
   
a lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in foreign countries compared to those applicable to U.S. issuers;
   
fluctuations in the value of foreign investments due to changes in currency rates;
   
the expense of currency exchange transactions;
   
greater difficulties in pricing securities in foreign markets;
   
foreign government restrictions on investments by U.S. and other non-local entities;
   
higher brokerage commission rates than in the U.S.;
   
increased risks of delays in clearance and settlement of portfolio transactions;
   
unfavorable differences between the U.S. economy and some foreign economies;
   
greater difficulty in commencing and pursuing lawsuits or other legal remedies;
   
less regulation of foreign banks and securities depositories;
   
increased risks of loss of certificates for portfolio securities;
   
government restrictions on the repatriation of profits or capital or other currency control regulations;
   
the possibility in some countries of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political, financial or social instability or adverse diplomatic developments;
   
the reduction of income by foreign taxes; and
   
potential for time-zone arbitrage.

 

Foreign investments are often denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which means that changes in the currency exchange rate will affect the value of those investments. Generally, when the U.S. dollar increases in value against a foreign currency, an investment denominated in that currency is worth less in U.S. dollars and when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, an investment denominated in that currency is worth more in U.S. dollars. The Fund must compute their net asset value and their income in U.S. dollars and a change in the dollar value of a foreign currency will generally result in a change in a Fund’s net asset value or its investment income that is available for distribution to shareholders. Because a portion of a Fund’s investment income may be received in foreign currencies, a Fund will be required to compute its income in U.S. dollars for distribution to shareholders, and therefore a Fund will absorb the cost of currency fluctuations. Foreign currency losses that occur after a Fund has distributed income may result in a Fund having made a distribution that was larger than its investment income during a particular fiscal period. In that case, the additional amount distributed would be classified as a return of capital to shareholders. In the past, government policies have discouraged investments in certain foreign countries through economic sanctions, trade restrictions, taxation or other government actions. It is possible that such policies could be implemented in the future.

 

 8

 

 

Risks of Developing and Emerging Markets. Emerging and developing markets may offer special opportunities for investing but, in addition to being subject to all the risks of foreign investing, also have greater risks than more mature foreign markets. Emerging and developing market countries may be subject to greater political, social and economic instability; have high inflation rates; experience unfavorable diplomatic developments; have less liquid securities markets with greater price volatility; have additional delays in the settlement of securities transactions; impose exchange controls; be subject to trade barriers; impose differential taxes on foreign investors; have a higher possibility of confiscatory taxes or the expropriation of assets; impose restrictions on direct investments or investments in issuers in particular industries; and lack developed legal or regulatory systems. Investments in securities of issuers in developing or emerging market countries may be considered speculative. Additional information about certain risks associated with emerging and developing markets is provided below.

 

Less Developed Securities Markets. Developing or emerging market countries may have less well-developed securities markets and exchanges. Consequently, they have lower trading volume than the securities markets of more developed countries. These markets may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume. Therefore, prompt liquidation of substantial portfolio holdings may be difficult at times. As a result, these markets may be substantially less liquid than those of more developed countries, and the securities of issuers located in these markets may have limited marketability.
   
Transaction Settlement. Settlement procedures in developing or emerging markets may differ from those of more established securities markets. Settlements may also be delayed by operational problems. Securities issued by developing countries and by issuers located in those countries may be subject to extended settlement periods. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods during which some assets are uninvested and no return is earned on those assets. The inability to make intended purchases of securities due to settlement problems could cause missed investment opportunities. Losses could also be caused by an inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems. As a result there could be subsequent declines in the value of the portfolio security, a decrease in the level of liquidity of the portfolio or, if there is a contract to sell the security, a possible liability to the purchaser.
   
Price Volatility. Securities prices in developing or emerging markets may be significantly more volatile than is the case in more developed nations of the world, which may lead to greater difficulties in pricing securities.
   
Less Developed Governments and Economies. Developing or emerging market countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems, and their governments may also be more unstable than the governments of more developed countries. For example, governments of some developing or emerging market countries have defaulted on their bonds and there is the risk of this happening in the future. These countries may also have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. Developing or emerging market countries also may be subject to social, political or economic instability, and have greater potential for pervasiveness of corruption and crime, armed conflict, the adverse economic impact of civil war and religious or ethnic unrest. In addition, the economies of developing or emerging market countries may be more dependent on relatively few industries or investors that may be highly vulnerable to local and global changes. Further, the value of the currency of a developing or emerging market country may fluctuate more than the currencies of countries with more mature markets. Investments in developing or emerging market countries may also be subject to greater potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.

 

 9

 

 

Government Restrictions. In certain developing or emerging market countries, government approval may be required for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. Also, a government might impose temporary restrictions on remitting capital abroad if the country’s balance of payments deteriorates, or it might do so for other reasons. If government approval were delayed or refused, income or capital gains may not be able to be transmitted to the United States. Other government restrictions may include confiscatory taxation, expropriation or nationalization of company assets, restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures, and practices such as share blocking. Share blocking is the practice in certain foreign markets where voting rights related to an issuer’s securities are predicated on those securities being blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a period of time around a shareholder meeting. Such restrictions have the effect of prohibiting the purchase and sale of certain voting securities within a specified number of days before, and in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting. The share blocking period can last up to several weeks, typically terminating on a date established at the discretion of the issuer. Share blocking may prevent a Fund from buying or selling securities for a period of time. When shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. Having a blocking restriction lifted can be difficult and onerous, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. In some countries, the block cannot be removed for the duration of time it is effective. Additionally, the imposition of restrictions on investments by foreign entities might result in less attractive investment opportunities or require the sale of existing investments. Investments in developing or emerging market countries may also be subject to greater risks relating to the withdrawal or non-renewal of any license enabling a Fund to trade in securities of a particular country.
   
Privatization Programs. The governments in some developing or emerging market countries have been engaged in programs to sell all or part of their interests in government-owned or controlled enterprises. Privatization programs may offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation, in the appropriate circumstances. However, in certain developing countries, the ability of foreign entities to participate in privatization programs may be limited by local law. Additionally, the terms on which a foreign entity might be permitted to participate may be less advantageous than those afforded local investors. There can be no assurance that privatization programs will be successful.
   

Illiquid Securities. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities that may be considered illiquid, by virtue of the absence of a readily available market, legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or other factors limiting the marketability of the security. Generally, an illiquid security is any security that the Fund reasonably expects cannot 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 security. The Adviser will monitor the amount of illiquid securities in the Fund’s portfolio, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), to ensure compliance with this investment restriction. 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 its net assets in illiquid investments, ensuring that the Fund holds enough liquid assets to meet reasonably foreseeable redemption requests, and reporting to the Board regarding the effectiveness and operation of the liquidity risk management program.

 

 10

 

 

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

 

Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange or will trade with any volume. There is no guarantee that an active secondary market will develop for Shares of the Fund.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Derivatives Risk. Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act permits a Fund to enter into Derivatives Transactions (as defined below) and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the Investment Company Act. Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, among other things, prohibits open-end funds, including the Fund, from issuing or selling any “senior security,” other than borrowing from a bank (subject to a requirement to maintain 300% “asset coverage”).

 

Under Rule 18f-4, “Derivatives Transactions” include the following: (1) any swap, security-based swap (including a contract for differences), futures contract, forward contract, option (excluding purchased options), any combination of the foregoing, or any similar instrument, under which a Fund is or may be required to make any payment or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or settlement payment or otherwise; (2) any short sale borrowing; (3) reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions (e.g., recourse and nonrecourse tender option bonds, and borrowed bonds), if a Fund elects to treat these transactions as Derivatives Transactions under Rule 18f-4; and (4) when-issued or forward-settling securities (e.g., firm and standby commitments, including to-be announced (“TBA”) commitments, and dollar rolls) and non-standard settlement cycle securities, unless the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”).

 

 11

 

 

Unless a Fund is relying on the Limited Derivatives User Exception (as defined below), the Fund must comply with Rule 18f-4 with respect to its Derivatives Transactions. Rule 18f-4, among other things, requires a Fund to adopt and implement a comprehensive written derivatives risk management program (“DRMP”) and comply with a relative or absolute limit on Fund leverage risk calculated based on value-at-risk (“VaR”). The DRMP is administered by a “derivatives risk manager,” who is appointed by the Board, including a majority of Independent Directors/Trustees, and periodically reviews the DRMP and reports to the Board.

 

Rule 18f-4 provides an exception from the DRMP, VaR limit and certain other requirements if a Fund’s “derivatives exposure” (as defined in Rule 18f-4) is limited to 10% of its net assets (as calculated in accordance with Rule 18f-4) and the Fund adopts and implements written policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks (the “Limited Derivatives User Exception”).

 

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 a 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 a Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund. Other investment practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy are considered non-fundamental (“Non-Fundamental”).

 

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.

 

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.

 

 12

 

 

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.

 

Except with respect to borrowing and circumstances where a Fund is required to “cover” its positions, 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 a Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of a Fund, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 300% asset coverage requirement. The 1940 Act also permits a 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 a 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 a 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 any underlying investment companies when determining its compliance with the policy.

 

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

 

MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Investment Adviser. Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser supervises the Fund’s investments pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust with respect to the Fund. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2007 and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. The Adviser’s principal address is 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420, Dallas, Texas 75225

 

 13

 

 

The Adviser currently provides investment advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, , subject to the oversight of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for designing the Fund’s overall investment strategy, selecting investments that the Fund purchases and sells and executing brokerage transactions, liquidity risk management and ensuring that the Fund’s investments are consistent with all applicable investment limitations. The Adviser also determines the allocation of the Fund’s assets to the Sub-Adviser and oversees the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Adviser furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund.

 

For its services with respect to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly of 1.20% 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 believe that there would be no material impact on the Fund or their 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.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its advisory fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep net operating expenses (excluding interest, fees payable pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees, expenses and extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) from exceeding 2.0% for the Fund until December 31, 2025. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by a Fund within three years following the date such waiver and/or reimbursement was made, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped.

 

 14

 

 

The Sub-Adviser.

 

The Adviser has retained King Ridge Capital Advisors LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund. The Sub-Adviser has its principal office at 87 Summit Road, New London, New Hampshire 03257. The Sub-Adviser was established in November 2024 and focuses on the convergence of catastrophe reinsurance and weather risk transfer markets with capital markets. The Sub-Adviser is one of the largest catastrophe insurance-linked securities managers in the world. They provide alternative capital to the reinsurance market.

 

Pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), the Sub-Adviser is responsible for day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated to it by the Adviser, including determining the securities and financial instruments purchased and sold by the Fund, and trading portfolio securities for the Fund, including selecting broker-dealers to executing 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: 0.60%.

 

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

 

Portfolio Manager. As described in the prospectus, Ethan Powell, Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, Rick Pagnani, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of the Sub-Adviser, and Vijay Manghnani, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser 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 December 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)

Ethan Powell 4 $307 0 $0 74 $881 $1,188
Rick Pagnani 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0
Vijay Manghnani 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

 

Conflicts of Interests. The Portfolio Manager’s management of “other accounts” may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser 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.

 

 15

 

 

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

 

Portfolio Manager’s Share Ownership. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not commenced operations, and therefore, the Portfolio Manager did 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 Agency. Pursuant to a Custodial and Agency Services Agreement with the Trust, Citibank, N.A. (“Custodian”), located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10048, serves as Custodian for the 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.

 

 16

 

 

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.

 

 17

 

 

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.

 

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, and prepares the Trust’s tax returns. Cohen & Company, Ltd. is located at 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

 

 18

 

 

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.

 

Ms. Mary Lou H. Ivey has business experience as a practicing tax accountant from 1996 to 2021 and, as such, brings tax, budgeting and financial reporting skills to the Board. Currently, Ms. Ivey serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Episcopal Church Building Fund since 2022 utilizing her financial knowledge and skills.

 

Ms. Laura V. Morrison has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles at global stock exchanges and asset managers. She has extensive knowledge of ETFs as well as mutual funds, having set the strategy and managed the product development, sales distribution and marketing teams at a leading provider. Ms. Morrison also guided the growth of several listing exchanges in the U.S. and Europe including NYSE & Cboe Markets.

 

Dr. David J. Urban is Dean Emeritus and Professor of Marketing at the Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University. He earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Michigan. Dr. Urban also holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree in Commerce with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Virginia. His extensive career is marked by significant budget responsibility and accountability, with expertise in marketing, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and management contributing to the Board’s long-term goal setting.

 

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.

 

 19

 

 

Trustee Emeritus

 

Mr. Theo H. Pitt is a Trustee Emeritus of the Trust. In his capacity as Trustee Emeritus, he does not have any fiduciary or oversight responsibilities to the Trust, and he does not vote on any matters that may be brought before the Board. As Trustee Emeritus, Mr. Pitt serves the Board in an advisory capacity, which allows the Board to capitalize on the institutional knowledge and experience Mr. Pitt has garnered over many decades in the financial services and investment management industries. Mr. Pitt began serving as Trustee Emeritus on January 1, 2025. Previously, Mr. Pitt served as an Independent Trustee of the Trust from December 2019 until he retired  on December 31, 2024.

 

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  

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. 87 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty-three series of that trust; and Independent Trustee of Precidian ETFs Trust for the forty-eight series of that Trust (each a registered investment company).

Laura V. Morrison 

1966 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since July, 2024 Owner, LVM Advisory LLC (consulting services to financial institutions) since 2024; Director and Member of Nominating and Governance Committee, Women in ETFs (not for profit ) (2021 – present); Formerly, Chief Revenue Officer, Direxion (2022-2023); Senior Vice President, Global Head of Listings, Cboe Global Markets (2015-2022). 87 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty-three series of that trust; and Independent Trustee of Precidian ETFs Trust for the forty-eight series of that Trust (each a registered investment company).

Dr. 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. 87 Independent Trustee of World Funds Trust for the twenty-three series of that trust; and Independent Trustee of Precidian ETFs Trust for the forty-eight series of that Trust.

 

 20

 

 

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 

1963 

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.

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 

1954 

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.

Holly B. Giangiulio 

1962 

Assistant Secretary

Indefinite, Since December 2019

Managing Director, Corporate Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., January 2015 to present.

 

Laura Wright 

1972 

Assistant Secretary 

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

J. Stephen King 

1962 

Assistant Secretary 

Indefinite, Since September 2022

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

 

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 

1968 

Assistant Chief Compliance Officer 

Indefinite, Since March 2023 Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting firm) since March 2007.

 

 21

 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

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

 

The Trust has a standing Audit Committee of the Board composed of Ms. Ivey, Ms. Morrison, and Dr. Urban. 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 seven times during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Ms. Ivey, Ms. Morrison, and Dr. Urban. 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 Ms. Ivey, Ms. Morrison, and Dr. Urban. 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.

 

 22

 

 

Trustee Compensation. Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust may receive compensation for their services to the Trust. All Trustees are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. Effective October 1, 2024, each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $74,000 and 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 (Position) Aggregate Compensation from Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees (*)(1)
Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee $2,324 $0  $0 $2,324
Laura V. Morrison, Trustee $2,176 $0 $0 $2,176
Dr. David J. Urban, Trustee $2,176 $0  $0 $2,176
Theo J. Pitt, Jr., Trustee Emeritus(2) $165 $0  $0 $165
*The Trust does not pay deferred compensation.
(1)The “Fund Complex” consists of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF.
(2)Mr. Theo H. Pitt, Jr. retired from the Trust on December 31, 2024 and no longer serves as Trustee.

 

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares. The table below shows for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Funds of the Trust, as of December 31, 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.

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by the Trustees in Family of Investment Companies
Non-Interested Trustees    
Mary Lou H. Ivey A A
Laura V. Morrison A A
Dr. David J. Urban 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.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to a Fund’s fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser. Since the economic benefit of investing in an ETF is passed through to the underlying investors of the record owners of 25% or more of the Fund shares, these record owners are not considered the beneficial owners of the Fund’s shares or control persons of the Fund. 

 

 23

 

 

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, a 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 a 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, a 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 a 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 price quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or Valuation Designee (as defined below)in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

 24

 

 

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 a 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 a Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Valuation Designee (as defined below). Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of a Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of a Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Shares.

 

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.

 

 25

 

 

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

 

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

 

The Custodian, through the NSCC (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time), the list of the name and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security (if any) to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for 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.

 

 26

 

 

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

 

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

 

Procedures for Creation of Creation Units

 

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

 

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.

 

 27

 

 

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.

 

 28

 

 

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.

 

 29

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 30

 

 

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 a Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.

 

Redemption Orders

 

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

 

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

 

 31

 

 

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.

 

 32

 

 

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 a Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws.

 

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

 

Redemption Transaction Fee

 

Investors will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Redemption Transaction Fee”) to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Redemption Transaction Fee charged by the Fund’s custodian for each redemption order is $250.00.

 

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

 

 33

 

 

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.

 

Custom Baskets

 

The Fund Securities to be deposited for the purchase of a Creation Unit, and the Fund Securities delivered in connection with a Redemption, may differ, and the Fund may accept “custom baskets.” A custom basket may include any of the following: (i) a basket that is composed of a non-representative selection of a Fund’s portfolio holdings; or (ii) a representative basket that is different from the initial basket used in transactions on the same business day. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of baskets, including heightened requirements for certain types of custom baskets.

 

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Fund or their 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 their shareholders. The discussion reflects applicable U.S. federal income tax laws as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Fund and their 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.

 

 34

 

 

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 (“Shares”) are held by U.S. shareholders (defined below) and that such Shares are held as capital assets.

 

A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of 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 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 of a Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership that will hold Shares of the Fund should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its 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, a 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 a 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 U.S. federal corporate income tax on the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.

 

 35

 

 

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 rate of tax (currently 21%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of the Asset Test by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the Asset Test.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 36

 

 

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, they 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 Income Test, Asset Test, and Distribution Test for that year and distribute of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the 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.

 

 37

 

 

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 advisors 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 of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical Shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. 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.

 

 38

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax 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.

 

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 covered Shares will be reported on a U.S. shareholder’s Consolidated Form 1099 if the shareholder does not select a different 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 a U.S. shareholder’s purchase or upon the sale of covered Shares.

 

 39

 

 

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 enter 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 a 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.

 

A 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).

 

Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind Securities, Market Discount and Commodity-Linked Notes. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the OID is treated as interest income and is included in 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.

 

 40

 

 

Some debt obligations that may be acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligations issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt obligation. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case 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 a Fund may be treated as having “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price), or OID in the case of certain types of debt obligations. 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 a Fund holds 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 a Fund, the Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In limited circumstances, it may also not be clear whether the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, and if so, what amount of market discount the Fund should recognize. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by a 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.

 

 41

 

 

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

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt U.S. shareholder could recognize unrelated taxable business income (“UBTI”) by virtue of its investment in a 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 a 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 and the Fund recognizes “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, a 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 have not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

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

 

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

 

Non-U.S. Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by a 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.

 

 42

 

 

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 invest 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 report all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends 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 Dividends 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 Dividends received by the non-U.S. shareholder (as described below).

 

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

 

 43

 

 

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 do 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 is 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 advisers in this regard.

 

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

 

Backup Withholding. 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 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.

 

 44

 

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Shares of $2 million or more for an individual U.S. shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. shareholder, the U.S. shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax own advisers to determine the applicability of this requirement in light of their individual circumstances.

 

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 Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and their 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 own 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 a 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.

 

 45

 

 

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 a Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of execution and not on sales efforts. When placing portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the 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.

 

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.

 

 46

 

 

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.ilsetf.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.

 

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.

 

 47

 

 

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 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. These portfolio holdings schedules filed on Form N-CSR and form N-PORT are posted to the Fund’s website no later than sixty (60) days following the fiscal quarters.

 

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

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

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

 

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

 

 48

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

PROXY VOTING

 

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

 

 49

 

 

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 (855) 682-2229 or by writing to the Fund at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235; (2) on the Fund’s website at www.ilsetf.com; and (3) 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.

 

Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 

Richmond, Virginia 23235 

Telephone: (855) 682-2229

 

 50

 

 

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 Fund’s shareholders.

 

Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisers

 

The Board believes that the investment adviser, or the investment sub-adviser as appropriate, of the 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 the Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.

 

The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of the 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. 

 

 51

 

 

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. Effective July 1, 2024, a Fund shall make publicly available its most recently filed report on Form N-PX on or through its website as soon as reasonably practicable after filing the report with the Commission. The information disclosed on Form N-PX shall be in a readable format. In addition, 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.

  

 52

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC

 

Proxy Voting

 

Dated: August 7, 2024

 

 

 

Background

 

In Proxy Voting by Investment Advisers, Investment Advisers Act Release No. 2106 (January 31, 2003), the SEC noted that, “The federal securities laws do not specifically address how an adviser must exercise its proxy voting authority for its clients. Under the Advisers Act, however, an adviser is a fiduciary that owes each of its clients a duty of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken on the client’s behalf, including proxy voting. The duty of care requires an adviser with proxy voting authority to monitor corporate events and to vote the proxies.”

 

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires each registered investment adviser that exercises proxy voting authority with respect to client securities to:

 

Adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes client securities in the clients’ best interests. Such policies and procedures must address the manner in which the adviser will resolve material conflicts of interest that can arise during the proxy voting process;

 

Disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser about how the adviser voted with respect to their securities; and

 

Describe to clients the adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy of the policies and procedures.

 

Additionally, paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 204-2 imposes additional recordkeeping requirements on investment advisers that execute proxy voting authority, as described in the Maintenance of Books and Records section of this Manual.

 

The Advisers Act lacks specific guidance regarding an adviser’s duty to direct clients’ participation in class actions. However, many investment advisers adopt policies and procedures regarding class actions.

 

Policies and Procedures

 

Proxy Voting

 

Proxies are assets of Brookmont Capital’s Clients that must be voted with diligence, care, and loyalty. Brookmont Capital will vote each proxy in accordance with its fiduciary duty to its Clients. Brookmont Capital will generally seek to vote proxies in a way that maximizes the value of Clients’ assets. However, Brookmont Capital will document and abide by any specific proxy voting instructions conveyed by a Client with respect to that Client’s securities. The CCO coordinates Brookmont Capital’s proxy voting process.

 

 53

 

 

Paragraph (c)(ii) of Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act requires Brookmont Capital to maintain certain books and records associated with its proxy voting policies and procedures. Brookmont Capital’s recordkeeping obligations are described in the Maintenance of Books and Records section of this Manual.

 

The CCO or his delegate will ensure that Brookmont Capital complies with all applicable recordkeeping requirements associated with proxy voting.

 

Absent specific Client instructions, Brookmont Capital has adopted the following proxy voting procedures designed to ensure that proxies are properly identified and voted, and that any conflicts of interest are addressed appropriately:

 

The CCO or his delegate monitors Brookmont Capital’s Clients’ portfolio holdings and identifies opportunities to vote proxies when they are received by the issuer.

 

The CCO or his delegate review Brookmont Capital Clients’ proxy voting instructions periodically to ensure exceptions in proxy voting are accurately addressed

 

Brookmont Capital receives opportunities to vote proxies electronically or via US Mail.

 

The CCO or his delegate oversees the proxy voting process The CCO or his delegate oversees efforts to vote Client proxies according to the voting standards agreed upon. Any other deviations from these guidelines or recommendations must be approved in writing by the CCO.

 

The CCO will consider whether Brookmont Capital is subject to any material conflict of interest in connection with each proxy vote. Employees must notify the CCO if they are aware of any material conflict of interest associated with a proxy vote. It is impossible to anticipate all material conflicts of interest that could arise in connection with proxy voting. The following examples are meant to help Employees identify potential conflicts:

 

Brookmont Capital provides investment advice to a publicly traded company (an “Issuer”). Brookmont Capital receives a proxy solicitation from that Issuer, or from a competitor of that Issuer;

 

Brookmont Capital provides investment advice to an officer or director of an Issuer. Brookmont Capital receives a proxy solicitation from that Issuer, or from a competitor of that Issuer;

 

Brookmont Capital or an affiliate has a financial interest in the outcome of a proxy vote, such as when Brookmont Capital is asked to vote on a change in Rule 12b-1 fees paid by a mutual fund to investment advisers, including Brookmont Capital;

 

An issuer or some other third party offers Brookmont Capital or an Employee compensation in exchange for voting a proxy in a particular way;

 

An Employee, or a member of an Employee’s household, has a personal or business relationship with an Issuer. Brookmont Capital receives a proxy solicitation from that Issuer; and

 

Brookmont Capital or its Employees have a short position in an Issuer, but Brookmont Capital’s Clients have a long position in the same Issuer. Brookmont Capital receives a proxy solicitation from the Issuer.

 

 54

 

 

If Brookmont Capital detects a material conflict of interest in connection with a proxy solicitation, the Company will abide by the following procedures:

 

The CCO or his delegate will convene the Investment Policy Committee.

 

The CCO or his delegate will describe the proxy vote under consideration and identify the perceived conflict of interest. The CCO or his delegate will also propose the course of action that the CCO or his delegate believes is in Brookmont Capital’s Clients’ best interests. The CCO or his delegate will tell the Committee why the CCO or his delegate believes that this course of action is most appropriate.

 

The Committee members will review any documentation associated with the proxy vote and evaluate the CCO or his delegate’s proposal. The Committee members may wish to consider, among other things:

 

A vote’s likely short-term and long-term impact on the Issuer;

 

Whether the Issuer has responded to the subject of the proxy vote in some other manner;

 

Whether implementation of the proxy proposal appears likely to achieve the proposal’s stated objectives; and

 

Whether the CCO or his delegate’s proposal appears consistent with Clients’ best interests.

 

After taking a reasonable amount of time to consider the CCO or his delegate’s proposal, each of the Committee members will make a recommendation regarding the proxy vote. The CCO or his delegate will record each member’s recommendation, and will then vote the proxy according to the recommendations of a majority of the Committee’s members.

 

Brookmont Capital will not neglect its proxy voting responsibilities, but the Company may abstain from voting if it deems that abstaining is in its Clients’ best interests. For example, Brookmont Capital may be unable to vote securities that have been lent by the custodian.

 

The CCO or his delegate will retain the following information in connection with each proxy vote:

 

The Issuer’s name;

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

The shareholder meeting date;

The number of shares that Brookmont Capital voted;

The number of shares loaned and not recalled (if subject to Form N-PX);

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

Whether the matter was proposed by the Issuer or a security-holder;

Whether Brookmont Capital cast a vote;

How Brookmont Capital cast its vote (for the proposal, against the proposal, or abstain); and

Whether Brookmont Capital cast its vote with or against management.

 

If Brookmont Capital votes the same proxy in two directions, the CCO or his delegate will maintain documentation describing the reasons for each vote (e.g., Brookmont Capital believes that voting with management is in Clients’ best interests, but Client X gave specific instructions to vote against management).

 

 55

 

 

Any attempt to influence the proxy voting process by Issuers or others not identified in these policies and procedures should be promptly reported to the CCO. Similarly, any Client’s attempt to influence proxy voting with respect to other Clients’ securities should be promptly reported to the CCO.

 

Proxies received after a Client terminates its advisory relationship with Brookmont Capital will not be voted.

 

Voting Proxies for Loaned Securities

 

The Company is not able to vote proxies for securities loaned out by a Client. In the event that the Company is aware of a material vote on behalf of a registered fund and the Company has the ability to call back loans and is aware of the securities on loan by the custodian, the Company may attempt to call back the loan and vote the proxies if time permits.

 

Class Actions

 

As a fiduciary, Brookmont Capital always seeks to act in Clients’ best interests with good faith, loyalty, and due care. Brookmont Capital’s standard advisory contract authorizes the Company to direct Client participation in class actions. The Investment Policy Committee will determine whether Clients will (a) participate in a recovery achieved through class actions, or (b) opt out of the class action and separately pursue their own remedy. The CCO or his delegate oversees the completion of Proof of Claim forms and any associated documentation, the submission of such documents to the claim administrator, and the receipt of any recovered monies. The CCO or his delegate will maintain documentation associated with Clients’ participation in class actions.

 

Employees must notify the CCO or his delegate if they are aware of any material conflict of interest associated with Clients’ participation in class actions. The Investment Policy Committee will evaluate any such conflicts and determine an appropriate course of action for Brookmont Capital.

 

Brookmont Capital generally does not serve as the lead plaintiff in class actions because the costs of such participation typically exceed any extra benefits that accrue to lead plaintiffs.

 

Disclosures to Clients

 

Brookmont Capital includes a description of its policies and procedures regarding proxy voting and class actions in Part 2 of Form ADV, along with a statement that Clients can contact the CCO to obtain a copy of these policies and procedures and information about how Brookmont Capital voted with respect to the Client’s securities.

 

Any request for information about proxy voting or class actions should be promptly forwarded to the CCO, who will respond to any such requests.

 

As a matter of policy, Brookmont Capital does not disclose how it expects to vote on upcoming proxies. Additionally, Brookmont Capital does not disclose the way it voted proxies to unaffiliated third parties without a legitimate need to know such information.

 

 56

 

 

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

 

 57

 

  

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.

 

 58

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Certificate of Trust of ETF Opportunities Trust (“Registrant”) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020. 
     
(a)(2)   Agreement and Declaration of Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(b)   By-Laws of the Registrant is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(c)   Articles IV, VII and VIII of the Declaration of Trust, Exhibit 28(a)(2) above, define the rights of holders of the securities being registered. (Certificates for shares are not issued.)
     
(d)(1)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Ridgeline Research LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(d)(2)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Asset Management and Ridgeline Research LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 on Form N-1A filed on March 29, 2024.
     
(d)(3)   Amended Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETF, the Formidable Dividend and Income ETF and the Formidable Fortress ETF (“Formidable ETFs”) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.
     
(d)(4)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and Formidable Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.
     
(d)(5)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(d)(6)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Tidal Investments, LLC and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 201 on Form N-1A filed on December 13, 2024. .
     
(d)(7)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(d)(8)  

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Asset Management and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF and Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 on Form N-1A filed on March 29, 2024.

 

(d)(9)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.

 

 

 

 

(d)(10)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed November 23, 2021.
     
(d)(11)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Toroso Investments, LLC and WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.
     
(d)(12)   Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Cultivar Capital, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     
(d)(13)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Tidal Investments, LLC and Cultivar Capital, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective amendment No. 192 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.
     
(d)(14)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management LLC on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 on Form N-1A filed on October 6, 2023.
     
(d)(15)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(d)(16)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc. and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(d)(17)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of REX  IncomeMax AMD Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax AMZN Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax TSLA Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax BIIB Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax DIS Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax EEM Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax GDXJ Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax GOOG Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax META Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax MSFT Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax MSTR Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax PYPL Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax SLV Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax SMH Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax SNOW Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax TLRY Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax UNG Strategy ETF, REX  IncomeMax USO Strategy ETF and REX  IncomeMax V Strategy ETF (“REX ETFs”) and REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 2023.
     
(d)(18)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX ETFs REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 2023.
     
(d)(19)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF and the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023.
     
(d)(20)  

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

 

 

 

 

(d)(21)  

Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and IDX Advisors, LLC on behalf of the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 on Form N-1A filed on November 7, 2023.

 

(d)(22)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Tidal Investments, LLC and IDX Advisors, LLC on behalf of the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 201 on Form N-1A filed on December 13, 2024.
     
(d)(23)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on Form N-1A filed on January 8, 2024.
     

(d)(24)

 

 

Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tapp Finance, Inc. on behalf of TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF and TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.

 

(d)(25)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Tuttle Capital Management, LLC and Tapp Finance, Inc. on behalf of TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF and TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.
     
(d)(26)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.
     
(d)(27)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between REX Advisers, LLC and Vident Asset Management on behalf of the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.
     
(d)(28)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(d)(29)   Advisory Agreement between Registrant and 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(d)(30)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC and Tidal Investments, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(d)(31)  

Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF, T-REX 2X LONG GME DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X LONG HOOD DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X LONG SMCI DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X LONG 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 LONG PLTR DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X INVERSE PLTR DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X LONG 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 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 AI DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X LONG COIN DAILY TARGET ETF, and T-REX 2X INVERSE COIN DAILY TARGET ETF, T-REX 2X LONG MSTR DAILY TARGET ETF AND T-REX 2X INVERSE MSTR DAILY TARGET ETF (the “T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs”) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 on Form N-1A filed on September 23, 2024

 

 

 

 

(d)(32)  

Form of Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Brookmont Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF - Filed Herewith.

 

(d)(33)  

Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Brookmont Capital Management, LLC and King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF - Filed Herewith.

 

(d)(34)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital RSP Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital KRE Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital IYR Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XLU Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XLE Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XHB Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital EEM Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital EFA Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XLF Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital VTV Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital IJH Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XLV Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital SMH Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XBI Option Income Strategy ETF, Tuttle Capital XLY Option Income Strategy ETF (the “Tuttle Option Income ETFs”) (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(35)  

Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.

 

(d)(36)  

Sub-Advisory Agreement between REX Advisers, LLC and Vident Asset Management on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.

 

(d)(37)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(38)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between REX Advisers, LLC and Vident Asset Management on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(39)   Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital TSLA Put Write ETF, Tuttle Capital NVDA Put Write ETF, Tuttle Capital MSTR Put Write ETF, Tuttle Capital COIN Put Write ETF, and Tuttle Capital QQQ Put Write ETF (the “Put Write ETFs”) (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(39)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(40)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC and Tidal Investments, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(41)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and REX Advisers, LLC on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(42)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between REX Advisers, LLC and [____________] on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

 

 

 

(d)(43)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(44)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between Tuttle Capital Management, LLC and OT Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(d)(45)   Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital AAPL 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital GOOGL 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital META 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital TSLA 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital NVDA 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital AMZN 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital MSFT 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital MSTR 0DTE Covered Call ETF, Tuttle Capital COIN 0DTE Covered Call ETF, and Tuttle Capital IBIT 0DTE Covered Call ETF (the “Covered Call ETFs”) (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(1)   Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(e)(2)   First Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF, the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF and the Real Asset Strategies ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(e)(3)   Third Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Funds in the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(e)(4)   ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Funds in the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No 30 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2022.
     
(e)(5)   Fourth Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 44 on Form N-1A filed on March 17, 2023.
     
(e)(6)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF, the REX ETFs and the REX FANG & Innovation  Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(e)(7)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF, the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023.
     
(e)(8)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on Form N-1A filed on January 8, 2024.

 

 

 

 

(e)(9)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF and TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.
     
(e)(10)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.
     
(e)(11)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF and Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(e)(13)   Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF and the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 on Form N-1A filed on September 23, 2024.
     
(e)(14)   Form of Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF - Filed Herewith.
     
(e)(15)  

Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Tuttle Option Income ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

(e)(16)   Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(e)(17)   Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(18)   Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Put Write ETFs and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(19)   Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(20)   Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(21)   Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(e)(22)   Form of Authorized Participant Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(f)   Not applicable.
     
(g)(1)   Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.

 

 

 

 

(g)(2)  

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

 

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

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

 

(g)(9)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF, the REX ETFs and the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(g)(10)  

Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF, the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023.

 

(g)(11)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on Form N-1A filed on January 8, 2024.
     
(g)(12)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.

 

 

 

 

(g)(13)

 

 

Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF, Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF and SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.

 

(g)(14)  

Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF and the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 on Form N-1A filed on September 23, 2024.

 

(g)(15)   Form of Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(g)(16)   Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Option Income ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(17)   ETF Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A. on behalf of the TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 on Form N-1A filed on September 13, 2024.
     
(g)(18)   Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 on Form N-1A filed on September 13, 2024.
     
(g)(19)   Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A. on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(g)(20)   Amendment to Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(g)(21)   Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and [_______] on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(22)   Amendment to Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and  [_______]  on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(23)   Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A. on behalf of the Put Write ETFs and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(24)   Amendment to Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Put Write ETFs and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(25)   Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and  [_______]  on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(26)   Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and  [_______]  on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

 

 

 

(g)(27)   Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and  [_______]  on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(28)   Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and  [_______]  on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(29)   Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and [_______] on behalf of the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(g)(30)   Amendment to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and [_______] on behalf of the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(1)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(h)(2)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(h)(3)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(h)(4)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed on November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(5)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(h)(6)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed on November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(7)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(h)(8)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 on Form N-1A filed on October 6, 2023.
     
(h)(9)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     

(h)(10)

 

 

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

 

(h)(11)  

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

 

 

 

 

 

(h)(12)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 on Form N-1A filed on November 7, 2023.
     

(h)(13)

 

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on Form N-1A filed on January 8, 2024.

     
(h)(14)  

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF and TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.

     

(h)(15)

 

  Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.
     
(h)(16)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(h)(17)   Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(h)(18)  

Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs and the Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 on Form N-1A filed on September 23, 2024.

 

(h)(19)   Form of Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(h)(20)   Funds Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Tuttle Option Income ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(21)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(h)(22)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(23)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Put Write ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(24)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(25)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

 

 

 

(h)(26)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(27)   Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(28)   Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(h)(29)   Amendment No. 4 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Funds of the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(h)(30)   Amendment No. 6 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Funds of the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 on Form N-1A filed on July 20, 2021.
     
(h)(31)   Amendment No. 7 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 19 on Form N-1A filed on October 12, 2021.
     
(h)(32)   Amendment No. 8 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed on November 23, 2021.
     
(h)(33)   Amendment No. 9 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.
     
(h)(34)   Amendment No. 10 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Trust is herein incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Post-Effective No. 33 on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2022.
     
(h)(35)   Amendment No. 12 to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(h)(36)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF, the REX ETFs and the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(h)(37)  

Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF, Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF, the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF, Brendan Wood TopGun ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023.

 

 

 

 

(h)(38)

 

  Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on Form N-1A filed on January 8, 2024.
     
(h)(39)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF, Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF and SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.
     
(h)(40)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF and the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 on Form N-1A filed on September 23, 2024.
     
(h)(41)   Form of Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(h)(42)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Tuttle Option Income ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(43)   ETF Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 on Form N-1A filed on September 13, 2024.
     
(h)(44)   Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 on Form N-1A filed on September 13, 2024.
     
(h)(45)   Amendment to the ETF Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(h)(46)   Amendment to the Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(h)(47)   Amendment to the ETF Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(48)   Amendment to the ETF Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp on behalf of the Put Write ETFs and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(49)   Amendment to the ETF Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and [__________] on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

 

 

 

(h)(50)   Amendment to the Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(51)   Amendment to the Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Put Write ETFs and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(52)   Amendment to the Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement between the Registrant and [__________] on behalf of the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(53)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant and [_____] on behalf of the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(54)   Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant and [_____] on behalf of the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(55)   Fund of Funds Investment Agreement Pursuant to Rule 12d1-4 between the Registrant and Valued Advisers Trust on behalf of SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     
(h)(56)   Amendment No. 1 to the Fund of Funds Investment Agreement Pursuant to Rule 12d1-4 between the Registrant and Valued Advisers Trust on behalf of SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(57)   Fee Waiver Letter dated February 22, 2024, between the Registrant and Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 on Form N-1A filed on March 29, 2024.
     

(h)(58)

 

 

Fee Waiver Letter dated November 1, 2024 between Registrant and Tuttle Capital Management LLC on behalf of the Brendan Wood TopGun ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 on Form N-1A filed on December 30, 2024

     
(h)(59)         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 is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 on Form N-1A filed on June 26, 2024.
     
(h)(60)   Fee Waiver Letter dated June 25, 2024 between the Registrant and 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(h)(61)   Form of Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Brookmont Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(i)(1)   Opinion and Consent of Practus, LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(i)(2)   Consent of Legal Counsel for the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 on Form N-1A on November 27, 2024.
     
(i)(3)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 on Form N-1A filed on March 12, 2021.
     
(i)(4)   Consent of Legal Counsel for the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 153 on Form N-1A/A filed on July 29, 2024.  

 

 

 

 

(i)(5)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Applied Finance Valuation  Large Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed on April 16, 2021.
     
(i)(6)   Consent of Legal Counsel for the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2024.
     

(i)(7)

 

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 on Form N-1A filed on November 9, 2021.

     
(i)(8)  

Consent of Counsel for Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 on Form N-1A filed on March 29, 2024.

     
(i)(9)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF) is herein incorporated by reference form the Registration’s Post-Effective Amendment No 28 on Form N-1A filed on June 7, 2022.
     
(i)(10)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 on Form N-1A filed on November 23, 2021.
     

(i)(11)

 

 

Consent of Counsel for the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.

 

(i)(12)

 

 

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 on Form N-1A filed on March 24, 2022.

 

(i)(13)  

Consent of Counsel for the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 192 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.

 

(i)(14)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of securities registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(15)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 on Form N-1A filed on October 6, 2023.
     
(i)(16)   Consent of Counsel for the T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 on Form N-1A filed on October 28, 2024.
     
(i)(17)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to  LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(i)(18)   Consent of Counsel for the Laffer Tengler Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 193 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.
     
(i)(19)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the REX ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 2023.

 

 

 

 

(i)(20)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2023.
     
(i)(21)   Consent of Counsel for the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.
     

(i)(22)

 

  Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2023.
     
(i)(23)   Consent of Counsel for the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 on Form N-1A filed on December 30, 2024.
     
(i)(24)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Brendan Wood TopGun ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 on Form N-1A filed on October 20, 2023.
     
(i)(25)   Consent of Counsel for Brendan Wood TopGun ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 on Form N-1A filed on December 30, 2024.
     
(i)(26)  

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF and the Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 on Form N-1A filed on November 17, 2023.

 

(i)(27)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF and IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 on Form N-1A filed on November 7, 2023.
     

(i)(28)

 

 

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 on Form N-1A filed on January 8, 2024.

     
(i)(29)  

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the TappAlpha SPY Daily Growth & Income ETF and TappAlpha Innovation 100 Daily Growth & Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.

     
(i)(30)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 on Form N-1A filed on May 21, 2024.
     
(i)(31)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 on Form N-1A filed on August 9, 2024.
     

(i)(32)

 

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 on Form N-1A filed on June 26, 2024.

 

 

 

 

(i)(33)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 201 on Form N-1A filed on December 13, 2024.
     
(i)(34)  

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 on Form N-1A filed on September 23, 2024.

 

(i)(35)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the T-Rex 2X Inverse MSTR Daily Target ETF and the T-Rex 2X Long MSTR Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 166 on Form N-1A filed on September 13, 2024.
     
(i)(36)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the  Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(i)(37)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Tuttle Option Income ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(38)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(i)(39)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(40)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the Put Write ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(41)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the SMI 3Fourteen SMI Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(42)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(43)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(i)(44)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares registered with respect to the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(j)(1)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the American Conservative Values ETF and the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 on Form N-1A on November 27, 2024.
     
(j)(2)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Formidable ETFs is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 153 on Form N-1A/A filed on July 29, 2024.  
     
(j)(3)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2024.
     

(j)(4)

  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Cultivar ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 192 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.

 

 

 

 

(j)(5)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.
     
(j)(6)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 on Form N-1A filed on March 29, 2024.
     
(j)(7)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF, T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF and T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 on Form N-1A filed on October 28, 2024.
     
(j)(8)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the Laffer Tengler Equity Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 193 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.
     
(j)(9)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2024.
     
(j)(10)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of Brendan Wood TopGun ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 on Form N-1A filed on December 30, 2024.
     
(j)(11)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on behalf of Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 on Form N-1A filed on December 30, 2024.
     
(l)   Initial Capital Agreement is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(m)(1)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 on Form N-1A filed on June 26, 2024.
     
(m)(2)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF – Filed Herewith.
     
(m)(3)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Tuttle Option Income ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(m)(4)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post—Effective Amendment No. 188 on Form N-1A filed on November 22, 2024.
     
(m)(5)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(m)(6)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(m)(7)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Opportunistic Trader ETF (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(m)(8)   Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Covered Call ETFs (To be Filed by Amendment).

 

 

 

 

(n)(1)   Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan. Not applicable.
     
(o)   Reserved.
     
(p)(1)   Code of Ethics for the Registrant is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.
     
(p)(2)   Code of Ethics for Ridgeline Research, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A/A filed on June 15, 2020.
     
(p)(3)   Code of Ethics for Vident Asset Management is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 on Form N-1A filed on June 26, 2024. 
     
(p)(4)   Code of Ethics for Formidable Asset Management, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 on Form N-1A filed on March 12, 2021.
     
(p)(5)   Code of Ethics for Toroso Asset Management is herein incorporated by reference filed from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2022.
     
(p)(6)   Code of Ethics for Applied Finance Advisors, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 on Form N-1A filed on March 30, 2023.
     
(p)(7)   Code of Ethics for Gea Sphere, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.
     
(p)(8)   Code of Ethics for Kingsbarn Capital Management, LLC is herein incorporated by reference filed from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2022.
     
(p)(9)   Code of Ethics for WealthTrust Asset Management, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.
     
(p)(10)   Code of Ethics for Cultivar Capital, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2023.
     
(p)(11)   Code of Ethics for Tuttle Capital Management LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(p)(12)   Code of Ethics for Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 on Form N-1A filed on July 28, 2023.
     
(p)(13)   Code of Ethics for REX Advisers, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 on Form N-1A filed on September 1, 2023.
     
(p)(14)  

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

 

(p)(15)

 

Code of Ethics for IDX Advisors, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 on Form N-1A filed on November 7, 2023. 

     
(p)(16)  

Code of Ethics for Tapp Finance, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 on Form N-1A filed on January 23, 2024.

     
(p)(17)  

Code of Ethics for 3Fourteen & SMI Advisory Services, LLC is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 on Form N-1A filed on June 26, 2024. 

     
(p)(18)   Code of Ethics for Brookmont Capital Management, LLC – Filed Herewith.

 

 

 

 

(p)(19)   Code of Ethics for King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC – Filed Herewith
     
(p)(20)   Code of Ethics for OT Advisors, LLC (To be Filed by Amendment).
     
(q)   Power of Attorney for Mary Lou H. Ivey, Dr. David J. Urban, and Laura V. Morrison is herein incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective amendment No. 208 on form N-1A filed on January 6, 2025.

 

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.ActivePassive Core Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
4.ActivePassive Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
5.ActivePassive International Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
6.ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
7.AdvisorShares Trust
8.AFA Private Credit Fund
9.AGF Investments Trust
10.AIM ETF Products Trust
11.Alexis Practical Tactical ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
12.AlphaCentric Prime Meridian Income Fund

 

 

 

 

13.American Century ETF Trust
14.Amplify ETF Trust
15.Applied Finance Dividend Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
16.Applied Finance Explorer Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
17.Applied Finance Select Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
18.ARK ETF Trust
19.ARK Venture Fund
20.Bitwise Funds Trust
21.Bluestone Community Development Fund
22.BondBloxx ETF Trust
23.Bramshill Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
24.Bridgeway Funds, Inc.
25.Brinker Capital Destinations Trust
26.Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc.
27.Build Funds Trust
28.Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund
29.Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund
30.Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund
31.Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund
32.Calamos Global Total Return Fund
33.Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
34.Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund
35.Cascade Private Capital Fund
36.Catalyst Strategic Income Opportunities Fund
37.CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund
38.Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure Fund
39.Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
40.Clifford Capital International Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
41.Clifford Capital Partners Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
42.Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund
43.Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund
44.Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
45.Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
46.CornerCap Small-Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
47.CrossingBridge Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
48.Curasset Capital Management Core Bond Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
49.Curasset Capital Management Limited Term Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
50.CYBER HORNET S&P 500® and Bitcoin 75/25 Strategy ETF, Series of ONEFUND Trust
51.Davis Fundamental ETF Trust
52.Defiance Connective Technologies ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
53.Defiance Hotel, Airline, and Cruise ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
54.Defiance Next Gen H2 ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
55.Defiance Quantum ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
56.Denali Structured Return Strategy Fund
57.Dividend Performers ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
58.Dodge & Cox Funds
59.DoubleLine ETF Trust
60.DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund
61.DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund
62.DoubleLine Yield Opportunities Fund
63.DriveWealth ETF Trust
64.EIP Investment Trust
65.Ellington Income Opportunities Fund
66.ETF Opportunities Trust
67.Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund
68.Exchange Listed Funds Trust
69.Exchange Place Advisors Trust
70.FlexShares Trust
71.Forum Funds
72.Forum Funds II
73.Forum Real Estate Income Fund

 

 

 

 

74.Gramercy Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
75.Grayscale Future of Finance ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
76.Guinness Atkinson Funds
77.Harbor ETF Trust
78.Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust
79.Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
80.Horizon Kinetics Energy and Remediation ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
81.Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
82.Horizon Kinetics Medical ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
83.Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
84.IDX Funds
85.Innovator ETFs Trust
86.Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
87.Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
88.Jensen Quality Growth ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
89.John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
90.Kurv ETF Trust
91.LDR Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
92.Mairs & Power Balanced Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
93.Mairs & Power Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
94.Mairs & Power Minnesota Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
95.Mairs & Power Small Cap Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
96.Manor Investment Funds
97.Milliman Variable Insurance Trust
98.Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV
99.Morgan Stanley ETF Trust
100.Morningstar Funds Trust
101.Mutual of America Investment Corporation
102.NEOS ETF Trust
103.Niagara Income Opportunities Fund
104.NXG Cushing® Midstream Energy Fund
105.Opal Dividend Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
106.OTG Latin American Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
107.Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
108.Overlay Shares Foreign Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
109.Overlay Shares Hedged Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
110.Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
111.Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
112.Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
113.Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
114.Palmer Square Funds Trust
115.Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
116.Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC
117.Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
118.Performance Trust Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
119.Perkins Discovery Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
120.Philotimo Focused Growth and Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
121.Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
122.Point Bridge America First ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
123.Precidian ETFs Trust
124.Preferred-Plus ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
125.Rareview Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
126.Rareview Systematic Equity ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
127.Rareview Tax Advantaged Income ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
128.Rareview Total Return Bond ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
129.Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds
130.Reynolds Funds, Inc.
131.RiverNorth Enhanced Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
132.RiverNorth Patriot ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
133.RMB Investors Trust

134.Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

 

 

 

 

135.Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
136.Roundhill Alerian LNG ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
137.Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
138.Roundhill Cannabis ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
139.Roundhill ETF Trust
140.Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
141.Roundhill S&P Global Luxury ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
142.Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
143.Roundhill Video Games ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
144.Rule One Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
145.Securian AM Real Asset Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
146.Six Circles Trust
147.Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
148.SP Funds Trust
149.Sparrow Funds
150.Spear Alpha ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
151.STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
152.STF Tactical Growth ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
153.Strategic Trust
154.Strategy Shares
155.Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
156.Tekla World Healthcare Fund
157.Tema ETF Trust
158.The 2023 ETF Series Trust
159.The 2023 ETF Series Trust II
160.The Cook & Bynum Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
161.The Community Development Fund
162.The Finite Solar Finance Fund
163.The Private Shares Fund
164.The SPAC and New Issue ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust
165.Third Avenue Trust
166.Third Avenue Variable Series Trust
167.Tidal ETF Trust
168.Tidal Trust II
169.Tidal Trust III
170.TIFF Investment Program
171.Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
172.Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
173.Timothy Plan International ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
174.Timothy Plan Market Neutral ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
175.Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
176.Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Core Enhanced ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
177.Timothy Plan US Small Cap Core ETF, Series of The Timothy Plan
178.Total Fund Solution
179.Touchstone ETF Trust
180.T-Rex 2X Inverse Bitcoin Daily Target ETF, Series of World Funds Trust
181.T-Rex 2x Inverse Ether Daily Target ETF, Series of World Funds Trust
182.T-Rex 2X Long Bitcoin Daily Target ETF, Series of World Funds Trust
183.T-Rex 2x Long Ether Daily Target ETF
184.TrueShares Active Yield ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
185.TrueShares Eagle Global Renewable Energy Income ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
186.TrueShares Structured Outcome (April) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
187.TrueShares Structured Outcome (August) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
188.TrueShares Structured Outcome (December) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
189.TrueShares Structured Outcome (February) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
190.TrueShares Structured Outcome (January) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
191.TrueShares Structured Outcome (July) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
192.TrueShares Structured Outcome (June) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
193.TrueShares Structured Outcome (March) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
194.TrueShares Structured Outcome (May) ETF, Listed Funds Trust
195.TrueShares Structured Outcome (November) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust

 

 

 

 

196.TrueShares Structured Outcome (October) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
197.TrueShares Structured Outcome (September) ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
198.TrueShares Technology, AI & Deep Learning ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
199.U.S. Global Investors Funds
200.Union Street Partners Value Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
201.Vest Bitcoin Strategy Managed Volatility Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
202.Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
203.Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
204.Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies VI Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
205.Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
206.Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies VI Fund, Series of World Funds Trust
207.VictoryShares Core Intermediate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
208.VictoryShares Core Plus Intermediate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
209.VictoryShares Corporate Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
210.VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
211.VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
212.VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
213.VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
214.VictoryShares Hedged Equity Income ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
215.VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
216.VictoryShares International Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
217.VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
218.VictoryShares NASDAQ Next 50 ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
219.VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
220.VictoryShares THB Mid Cap ESG ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
221.VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
222.VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
223.VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
224.VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
225.VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
226.VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
227.VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
228.VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
229.VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
230.VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
231.VictoryShares WestEnd Economic Cycle Bond ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
232.VictoryShares WestEnd Global Equity ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
233.VictoryShares WestEnd US Sector ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
234.Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund
235.Volatility Shares Trust
236.West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
237.Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc.
238.Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust
239.WisdomTree Digital Trust
240.WisdomTree Trust
241.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

 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 

 

Vice President

 

None

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

 

 

 

 

Name   Address   Position with Underwriter  

Position with Registrant

Kelly B. Whetstone

 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101

 

Secretary

 

None

Susan L. LaFond   Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101   Treasurer   None
Weston Sommers   Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101   Financial and Operations Principal and Chief Financial Officer   None

 

Item 32(c)Not applicable.

 

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

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

 

a) Adviser  

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

 

b) Sub-Adviser  

Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management), 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the American Conservative Values ETF, the American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF, the Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF, the Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF (f/k/a Kingsbarn Tactical Inflation ETF), the REX ETFs, the REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF, the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF, the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF, and the REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy 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, WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF, Cultivar ETF, IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF, IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, the SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation 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  

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)).

 

g) 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).

 

h) Adviser  

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

 

 

 

 

i) 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, the T-Rex 2X Hedge ETFs, the Tuttle Option Income ETFs, the Put Write ETFs, the Opportunistic Trader ETF, and the Covered Call ETFs).

 

j) 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).

 

k) 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, REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF, the REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF, REX IncomeMax IBIT Strategy ETF, and the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF).

 

l) 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).

 

m) 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).

 

n) 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).

 

o) 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).

 

p) 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 and the SMI 3Fourteen Real Asset Allocation ETF).

 

q) Adviser  

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC, 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420, Dallas, TX 75225 (records relating to its function as adviser to the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF).

 

r) Sub-Adviser   King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC (relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF).
       
s) Sub-Adviser   [____________] (relating to its function as sub-adviser to the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF).
       
t) Sub-Adviser   OT Advisors, LLC (relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Opportunistic Trader ETF).
       
u)

Custodian, Transfer Agency

  Citibank, N.A., 390 Greenwich Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10013.

 

 

 

 

v)

Transfer Agent

 

  U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
w) Custodian  

U.S. Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

 

x) Administrator   Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235.
       
y) Distributor  

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

 

z) 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. 212 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 17th day of January, 2025.

 

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. 212 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
         
*Mary Lou H. Ivey   Trustee   January 17, 2025
         
*Laura V. Morrison   Trustee   January 17, 2025
         
*Dr. David J. Urban   Trustee   January 17, 2025
         
/s/ Karen M. Shupe   Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer   January 17, 2025
Karen M. Shupe        
         
/s/ Ann T. MacDonald   Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer   January 17, 2025
Ann T. MacDonald        
         
*By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe        
Karen M. Shupe        

 

*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed as Exhibit (q) on January 6, 2025 (Accession No. 0001999371-25-000136)

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

(d)(32)

Form of Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Brookmont Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(d)(33)

Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Brookmont Capital Management, LLC and King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(e)(14)

Form of Amendment to ETF Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(g)(15)

Form of Amendment to Global Custodial and Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(h)(19)

Form of Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(h)(41)

Form of Amendment to the Services Agreement (Fund Accounting services) between the Registrant, Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(h)(61) Form of Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Brookmont Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

(i)(36) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares registered with respect to the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF
   
(m)(2) Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF
   
(p)(18) Code of Ethics for Brookmont Capital Management, LLC
   
(p)(19) Code of Ethics for King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC

 

 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(d)(32)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made by and between ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), a Texas limited liability company with its principal place of business at 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420, Dallas, Texas 75225. This Agreement is made effective as to each Fund (defined below) 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.

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust has selected the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the series portfolios of the Trust set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”, as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon mutual agreement of the parties, and to provide certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and to perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

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

 

1.THE ADVISER’S SERVICES.

 

(a)Discretionary Investment Management Services. The Adviser shall act as investment adviser with respect to each Fund. In such capacity, the Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board, regularly provide each Fund with investment research, advice and supervision and shall furnish continuously an investment program for each Fund, consistent with the respective investment objectives and policies of each Fund. The Adviser shall determine, from time to time, what securities shall be purchased for each Fund, what securities shall be held or sold by each Fund and what portion of each Fund’s assets shall be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the provisions of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”), as amended and supplemented (the “Declaration of Trust”), Bylaws and its registration statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) under the 1940 Act, and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of each Fund, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect. To carry out such obligations, and to the extent not prohibited by any of the foregoing, the Adviser shall exercise full discretion and act for each Fund in the same manner and with the same force and effect as each Fund itself might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other such things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions. No reference in this Agreement to the Adviser having full discretionary authority over each Fund’s investments shall in any way limit the right of the Board, in its sole discretion, to establish or revise policies in connection with the management of a Fund’s assets or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of a Fund.

 

(b)Compliance. The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations that relate to the services and relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of its business as a registered investment adviser. The Adviser also agrees to comply with the objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, of each Fund, and with any policies, guidelines, instructions and procedures approved by the Board and provided to the Adviser. In selecting each Fund’s portfolio securities and performing the Adviser’s obligations hereunder, the Adviser shall use its best efforts to cause the Fund to comply with the diversification and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for qualification as a regulated investment company. The Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to ensure its compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity undertaken by the Board shall limit the Adviser’s full responsibility for any of the foregoing.

 

1 

 

 

(c)Recordkeeping. The Adviser agrees to preserve any Trust records that it creates or possesses that are required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (“Fund Books and Records”) for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser agrees that all such records are the property of the Trust and will surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust’s request.

 

(d)Holdings Information and Pricing. The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings, and shall, on its own initiative, furnish the Trust and its Board from time to time with whatever information the Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose, and at the request of the Board, such information and reports requested by the Board. The Adviser agrees to notify the Trust as soon as practicable if the Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held by a Fund may not reflect fair value. The Adviser agrees to provide any pricing information of which the Adviser is aware to the Trust, its Board and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating the Fund net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Board.

 

(e)Cooperation with Agents of the Trust. The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Trust, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians, any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust with respect to such information regarding each Fund as such entities may reasonably request from time to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and use appropriate interfaces established by such persons so as to promote the efficient exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

(f)Delegation of Authority. Any of the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Adviser specified in this Section 1 and throughout the remainder of this Agreement with respect to one or more Funds may be delegated by the Adviser, at the Adviser’s expense, to an appropriate party (a “Sub-Adviser”), subject to such approval by the Board and shareholders of the applicable Funds to the extent required by the 1940 Act. The Adviser shall oversee the performance of delegated duties by any Sub-Adviser and shall furnish the Board with periodic reports concerning the performance of delegated responsibilities by such Sub- Adviser. The retention of a Sub-Adviser by the Adviser pursuant to this Paragraph 1(f) shall in no way reduce the responsibilities and obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any Sub-Adviser to the same extent the Adviser would be liable hereunder. Insofar as the provisions of this Agreement impose any restrictions, conditions, limitations or requirements on the Adviser, the Adviser shall take measures through its contract with, or its oversight of, the Sub-Adviser that attempt to impose similar (insofar as the circumstances may require) restrictions, conditions, limitations or requirements on the Sub-Adviser.

 

2.CODE OF ETHICS. The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics (“Adviser’s Code of Ethics”) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, which it has provided to the Trust. The Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. Upon request, the Adviser shall provide the Trust with a copy of the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and any proposed amendments thereto that the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of the Trust determines should be presented to the Board, and (ii) certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. Annually, the Adviser shall furnish a written report to the Board, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. The Adviser shall respond to requests for information from the Trust as to violations of the Adviser’s Code of Ethics by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Adviser. The Adviser shall notify the Trust as soon as practicable after it becomes aware of any material violation of the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by any Fund.

 

2 

 

 

3.INFORMATION AND REPORTING. The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request.

 

(a)Notification of Breach / Compliance Reports. The Adviser shall notify the Trust’s CCO promptly upon detection of: (i) any material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of each Fund’s or the Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser shall respond to quarterly requests for information concerning the Fund’s compliance with its investment objectives and policies, applicable law, including, but not limited to the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code, and the Fund’s policies, guidelines or procedures as applicable to the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly and to take any action that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Sarbanes- Oxley Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in the event: (x) the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Adviser with the federal or state securities laws; or (y) of an actual change in control of the Adviser resulting in an “assignment” (as defined in Section 15) that has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur.

 

(b)Board and Filings Information. The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of each Fund required for any meeting of the Board, or for any shareholder report on Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N- CEN, Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, proxy statement, prospectus supplement, or other form or document to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Adviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on a reasonable basis on due notice to review its investment management services to each Fund in light of current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto.

 

(c)Transaction Information. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be necessary to enable the Trust or its designated agent to perform such compliance testing on each Fund and the Adviser’s services as the Trust may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

4.BROKERAGE.

 

(a)Principal Transactions. In connection with purchases or sales of securities for the account of a Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its directors, officers or employees will act as a principal or agent or receive any commission except as permitted by the 1940 Act.

  

(b)Placement of Orders. The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for each Fund’s account with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. The Adviser will not execute transactions with a broker dealer which is an “affiliated person” of the Trust except in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. The Adviser shall use its best efforts to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which are advantageous to each Fund and at commission rates which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act) to each Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for each Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Board shall periodically review the commissions paid by each Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits received by each Fund.

 

3 

 

 

5.CUSTODY. Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of a Fund.

 

6.ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Adviser will bear its own costs of providing services hereunder. Other than as herein specifically indicated or otherwise agreed to in a separate signed writing, the Adviser shall not be responsible for a Fund’s expenses, including brokerage and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments.

 

7.REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.

 

(a)Properly Registered. The Adviser is registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered for the duration of this Agreement. The Adviser is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Adviser, there is no proceeding or investigation pending or threatened that is reasonably likely to result in the Adviser being prohibited from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser to an investment company. The Adviser is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state law in connection with its investment management operations.

 

(b)ADV Disclosure. The Adviser has provided the Board with a copy of its Form ADV and will, promptly after amending its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust. The information contained in the Adviser’s Form ADV is accurate and complete in all material respects 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.

 

(c)Fund Disclosure Documents. The Adviser has reviewed and will in the future review the Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, the annual or semi- annual reports to shareholders, other reports filed with the Commission and any marketing material of a Fund (collectively the “Disclosure Documents”) and represents and warrants that with respect to disclosure about the Adviser, the manner in which the Adviser manages the Fund or information relating directly or indirectly to the Adviser, such Disclosure Documents contain or will contain, as of the date thereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and do not and will not omit any statement of material fact which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

 

(d)Use of the Name “Brookmont Capital Management”. The Adviser has the right to use the name “Brookmont Capital Management” or any derivation thereof in connection with its services to the Trust and, subject to the terms set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Trust shall have the right to use the name “Brookmont Capital Management” in connection with the management and operation of each Fund. The Adviser is not aware of any actions, claims, litigation or proceedings existing or threatened that would adversely affect or prejudice the rights of the Adviser or the Trust to use the name “Brookmont Capital Management” that it has not otherwise disclosed to the Board

 

(e)Insurance. The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in the amount disclosed to the Trust in connection with the Board’s approval of the Agreement and shall provide prior written notice to the Trust: (i) of any material changes in its insurance policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall, upon reasonable request, provide the Trust with any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.

 

4 

 

 

(f)No Detrimental Agreement. The Adviser represents and warrants that it has no arrangement or understanding with any party, other than the Trust, that would influence the decision of the Adviser with respect to its selection of securities for a Fund and its management of the assets of the Fund, and that all selections shall be done in accordance with what is in the best interest of the Fund.

 

(g)Conflicts. The Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of its clients and the Fund. The Adviser maintains a Code of Ethics which defines the standards by which the Adviser conducts its operations consistent with its fiduciary duties and other obligations under applicable law.

 

(h)Representations. The representations and warranties in this Section 7 shall be deemed to be made on the date this Agreement is executed and at the time of delivery of the quarterly compliance report required by Section 3(a), whether or not specifically referenced in such report.

 

8.THE NAME “BROOKMONT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT”. The Adviser grants to the Trust a license to use the name “Brookmont Capital Management” (the “Name”) as part of the name of any Fund during the term of this Agreement. The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Trust to use the Name as part of the name of any Fund is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Trust acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Trust shall: (i) only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser; (ii) use its best efforts to maintain the quality of the services offered using the Name; and (iii) adhere to such other specific quality control standards as the Adviser may from time to time promulgate. At the request of the Adviser, the Trust will (i) submit to the Adviser representative samples of any promotional materials using the Name, and (ii) change the name of any Fund within three months of its receipt of the Adviser’s request, or such other shorter time period as may be required under the terms of a settlement agreement or court order, so as to eliminate all reference to the Name and will not thereafter transact any business using the Name in the name of any Fund. As soon as practicable following the termination of this Agreement, but in no event longer than three months, the Trust shall cease the use of the Name and any related logos or any confusingly similar name and/or logo in connection with the marketing or operation of the Funds.

 

9.ADVISER’S COMPENSATION. Each Fund shall pay to the Adviser, as compensation for the Adviser’s services hereunder, a fee, determined as described in Schedule A that is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Such fee shall be computed daily and paid not less than monthly in arrears by each Fund. The method for determining net assets of a Fund for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method for determining net assets for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption prices of Fund shares as described in the Fund’s Registration Statement. 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 subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the current month as a percentage of the total number of days in such month.

 

10.INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Adviser is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or any Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Trust or any Fund. If any occasion should arise in which the Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Adviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Fund.

 

11.ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in Section 15 of this Agreement). This Agreement may not be added to or changed orally and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto and in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, when applicable.

 

5 

 

 

12.DURATION AND TERMINATION.

 

(a)This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed with respect to a particular Fund and shall remain in full force and effect continually thereafter, subject to renewal as provided in Section 12(a)(ii) hereof and unless terminated automatically as set forth in Section 11 hereof or until terminated as follows:

 

i.Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other, terminate this Agreement, without payment of any penalty. With respect to a Fund, termination may be authorized by action of the Board or by an “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” (as defined in Section 15); or

 

ii.This Agreement shall automatically terminate two years from the date of its execution with respect to a particular Fund unless the terms of such contract and any renewal thereof is specifically approved at least annually thereafter by (i) a majority vote of the Trustees, including a majority vote of such Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in Section 15) of the Trust or the Adviser, at an in-person meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund; provided, however, that if the continuance of this Agreement is submitted to the shareholders of each Fund for their approval and such shareholders fail to approve such continuance of this Agreement as provided herein, the Adviser may continue to serve hereunder as to each Fund in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(b)In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Adviser shall, immediately upon notice of termination or on such later date as may be specified in such notice, cease all activity on behalf of the Fund and with respect to any of its assets, except as otherwise required by any fiduciary duties of the Adviser under applicable law. In addition, the Adviser shall deliver the Fund Books and Records to the Trust by such means and in accordance with such schedule as the Trust shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate, as reasonably directed by the Trust, in the transition of portfolio asset management to any successor of the Adviser.

 

13.NOTICE. Any notice or other communication required by or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be delivered in person or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the respective parties at their last known address, or by e-mail or fax to a designated contact of the other party or such other address as the parties may designate from time to time. Oral instructions may be given if authorized by the Board and preceded by a certificate from the Trust’s Secretary so attesting. Notices to the Trust shall be directed to Commonwealth Companies, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA, 23235 Attention: President; and notices to the Adviser shall be directed to 8300 Greensboro Drive, Suite 800, McLean, Virginia 22102, Attention: President.

 

14.CONFIDENTIALITY. The Adviser 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 the Adviser 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 the Adviser 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.

 

15.CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,” “assignment” and “interested person” shall have their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission staff.

 

16.LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER. Neither the Adviser nor its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliated persons or controlling persons or assigns shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions of a Fund; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to a Fund or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or obligations hereunder or by reason of its reckless disregard of its duties or obligations hereunder.

 

6 

 

 

17.RELATIONS WITH THE TRUST. It is understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Trust are or may be or become interested persons of the Adviser as directors, officers or otherwise and that directors, officers and stockholders of the Adviser are or may be or become interested persons of the Fund, and that the Adviser may be or become interested persons of the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.

 

18.ENFORCEABILITY. 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. This Agreement shall be severable as to each Fund.

 

19.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Adviser is expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declaration of Trust or other Trust organizational documents and agrees that the obligations assumed by each Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to each Fund and each Fund’s respective assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from shareholders or any shareholder of each Fund. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees of the Trust or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust or other organizational document are separate and distinct from those of any of and all other Funds.

 

20.NON-EXCLUSIVE SERVICES. The services of the Adviser to the Trust are not deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others, to the extent that such service does not affect the Adviser’s ability to perform its duties and obligations hereunder.

 

21.GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed to be in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without preference 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 State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. 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 shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to any interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such revised rule, regulation, order or interpretation.

 

22.PARAGRAPH HEADINGS; SYNTAX. All Section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not form a part of this Agreement and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, will be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the contract requires.

 

23.COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Signature Page to Follow

 

7 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on the Schedule As attached hereto.

 

  ETF OPPORTUNITIE TRUST
   
   
 
  Signature
  By: David A. Bogaert
  Title: President
   
  Brookmont Capital Management, LLC
   
   
 
  Signature
  By:    _________________________
  Title: ___________________________
   

8 

 

 

SCHEDULE A-1

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

between

ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) and

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”)

 

The Trust will pay to the Adviser as compensation for the Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance the following fee schedule:

 

Fund Asset Breakpoint Rate Effective Date
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF None 1.20% December 19, 2024

 

  ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
   
   
 
  Signature
  By: David A. Bogaert
  Title: President and Principal Executive Officer
   
  BROOKMONT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
   
   
 
  Signature
  By:    _________________________
  Title: ___________________________

 

9 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(d)(33)

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

with

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC

 

This Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made by and among Brookmont Capital Management, LLC a Texas Limited Liability Company (hereinafter referred to as “Advisor”) with its principal place of business located at 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420, Dallas, Texas 75225, ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”), and King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company, with its principal place of business located at 87 Summit Road, New London, New Hampshire 03257 (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 January 1, 2025 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.

 

2 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

6 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

8 

 

 

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

 

(iv)By the Adviser upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser and the Board.

 

(v)By the Sub-Adviser upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

9 

 

 

11.  Reporting of Compliance Matters.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7 and Section 9 of this Agreement.

 

(b)The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

 

12.  The Name “Brookmont Capital Management.” The Adviser grants to the Sub-Adviser a sub-license to use the name “Brookmont Capital Management” (the “Name”). The foregoing authorization by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser to use the Name is not exclusive of the right of the Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the Name; the Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that, as between the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, the Adviser has the right to use, or authorize others to use, the Name. The Sub-Adviser shall only use the Name in a manner consistent with uses approved by the Adviser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any affiliate or agent of it shall make reference to or use the Name or any of Adviser’s respective affiliates or clients names without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that the Sub-Adviser is authorized to disclose the Name and the Adviser’s and the Funds identities as clients of the Sub-Adviser in any representative client list prepared by the Sub-Adviser for use in marketing materials. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any affiliate or agent of the Sub-Adviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation in connection with any services such affiliates or agents provide to the Sub-Adviser or the Funds under this Agreement. The Adviser has obtained all licenses and permissions necessary for the Sub-Adviser to use any index data provided to it by the Adviser or Adviser’s agent under this Agreement and the Sub-Adviser is not required to obtain any such licenses or permissions itself.

 

10 

 

 

13.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.

 

14.  Severability. Should any part of this Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, regulation, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

15.  Notice. Any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.

 

To the Adviser at:

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC
5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420

Dallas, Texas 75225

   
To the Trust at:

ETF Opportunities Trust
8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

   
To the Sub-Adviser at:

King Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC

87 Summit Road

New London, New Hampshire 03257

   

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.

 

11 

 

 

19.  Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

20.  Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.

 

In the event the terms of this Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund of the Trust as specified in Schedule A attached hereto, the Adviser is entering into this Agreement with the Sub-Adviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a Schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such Schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Section 8 of this Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant Schedule.

 

21.  Miscellaneous.

 

(a)A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.

 

(b)Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

12 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day first set forth above.

 

  Brookmont Capital Management, LLC
         
  By:      
  Name:      
  Title:      
         
  King Ridge Capital Advisors, 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

 

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC

and

King Ridge Capital Advisors, 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 under the Sub-Adviser’s management in accordance with the following fee schedule:

 

Fund Minimum Fee Rate Effective Date
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF None 0.60%  December 18, 2024

 

  Brookmont Capital Management, LLC
         
  By:      
  Name:      
  Title:      
         
  King Ridge Capital Advisors, 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)(14)

 

TWELFTH AMENDMENT TO
ETF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This twelfth 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 September 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: September 30, 2024   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
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 GME Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long HOOD Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long SMCI Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long DJT Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long MARA Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse MARA 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 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 AI Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Long MSTR Daily Target ETF
T-Rex 2x Inverse MSTR Daily Target ETF
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF
Tuttle Capital RSP Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital KRE Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital IYR Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital XLU Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital XLE Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital XHB Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital EEM Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital EFA Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital XLF Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital VTV Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital IJH Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital XLV Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital SMH Option Income Strategy ETF

 

 

 

Tuttle Capital XBI Option Income Strategy ETF
Tuttle Capital XLY Option Income Strategy ETF
REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF

 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(h)(g)(15)

Amendment NO. 20 to

Global CUSTODIAL AND AGENCY services agreement

 

This AMENDMENT No. 20 (“Amendment”) is made as of September 25, 2024, by and between ETF Opportunities Trust (“Client”) and Citibank, N.A. (“Custodian”, together with the Client, the “Parties”), to that certain Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement dated May 14, 2020, between the Client and Service Provider (“Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement, the Custodian performs certain custodial services for the Client; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend Appendix A of the Agreement to rename and add the Funds listed in Amendment A

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter contained and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Client and Custodian hereby agree as follows:

 

1.Amendment to Appendix A of the Agreement – List of Funds.

 

Appendix A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Appendix A attached to the end of this Amendment.

 

2.Representations and Warranties.

 

a.The Client represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment and that it has provided this Amendment to the Board.

 

b.The Custodian represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment.

 

3.Miscellaneous.

 

a.This Amendment supplements and amends the Agreement. The provisions set forth in this Amendment supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered herein, including any conflicting provisions of the Agreement or any provisions of the Agreement that directly cover or indirectly bear upon matters covered under this Amendment.

 

b.Each reference to the Agreement in the Agreement (as it existed prior to this Amendment) and in every other agreement, contract or instrument to which the parties are bound, shall hereafter be construed as a reference to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, the provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect. No amendment or modification to this Amendment shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by both Parties hereto.

 

1

 

c.Paragraph headings in this Amendment are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Amendment.

 

d.This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
   
  By:  
  Name: David A. Bogaert
  Title: President
  Date: September 25, 2024

 

  CITIBANK, N.A.
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
  Date:  
     

2

 

Amendment A

 

To the Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement

 

List of Funds to Remove for ETF Opportunities Trust

 

Alpha Dog ETF

TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF

TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF

T-Rex 2x Long AMC Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse AMC Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse GME Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse HOOD Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse SMCI Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse DJT Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse RBLX Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Long VKTX Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse VKTX Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse ARM Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Long TLRY Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse TLRY Daily Target ETF

T-Rex 2x Inverse AI Daily Target ETF

 

List of Funds to Add for ETF Opportunities Trust

 

Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

Tuttle Capital RSP Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital KRE Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital IYR Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XLU Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XLE Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XHB Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital EEM Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital EFA Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XLF Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital VTV Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital IJH Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XLV Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital SMH Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XBI Option Income Strategy ETF

Tuttle Capital XLY Option Income Strategy ETF

 

3

 

Appendix A

 

To the Global Custodial and Agency Services Agreement

 

List of Funds for ETF Opportunities Trust

 

Fund Name Authorized Participant Fee Per Create/Redeem (USD)
American Conservative Values ETF 1500
American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF 250
Formidable ETF 250
Formidable Dividend and Income ETF 250
Formidable Fortress ETF 250
Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF 750
Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF 250
The WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF 250
Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF 250
Cultivar ETF 300
Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF 250
LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF 250
REX IncomeMax AMD Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax AMZN Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax TSLA Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax BIIB Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax DIS Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax EEM Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax GDXJ Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax GOOG Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax META Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax MSFT Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax MSTR Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax PYPL Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax SLV Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax SMH Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax SNOW Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax TLRY Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax V Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax UNG Strategy ETF 250
REX IncomeMax USO Strategy ETF 250
REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF 250
REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF 250
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF 250
Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF 250

 

4

 

Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF 250
Brendan Wood TopGun ETF 250
IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF 250
IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF 250
Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF 250
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF 250
Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long GME Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long HOOD Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long SMCI Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long DJT Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long MARA Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse MARA Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long RBLX Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long PLTR Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse PLTR Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long ARM Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long SHOP Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse SHOP Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long AMD Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse AMD Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long NFLX Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse NFLX Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long BA Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse BA Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long SNOW Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse SNOW Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long AVGO Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse AVGO Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long PANW Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse PANW Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long COIN Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse COIN Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long TSM Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse TSM Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long SQ Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse SQ Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Long AI Daily Target ETF 250
Rex 2x Long MSTR Daily Target ETF 250
T-Rex 2x Inverse MSTR Daily Target ETF 250
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF 250

 

5

 

Tuttle Capital RSP Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital KRE Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital IYR Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XLU Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XLE Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XHB Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital EEM Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital EFA Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XLF Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital VTV Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital IJH Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XLV Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital SMH Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XBI Option Income Strategy ETF 250
Tuttle Capital XLY Option Income Strategy ETF 250

 

6

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(h)(19)

 

Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.

 

 

FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

Administration Services

 

Between

 

Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.

 

and

 

ETF Opportunities Trust

 

December 17, 2024

 

Exhibit A – Series Portfolios

Exhibit B – Administrative Services

Exhibit C – Fees and Expenses

 

 

 

 

FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 17, 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: December 17, 2024
    Print Name: Karen M. Shupe      
    Title: Managing Director    

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 

WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A

 

  By:     Date: December 17, 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
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF December 19, 2025 December 31, 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)(41)

  

Amendment NO. 22 to

services agreement

 

This AMENDMENT No. 22 (“Amendment”) is made as of September 25, 2024, by and among ETF Opportunities Trust (“Client”) and Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”), and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”, together with Citibank, the “Service Provider” and, with the Client, the “Parties”), to that certain Services Agreement dated May 14, 2020, between the Client and Service Provider (“Agreement”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement, Service Provider performs certain services for the Client; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend the List of Funds in Annex 1 – Schedule 2 by renaming and adding the Funds to the portfolio of the Client listed in Amendment A.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter contained and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Client and Service Provider hereby agree as follows:

 

1.Amendment to Annex 1 – List of Funds.

 

a.Annex 1 – Schedule 2 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Annex 1 – Schedule 2 attached to the end of the Amendment.

 

2.Representations and Warranties.

 

a.The Client represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment and that it has provided this Amendment to the Board.

 

b.The Service Provider represents that it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Amendment.

 

3.Miscellaneous.

 

a.This Amendment supplements and amends the Agreement. The provisions set forth in this Amendment supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered herein, including any conflicting provisions of the Agreement or any provisions of the Agreement that directly cover or indirectly bear upon matters covered under this Amendment.

 

b.Each reference to the Agreement in the Agreement (as it existed prior to this Amendment) and in every other agreement, contract or instrument to which the parties are bound, shall hereafter be construed as a reference to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, the provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect. No amendment or modification to this Amendment shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by both parties hereto.

 

 

 

 

c.Paragraph headings in this Amendment are included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Amendment.

 

d.This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signatures follow on next page.]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
   
  By:  
   
  Name: David A. Bogaert
     
  Title: President
     
  Date: September 25, 2024

 

CITIBANK, N.A.
   
  By:  
   
  Name:
     
  Title:
     
  Date:

 

 

CITI FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
 
  By:  
   
  Name:
     
  Title:
     
  Date:

 

 

3

 

 

Amendment A

 

List of Funds to remove for ETF Opportunities Trust

 

Alpha Dog ETF 

TappAlpha SPY Growth & Daily Income ETF 

TappAlpha Innovation 100 Growth & Daily Income ETF 

T-Rex 2x Long AMC Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse AMC Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse GME Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse HOOD Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse SMCI Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse DJT Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse RBLX Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Long VKTX Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse VKTX Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse ARM Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Long TLRY Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse TLRY Daily Target ETF 

T-Rex 2x Inverse AI Daily Target ETF

 

List of Funds to add for ETF Opportunities Trust

 

Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF 

Tuttle Capital RSP Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital KRE Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital IYR Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XLU Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XLE Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XHB Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital EEM Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital EFA Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XLF Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital VTV Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital IJH Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XLV Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital SMH Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XBI Option Income Strategy ETF 

Tuttle Capital XLY Option Income Strategy ETF

 

4

 

 

Annex 1 – Schedule 2 to Services Agreement

 

List of Funds

 

1.American Conservative Values ETF

 

2.American Conservative Values Small-Cap ETF

 

3.Formidable ETF

 

4.Formidable Dividend and Income ETF

 

5.Formidable Fortress ETF

 

6.Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF

 

7.Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF

 

8.The WealthTrust DBS Long Term Growth ETF

 

9.Kingsbarn Dividend Opportunity ETF

 

10.Cultivar ETF

 

11.Tuttle Capital 2X DBMF ETF

 

12.T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF

 

13.T-Rex 2X Inverse Tesla Daily Target ETF

 

14.T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF

 

15.T-Rex 2X Inverse NVIDIA Daily Target ETF

 

16.LAFFER|TENGLER Equity Income ETF

 

17.REX IncomeMax AMD Strategy ETF

 

18.REX IncomeMax AMZN Strategy ETF

 

19.REX IncomeMax TSLA Strategy ETF

 

20.REX IncomeMax BIIB Strategy ETF

 

21.REX IncomeMax DIS Strategy ETF

 

22.REX IncomeMax EEM Strategy ETF

 

23.REX IncomeMax GDXJ Strategy ETF

 

24.REX IncomeMax GOOG Strategy ETF

 

25.REX IncomeMax META Strategy ETF

 

26.REX IncomeMax MSFT Strategy ETF

 

5

 

 

27.REX IncomeMax MSTR Strategy ETF

 

28.REX IncomeMax PYPL Strategy ETF

 

29.REX IncomeMax SLV Strategy ETF

 

30.REX IncomeMax SMH Strategy ETF

 

31.REX IncomeMax SNOW Strategy ETF

 

32.REX IncomeMax TLRY Strategy ETF

 

33.REX IncomeMax V Strategy ETF

 

34.REX IncomeMax UNG Strategy ETF

 

35.REX IncomeMax USO Strategy ETF

 

36.REX FANG REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF

 

37.REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF

 

38.Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse Regional Banks ETF

 

39.Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Long AI ETF

 

40.Tuttle Capital Daily 2X Inverse AI ETF

 

41.Brendan Wood TopGun ETF

 

42.IDX Dynamic Innovation ETF

 

43.IDX Dynamic Fixed Income ETF

 

44.T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF

 

45.T-Rex 2X Inverse Apple Daily Target ETF

 

46.T-Rex 2X Long Alphabet Daily Target ETF

 

47.T-Rex 2X Inverse Alphabet Daily Target ETF

 

48.T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF

 

49.T-Rex 2X Inverse Microsoft Daily Target ETF

 

50.Tuttle Capital Shareholders First Index ETF

 

51.SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF

 

52.Tuttle Capital Congressional Trading ETF

 

53.T-Rex 2x Long GME Daily Target ETF

 

54.T-Rex 2x Long HOOD Daily Target ETF

 

6

 

 

55.T-Rex 2x Long SMCI Daily Target ETF

 

56.T-Rex 2x Long DJT Daily Target ETF

 

57.T-Rex 2x Long MARA Daily Target ETF

 

58.T-Rex 2x Inverse MARA Daily Target ETF

 

59.T-Rex 2x Long RBLX Daily Target ETF

 

60.T-Rex 2x Long PLTR Daily Target ETF

 

61.T-Rex 2x Inverse PLTR Daily Target ETF

 

62.T-Rex 2x Long ARM Daily Target ETF

 

63.T-Rex 2x Long SHOP Daily Target ETF

 

64.T-Rex 2x Inverse SHOP Daily Target ETF

 

65.T-Rex 2x Long AMD Daily Target ETF

 

66.T-Rex 2x Inverse AMD Daily Target ETF

 

67.T-Rex 2x Long NFLX Daily Target ETF

 

68.T-Rex 2x Inverse NFLX Daily Target ETF

 

69.T-Rex 2x Long BA Daily Target ETF

 

70.T-Rex 2x Inverse BA Daily Target ETF

 

71.T-Rex 2x Long SNOW Daily Target ETF

 

72.T-Rex 2x Inverse SNOW Daily Target ETF

 

73.T-Rex 2x Long AVGO Daily Target ETF

 

74.T-Rex 2x Inverse AVGO Daily Target ETF

 

75.T-Rex 2x Long PANW Daily Target ETF

 

76.T-Rex 2x Inverse PANW Daily Target ETF

 

77.T-Rex 2x Inverse COIN Daily Target ETF

 

78.T-Rex 2x Inverse COIN Daily Target ETF

 

79.T-Rex 2x Long TSM Daily Target ETF

 

80.T-Rex 2x Inverse TSM Daily Target ETF

 

81.T-Rex 2x Long SQ Daily Target ETF

 

82.T-Rex 2x Inverse SQ Daily Target ETF

 

7

 

 

83.T-Rex 2x Long AI Daily Target ETF

 

84.T-Rex 2x Long MSTR Daily Target ETF

 

85.T-Rex 2x Inverse MSTR Daily Target ETF

 

86.Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

87.Tuttle Capital RSP Option Income Strategy ETF

 

88.Tuttle Capital KRE Option Income Strategy ETF

 

89.Tuttle Capital IYR Option Income Strategy ETF

 

90.Tuttle Capital XLU Option Income Strategy ETF

 

91.Tuttle Capital XLE Option Income Strategy ETF

 

92.Tuttle Capital XHB Option Income Strategy ETF

 

93.Tuttle Capital EEM Option Income Strategy ETF

 

94.Tuttle Capital EFA Option Income Strategy ETF

 

95.Tuttle Capital XLF Option Income Strategy ETF

 

96.Tuttle Capital VTV Option Income Strategy ETF

 

97.Tuttle Capital IJH Option Income Strategy ETF

 

98.Tuttle Capital XLV Option Income Strategy ETF

 

99.Tuttle Capital SMH Option Income Strategy ETF

 

100.Tuttle Capital XBI Option Income Strategy ETF

 

101.Tuttle Capital XLY Option Income Strategy ETF

 

8

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99(h)(61)

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT, effective as of the dates set forth on Schedule A by and between Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and ETF Opportunities Trust (the “Trust”) (“Agreement”), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to each of the Funds, and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level no greater than the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Fund’s expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in Schedule A hereto;

 

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.Expense Limitation.

 

a.Applicable Expense Limit. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, expenses incurred under a plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) (“Fund Operating Expenses”), exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below, such excess amount (the “Excess Amount”) shall be the liability of the Adviser.

 

b.Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in Schedule A based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

 

c.Method of Computation. To determine the Adviser’s liability with respect to the Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that, together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay such Excess Amount.

 

 

 

 

d.Year-End Adjustment. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal year shall equal the Excess Amount.

 

2.Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.

 

a.Reimbursement. If, during any fiscal month in which the Advisory Agreement is still in effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that month, the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part as provided below, of the sum of all investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser with respect to a particular class of such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof, for a three year period following the date such waiver or reduction was made or payment was remitted by the Adviser (“Reimbursement Amount”), less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser, pursuant to this Section 2.a, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments. The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever, including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a., such reimbursement shall not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit that was in place at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory fees or reimburse other expenses of the Fund.
   
 b.Method of Computation. To determine each Fund’s accrual, if any, to reimburse the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses of each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue into its net asset value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value.

        

 

 

 

 

c.Payment and Year-End Adjustment. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit.

 

d.Limitation of Liability. The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which it waived or reduced fees or remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Fund, nor any of the Trust’s trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future shall be personally liable therefor.

 

3.Term and Termination of Agreement.

 

This Agreement with respect to each of the Funds shall continue in effect until the expiration date set forth on Schedule A (the “Expiration Date”). With regard to the Operating Expense Limits, the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Advisor may terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Fund shall survive the termination of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.

 

4.Miscellaneous.

 

a.Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

b.Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds to take any action contrary to the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust’s Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest.

 

3

 

 

c.Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act.

 

d.Enforceability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of as of September 25, 2024.

 

  ETF Opportunities Trust, on behalf of each Fund Listed on Schedule A
       
  By:    
    Name: David A. Bogaert
    Title: President
       
  Brookmont Capital Management, LLC
       
  By:    
    Name: Ethan Powell
    Title: Principal and Chief Investment Officer

 

4

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”)

between

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

and

Brookmont Capital Management, LLC (the “Fund”)

 

This Agreement relates to the following:

 

Fund Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit Effective Date Expiration Date
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF 2.00% December 19, 2024 December 31, 2025

 

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of September 25, 2024.

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
On behalf of the Fund
     
By:    
Name: David A. Bogaert  
Title: President  
     
BROOKMONT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
     
By:    
Name: Ethan Powell  
Title: Principal and Chief Investment Officer

 

 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99.(i)(36)

 

 

JOHN H. LIVELY, Managing Partner

john.lively@practus.com

11300 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

(913) 660-0778

 

January 17, 2025

 

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 Brookmont Catastrophic Bond 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 are unable to meet their 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.

 

  Sincerely,
   
  /s/ PRACTUS, LLP
   
  Practus, LLP

 

    2

 

 

 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99.(m)(2)

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

 

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1

 

For Funds Advised by Brookmont Capital Management, 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 December 17, 2024.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Funds

 

Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF

 

 

 

 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99.(p)(18)

 

Code of Ethics

 

Dated: August 7, 2024

 

 

 

Background

 

Investment advisers are fiduciaries that owe their undivided loyalty to their clients. Investment advisers are trusted to represent clients’ interests in many matters, and advisers must hold themselves to the highest standard of fairness in all such matters.

 

Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act requires each registered investment adviser to adopt and implement a written code of ethics that contains provisions regarding:

 

The adviser’s fiduciary duty to its clients;

 

Compliance with all applicable Federal Securities Laws;

 

Reporting and review of personal Securities transactions and holdings;

 

Reporting of violations of the code; and

 

The provision of the code to all supervised persons.

 

Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 addresses conflicts of interest between registered investment companies (“funds”) and their personnel (such as fund portfolio managers) by:

 

Prohibiting fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative acts by fund affiliates and certain other persons in connection with their personal transactions in securities held or to be acquired by the fund;

 

Requires funds and their investment advisers and principal underwriters (collectively, “rule 17j-1 organizations”) to adopt codes of ethics containing provisions reasonably necessary to prevent their “access persons” (generally, those fund personnel involved in the portfolio management process) from engaging in conduct prohibited by the rule;

 

Requires access persons to report their personal securities transactions to the appropriate rule 17j-1 organization; and

 

Imposes certain recordkeeping requirements.

 

Policies and Procedures

 

Fiduciary Standards and Compliance with the Federal Securities Laws

 

At all times, Brookmont Capital and its Employees must comply with the spirit and the letter of the Federal Securities Laws and the rules governing the capital markets. The CCO administers the Code of Ethics (or the “Code”). All questions regarding the Code should be directed to the CCO. Employees must cooperate to the fullest extent reasonably requested by the CCO to enable (i) Brookmont Capital to comply with all applicable Federal Securities Laws and (ii) the CCO to discharge his duties under the Manual.

 

 

9

 

 

 

All Employees will act with competence, dignity, integrity, honesty, fairness, trustworthiness, and in an ethical manner, when dealing with Clients, the public, prospects, third-party service providers, and fellow Employees while maintaining full compliance at all times with applicable law. Employees must use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, trading, promoting Brookmont Capital’s services, and engaging in other professional activities. To achieve this, each Covered Person/Access Person must observe the Code standards—both in their letter and spirit—in all his Brookmont activities.

 

All of Brookmont Capital’s directors, officers, partners and employees are presumed to be a Covered Person/Access Person, but this presumption can be rebutted if the facts warrant it. The CCO shall determine who is a Covered Person/Access Person, notify individuals of their Covered Person/Access Person status, maintain a current list of Covered Persons/Access Persons, review holdings and transaction reports, and generally administers the Covered Person/Access Person requirements.

 

Some of the more important general aspects of this Code are:

 

If you have any questions about this Code, such as the meaning of any Code provision or its applicability to you, you should contact our Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).

 

If you wish to raise any concern about a Code provision, we encourage you to do so, in any of the manners described herein.

 

If you become aware of a violation of this Code, or of any other Brookmont policy or of a law applicable to us, you must report the violation. And we encourage you to report possible violations. The Code provides several ways in which you may report, including anonymously.

 

Where this Code prohibits specified types of conduct, it prohibits any form of direct or indirect engagement in the conduct, such as through family members, friends, or other third parties.

 

A violation of this Code, even though not a violation of law, can be grounds for disciplinary action, including termination.

 

When the Code refers to a “client” of Brookmont, it means any person with whom we have any type of investment advisory or counseling relationship, including any mutual fund we manage.

 

Any waiver of a Code provision must be obtained in advance and may be granted only by the CCO.

 

We expect all Employees to adhere to the highest standards with respect to any potential conflicts of interest with Clients. As a fiduciary, Brookmont Capital must act in its Clients’ best interests. Neither Brookmont Capital nor any Employee should ever benefit at the expense of any Client. Notify the CCO promptly about any practice that creates, or gives the appearance of, a material conflict of interest.

 

Employees are generally expected to discuss any perceived risks, or concerns about Brookmont Capital’s business practices, with their direct supervisor. However, if an Employee is uncomfortable discussing an issue with their supervisor, or if they believe that an issue has not been appropriately addressed, they should bring the matter to the CCO’s attention.

 

 

10

 

 

 

We strive to comply fully with all securities and other laws applicable to us. You must always comply with the letter and spirit of those laws in all your activities. You should become knowledgeable about the securities laws related to your job responsibilities, and generally familiar with the securities laws applicable to us. Noted below are some of the securities and related laws that particularly apply to us and our Employees.

 

Reporting Violations

 

Improper actions by Brookmont Capital or its Employees could have severe negative consequences for Brookmont Capital, its Clients, and its Employees. Impropriety, or even the appearance of impropriety, could negatively impact all Employees, including people who had no involvement in the problematic activities.

 

Employees must promptly report any improper or suspicious activities, including any suspected violations of the Code of Ethics, to the CCO. Issues can be reported to the CCO in person, or by telephone, email, or written letter. Reports of potential issues may be made anonymously. Any reports of potential problems will be thoroughly investigated by the CCO, who will report directly to the Investment Policy Committee (the “Committee”), which is comprised of Neal Scott, Ethan Powell, Suzie Begando, Thurman Kelly, and Bryan Gell. Neal Scott serves as the Committee’s chairperson on the matter. Any problems identified during the review will be addressed in ways that reflect Brookmont Capital’s fiduciary duty to its Clients.

 

An Employee’s identification of a material compliance issue will be viewed favorably by the Company’s senior executives. Retaliation against any Employee who reports a violation of the Code of Ethics in good faith is strictly prohibited and will be cause for corrective action, up to and including dismissal. If an Employee believes that he or she has been retaliated against, he or she should notify the CCO directly.

 

Violations of this Code of Ethics, or the other policies and procedures outlined in the Manual, may warrant sanctions including, without limitation, requiring that personal trades be reversed, requiring the disgorgement of profits or gifts, issuing a letter of caution or warning, suspending personal trading rights, imposing a fine, suspending employment (with or without compensation), making a civil referral to the SEC, making a criminal referral, terminating employment for cause, and/or a combination of the foregoing. Violations may also subject an Employee to civil, regulatory, or criminal sanctions. No Employee will determine whether he or she committed a violation of the Code of Ethics or impose any sanction against himself or herself. All sanctions and other actions taken will be in accordance with applicable employment laws and regulations.

 

Distribution of the Code and Acknowledgement of Receipt

 

Brookmont Capital will distribute this Manual, which contains the Company’s Code of Ethics, to each Employee upon the commencement of employment, annually, and upon any change to the Code of Ethics or any material change to another portion of the Manual.

 

All Employees must acknowledge that they have received, read, understood, and agree to comply with Brookmont Capital’s policies and procedures described in this Manual, including this Code of Ethics. Each Employee should complete the attached Compliance Manual Acknowledgement Form and submit the completed form to the CCO upon commencement of employment, annually, and following any material change to the Manual.

 

Conflicts of interest may exist between various individuals and entities, including Brookmont Capital, Employees, and current or prospective Clients. Any failure to identify or properly address a conflict can have severe negative repercussions for Brookmont Capital, its Employees, and/or Clients. In some cases, the improper handling of a conflict could result in litigation and/or disciplinary action.

 

 

11

 

 

 

Brookmont Capital’s policies and procedures have been designed to identify and properly disclose, mitigate, and/or eliminate applicable conflicts of interest. However, written policies and procedures cannot address every potential conflict, so Employees must use good judgment in identifying and responding appropriately to actual or apparent conflicts. Conflicts of interest that involve Brookmont Capital and/or its Employees on one hand, and Clients, on the other hand, will generally be fully disclosed and/or resolved in a way that favors the interests of Clients over the interests of Brookmont Capital and its Employees. If an Employee believes that a conflict of interest has not been identified or appropriately addressed, that Employee should promptly bring the issue to the CCO’s attention.

 

In some instances, conflicts of interest may arise between Clients. Responding appropriately to these types of conflicts can be challenging and may require robust disclosures if there is any appearance that one or more Clients have been unfairly disadvantaged. Employees should notify the CCO promptly if it appears that any actual or apparent conflict of interest between Clients has not been appropriately addressed.

 

Personal Securities Transactions

 

Employee trades should be executed in a manner consistent with our fiduciary obligations to our Clients: trades should avoid actual improprieties, as well as the appearance of impropriety. Employee trades must not be timed to precede orders placed for any Client, must observe a 5-business day blackout period where no trades can be made that include a security that has been recently purchased or sold in any of the firm’s investment Strategies, nor should trading activity be so excessive as to conflict with the Employee’s ability to fulfill daily job responsibilities.

 

Accounts Covered by the Policies and Procedures

 

Brookmont Capital’s Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures apply to all accounts holding any Securities over which Employees have any beneficial ownership interest, which typically includes accounts held by immediate family members sharing the same household. Immediate family members include children, step-children, grandchildren, parents, step-parents, grandparents, spouses, domestic partners, siblings, parents-in-law, and children-in-law, as well as adoptive relationships that meet the above criteria.

 

It may be possible for Employees to exclude accounts held personally or by immediate family members sharing the same household if the Employee does not have any direct or indirect influence or control over the accounts, or if the Employee can rebut the presumption of beneficial ownership over family members’ accounts. Employees should consult with the CCO before excluding any accounts held by immediate family members sharing the same household.

 

Reportable Securities

 

Brookmont Capital requires Employees to provide periodic reports regarding transactions and holdings in all “Reportable Securities,” which include any Security, except:

 

Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;

 

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high-quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;

 

 

12

 

 

 

Shares issued by money market funds;

 

Shares issued by open-end investment companies registered in the U.S., other than funds advised or underwritten by Brookmont Capital or an affiliate;

 

Interests in 529 college savings plans; and

 

Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end registered investment companies, none of which are advised or underwritten by Brookmont Capital or an affiliate.

 

Exchange-traded funds or ETFs are somewhat similar to open-end registered investment companies. However, ETFs are Reportable Securities and are subject to the reporting requirements contained in Brookmont Capital’s Personal Securities Transactions policy.

 

Pre-clearance Procedures

 

Employees must have written clearance for all transactions involving IPOs or Private Placements before completing the transactions. Brookmont Capital may disapprove any proposed transaction, particularly if the transaction appears to pose a conflict of interest or otherwise appears improper. All pre-clearance requests must be submitted to the CCO or his delegate.

 

Reporting

 

Brookmont Capital must collect information regarding the personal trading activities and holdings of all Employees. Employees must submit personal trading activity and holdings to the CCO.

 

Quarterly Transaction Reports

 

Each quarter, Employees must report all Reportable Securities transactions in accounts in which they have a Beneficial Interest. Employees must also report any accounts opened during the quarter that hold any Securities (including Securities excluded from the definition of a Reportable Security). Reports regarding Securities transactions and newly opened accounts must be submitted to the CCO or his delegate within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. These reports must contain the following information current as of the end of the applicable calendar quarter:

 

Transaction information to include title and type of security; ticker symbol or CUSIP number; transaction date; number of shares; type of transaction; transaction price; and the name of the bank, broker-dealer or financial institution through which the transaction was effected; and

 

The date the report is submitted by the Employee.

 

Employees should provide duplicate copies of statements to the CCO for all accounts in which transaction in Reportable Securities occur. The CCO shall review such statements quarterly for compliance with the policies and procedures herein. Employees may use the attached Letter to a Broker-Dealer to instruct the institution hosting their accounts to send the CCO or his delegate duplicate account statements. The Principals of the firm are required to open an investment account through Brookmont Capital Management that holds all personal liquid investments. All personal transaction(s) that include liquid assets must be traded through this account.

 

 

13

 

 

 

The CCO or his delegate must receive all such duplicate statements within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. Any trades that did not occur through a broker-dealer, such as the purchase of a private fund, must be reported as well.

 

Quarterly reporting Forms

 

If an employee did not have any brokerage statements sent to the CCO, transactions or account openings to report, this should be indicated in writing to the CCO within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter.

 

Initial and Annual Holdings Reports

 

Employees must periodically report the existence of any account that holds any Securities (including Securities excluded from the definition of a Reportable Security), as well as all Reportable Securities holdings. Reports regarding accounts and holdings must be submitted to the CCO or his delegate on or before February 14th of each year, and within 10 days of an individual first becoming an Employee. Annual reports must be current as of December 31st; initial reports must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date that the person became an Employee. Initial and annual holdings reports should be submitted through duplicate brokerage statements. These reports must contain the following information current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date of the report:

 

All Securities held in an account (whether direct or indirect beneficial ownership), including the title and type of security, ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each Security;

 

The name of any broker-dealer or financial institution with which the Employee maintains a Personal Account in which securities are held; and

 

The date the report is submitted by the Employee.

 

Initial and annual reports must disclose the existence of all accounts that hold any Securities, even if none of those Securities fall within the definition of a “Reportable Security.”

 

If an Employee does not have any holdings and/or accounts to report, this should be indicated within 10 days of becoming an Employee and by February 14th of each year.

 

Exceptions from Reporting Requirements

 

There are limited exceptions from certain reporting requirements. Specifically, an Employee is not required to submit:

 

Quarterly reports for any transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan; or

 

Any reports with respect to Securities held in accounts over which the Employee had no direct or indirect influence or control, such as an account managed by an investment adviser on a discretionary basis.

 

Any investment plans or accounts that may be eligible for either of these exceptions should be brought to the attention of the CCO or his delegate who will, on a case-by-case basis, determine whether the plan or account qualifies for an exception. In making this determination, the CCO may ask for supporting documentation, such as a copy of the Automatic Investment Plan, a copy of the discretionary account management agreement, and/or a written certification from an unaffiliated investment adviser.

 

 

14

 

 

 

Personal Trading and Holdings Reviews

 

Brookmont Capital’s Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures are designed to mitigate any potential material conflicts of interest associated with Employees’ personal trading activities. Accordingly, the CCO or his delegate will closely monitor Employees’ investment patterns to detect the following potentially abusive behavior:

 

Frequent and/or short-term trades in any Security, with particular attention paid to potential market- timing of mutual funds;

 

Trading opposite of Client trades;

 

Trading ahead of Clients;

 

Observance of a 5 business day blackout period where no trades can be made that include a security that has been recently purchased or sold in any of the firm’s investment Strategies; and

 

Trading that appears to be based on Material Non-Public Information.

 

The CCO or his delegate will review all reports submitted pursuant to the Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures for potentially abusive behavior, and will compare Employee trading with Clients’ trades as necessary. Upon review, the CCO or his delegate will initial and date each report received, and will attach a written description of any issues noted. Any personal trading that appears abusive may result in further inquiry by the CCO and/or sanctions, up to and including dismissal.

 

A delegate of the CCO will monitor the CCO’s personal Securities transactions for compliance with the Personal Securities Transactions policies and procedures.

 

Reports to the Board

 

On a periodic basis, but no less than annually, Brookmont’s CCO shall prepare a written report to each registered fund client’s Chief Compliance Officer and its Board of Trustees setting forth the following:

 

A description of any issues arising under the Code or underlying procedures since the last report to the Board including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or underlying procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations.

 

A certification on behalf of Brookmont that Brookmont has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Employees from violating the Code

 

Recordkeeping

 

The CCO shall maintain all records in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rules 204A-1 and 204-2 under the Advisers Act.

 

 

15

 

 

 

Disclosure of the Code of Ethics

 

Brookmont Capital will describe its Code of Ethics in Part 2 of Form ADV and, upon request, furnish Clients with a copy of the Code of Ethics. All Client requests for Brookmont Capital’s Code of Ethics should be directed to the CCO or his delegate.

 

 

16

 

 

 

Attachment – Compliance Manual Acknowledgement Form

 

By signing below, I certify that I have received, read, understood, abided by, and will continue to abide by Brookmont Capital’s Compliance Manual, which includes Brookmont Capital’s Code of Ethics policy. I understand that any questions about Brookmont Capital’s Manual (including the Code and Electronic Communications policy) should be directed to the CCO.

 

Print Name:

 

Signature:

 

Date:

 

Note: All Employees must also complete and submit the Annual Compliance Questionnaire Supplement that begins on the following page.

 

 

17

 

 

 

Attachment - Annual Compliance Questionnaire Supplement

 

Please answer the following questions accurately. If you mark any shaded boxes, explain your response in the space following the table.

 

Question Yes No
1.    Are you or any members of your immediate family employed by a financial services company other than Brookmont Capital Management?    
2.     Are you or any members of your immediate family employed by a company that provides products or services to Brookmont Capital Management?    
3.     Do you or any member of your immediate family serve as a general partner or managing member for an investment-related pooled investment vehicle?    
4.     Do you or any members of your immediate family have some other business or personal relationship with, or substantive investment in, a financial services company or a company that provides products or services to Brookmont Capital Management?    
5.     Do you or any members of your immediate family serve as trustee, executor, or in a similar capacity for any client or investor?    
6.     Do you or any members of your immediate family have any other business or personal relationship with any client or investor?    
7.    Are you or any members of your immediate family employed by any government?    
8.     Do you or any members of your immediate family serve as officers or directors of any organizations (including private companies, public companies, and not-for-profit organizations)?    
9.     Are you aware of any conflicts of interest that have not already been disclosed to the CCO involving Brookmont Capital Management, you or your immediate family members, and any client or investor?    
10.   Have you complied with Brookmont Capital Management’s requirements regarding the disclosure and approval of outside business activities?    
11.   Are you aware of any potentially material, non-public information that has not been previously disclosed to the CCO? (If yes, please indicate the capacity in which you received the information at the end of this form, but do not include the specific information in question on this form.)    

 

 

18

 

 

 

Question Yes No
12.   Have you improperly transmitted proprietary information between Brookmont Capital Management and any prior employers or other individuals or entities?    
13.   Have you reported all political contributions that you made in the past two years?    

14.   In the past 10 years, have you been charged with or convicted of or plead guilty or no contest in a domestic, foreign, or military court to any:

 

●     Felony 

●     Misdemeanor involving investments or an investment-related business, or any fraud, false statements, filings or omissions, wrongful taking of property, bribery, perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, or a conspiracy to commit any of these offenses? 

   

15.   In the past 10 years, has any federal regulatory agency, the U.S. Postal Service, any state regulatory agency, or any foreign financial regulatory authority found you to have:

 

●     Made a false statement or omission, or been dishonest, unfair, or unethical? 

●     Been involved in a violation of investment-related regulations or statutes? 

●     Been a cause of an investment-related business having its authorization to do business denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted? 

   

16.   In the past 10 years, has any federal regulatory agency, the U.S. Postal Service, any state regulatory agency, or any foreign financial regulatory authority:

 

●     Entered an order or injunction against you in connection with an investment-related activity or the making of false representations? 

●     Denied, suspended, or revoked your registration or license, or otherwise prevented you, by order, from associating with an investment-related business or restricted your activity? 

   

17.    In the past 10 years, has any self-regulatory organization or commodities exchange found you to have:

 

●     Made a false statement or omission? 

●     Been involved in a violation of its rules (other than a violation designated as a “minor rule violation” under a plan approved by the SEC)? 

●     Been the cause of an investment-related business having its authorization to do business denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted? 

   
18.   In the past 10 years, has any self-regulatory organization or commodities exchange disciplined you by expelling or suspending you from membership, barring or suspending you from association with other members, or otherwise restricting your activities?    
19.   Has an authorization to act as an attorney, accountant, or federal contractor granted to you ever been revoked or suspended?    

 

 

19

 

 

 

Question Yes No

20.  In the past 10 years, has any domestic or foreign court:

 

●     Enjoined or restrained you in connection with any investment or securities-related activity, or in connection with any false SEC filing? 

●     Found that you were involved in a violation of investment-related statutes or regulations? 

●     Dismissed, pursuant to a settlement agreement, an investment-related civil action brought against you by a state or foreign financial regulatory authority? 

   
21.  Are you now the subject of any proceeding that could result in a “yes” answer to any of the preceding questions?    

22.  Have you been convicted within ten years of any felony or misdemeanor:

 

●     In connection with the purchase or sale of any security; 

●     Involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or 

●     Arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities? 

   

23.   Are you subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, entered within the past five years, that restrains or enjoins you from engaging or continuing to engage in any conduct or practice:

 

●     In connection with the purchase or sale of any security; 

●     Involving the making of any false filing with the SEC; or 

●     Arising out of the conduct of the business of an underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, investment adviser, or paid solicitor of purchasers of securities? 

   

24.   Are you subject to a final order of a state securities commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); a state authority that supervises or examines banks, savings associations, or credit unions; a state insurance commission (or an agency or officer of a state performing like functions); a federal banking agency; the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission; or the National Credit Union Administration that:

 

●     Bars you from association with an entity regulated by such commission, authority, agency, or officer; 

●     Bars you from engaging in the business of securities, insurance or banking; 

●     Bars you from engaging in savings association or credit union activities; or 

●     Constitutes a final order based on a violation of any law or regulation that prohibits fraudulent, manipulative, or deceptive conduct entered within the past ten years? 

   

 

 

20

 

 

 

Question Yes No

25.  Are you subject to an SEC order that:

 

●    Suspends or revokes your registration as a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer or investment adviser; 

●    Places limitations on your activities, functions or operations; or 

●    Bars you from being associated with any entity or from participating in the offering of any penny stock? 

   

26.   Are you subject to any order of the SEC within the past five years that orders you to cease and desist from committing or causing a violation or future violation of:

 

●    Any scienter-based anti-fraud provision of the federal securities laws; or 

●    Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933? 

   
27.  Have you been suspended or expelled from membership in, or suspended or barred from association with a member of, a registered national securities exchange, or a registered national or affiliated securities association for any act or omission to act constituting conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade?    
28.  In the past five years have you filed (as a registrant or issuer), or were you named as an underwriter in, any registration statement or Regulation A offering statement filed with the SEC that was the subject of a refusal order, stop order, or order suspending the Regulation A exemption, or are you the subject of an investigation or proceeding to determine whether a stop order or suspension order should be issued?    
29.  In the past five years have you been subject to a U.S. Postal Service false representation order, or are you subject to a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction with respect to conduct alleged by the U.S. Postal Service to constitute a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations?    

 

New employees should skip the remaining questions and explain any marks in shaded boxes below the table.
30.  During the past 12 months, have you reported all personal securities transactions and reportable accounts in accordance with Brookmont Capital Management’s reporting policies and any policy exceptions granted to you by the Compliance Department?    
31.  During the past 12 months, have you reported gifts and entertainment in accordance with Brookmont Capital Management’s reporting policies?    
32.  During the past 12 months, have you traded on or improperly transmitted any material, non-public information?    

33.  During the past 12 months, have you become aware of any violation of Brookmont Capital Management’s Code of Ethics that you did not disclose to the CCO?    
34.  Are you aware of any unreported identity theft, cyber security, or privacy issues that have arisen in the past 12 months??    
35.  To the best of your knowledge, during the past 12 months, has Brookmont Capital Management and its employees (including yourself) complied with the Company’s written policies and procedures?    
36.  Have you had any life events (i.e., birth of a child, marriage, divorce, children/parents moving in) occur over the last 12 months that resulted in accounts (i.e., 529 plans, spouse 401(k) accounts, etc.) that should be reported?    

 

 

21

 

 

 

Please use the space below to explain any marks in shaded boxes. For each explanation, indicate the relevant question number. Use additional pages as necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By signing below, I certify that I have responded to the questions set forth in this Annual Compliance Questionnaire completely and accurately.

 

Print Name:     Date:  

 

Signature:    

 

 

22

 

 

 

Attachment – Quarterly Reporting Form: New Accounts

 

For the Quarter Ended: ______________ 

Name of Broker- Dealer or Bank Account Title Account Number Date Account was Established
       
       
       
       
       

 

I certify that this form fully discloses all Securities accounts opened during the calendar quarter noted above in which I have a Beneficial Interest. I understand that I am presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in Securities accounts of immediate family members living in the same household.

 

Signature:     Print Name:  
         

Date:    

 

Deliver to the CCO or his delegate within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. Use additional sheets if necessary.

 

 

23

 

 

 

Attachment – Letter to a Broker-Dealer

 

DATE

 

NAME OF BROKER/CUSTODIAN

ADDRESS 

CITY, STATE ZIP

 

Re:Account No.  ___________________________________

 

Account Name  __________________________________

 

Dear NAME,

 

As of DATE, please send duplicate trade confirmations monthly account statements for the above named account to:

 

Brookmont Capital Management 

Attn: Neal Scott, Chief Compliance Officer or his delegate

5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 1420 

Dallas, TX 75225

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 214.953.0190. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

NAME

 

cc:Neal Scott, Chief Compliance Officer or his delegate

 

 

24

 

 

 

Attachment – Quarterly Report Of Personal Securities Transactions

 

Our firm Code of Ethics and SEC regulations require that each access person* (defined at Rule 204A-1(e)(1) ) and Rule 17j-(d)(1)(ii)) report, within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter, any personal securities transactions in any account of the access person, or any account in which the access person or any immediate family or household member, has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

 

Transactions do not need to be reported for: 

1)any account in which the adviser or any access person has no direct or indirect influence or control,

2)direct obligations of the U.S. Government, e.g., U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds,

3)high quality short-term instruments, e.g., U.S. bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper,

4)open-end investment companies, i.e., mutual funds unless our firm, or an affiliated company acts as investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter to the mutual fund(s); and

5)Units of unit investment trusts, so long as the unit investment trust is neither managed by our firm, any affiliate of our firm, nor invested in affiliated mutual funds.

 

 

Printed Name of Access Person

 

YES, I have had reportable personal securities transactions within the past quarter as reported on:

(check those that apply)

 

the attached page/or monthly brokerage statements;
confirmations/statements sent directly by my broker/dealer; or
the attached report

 

NO, I have had no reportable personal securities transaction(s) in the past quarter.

 

This Report is to be signed, dated and returned to _____________________________________, Chief Compliance Officer (or designated person), within 30 days of each quarter’s end.

 

 

Quarter Ending

 

       
Access Person Signature   Date Submitted  

 

       
Reviewed by (CCO or designated person)   Date  

 

* Note: Access persons are required to report (however, advisers may elect to require all supervised persons to report) their personal securities transactions.

 

 

25

 

 

 

Quarterly Report Of Personal Securities Transactions

 

       
Name of access person*   Date  

 

Transactions do not need to be reported for: 

1)any account in which the adviser or any access person has no direct or indirect influence or control,

2)direct obligations of the U.S. Government, e.g., U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds,

3)high quality short-term instruments, e.g., U.S. bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper,

4)open-end investment companies, i.e., mutual funds unless our firm, or an affiliated company acts as investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter to the mutual fund(s); and

5)Units of unit investment trusts, so long as the unit investment trust is neither managed by our firm, any affiliate of our firm, nor invested in affiliated mutual funds.

 

Trade Date

Name of Security & 

Ticker Symbol or CUSIP # (if applicable) 

Interest Rate Maturity Date # of Shares Principal Amount Buy/Sell Price Name of Broker Dealer or Bank
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

The reporting or recording of any such transaction shall not be construed as an admission that the investment adviser or access/supervisory person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security.

 

* Our firm Code of Ethics and SEC regulations require that each access person (defined at Rule 204A-1(e)(1) and Rule 17j-(d)(1)(ii)) provide/submit, within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter, any reportable personal securities transactions in any account of the access person or any account in which the access person, or any immediate family or household member, has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

 

Note: Access persons are required to report (however, advisers may elect to require all supervised persons to report) their personal securities transactions.

 

 

26

 

 

 

ETF OPPORTUNITIES TRUST 485BPOS

 

Exhibit 99.(p)(19)

 

 

 

King Ridge Capital LLC

 

Code of Ethics

 

December 2024

 

This document is the sole property of King Ridge Capital LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and may not be reproduced, extracted, or made available to any external party that is not employed by, or has not been granted approval from, King Ridge Capital LLC.

 

1

 

Contents

1.          Introduction 3
2.          Standards of Professional Conduct 5
3.          Insider Trading Policies and Procedures 6
4.          Personal Account Dealings 8
5.          Gifts and Entertainment 11
6.          Political Contributions 13
7.          Outside Business Activities 14
8.          Family Member Conflicts 15

 

2

 

1.Introduction

 

King Ridge Capital LLC (“King Ridge”, “KRCA”, or the “Firm”) is an investment Adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to requirements under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). As a registered Investment Adviser (“RIA”), King Ridge is subject to SEC rules and regulations that govern its activities and fiduciary responsibilities. The Firm has established this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that is applicable to all Access Persons of King Ridge. The Code is designed to work in conjunction with the separately maintained Compliance Manual (the “Manual”) as well as other applicable compliance policies and procedures established by King Ridge.

 

Each person subject to the Code must acknowledge that they have received, read, and agree to be bound by the Code. King Ridge will require annual recertification that each Access Person has read, understands, and has complied with the Code.

 

This Code is predicated on the principle that King Ridge owes a fiduciary duty to its Clients. King Ridge has the duty and a responsibility to act in the utmost good faith and in the best interests of Clients and to always place the Client’s interests first and foremost. Accordingly, the Firm’s Access Persons must avoid, as is reasonably possible, activities, interests and relationships that run contrary (or appear to run contrary) to the best interests of Clients. It is expected that certain conflicts of interest may arise for Access Persons while acting in their capacity at the Firm. In the event that a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, were to arise, Access Persons are required to disclose such conflict(s) to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) promptly.

 

This Code applies to each Access Person in the Firm. For purposes of this Code, all Supervised Persons at King Ridge are deemed Access Persons held to the responsibilities outlined herein. Access Persons must read and understand this Code and uphold the required standards in their day-to-day activities at King Ridge. Compliance with the Code is a condition of employment, and Access Persons are expected to abide by the spirit of the Code and report any known or suspected violations to the CCO and/or a Compliance Designee.

 

Administration of the Code

 

King Ridge’s CCO, Neil Hause, has ultimate responsibility for overseeing the activities administered under this Code. King Ridge has additionally engaged outsourced compliance consultant to provide regulatory compliance support services as the Compliance Designee. Any questions regarding King Ridge’s compliance program, its application in a given situation, or other compliance related matters should be directed to the CCO and/or Designee. The CCO and/or Designee will at least annually review the Code and conduct training on its topics with Access Persons on its content. Upon hire, the CCO or Designee will provide initial compliance training to new hires covering topics in the Code.

 

King Ridge utilizes Hadrius to help administer requirements under this Code and for monitoring potential conflicts of interest reported by Access Persons. All Access Persons are required to access and use Hadrius so that the CCO can appropriately supervise activity at the Firm.

 

Test Procedure Frequency Assignee
Annual Code Acknowledgement Annual CCO/Designee

Annual review of policies within Code 

Annual CCO/Designee

Conduct firmwide training that includes the topics covered within the Code, as well as ad  hoc new hire training on the Code.

Annually/Ad hoc CCO/Designee

 

3

 

 

Definitions

 

Access Person: Includes all employees, officers, directors and members of King Ridge and any other persons designated by the CCO, who have access to nonpublic information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by, or the securities holdings of, any Client of King Ridge or who are involved in making such recommendations that are not publicly known.

 

Advisers Act: The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Beneficial Ownership: The Code applies to all accounts and securities beneficially owned by Access Persons as well as accounts under an Access Person’s direct or indirect influence or control. If an Access Person has the ability to profit, directly or indirectly, or share in any profit from a transaction, the Access Person is deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of such account. If an Access is unsure if an account or investment falls under their beneficial ownership, they should contact the CCO for further guidance.

 

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”): The CCO as referenced is Neil Hause, so designated by King Ridge.

 

Client: Refers to any pooled investment vehicle, and investors within those vehicles, that are managed by King Ridge.

 

Code: Refers to this Code of Ethics.

 

Compliance Designee: Designated by King Ridge, the CCO may additionally designate individuals, where appropriate, to operate in the capacity of the Designee as outlined in this Code. King Ridge has outsourced compliance consulting services to PINE Advisor Solutions who will be engaged as Designee.

 

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”): The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

Firm: Refers to King Ridge Capital LLC.

 

Fund: Any pooled investment vehicle managed by King Ridge.

 

Hadrius: An online compliance management application administered by the CCO and Compliance Designee used for Access Persons to disclose all personal compliance disclosures.

 

Household-related Party: For purposes of the Code, members of an Access Person’s family/household include:

 

Your spouse or domestic partner (unless they do not live in the same household as you and you do not contribute in any way to their support);

Your children under the age of 18;

Your children who are 18 or older (unless they do not live in the same household as you and you do not contribute in any way to their support); and

Any of your stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, parents-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law (including in each case adoptive relationships) who live in your household.

 

Initial Public Offering (“IPO”): Generally refers to when a company first sells its shares to the public.

 

4

 

Material Non-Public Information: Any information that has not been publicly disseminated, or that was obtained legitimately while acting in a role of trust or confidence of an issuer or that was obtained wrongfully from an issuer or such person acting in a role of trust or confidence that a reasonable investor would consider important in making a decision to buy, hold or sell a company’s securities. Regardless of whether it is positive or negative, historical, or forward looking, any information that a reasonable investor could expect affects a company’s stock price.

 

Reportable Securities: Rule 204A-1 treats all securities as reportable securities, with five exceptions designed to exclude securities that appear to present little opportunity for the type of improper trading on behalf of an Access Person which the restrictions are designed to mitigate and /or uncover. These include:

 

Transactions and holdings in direct obligations of the Government of the United States;

Money market instruments — bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments;

Shares of money market funds;

Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of mutual funds, unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund;

Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual funds.

 

SEC: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Supervised Person: Any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of an investment adviser, or other person who provides investment advice on behalf of the investment adviser and is subject to the supervision and control of the investment adviser. Supervised Persons of King Ridge include all directors, officers, and any other personnel designated as a Supervised Person by the CCO. All King Ridge employees are considered Supervised Persons and Access Persons within King Ridge’s compliance program.

 

2.Standards of Professional Conduct

 

Under the Advisers Act, an investment adviser owes the fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to its Clients. The Firm has an affirmative duty to act solely in the best interests of Clients and to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts, particularly where the Firm’s interests may conflict with those of Clients. King Ridge is obligated to avoid overreaching or taking unfair advantage of a Client or investor’s trust and to eliminate or disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

 

Specific obligations that the SEC has indicated that encompass King Ridge’s fiduciary duty are:

 

A duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for its investment advice;

A duty to obtain best execution for Clients’ securities transactions where King Ridge is in a position to direct brokerage transactions;

A duty to ensure that its investment advice is suitable to the Client’s objectives, needs and circumstances;

A duty to refrain from effecting personal securities transactions inconsistent with Client interests; and

A duty to be loyal to Clients.

 

5

 

Access Persons must at all times comply with the following standards of business conduct to ensure King Ridge meets its fiduciary obligations and those of its Access Persons:

 

Clients Come First: Access Persons owe Clients a duty of loyalty and must avoid serving King Ridge’s or their own personal interests ahead of the Clients'. An Access Person may not induce or cause a Client to take action, or not to take action, for the Firm’s or the Access Person’s own benefit rather than for the benefit of the Client. King Ridge must make full and fair disclosure of all material facts related to the investment, particularly where the interests of the Firm or an Access Person may conflict with those of a Client.

Avoid Taking Advantage: Access Persons may not trade on the basis of inside information, usurp investment opportunities that should properly be made available to the Firm’s Clients, or otherwise use their knowledge of King Ridge’s investment activities to profit on such activities at the expense of the Firm’s Clients.

Avoid Inappropriate Relationships: In addition, Access Persons must avoid engaging in outside business activities and the receipt of investment opportunities, perquisites, or gifts from persons seeking to do business with King Ridge that could call into question an Access Person’s ability to exercise independent judgment in the best interests of the Clients.

Compliance with Applicable Laws: Access Persons must comply with all laws that apply to the business of King Ridge.

Act Ethically: King Ridge expects all Access Persons to act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner while doing business on behalf of the Firm.

 

Doubtful situations should always be resolved in favor of Clients. Technical compliance with the Code’s procedures will not automatically insulate from scrutiny any activities that indicate an abuse of these governing principles.

 

Policy

 

King Ridge’s Access Persons owe the same fiduciary responsibilities to Clients as set forth above. This Code is designed to provide guidelines to employees of the Firm for compliance with the fiduciary duties of loyalty and care. Access Persons are required to review and be familiar with all conflicts of interest identification, reporting, and management procedures outlined in the policy.

 

Procedure

 

On at least an annual basis, the CCO and Compliance Designee will provide training to Access Persons on their fiduciary duties and methods for reporting/mitigating conflicts of interest. Ad hoc training may be conducted as deemed necessary by the CCO, to provide Access Persons with sufficient training and knowledge on their fiduciary responsibilities and Firm policy.

 

3.Insider Trading Policies and Procedures

 

King Ridge and certain individuals may have access to material information about a public company that has not been publicly disseminated. Federal and state securities laws generally make it unlawful for any person to trade in securities of a publicly-traded issuer while in possession of material, non-public information (“MNPI”). It is also unlawful to communicate MNPI to others (a practice known as “tipping”).

 

6

 

Violations of these restrictions can have severe consequences for both King Ridge and its Access Persons. Trading on MNPI or communicating such information to others is punishable by imprisonment and criminal fines. As such, the Firm has established the following policies and procedures to prevent the misuse of MNPI by King Ridge or any person associated with King Ridge.

 

Defining “Material” Information

 

Material information is defined generally as information for which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making their investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Information that Access Persons could consider material includes, but is not limited to:

 

Merger or acquisition proposals or agreements;

News of a significant sale of assets or the disposition of a subsidiary;

Liquidation problems;

Major contract awards;

The gain or loss of a substantial customer or supplier;

Pricing changes or discount policies;

Notice of issuance of patents;

Significant new products, processes or discoveries;

Major litigation or regulatory inquiries;

Extraordinary management developments;

Earnings estimates (or results);

Changes in previously released earnings estimates;

Current financial performance;

Changes in dividend amounts or policies or the declaration of a stock split or the offering of additional securities; and/or

Significant write-offs or restatements.

 

Defining “Non-Public” Information

 

Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the marketplace. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through a public filing with the SEC or some other government agency or some publication of general circulation and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely.

 

If the information is not available in the general media or in a public filing, it should be treated as non-public. Individuals that are uncertain as to whether certain information is non-public should consult with the CCO and/or Designee prior to making any comment to a third-party.

 

MNPI Policy

 

King Ridge forbids any Access Persons from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, including Clients, based upon MNPI about a publicly traded security, or communicating MNPI to others in violation of applicable law. This policy applies to every Access Person and extends to activities within and outside their duties at King Ridge.

 

7

 

Access Persons should take all appropriate actions to safeguard any MNPI in their possession. Information in an individual’s possession that has been identified as material and non-public may not be communicated to anyone, including any person within the Firm other than the CCO and those persons who “need to know” such information in order to perform their job responsibilities at King Ridge.

 

Identification of MNPI Procedures

 

Before an Access Person executes any trade personally or for others, including Client accounts, the individual must determine whether they have access to MNPI. If an Access Person thinks they might have access to MNPI, the individual should consult the CCO and/or Designee and take the following steps:

 

Report the information and proposed trade immediately to the CCO and/or Designee;

Do not purchase or sell the securities, including for the Funds managed by the Firm;

Do not communicate the information inside or outside the Firm other than to the CCO and/or Designee; and

After the CCO has reviewed the issue, the CCO will determine whether the information is material and non-public and, if so, what action the Firm should take.

 

Restricted List Policy

 

Receipt by King Ridge or an Access Person of MNPI, as well as certain transactions in which the Firm may engage, may require that Client accounts or personal accounts of Access Persons do not trade in the subject securities for specified time periods. Any such security will be designated as “restricted.” The CCO will determine which securities are restricted, will maintain a list (the “Restricted List”) of such securities, and will deny permission to effect transactions in Client or Access Person’s personal accounts in securities on the Restricted List.

 

Access Persons should regularly review the Restricted List to confirm the names that are included within.

 

Restricted List Procedures

 

If an Access Persons believes they have obtained MNPI, they should immediately notify the CCO and/or Designee. Should the CCO identify the need to add a name to the Restricted List, the CCO will notify all Access Persons of any updates made to the Restricted List, including when a particular security has been removed from the Restricted List.

 

Test Procedure Frequency Assignee
Review and update of names on Restricted List Regular CCO

 

4.Personal Account Dealings

 

Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act requires Access Persons to report their personal securities transactions, holdings, and beneficially owned personal trading accounts to the CCO for regular review and monitoring. Rule 204A-1 encompasses the personal investments of all Access Persons and their Household-related Parties as required by the Advisers Act for any personal trading accounts where an Access Person is deemed to have beneficial ownership over any such accounts. Therefore, each Access Person and their Household-related Parties must conduct all personal investments consistent with this section of the Code.

 

8

 

 

King Ridge utilizes Hadrius to facilitate personal trading monitoring and recordkeeping. The CCO and Designee will be responsible for reviewing, approving, or denying any personal account dealings for Access Persons. In the case of the CCO’s personal account dealings, a Designee shall be responsible for reviewing the securities transactions and holdings report data.

 

Personal Trading Governing Principles

 

As a general matter, King Ridge requires all personal trading activity of its Access Persons and Household-related Parties to adhere to the following principles:

 

The interests of Client accounts must be placed in front of any personal transaction. Appropriate investment opportunities must be made for Clients before King Ridge or before any Access Person acts upon such opportunities for personal trading reasons.

All personal securities transactions must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest or abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

Initial Account and Holdings Disclosure

 

Rule 204A-1 requires Access Persons to disclose to the CCO within 10 days of hire the Access Person’s personal accounts and holdings. Access Persons are required to report all securities accounts “beneficially owned” directly or indirectly by the Access Person with any foreign or domestic brokerage firm, bank, investment adviser or other financial institution. This may include disclosing Household-related Parties’ personal trading accounts if the Access Person is deemed to have beneficial ownership over such accounts.

 

Policy

 

Within ten 10 calendar days of an Access Person’s start date at King Ridge, the Access Person is required to disclose all brokerage accounts in which they have Beneficial Ownership, including whether the individual exercises trading discretion over Beneficially Owned accounts. Access Persons must allow brokers or financial institutions to provide duplicate confirmations and statements directly to King Ridge in Beneficially Owned accounts that can hold Reportable Securities. If an Access Person’s broker is unwilling or unable to provide duplicate confirmations and statements, the Access Person is required to provide them directly to the CCO.

 

Additionally, within 10 calendar days of an Access Person’s start date, all holdings in Reportable Securities that are Beneficially Owned by the Access Person must be disclosed, excluding those managed by a third- party where the Access Person does not exercise trading authority over the personal trading account. Holdings information must be current as of 45 days prior to the Access Person’s start date.

 

Procedure

 

Newly hired Access Persons should disclose their Beneficially Owned accounts within 10 days of hire into Hadrius upon activation on their Hadrius user by the CCO. New hires must also note when disclosing any Beneficially Owned account of whether the individual can exercise trading discretion over the account, or whether it is third-party managed.

 

Any questions regarding initial account and holdings disclosures in Hadrius should be directed to the CCO and/or Designee.

 

9

 

Ongoing Disclosure and Reporting Requirements

 

In addition to initial account and holdings disclosures, Rule 204A-1 requires Access Persons to continuously report certain personal trading activity and ongoingly disclose newly opened Beneficially Owned accounts, as well as annually report holdings for any account that holds Reportable Securities.

 

Policy

 

Access Persons must promptly disclose to the CCO any newly opened accounts under their Beneficial Ownership that have the ability to hold Reportable Securities and document such accounts in Hadrius. Access Persons must also ensure that King Ridge receives duplicate statements or trade confirmations for all Reportable Securities (except for non-discretionary trading accounts) via one the following methods:

 

Electronic Feeds: Access Persons are encouraged to deal through brokers that provide Hadrius with trade confirmations and holdings via electronic feeds. This provides the CCO and Designee with the most timely and accurate personal account information.

Manual Upload of Confirmations and/or Statements: If obtaining a direct feed is not possible or functioning during the required reporting timeframe, Access Persons are required to enter trade details into Hadrius and upload the trade confirmation (or quarterly statement).

 

Procedure

 

Upon initial disclosure and attestation to personal account information, King Ridge requires Access Persons to periodically attest to the trade data within the disclosed accounts. Below is a general outline of the required personal account dealing certifications each Access Person must complete:

 

Quarterly Annually
●    Transaction attestation for Reportable Securities in accounts to which the Access Person exercises discretionary trading authority are due within thirty (30) days of calendar quarter end.

●    

Account(s) attestation for any account that has the ability to hold Reportable Securities 

●    

Holdings attestation for Reportable Securities that are due within 45 days of calendar year-end.

 

Pre-clearance Requirements for Personal Securities Transactions

 

Access Persons are required to pre-clear all personal transactions in the following:

 

Participation in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

Private placements or limited offerings

Investments in funds advised and/or managed by King Ridge

 

Participation in IPOs, Private Placements, and Limited Offerings

 

Participation in any Initial Public Offering (“IPO”), private placement, or limited offering (including LPs, LLCs, hedge funds, private equity funds, etc.) must be pre-cleared by the CCO prior to participation in such investments. A request for approval of a private placement must be submitted in advance of the proposed date of investment.

 

10

 

 

Prohibition Against Front Running

 

Policy

 

It is the policy of King Ridge that Access Persons shall not execute a personal securities transaction in a security if an order for a Client account for the same security, same way, at the same price remains unexecuted. In accordance with fiduciary duties, transactions for Clients take priority over any personal securities transaction, and Access Persons are expressly prohibited from taking advantage of their position within the Firm to attempt to execute a security that a Fund is contemplating or in the process of transacting.

 

Procedure

 

Access Persons contemplating transacting a security should always review the Restricted List to ensure such personal transactions do not conflict with Client transactions.

 

Restricted List

 

King Ridge may at times, at the discretion of the CCO, maintain a Restricted List that is available to all Access Persons and is maintained and distributed electronically to Access Persons. King Ridge believes the use of a Restricted List will be infrequent but may, from time to time, be necessary to safeguard against the use of, or the perception of the use of, MNPI and insider trading. Access Persons are responsible for ensuring they do not trade in a security on the Restricted List. Once a security is placed on the Restricted List, any trading in a Client or Access Person account will require pre-approval from the CCO until the security has been removed from the list.

 

Test Procedure Testing Frequency Assignee

Initial accounts and holdings disclosure for Access Persons

Quarterly CCO/Designee
Personal transaction monitoring Quarterly CCO/Designee

Beneficially Owned accounts and holdings disclosure 

Annual CCO/Designee

Personal trading monitoring with checks against Restricted List 

Quarterly CCO/Designee

 

5.Gifts and Entertainment

 

Gifts or Entertainment may create an actual or apparent conflict of interest, which could affect (or appear to affect) the recipient’s independent business judgment. Access Persons are required to follow the standards below regarding the acceptance or giving of gifts and entertainment. Generally speaking, Access Persons are expected to avoid any gifts or entertainment that:

 

Could create an apparent or actual conflict of interest;

Are excessive or extravagant and that would reflect unfavorably on King Ridge or Clients; or

Would be inappropriate or disreputable in nature.

 

For purposes of this Code, gifts or entertainment that would not be deemed excessive or extravagant can generally be is defined as reasonable and customary business entertainment, such as an occasional dinner, logoed pens or other nominally valued items, a ticket to a sporting event or the theater, or comparable entertainment which is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety. Any questions regarding the receipt of any gift or other personal benefit should be directed to the CCO and/or Designee.

  

11

 

 

Preferential Treatment

 

As a general matter, no Access Person shall seek or accept favors, preferential treatment, or any other personal benefit because of their association with King Ridge, except pursuant to normal and customary business practices.

 

Access Persons should not offer gifts, favors, entertainment, or other things of material value that could be deemed overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making of a Client. King Ridge expects all individuals to use their best judgment and err on the side of reporting any gifts or entertainment that are questionable in nature.

 

Gift Policy

 

A “gift” is anything of value that is given with the intent or perceived intent to foster a legitimate business relationship. Gifts can include merchandise such as wine, gift baskets, or event tickets if the giver does not attend. No Access Person may receive any gift, service, or other thing of excessive value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of King Ridge. No Access Person may give or offer any gift of excessive value to existing Clients, prospective clients, or any entity that does business with or on behalf of King Ridge.

 

King Ridge requires any gifts greater than $100 in value, on aggregate, per year, per relationship, to be disclosed to the CCO and/or Designee.

 

Access Persons may not request or solicit any gifts. Additionally, no gift of cash or cash equivalents can be accepted. Items such as pens, coffee mugs, or clothing items with a counterparty’s logo are generally acceptable in all instances, so long as such items could not be deemed excessive or extravagant.

 

Gifts given to Clients/firms during the holiday season will be based on the same guidelines established above.

 

Gift Disclosure Procedures

 

Access Persons who intend to give or receive a gift over the reporting threshold can submit a gift disclosure in Hadrius or report the gift directly to the CCO. Additionally, if an Access Person believes they are being given a gift that is excessive in nature, they should immediately report such gift to the CCO and Designee. Any questions as to what constitutes an “excessive” gift should be directed to the CCO and/or Designee. Additionally, Access Persons will be required to periodically attest that they have not received or given any gifts that could be construed excessive or extravagant in nature and that any gifts above the reporting thresholds have been appropriately disclosed.

 

Entertainment Policy

 

“Entertainment” is a meeting, meal, or other activity where both the King Ridge Access Person and another individual(s) are present and have the opportunity to discuss business or any participant’s employer bears the cost of such meeting. It does not include events that have been organized by King Ridge directly, such as receptions following an industry gathering or multi-client entertainment. If the individual providing the entertainment will not be present for the event, it will be considered a gift subject to the Gift Policy above.

 

Access Persons are prohibited from accepting entertainment that is or could be considered excessive or extravagant. For purposes of this Code, King Ridge requires that any entertainment greater than $500 in value on any single occasion be disclosed to the CCO and/or Designees for pre-approval. Access Persons additionally cannot solicit entertainment or request attendance or invitations to specific events.

  

12

 

Traditional business entertainment such as golf outings, business lunches, and professional networking events are generally acceptable in all instances, so long as the traditional business entertainment does not evolve into excessive or extravagant in nature.

 

Entertainment Disclosure Procedures

 

Access Persons who intend to give or receive entertainment in excess of the above threshold can submit an entertainment disclosure in Hadrius or report the entertainment directly to the CCO. Any such reports for pre-clearance should be provided in advance of the entertainment event. Additionally, if an Access Person believes they are being entertained in a manner that is excessive in nature, they should immediately report such gift to the CCO and Designee. Any questions as to what constitutes “excessive” or “extravagant” entertainment should be directed to the CCO and/or Designee. Additionally, Access Persons will be required to periodically attest that they have not received or given any entertainment that could be construed excessive or extravagant in nature and that any entertainment greater in value on a single occasion above the reporting threshold has been appropriately pre-cleared.

 

Test Procedure Testing Frequency Assignee

Review of disclosed gifts/entertainment 

Ad hoc CCO/Designee

 

6.Political Contributions

 

King Ridge is subject to Rule 206(4)-5 under the Advisers Act, which among other things, prohibits the Firm from engaging in pay-to-play practices (i.e. being compensated for investment advisory services to a government entity or official after making political contributions to the same). Rule 206(4)-5 imposes a two-year “cooling-off” period after making a contribution to an official of a government entity before an investment adviser can receive compensation for providing advice to the government entity and requires that any third-party solicitors used by such advisers also be subject to pay-to-play restrictions. Furthermore, King Ridge may not solicit or coordinate campaign contributions for officials of a government entity to which the Firm provides, or is seeking to provide, advisory services.

 

The intent of Rule 206(4)-5 is to remove the connection between political contributions to state and local officials who may have influence over the awarding of government and public pension investment advisory business.

 

Defining a Political Contribution

 

For purposes of this Code, a political contribution means any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made for:

 

The purpose of influencing any election for political office;

The payment of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or

Transition or inaugural expenses incurred by the successful candidate for political office.

 

Political contributions can also include in-kind contributions such as payment for services or use of any political campaign or volunteering a significant amount of time outside of the Firm towards a particular political campaign.

13

 

 

Policy

 

It is the policy of King Ridge to strictly adhere to Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act. Initially upon hire, a new Access Person must disclose their prior two years’ worth of political contributions. The initial disclosure should include contributions made by Household-related Parties as well.

 

Access Persons and their Household-related Parties are prohibited from making political contributions without preapproval by the CCO. Additionally, volunteering a significant portion of time outside of the Firm to a particular political campaign should be disclosed to the CCO for purposes of this policy.

 

Procedure

 

On a periodic basis, the CCO and/or Designee may request reporting of all political contributions made by Access Persons and their Household-related Parties during the previous year. Reporting of political contributions should indicate the individual or election committee receiving the contribution, the office for which the individual is running, the current elected office held (if any), and the dollar amount of the contribution or value of the donated item. Additionally, the Access Person must state if they are eligible to vote for the candidate to which they made the political contribution.

 

Access Person attempting to engage in a political contribution can request pre-approval of such contribution via Hadrius’ “Political Contribution Disclosure Form,” or can directly report the intended contribution to the CCO.

 

Test Procedure Testing Frequency Assignee

Review of intended political contribution for Rule 206(4)-5 purposes.

Ad hoc CCO

Political contributions screening via online campaign donation databases

Annual CCO/Designee

 

7.Outside Business Activities

 

In accordance with King Ridge’s fiduciary duties, Access Persons cannot engage in activities that create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest or engage in any activities that may otherwise might jeopardize the integrity or reputation of King Ridge. Access Persons are expected to devote their full professional time and efforts to King Ridge and to avoid any activities that could present actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Access Persons should promptly disclose via Hadrius, or directly notify the CCO and/or Designee, of any other circumstances arising that may create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest.

 

Policy

 

Each Access Person must disclose prior to or at the time of their hire the existence of any employment agreement, non-compete or non-solicitation agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with a former employer that in any way restricts or prohibits the performance of any duties or responsibilities of their positions within King Ridge.

 

Outside Business Activities (“OBAs”) that are investment-related or pose a direct conflict of interest, or the potential for a direct conflict of interest with King Ridge, the Funds, or investors, must be disclosed by Access Persons prior to hire. Any new investment-related OBAs, or OBAs that pose a direct conflict of interest, or the potential for a direct conflict of interest, must be disclosed to the CCO and/or Designee prior to engaging in the activity.

  

14

 

 

At all times, the interests of Clients and King Ridge take priority over the outside business activities of Access Persons, with special care to ensuring the best interest of Clients are always prioritized. Access Persons must receive approval from the CCO for the following, but not limited to, prior to engaging in any OBA that:

 

Involves a significant amount of time or provides a significant amount of income;

Is investment-related, including activities on behalf of a non-profit;

Involves service on the board of directors of a publicly traded company;

Involves serving as an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director, or partner of a for-profit business;

Involves serving as a director, officer or executive management of a non-profit entity or performing investment-related functions on its behalf; or

Involves engaging in any other outside employment or activity (paid or unpaid) that may give rise to a conflict with King Ridge, a Client, or investors (e.g., operating a blog that provides financial advice).

 

Additionally, Access Persons must notify the CCO of any outside speaking engagements that may relate to the investment or financial industry. As a general matter, Access Persons are prohibited from receiving compensation from third-parties on investment-related topics. Access Persons should consult the Public Appearances Policy in the Manual for any public speaking engagements that are on behalf of King Ridge.

 

Procedure

 

Access Person Disclosure Requirements

 

Access Persons attempting to engage in any OBA that could conflict with their duties at the Firm should submit a “Outside Business Activity Form” in Hadrius, or by directly contacting the CCO and/or Designee, prior to engaging in the OBA. At the time of hire, the CCO will request information on any existing OBA information from new hires to review for any potential conflicts of interest. Access Persons will also periodically certify that they have disclosed any potential conflict of interest, including OBAs, in Hadrius.

 

CCO Disclosure Requirements

 

In the event of a disclosed OBA from the CCO, an appropriate Designee shall review and confirm the disclosed OBA does not pose an actual, or potential, conflict of interest.

 

Test Procedure Frequency Assignee
Review of disclosed OBAs Semi-Annually CCO

Review of newly disclosed OBAs

Ad hoc CCO
Review of CCO disclosed OBAs Ad hoc Designee

 

8.Family Member Conflicts

 

Conflicts of interest may arise when an Access Person’s personal interest or familial relationship interfere, or appear to interfere, with their ability to serve the best interests of King Ridge’s Clients. A conflict of interest may also exist when an Access Person or a member of their family, directly or indirectly, owns a significant financial interest in an entity which is a competitor of King Ridge or has a current or prospective relationship with King Ridge.

 

15

 

 

Policy

 

Access Persons are required to disclose any situations where a family member’s relationship might present a conflict with King Ridge or Clients. All Access Persons must disclose any potential conflicts involving family members as soon as they become aware of them.

 

Procedure

 

Access Persons can disclose any actual, or apparent, family member conflicts via Hadrius’ “Family Member Conflicts Disclosure Form” or directly to the CCO and Designee.

 

Test Procedure Frequency Assignee

Review for potential family member conflicts

Periodically CCO/Designee

Attestation by Access Persons to no family member conflicts 

Quarterly Access Persons

16