N-CSR 1 fp0081602-1_ncsr.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number:

811-22175

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Michael Lawlor, Esq., Secretary

ALPS ETF Trust

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: 877-398-8461

 

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

 

Date of reporting period: December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022

 
 

Item 1.Report to Stockholders.

 

(a)

 

 
 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview  
Alerian MLP ETF 1
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 4
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 7
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 8
Financial Statements  
Alerian MLP ETF  
Schedule of Investments 9
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 10
Statement of Operations 11
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 12
Financial Highlights 13
   
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
Schedule of Investments 14
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 16
Statement of Operations 17
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 18
Financial Highlights 19
Notes to Financial Statements 20
Additional Information 31
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements 33
Trustees & Officers 35

 

alpsfunds.com

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

 

The Alerian MLP ETF (the “Fund” or “AMLP”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index” or “AMZI”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol AMLP. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Underlying Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float-adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the United States energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnership (“MLP”) asset class. The Underlying Index is comprised of energy infrastructure MLPs that earn a majority of their cash flow from the transportation, storage, and processing of energy commodities.

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

 

 

During the twelve-month period from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022, the Fund delivered a total return of 36.59% (36.31% NAV). This compares to the Fund’s Underlying Index, which increased 32.75% on a price-return basis and 42.92% on a total-return basis. The difference in performance between the AMZI and AMLP is primarily attributable to the Fund’s operating expenses and the tax impact of the Fund’s C-Corporation structure, including the accrual of a tax liability of approximately $260.6 million (approximately $1.56 per share) on November 30, 2022.

 

During the period, the Fund paid four distributions:

 

$0.7100 per share on February 17, 2022
$0.7300 per share on May 19, 2022
$0.7400 per share on August 18, 2022
$0.7500 per share on November 16, 2022

 

The growing payouts from the Fund over the course of the fiscal year reflected strong distribution trends for AMZI constituents. The majority of AMZI constituents increased their distributions during the year, and there were no cuts. Comparing the latest distribution announcements for the third calendar quarter in 2022 (paid in the fourth calendar quarter in 2022) with the payouts from the third calendar quarter in 2021, 92.17% of the Underlying Index by weighting grew their distributions and 7.83% maintained their payouts based on weightings from November 30, 2022.

 

During the fiscal year, Hess Midstream (HESM) and Delek Logistics Partners (DKL) were added to the Underlying Index during quarterly rebalancings. Enable Midstream Partners (ENBL), Phillips 66 Partners (PSXP), and Shell Midstream Partners (SHLX) were removed from the Underlying Index in relation to their acquisition by another entity. In June 2022, the methodology for the Underlying Index was updated and applied at the September 2022 rebalancing. Specifically, the constituent criteria for median daily trading volume was lowered, and the volume requirement for existing constituents to remain in AMZI was also lowered. The methodology update was meant to, among other things, better capture the investable universe and minimize future index turnover.

 

Energy infrastructure MLPs saw strong outperformance during the fiscal year, benefitting from macro and company-level tailwinds, even as the broader market was negatively impacted by inflation and rising interest rates. Constituents provide real asset exposure and often have annual inflation adjustments built into their contracts, both of which can be supportive in periods of elevated inflation as seen in 2022. Performance also benefitted from company-level tailwinds, as solid free cash flow generation fueled both distribution increases and buyback activity. As of November 30, 2022, 74.75% of the AMZI by weighting had a buyback authorization.

 

Energy infrastructure MLPs continue to advance select growth opportunities, generally biased towards natural gas and natural gas liquids, while also positioning to participate in the evolving energy landscape. Constituents are pursuing opportunities related to carbon capture and renewable fuels, which stand to benefit from provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act.

 

Global energy markets have generally tightened as a result of sanctions applied to Russia in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, but commodity prices have been volatile. Alerian believes energy infrastructure MLPs remain well positioned to weather potential volatility due to the fee-based nature of their cash flows, which should allow companies to generate free cash flow regardless of the commodity price backdrop.

 

Excess cash flow is expected to continue supporting both dividend increases and buybacks, which could remain supportive for equity performance.

 

1 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Since Inception^
Alerian MLP ETF – NAV 36.31% 3.63% 0.88% 2.57%
Alerian MLP ETF – Market Price* 36.59% 3.67% 0.89% 2.58%
Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index 42.92% 5.49% 2.23% 4.87%
Alerian MLP Total Return Index 42.25% 6.06% 2.15% 4.69%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.87%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679. The Fund accrues deferred income taxes for future tax liabilities associated with the portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital and for any net operating gains as well as capital appreciation of its investment. This deferred tax liability is reflected in the daily Net Asset Value (NAV) and as a result the fund's after-tax performance could differ significantly from the underlying assets even if the pre-tax performance is closely tracked.

 

NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on August 24, 2010 with an Inception Date, the first day of trading on the NYSE ARCA, of August 25, 2010.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index is comprised of 15 midstream energy Master Limited Partnerships and provides investors with an unbiased benchmark for the infrastructure component of this emerging asset class. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The Alerian MLP Total Return Index is recognized as a leading gauge of energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).

 

The capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index, whose constituents earn the majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities, is reported on a total-return basis (AMZX), which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given period. The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The Alerian MLP ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

2 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Energy Transfer LP 10.73%
Plains All American Pipeline LP 10.56%
Magellan Midstream Partners LP 10.40%
MPLX LP 10.31%
Western Midstream Partners LP 9.98%
Enterprise Products Partners LP 9.27%
EnLink Midstream LLC 8.89%
DCP Midstream LP 7.68%
Cheniere Energy Partners LP 5.86%
Crestwood Equity Partners LP 4.55%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 88.23%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past ten years with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

3 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund” or “ENFR”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index” or “AMEI”). As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks to provide total return through income and capital appreciation. The Shares of the Fund are listed and trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol ENFR. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Underlying Index is a composite of North American energy infrastructure companies engaged in midstream activities involving energy commodities, including gathering and processing, liquefaction, pipeline transportation, rail terminaling, and storage (also known as “midstream energy businesses”). Midstream energy companies include midstream Master Limited Partnerships ("MLPs") and midstream corporations, either based in the United States or Canada. The Underlying Index has a 25% limit for companies taxed as pass-through entities.

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

 

During the twelve-month period from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022, the Fund delivered a total return of 28.37% (28.21% NAV). This compares to the Fund’s Underlying Index, which increased 21.66% on a price-return basis and 29.16% on a total-return basis.

 

During the period, the Fund paid four quarterly distributions:

 

$0.21107 per share on February 17, 2022
$0.32249 per share on May 19, 2022
$0.27624 per share on August 18, 2022
$0.29618 per share on November 16, 2022

 

AMEI constituents largely increased their dividends during the fiscal year. Comparing the latest dividend announcements for the third calendar quarter in 2022 (paid in the fourth calendar quarter in 2022) with the payouts from the third calendar quarter in 2021, 81.78% of the constituents of the Underlying Index by weighting grew their dividends and 16.97% maintained their payouts based on weightings from November 30, 2022. Constituents that do not pay a dividend accounted for 1.25% of the Underlying Index.

 

During the fiscal year, DT Midstream (DTM), Delek Logistics Partners (DKL), and NextDecade (NEXT) were added to the Underlying Index and PBF Logistics LP (PBFX) and NGL Energy Partners (NGL) were removed from the Underlying Index during quarterly rebalancings. BP Midstream Partners LP (BPMP), Enable Midstream Partners (ENBL), Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (MIC), Oasis Midstream Partners (OMP), Phillips 66 Partners (PSXP), Rattler Midstream (RTLR), and Shell Midstream Partners (SHLX) were removed from the Underlying Index in relation to their acquisition by another entity. There were no changes to the Underlying Index methodology during the period.

 

Energy infrastructure saw strong outperformance during the fiscal year, benefitting from macro and company-level tailwinds, even as the broader market was negatively impacted by inflation and rising interest rates. Constituents provide real asset exposure and often have annual inflation adjustments built into their contracts, both of which can be supportive in periods of elevated inflation as seen in 2022. Performance also benefitted from company-level tailwinds, as solid free cash flow generation fueled both dividend increases and buyback activity. As of November 30, 2022, 73.17% of the constituents of the AMEI by weighting had a buyback authorization.

 

Energy infrastructure corporations and MLPs continue to advance select growth opportunities, generally biased towards natural gas and natural gas liquids, while also positioning to participate in the evolving energy landscape. Constituents are pursuing opportunities related to carbon capture, hydrogen, and renewable fuels, which stand to benefit in the U.S. from provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Multiple constituents have announced partnerships with household names like Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil and renewable energy leaders like Ørsted and Neste in support of providing cleaner energy. Alerian believes these partnerships reinforce the important role that energy infrastructure companies will play even as the energy complex changes over time.

 

Global energy markets have generally tightened as a result of sanctions applied to Russia in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, but commodity prices have been volatile. Alerian believes energy infrastructure companies remain well positioned to weather potential volatility due to the fee-based nature of their cash flows, which should allow for free cash flow generation regardless of the commodity price backdrop. Excess cash flow is expected to continue supporting both dividend increases and buybacks, which could remain supportive for equity performance.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF - NAV 28.21% 6.50% 3.52%
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF - Market Price* 28.37% 6.55% 3.54%
Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index 29.16% 7.45% 4.42%
Alerian MLP Total Return Index 42.25% 6.06% 0.29%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.35%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on November 1, 2013.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index is comprised of 29 equity securities of issuers headquartered or incorporated in the United States and Canada that engage in the transportation, storage, and processing of energy commodities. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The Alerian MLP Total Return Index is recognized as a leading gauge of energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). The capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index, whose constituents earn the majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities, is reported on a total-return basis (AMZX), which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given period.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares. The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF is not suitable for all investors.

 

Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

5 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Enbridge, Inc. 9.78%
Enterprise Products Partners LP 7.80%
Energy Transfer LP 7.19%
Cheniere Energy, Inc. 5.76%
TC Energy Corp. 5.60%
Plains GP Holdings LP 5.33%
The Williams Cos., Inc. 5.28%
Pembina Pipeline Corp. 4.90%
ONEOK, Inc. 4.90%
Kinder Morgan, Inc. 4.89%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 61.43%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

6 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
Alerian MLP ETF(c)        
Actual $1,000.00 $1,030.70 0.85% $4.33
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,020.81 0.85% $4.31
         
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $999.10 0.35% $1.75
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,023.31 0.35% $1.78

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.
(c)Expenses for Alerian MLP ETF are calculated using the Fund's annualized net expense ratio, which represents the ongoing expenses of the Fund. Current and deferred tax benefit (expense) is not included in the ratio calculation.

 

7 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of Alerian MLP ETF and Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Alerian MLP ETF and Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, each a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of November 30, 2022, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and their financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statements of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period then ended were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 27, 2023

 

8 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (103.86%)        
Gathering + Processing (35.33%)        
Crestwood Equity Partners LP(a)   10,653,725$   315,563,335 
DCP Midstream LP(a)   13,557,968    533,370,461 
EnLink Midstream LLC(a)   48,003,728    617,327,942 
Hess Midstream LP, Class A   6,428,444    200,760,306 
Western Midstream Partners          
LP(a)   24,762,267    692,848,231 
Total Gathering + Processing        2,359,870,275 
           
Liquefaction (6.10%)          
Cheniere Energy Partners LP   6,558,293    407,138,828 
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (20.78%)          
Energy Transfer LP   59,403,896    744,924,856 
Enterprise Products Partners LP   25,928,995    643,298,366 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas        1,388,223,222 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (41.65%)          
Delek Logistics Partners LP   1,307,907    66,964,839 
Genesis Energy LP(a)   16,303,586    172,328,904 
Holly Energy Partners LP(a)   6,825,593    127,775,101 
Magellan Midstream Partners          
LP(a)   13,703,086    722,152,632 
MPLX LP   21,062,358    715,909,549 
NuStar Energy LP(a)   14,886,525    243,096,953 
Plains All American Pipeline          
LP(a)   59,046,913    733,362,659 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum        2,781,590,637 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $3,595,241,134)        6,936,822,962 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.09%)               
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund   3.69%   6,192,160    6,192,160 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $6,192,160)             6,192,160 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (103.95%)               
(Cost $3,601,433,294)            $6,943,015,122 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-3.95%)             (263,814,915)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $6,679,200,207 

 

(a)Affiliated Company. See Note 8 in Notes to Financial Statement.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

9 | November 30, 2022 

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $2,785,188,904 
Investments in affiliates, at value   4,157,826,218 
Receivable for investments sold   7,217,836 
Receivable for shares sold   13,005,057 
Deferred tax asset (Note 2)   (a) 
Franchise tax receivable   341,759 
Total Assets   6,963,579,774 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   12,998,766 
Payable for shares redeemed   7,208,233 
Income tax payable   23,727,994 
Deferred tax liability   235,679,812 
Payable to adviser   4,764,762 
Total Liabilities   284,379,567 
NET ASSETS  $6,679,200,207 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $8,179,973,446 
Distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   (1,500,773,239)
NET ASSETS  $6,679,200,207 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $1,483,905,084 
INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES, AT COST   2,117,528,210 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $6,679,200,207 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   166,932,420 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $40.01 

 

(a)Net Deferred Tax Asset of $23,979,665 is offset by a Valuation Allowance.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

10 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Distributions from master limited partnerships  $474,028,106 
Less return of capital distributions   (474,028,106)
Total Investment Income    
      
EXPENSES:     
Franchise tax expense   52,245 
Investment adviser fee   53,018,349 
Total Expenses   53,070,594 
NET INVESTMENT LOSS, BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (53,070,594)
Current income tax benefit/(expense)   6,802,187 
NET INVESTMENT LOSS   (46,268,407)
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments, before income taxes   172,861,747 
Net realized loss on affiliated investments, before income taxes   (117,676,258)
Current income tax benefit/(expense)   (7,073,259)
Net realized gain   48,112,230 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, before income taxes   699,452,270 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on affiliated investments, before income taxes   1,331,918,894 
Deferred income tax benefit/(expense)   (260,365,792)
Net change in unrealized appreciation   1,771,005,372 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS   1,819,117,602 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $1,772,849,195 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

11 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment loss  $(46,268,407)  $(43,507,191)
Net realized gain/(loss)   48,112,230    (451,685,458)
Net change in unrealized appreciation   1,771,005,372    1,975,726,648 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   1,772,849,195    1,480,533,999 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From tax return of capital   (491,866,741)   (444,037,776)
Total distributions   (491,866,741)   (444,037,776)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   2,448,152,574    1,051,399,959 
Cost of shares redeemed   (2,030,110,111)   (987,858,170)
Net increase from share transactions   418,042,463    63,541,789 
           
Net increase in net assets   1,699,024,917    1,100,038,012 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   4,980,175,290    3,880,137,278 
End of year  $6,679,200,207   $4,980,175,290 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   157,457,420    155,057,420 
Shares sold   64,300,000    33,250,000 
Shares redeemed   (54,825,000)   (30,850,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   166,932,420    157,457,420 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

12 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November
30, 2020 (a)
   For the Year Ended November
30, 2019 (a)
   For the Year Ended November
30, 2018 (a)
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $31.63   $25.02   $39.15   $47.75   $51.85 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment loss(b)   (0.28)   (0.27)   (0.24)   (0.35)   (0.45)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   11.59    9.68    (10.73)   (4.35)   0.40 
Total from investment operations   11.31    9.41    (10.97)   (4.70)   (0.05)
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net realized gains                   (4.05)
From tax return of capital   (2.93)   (2.80)   (3.16)   (3.90)    
Total distributions   (2.93)   (2.80)   (3.16)   (3.90)   (4.05)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   8.38    6.61    (14.13)   (8.60)   (4.10)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $40.01   $31.63   $25.02   $39.15   $47.75 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   36.31%   37.97%   (28.36)%   (10.79)%   (0.55)%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $6,679,200   $4,980,175   $3,880,137   $7,249,005   $8,699,748 
                          
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:                         
Expenses (excluding net current and deferred tax expenses/benefits and franchise tax expense)   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%
Expenses (including current and deferred tax expenses/benefits)(d)   0.74%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%
Expenses (including net current and deferred tax expenses/benefits)(e)   5.03%   0.87%   0.90%   0.87%   0.85%
Net investment loss (excluding deferred tax expenses/benefits and franchise tax expense)   (0.85)%   (0.85)%   (0.85)%   (0.77)%   (0.85)%
Net investment loss (including deferred tax expenses/benefits)(d)   (0.74)%   (0.85)%   (0.85)%   (0.77)%   (0.85)%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(f)   26%   20%   23%   34%   26%

 

(a)On May 18, 2020, the Alerian MLP ETF underwent a one for five reverse stock split. The capital share activity presented here has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse split.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net assets value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Includes amount of current and deferred tax benefit associated with net investment income/(loss).
(e)Includes amount of current and deferred income tax expense/benefit for all components of the Statement of Operations, including amounts associated with realized and unrealized gain/(loss).
(f)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

13 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description   Shares    Value 
CANADIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES (26.58%)          
Gathering + Processing (4.17%) Keyera Corp.   254,646   $5,932,874 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (5.60%)          
TC Energy Corp.(a)   179,442    7,950,595 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (14.66%)          
Enbridge, Inc.   335,993    13,875,339 
Pembina Pipeline Corp.   190,404    6,951,448 
Total Pipeline Transportation |          
Petroleum        20,826,787 
           
Storage (2.15%)          
Gibson Energy, Inc.   168,476    3,057,279 
           
TOTAL CANADIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES          
(Cost $38,238,443)        37,767,535 

 

Security Description   Shares    Value 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (1.18%)          
Exchange Traded Fund (1.18%)          
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund   18,320    1,669,868 
           
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND          
(Cost $1,670,005)        1,669,868 

 

Security Description   Shares    Value 
U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES (29.95%)          
Gathering + Processing (10.17%)          
Kinetik Holdings, Inc.(a)   16,806    571,908 
ONEOK, Inc.   103,847    6,949,441 
Targa Resources Corp.   93,124    6,927,494 
Total Gathering + Processing        14,448,843 
           
Liquefaction (6.99%)          
Cheniere Energy, Inc.   46,604    8,172,478 
NextDecade Corp.(a)(b)   35,517    192,857 
Tellurian, Inc.(a)(b)   585,141    1,574,030 
Total Liquefaction        9,939,365 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas          
(12.79%)          
DT Midstream, Inc.   111,898    6,750,806 
Equitrans Midstream Corp.   532,866    4,470,746 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   363,215    6,944,671 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural          
Gas        18,166,223 
           
TOTAL U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES          
(Cost $34,685,184)        42,554,431 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MLPS (25.17%)          
Gathering + Processing (6.29%)          
Crestwood Equity Partners LP   26,341   $780,221 
Hess Midstream LP, Class A   49,479    1,545,229 
MPLX LP   134,806    4,582,056 
Western Midstream Partners LP   72,694    2,033,978 
Total Gathering + Processing        8,941,484 
           

Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (14.97%)

          
Energy Transfer LP   813,580    10,202,293 
Enterprise Products Partners LP   446,126    11,068,386 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas        21,270,679 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (3.91%)          
Delek Logistics Partners LP   3,256    166,707 
Genesis Energy LP   40,270    425,654 
Holly Energy Partners LP   16,869    315,788 
Magellan Midstream Partners LP   76,707    4,042,459 
NuStar Energy LP   36,756    600,225 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum        5,550,833 
           
TOTAL U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MLPS          
(Cost $33,848,420)        35,762,996 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
U.S. GENERAL PARTNERS (16.91%)          
Gathering + Processing (11.59%)          
Antero Midstream Corp.   371,468    4,208,732 
EnLink Midstream LLC   370,516    4,764,836 
The Williams Cos., Inc.   215,864    7,490,481 
Total Gathering + Processing        16,464,049 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (5.32%)          
Plains GP Holdings LP, Class A   571,775    7,564,583 
           
TOTAL U.S. GENERAL PARTNERS          
(Cost $18,530,498)        24,028,632 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

14 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (6.23%)               
Money Market Fund (0.07%)               
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $103,924)   3.69%   103,924   $103,924 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (6.16%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86% (Cost $8,752,373)        8,752,373    8,752,373 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $8,856,297)             8,856,297 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (106.02%)               
(Cost $135,828,847)            $150,639,759 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-6.02%)           (8,553,833)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $142,085,926 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $8,851,198
(b)Non-income producing security.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

15 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Statement of Assets and LiabilitiesNovember 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value*  $150,639,759 
Receivable for investments sold   1,675,643 
Dividends receivable   231,954 
Total Assets   152,547,356 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   1,670,005 
Payable to adviser   39,052 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   8,752,373 
Total Liabilities   10,461,430 
NET ASSETS  $142,085,926 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $132,332,363 
Distributable earnings   9,753,563 
NET ASSETS  $142,085,926 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $135,828,847 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $142,085,926 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   6,275,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $22.64 

 

* Includes $8,851,198 of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

16 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends*  $3,304,329 
Securities lending income   6,423 
Total Investment Income   3,310,752 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   362,953 
Total Expenses   362,953 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   2,947,799 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   809,795 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (5,861)
Net realized gain   803,934 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments   17,049,732 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   540 
Net change in unrealized appreciation   17,050,272 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES   17,854,206 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $20,802,005 
* Net of foreign tax withholding.  $266,349 

  

(a)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

17 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income  $2,947,799   $3,334,283 
Net realized gain/(loss)   803,934    (5,679,007)
Net change in unrealized appreciation   17,050,272    18,196,470 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   20,802,005    15,851,746 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,089,790)   (2,301,342)
From tax return of capital   (4,610,796)   (2,346,411)
Total distributions   (5,700,586)   (4,647,753)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   79,527,083    22,119,720 
Cost of shares redeemed   (12,029,422)   (10,825,316)
Net increase from share transactions   67,497,661    11,294,404 
Net increase in net assets   82,599,080    22,498,397 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   59,486,846    36,988,449 
End of year  $142,085,926   $59,486,846 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   3,200,000    2,550,000 
Shares sold   3,650,000    1,250,000 
Shares redeemed   (575,000)   (600,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   6,275,000    3,200,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

18 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $18.59   $14.51   $19.19   $20.34   $22.30 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   0.61    1.08    0.90    0.88    0.85 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   4.57    4.49    (4.50)   (0.64)   (2.23)
Total from investment operations   5.18    5.57    (3.60)   0.24    (1.38)
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.21)   (0.74)   (0.45)   (0.50)   (0.47)
Tax return of capital   (0.92)   (0.75)   (0.63)   (0.89)   (0.11)
Total distributions   (1.13)   (1.49)   (1.08)   (1.39)   (0.58)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   4.05    4.08    (4.68)   (1.15)   (1.96)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $22.64   $18.59   $14.51   $19.19   $20.34 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   28.21%   38.93%   (18.82)%   1.09%   (6.27)%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $142,086   $59,487   $36,988   $51,809   $41,699 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.35%   0.51%(c)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.84%   5.84%   5.91%   4.23%   3.86%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(d)   26%   34%   34%   26%   73%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net assets value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Effective July 1, 2021, the Fund's Advisory Fee changed from 0.65% to 0.35%.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

19 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

The investment objective of the Alerian MLP ETF is to seek investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. The investment objective of the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF is to seek investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index. The investment advisor uses a “passive management” or indexing investment approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. Each Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”), in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Funds’ NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

20 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, and Limited Partnerships for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2 Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3 Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
   Total 
Master Limited Partnerships*  $6,936,822,962   $   $   $6,936,822,962 
Short Term Investments   6,192,160            6,192,160 
Total  $6,943,015,122   $   $   $6,943,015,122 

 

21 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

  

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Canadian Energy Infrastructure Companies*  $37,767,535   $   $   $37,767,535 
Exchange Traded Fund   1,669,868            1,669,868 
U.S. Energy Infrastructure Companies*   42,554,431            42,554,431 
U.S. Energy Infrastructure MLPs*   35,762,996            35,762,996 
U.S. General Partners*   24,028,632            24,028,632 
Short Term Investments   8,856,297            8,856,297 
Total  $150,639,759   $   $   $150,639,759 

 

*For a detailed breakdown of sectors, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.

 

D. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

 

E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Each Fund intends to declare and make quarterly distributions, or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, if any, are distributed at least annually. Distributions from net investment income and capital gains are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Funds, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Funds.

 

Distributions received from each Fund’s investments in Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”) may be comprised of both income and return of capital. Each Fund records investment income and return of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received. Such estimates are based on historical information available from each MLP and other industry sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from MLPs after their tax reporting periods are concluded.

 

Each Fund expects a portion of its distributions to shareholders might be comprised of tax deferred return of capital. Return of capital distributions are not taxable income to the shareholder, but reduce the investor’s tax basis in the investor’s Fund Shares. Such a reduction in tax basis will result in larger taxable gains and/or lower tax losses on a subsequent sale of Fund Shares. Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of dividends or other distributions consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits from the Funds when, in fact, they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of the distributions is from the net profits of the Funds.

 

F. Federal Income Taxation and Tax Basis Information

 

Alerian MLP ETF

The Fund is taxed as a regular C-corporation for federal income tax purposes and as such is obligated to pay federal and state income tax. This treatment differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. The Fund expects that substantially all of the distributions it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund.

 

22 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Since the Fund will be subject to taxation on its taxable income, the NAV of the Fund shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any deferred tax liabilities. The Underlying Index however is calculated without any deductions for taxes. As a result, the Fund's after tax performance could differ significantly from the Underlying Index even if the pretax performance of the Fund and the performance of Underlying Index are closely related.

 

Cash distributions from MLPs to the Fund that exceed the Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income are considered a tax deferred return of capital that will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of any taxable gain (or decrease the amount of any tax loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities. A portion of any gain or loss recognized by the Fund on a sale of an MLP equity security (or by an MLP on a sale of an underlying asset) may be separately computed and treated as ordinary income or loss under the Code to the extent attributable to assets of the MLP that give rise to depreciation recapture, intangible drilling and development cost recapture, or other "unrealized receivables" or "inventory items" under the Code. Any such gain may exceed net taxable gain realized on the sale and will be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss on the sale. The Fund's net capital losses may only be used to offset capital gains and therefore cannot be used to offset gains that are treated as ordinary income. Thus, the Fund could recognize both gain that is treated as ordinary income and a capital loss on a sale of an MLP equity security (or on an MLP's sale of an underlying asset) and would not be able to use the capital loss to offset that gain. The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate the deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the Fund’s NAV. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions related to the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available and may consider, among other matters, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, shareholder transactions, underlying index constituent changes and market conditions. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.

 

The Fund’s income tax expense/(benefit) consists of the following:

  

Alerian MLP ETF  Year ended November 30, 2022  
  Current   Deferred   Total 
Federal  $23,221,005   $407,151,705   $430,372,710 
State   1,736,047    36,726,112    38,462,159 
Valuation Allowance       (208,198,005)   (208,198,005)
Total tax expense/(benefit)  $24,957,052   $235,679,812   $260,636,864 

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes.

 

Components of the Fund’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  As of November 30, 2022   As of November 30, 2021 
Deferred tax assets:          
Capital loss carryforward  $752,720,954   $555,109,326 
Net operating loss carryforward   14,189,498    145,850,354 
Income recognized from MLP investments   1,503,943,492    1,474,568,495 
Other deferred tax assets       9,517,179 
Valuation allowance   (259,659,477)   (467,857,482)
Less Deferred tax liabilities:          
Net unrealized gain on investment securities   (2,246,799,456)   (1,717,187,872)
Other deferred tax liabilities   (74,823)    
Net Deferred Tax Asset/(Liability)  $(235,679,812)  $ 

 

Due to the activities of the MLPs that the fund is invested in, the Fund is required to pay franchise tax in certain states. Generally speaking, franchise tax expense is a tax on equity of a corporation, or base minimum fees, imposed by various jurisdictions. The amounts of the tax are estimated throughout the year based upon the Fund's estimate of underlying activities conducted in the states and reconciled to actual amounts paid upon the filing of the tax returns for the states. These taxes are paid as either estimated tax payments, extension payments, or with the tax return filings of the various states.

 

23 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The capital loss carryforward is available to offset future taxable income. Capital losses can be carried forward for 5 years, after which they expire. The Fund has net capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  Period-Ended   Amount     Expiration 
Federal   11/30/2019   $757,980,977    11/30/2024 
Federal   11/30/2020    1,033,570,046    11/30/2025 
Federal   11/30/2021    673,784,686    11/30/2026 
Federal   11/30/2022    870,010,596    11/30/2027 
Total       $3,335,346,305      

 

The Fund had a capital loss carryforward expire in the current year in the amount of $20,624,857.

 

The net operating loss carryforward is available to offset future taxable income. The Fund has no net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes and has state tax net operating loss carryforwards of various amounts per state. The Deferred Tax Assets associated with these state tax net operating losses are as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  Period-Ended   Amount   Expiration
State   11/30/2017   $832,482   Varies by State
State   11/30/2018    2,553,292   Varies by State
State   11/30/2019    2,244,759   Varies by State
State   11/30/2020    8,558,965   Varies by State
Total       $14,189,498    

 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The TCJA made modifications to the net operating loss (“NOL”) deduction. The TCJA eliminated the NOL carryback ability and replaced the 20 year carryforward period with an indefinite carryforward period for any NOLs arising in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The TCJA also established a limitation for any NOLs generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 to the lesser of the aggregate of available NOLs or 80% of taxable income before any NOL utilization (the "80% limitation"). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("Cares Act"), signed into law on March 27, 2020, restricted the application of the 80% limitation to tax years beginning after December 31, 2020.

 

The Fund reviews the recoverability of its deferred tax assets based upon the weight of available evidence. When assessing the recoverability of its deferred tax assets, significant weight was given to the effects of potential future realized and unrealized gains on investments and the period over which these deferred tax assets can be realized. Currently, any capital losses that may be generated by the Fund are eligible to be carried back up to three years and can be carried forward for five years to offset capital gains recognized by the Fund in those years.

 

Based upon the Fund’s assessment, it has determined that it is “more-likely-than-not” that a portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized through future taxable income of the appropriate character. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established for the Fund’s deferred tax assets related to capital loss carryforwards. The Fund will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance in the future. Significant increases in the fair value of its portfolio of investments may change the Fund’s assessment of the recoverability of these assets and may result in the removal of the valuation allowance against all or a portion of the Fund’s gross deferred tax assets.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the Fund’s federal net operating losses (including carryforwards) were fully utilized. The Fund’s ordinary taxable income as of November 30, 2022, was greater than the net operating losses available, resulting in full utilization of the net operating loss carryforward, and an incremental tax liability. As a result of tax law changes, and based on Fund investments, the Fund expects to have taxable income in future periods. Given the anticipated character of future taxable income recognized, realization of the Fund's capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains is not deemed to be more likely than not and therefore supports a full valuation allowance against this amount. The change in accounting estimates related to valuation allowances as of November 30, 2022 resulted in the net deferred tax liability.

 

24 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Total income tax expense/(benefit) (current and deferred) differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate of 21% to net investment income and realized and unrealized gain/(losses) on investment before taxes as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  As of November 30, 2022 
Income tax expense at statutory rate  $427,032,073 
State income taxes (net of federal benefit)   33,621,108 
Permanent differences, net   6,164,012 
Effect of tax rate change (state level)   2,017,676 
Valuation allowance   (208,198,005)
Net income tax expense  $260,636,864 

 

The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. For the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund had no penalties or interest.

 

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on U.S. tax returns and state tax returns filed since inception of the Fund. Tax periods ended November 30, 2019 through November 30, 2021 remain subject to examination by tax authorities in the United States. Due to the nature of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be required to file income tax returns in several states. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Code, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. The Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, permanent book and tax differences resulting primarily from differing treatment of investments in partnerships and redemptions in kind were identified and reclassified among components of the Fund’s net assets as follows:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $1,811,352   $(1,811,352)

 

25 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022            
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $1,089,790   $    –   $4,610,796 

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021               
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $2,301,342   $      –   $2,346,411 

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $   $2,867,984 

 

During the year ended November 30, 2022, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF utilized $81,078 in capital loss carryovers.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments  $(2,867,984)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments   12,624,772 
Other accumulated losses   (3,225)
Total  $9,753,563 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the costs of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   Alerian MLP ETF   Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $3,600,813,139   $138,013,621 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $4,150,257,679   $16,913,052 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (808,055,696)   (4,286,914)
Net appreciation (depreciation) of foreign currency       (1,366)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $3,342,201,983   $12,624,772 

 

The difference between cost amounts for financial statement purposes is due primarily to the recognition of pass-through income from a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships and wash sales.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

26 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2022:

 

Fund  Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $8,851,198   $8,752,373   $586,610   $9,338,983 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements  

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $8,752,373   $   $   $   $8,752,373 
Total Borrowings                       8,752,373 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                      $8,752,373 

 

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below.

 

Fund   Advisory Fee
Alerian MLP ETF 0.85% Average net assets up to and including $7 billion
  0.825% Average net assets greater than $7 billion up to and including $8.5 billion
  0.80% Average net assets greater than $8.5 billion up to and including $10.5 billion
  0.75% Average net assets greater than $10.5 billion up to and including $12.5 billion
  0.70% Average net assets greater than $12.5 billion up to and including $14.5 billion
  0.65% Average net assets greater than $14.5 billion up to and including $16.5 billion
  0.60% Average net assets greater than $16.5 billion up to and including $18.5 billion
  0.55% Average net assets greater than $18.5 billion up to and including $20.5 billion
  0.50% Average net assets greater than $20.5 billion up to and including $22.5 billion
  0.45% Average net assets greater than $22.5 billion up to and including $25 billion
  0.40% Average net assets greater than $25 billion

 

Fund   Advisory Fee
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 0.35%  

 

27 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Prior to July 1, 2022, the unitary fee of the Alerian MLP ETF was subject to the following breakpoints:

 

Fund   Advisory Fee
Alerian MLP ETF 0.85% up to and including $10 billion
  0.80% greater than $10 billion up to and including $15 billion
  0.70% greater than $15 billion up to and including $20 billion
  0.55% greater than $20 billion up to and including $25 billion
  0.40% greater than $25 billion

 

Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Funds.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

4.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Alerian MLP ETF  $1,674,577,115   $3,778,426,197 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF   28,376,790    28,620,357 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Alerian MLP ETF  $2,446,353,824   $ 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF   79,519,407    12,015,760 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss)
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $3,288,920 

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

5.  MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

 

 

MLPs are publicly traded partnerships engaged in, among other things, the transportation, storage and processing of minerals and natural resources, and are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By confining their operations to these specific activities, their interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level taxation. To qualify as a MLP and to not be taxed as a corporation, a partnership must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code.

 

28 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

These qualifying sources include, among other things, natural resource-based activities such as the processing, transportation and storage of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP, or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners typically own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management.

 

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD is distributed to both common and subordinated units and generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions.

 

6.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

7.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The Funds engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.

 

Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2022, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchase Cost Paid   Sale Proceeds Received   Realized Gain/(Loss) on Sales 
Alerian MLP ETF  $1,453,950   $2,044,603   $(31,219)
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF   814,351    1,661,210    (255,815)

 

8.  AFFILIATED COMPANIES

 

 

As defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, an affiliated person, including an affiliated company, is one in which a Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund.

 

29 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the Alerian MLP ETF held shares in the following affiliates, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Security Name  Share Balance as of November 30, 2022   Market Value as of November 30, 2021   Purchases   Purchases In-Kind   Sales   Market Value as of November 30, 2022   Dividends*   Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation   Realized Gain/(Loss) 
Crestwood Equity                                             
Partners LP   10,653,725   $191,619,639   $97,603,624   $106,082,912   $(105,484,006)  $315,563,335   $   $58,254,399$   (6,657,887)
DCP Midstream LP   13,557,968    305,805,520    63,948,281    169,376,538    (164,143,312)   533,370,461        186,684,002    (6,615,918)
EnLink Midstream LLC   48,003,728    279,392,241    59,772,047    174,161,852    (184,077,983)   617,327,942        313,398,689    (4,075,332)
Genesis Energy LP   16,303,586    142,731,294    24,690,007    69,531,311    (65,438,446)   172,328,904        32,656,639    (22,326,016)
Holly Energy Partners LP 6,825,593        99,394,845    15,766,032    46,229,400    (44,430,761)   127,775,101        22,123,956    (1,977,707)
Magellan Midstream                                             
Partners LP   13,703,086    495,004,139    124,158,405    241,630,635    (216,082,512)   722,152,632        133,436,438    (2,756,794)
NuStar Energy LP   14,886,525    179,635,876    31,734,809    88,577,620    (82,470,356)   243,096,953        65,692,234    (16,789,347)
Plains All American                                             
Pipeline LP   59,046,913    497,343,940    92,688,399    247,931,412    (270,638,701)   733,362,659        262,088,742    (47,943,337)
Western Midstream                                             
Partners LP   24,762,267    489,748,659    79,053,631    254,077,393    (333,340,588)   692,848,231        257,583,795    (8,533,920)
                            $4,157,826,218   $   $1,331,918,894$   (117,676,258)

 

100% of the income received was estimated as Return of Capital.

 

9.  MARKET RISK

 

 

The Funds are subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause each Fund to lose value. Securities in each Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities each Fund holds, and may adversely affect each Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of each Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Funds.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

A federal excise tax on stock repurchases is expected to apply to the Alerian MLP ETF with respect to share redemptions occurring on or after January 1, 2023 in accordance with the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The excise tax is one percent (1%) of the fair market value of Alerian MLP ETF share redemptions less the fair market value of Alerian MLP ETF share issuances (in excess of $1 million of fair market value) annually on a taxable year basis.

 

30 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Funds file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 100.00% 15.44%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

Alerian (the “Licensor”) has entered into an index licensing agreement with ALPS Advisors Inc. (the “Adviser”) with respect to each of the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, to allow the Adviser’s use of AMZI and AMEI. The following disclosure relates to the Licensor:

 

Alerian is the designer of the construction and methodology for the underlying index (each an “Underlying Index”) for each of the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). “Alerian,” “Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index,” “Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index,” “Alerian Index Series” and “AMZI” are service marks or trademarks of Alerian. Alerian acts as brand licensor for each Underlying Index. Alerian is not responsible for the descriptions of either Underlying Index or the Funds that appear herein. Alerian is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor.

 

Neither Fund is issued, sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Alerian (“Licensor”) or its affiliates. Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (“Index”) to track general market performance. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing or trading of either Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of either Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the relevant Fund. Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index, AMZI and AMZIX are trademarks of GKD Index Partners, LLC and their general use is granted under a license from GKD Index Partners, LLC.

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE QUALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY KIND RELATED TO THE INDEX OR DATA. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED TO LICENSEE OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR

 

31 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of either Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by either Fund, owners of the Shares of the relevant Fund or any other person or entity from the use of either Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to either Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of either Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

(Applicable to the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF only)

 

The Underlying Index is the exclusive property of GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) (“S&P Dow Jones Indices”) to calculate and maintain the Underlying Index. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and its related stylized mark(s) have been licensed for use by Alerian.

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices, SPFS, Dow Jones or any of their affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities”). S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities only relationship to Alerian with respect to the Underlying Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALERIAN, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.

 

32 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreements  

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve (i) the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF (“AMLP”) and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (“ENFR”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), as well as a (ii) proposed reduction to the advisory fee breakpoints for AMLP. The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider (i) each Investment Advisory Agreement and (ii) the proposed reduction to the advisory fee breakpoints for AMLP.

 

In evaluating the (i) proposed reduction to the advisory fee breakpoints for AMLP and (ii) renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees; considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the investment parameters of the index of each Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. For AMLP, the Board noted that the amended Advisory Agreement was identical to the Advisory Agreement currently in place for AMLP other than with respect to the reduced advisory fee breakpoints.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Board also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between each underlying index and its corresponding Fund’s performance. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory and, for AMLP, that there will be no diminution in the nature or level of services provided to AMLP.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate for AMLP is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. AMLP’s net expense ratio is also higher than the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

The gross management fee rate for ENFR is lower than the median of its FUSE expense group. ENFR’s net expense ratio is also below the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

With respect to AMLP, the Board took into account, among other things, supplemental information provided by the Adviser showing AMLP’s total expenses were in line with the total expenses of peer groups deemed by the Adviser to be more comparable, including peer groups comprised of (i) the master limited partnership (“MLP”) asset class as a whole and (ii) exchange-traded products focused solely on MLP investments. The Board also considered the brand recognition of AMLP’s index provider and the fees charged by the index provider for licensing its indexes, the additional costs and expenses incurred by AAI in managing and administering the Fund, and that AMLP’s investment advisory fee schedule included breakpoints, which are being further reduced for the benefit of AMLP shareholders.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fee rate for each Fund and the proposed reduction in advisory fee breakpoints for AMLP were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Funds. The Board, including the Independent Trustees; reviewed and noted the relatively small size of ENFR and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale.

 

33 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreements  

 

With respect to AMLP, the Independent Trustees noted that the Fund’s asset levels have not recovered to its historic high. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

With respect to AMLP, the Board considered, among other things the brand recognition of AMLP’s index provider as well as the trading volumes of the Fund and the narrow trading spreads. The Board considered the breakpoint schedule adopted previously, as well as the further reductions proposed for adoption, and whether the breakpoints would benefit shareholders and appropriately reflect economies of scale achieved by AAI with respect to AMLP should AMLP’s assets increase, noting that AMLP’s assets were still below historical highs, but increasing. Upon discussion, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, determined that the advisory fee rate for the Fund, inclusive of the revised breakpoint schedule, reflects an appropriate sharing of economies of scale.

 

In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

34 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Mary K. Anstine,
1940
Trustee Since
March 2008
Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.
Jeremy W. Deems,
1976
Trustee Since
March 2008
Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38

Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and

Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson,
1952

Trustee Since
March 2008
Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014- 2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

35 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address &
Year of Birth*
Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Edmund J. Burke,
1961
Trustee Since
December 2017
Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web-based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

36 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:

Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Laton Spahr,
1975
President Since
June 2021
Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.
Matthew Sutula,
1985
Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since
December 2019
Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Kathryn Burns,
1976
Treasurer Since
September 2018
Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.
Michael P. Lawlor,
1969
Secretary Since
December 2022
Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

37 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 4
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 7
Statement of Operations 8
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 9
Financial Highlights 10
Notes to Financial Statements 11
Additional Information 17
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement 18
Trustees & Officers 20

 

alpsfunds.com

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Active REIT ETF (the "Fund") seeks total return through dividends and capital appreciation. The Fund will, under normal circumstances, seek to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in publicly traded equity securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

 

Performance Overview

Negative market returns driven by concerns over increasing interest rates and discount rates amid an uncertain economic backdrop continued throughout much of the fiscal year. These macro headwinds impacted virtually all risk assets, producing significant negative returns year-to-date for most asset classes, including REITs. Concerns about a weaker economy and a possible recession grew throughout the year as bearish market sentiment became the norm.

 

The S&P United States REIT Index declined 13.27% for the twelve months ended November 30, 2022. These strong valuation declines continued to be driven by negative macro headwinds. This dynamic environment and market volatility provided a backdrop where the concentrated, fundamental investment approach employed by the Fund was able to continue to deliver meaningful excess returns relative to its benchmark.

 

The investment strategy of the Fund produced returns of -10.17% for the twelve months ended November 30, 2022, net of all fees and expenses. In this difficult and volatile environment, the benefits of active management were clear as the portfolio was able to outperform its benchmark by 310 basis points year-to-date, net of all fees and expenses. The primary driver of the Fund’s excess returns this year has been stock selection. The contributions to this excess return have been broad-based in both property sectors and individual names. Since inception in February 2021, the Fund has outperformed its benchmark by 88 basis points, net of all fees and expenses.

 

The Fund continues to be concentrated with 28 total holdings and 57% of the portfolio invested in the ten largest positions. The dividend yield of the portfolio has increased from 2.5% to 3.9% since the beginning of the fiscal year, with reasonable dividend growth expected for the foreseeable future. The Fund maintained a quality bias through most of the year by having a majority of the portfolio invested in sector-leading companies with the best management teams, highest quality assets and strongest balance sheets. The Fund's sub-adviser has more recently begun to move the portfolio to a more balanced position, as some out-of-favor companies appear oversold and offer the potential for a meaningful bounce.

 

The negative returns during the year have resulted in much more favorable REIT valuation metrics. From December 31, 2021, through the most recent calendar quarter, the portfolio has gone from trading at an 8% premium to net asset value to a 21% discount, resulting from the fact that REITs have significantly sold off, while private market real estate values have declined approximately 10%. Industrial, retail, residential and storage property sectors are trading at NAV discounts between 20%-30%. The office sector, which has some obvious difficulties, remains valued at an NAV discount of approximately 50%. The Fund's sub-adviser believes fundamentals in most property types remain solid, with high occupancy levels and stable and increasing net operating income. The Fund's sub-adviser believes balance sheets are also in excellent shape with leverage levels of 25%. Given the asset quality, balance sheet strength, and operating fundamentals, these discounts appear greater than warranted, with history dictating that discounts at these levels will not persist.

 

Given the dramatic discounts observed in the public market, certain companies and asset portfolios have been sought after by investors with a long-term investment horizon. Notwithstanding wide bid/ask spreads in the market, there have been several significant transactions this year, including two fairly recent ones. First, the merger of Prologis and Duke Realty, announced in the second calendar quarter, closed on October 3, 2022. This merger creates an industrial property giant and the largest company in the REIT universe. The combined company has $175 billion in total market capitalization with a portfolio totaling 1.1 billion square feet of space that is 97.5% leased at rents that are 47% below market. At May 9, 2022, the offer represented a 31% premium to the share price of Duke Realty.

 

Second, STORE Capital Corporation, a net lease REIT that invests in single tenant operational real estate, entered into a definitive merger agreement under which institutional investors GIC and funds managed by Oak Street will acquire STORE Capital in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $14 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, STORE Capital shareholders will receive $32.25 per share in cash, which represents a premium of 20% to STORE Capital’s closing stock price as of September 14, 2022. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023.

 

As valuations in the REIT market continued to reset lower throughout the year, with an overall average discount to net asset value of 15%, the privatization transactions that have taken place this year are evidence of the disparity between public and private market pricing. They also reflect the attractiveness of how real estate is now priced in the public market. The Fund's sub-adviser believes REITs are positioned to perform relatively well from this point, cushioning any further negative market returns and participating in a recovering and/or high inflation environment. While there could be continued negative pressure on valuations, it seems there is more upside potential than downside risk with significant negativity already reflected in the current pricing of REITs. Of course, the future is unknown, but investing in REITs at large discounts to net asset value has led to historically favorable investment returns.

 

1 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Active REIT ETF - NAV -10.17% 5.34%
ALPS Active REIT ETF - Market Price* -10.22% 5.39%
S&P United States REIT Index -13.27% 4.48%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.68%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on February 25, 2021, with the first day of trading on the exchange of February 26, 2021.

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The S&P United States REIT Index defines and measures the investable universe of publicly traded real estate investment trusts domiciled in the United States.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 5,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Active REIT ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Active REIT ETF.

 

2 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

Prologis, Inc. 10.62%
Equinix, Inc. 6.82%
Simon Property Group, Inc. 6.78%
Public Storage 6.18%
Realty Income Corp. 5.29%
VICI Properties, Inc. 4.99%
Welltower, Inc. 4.95%
Equity Residential 4.00%
Invitation Homes, Inc. 3.85%
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 3.74%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 57.22%

 

 Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

Specialized REITs 23.92%
Residential REITs 18.22%
Retail REITs 17.51%
Industrial REITs 15.36%
Health Care REITs 10.14%
Office REITs 6.66%
Hotel & Resort REITs 4.10%
Diversified REITs 1.92%
Money Market Fund 2.17%
Total 100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

 

3 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expense Expenses Paid During Period
  6/1/22 11/30/22 Ratio(a) 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
ALPS Active REIT ETF
Actual $1,000.00 $935.90 0.68% $3.30
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.66 0.68% $3.45

 

(a) Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.

(b) Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

4 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of ALPS Active REIT ETF, a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 30, 2022, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from February 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) through November 30, 2021, were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

5 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (97.97%)          
Diversified REITs (1.93%)          
WP Carey, Inc.   4,412   $347,666 
           
Health Care REITs (10.16%)          
Healthpeak Properties, Inc.   25,582    671,783 
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.   20,579    265,675 
Welltower, Inc.   12,595    894,623 
Total Health Care REITs        1,832,081 
           
Hotel & Resort REITs (4.11%)          
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   27,721    525,036 
Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   16,813    215,711 
Total Hotel & Resort REITs        740,747 
           
Industrial REITs (15.38%)          
First Industrial Realty Trust,          
Inc.   6,694    338,382 
Prologis, Inc.   16,297    1,919,623 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   9,358    517,404 
Total Industrial REITs        2,775,409 
           
Office REITs (6.67%)          
Boston Properties, Inc.   6,666    480,485 
Highwoods Properties, Inc.   18,843    561,522 
Kilroy Realty Corp.   3,747    161,945 
Total Office REITs        1,203,952 
           
Residential REITs (18.24%)          
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   3,867    676,338 
Equity Residential   11,135    722,217 
Invitation Homes, Inc.   21,343    696,422 
Mid-America Apartment          
Communities, Inc.   3,615    596,041 
Sun Communities, Inc.   4,081    599,499 
Total Residential REITs        3,290,517 
           
Retail REITs (17.54%)          
Agree Realty Corp.   3,343    233,843 
Federal Realty Investment          
Trust   3,668    407,515 
Realty Income Corp.   15,152    955,637 
Simon Property Group, Inc.   10,261    1,225,573 
SITE Centers Corp.   25,115    341,313 
Total Retail REITs        3,163,881 
           
Specialized REITs (23.94%)          
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.   4,252    478,180 
Equinix, Inc.   1,783    1,231,428 
           

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Specialized REITs (continued)          
Life Storage, Inc.   5,525   $593,882 
Public Storage   3,746    1,116,158 
VICI Properties, Inc.   26,338    900,760 
Total Specialized REITs        4,320,408 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $18,081,505)        17,674,661 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS(2.18%)               
Money Market Fund (2.18%)               
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund(Premier Class)   3.69%   392,506    392,506 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $392,506)             392,506 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.15%)               
(Cost $18,474,011)            $18,067,167 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.15%)             (26,881)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $18,040,286 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF  

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $18,067,167 
Receivable for investments sold   340,449 
Dividends receivable   20,409 
Total Assets   18,428,025 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   378,088 
Payable to adviser   9,651 
Total Liabilities   387,739 
NET ASSETS  $18,040,286 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $19,354,685 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   (1,314,399)
NET ASSETS  $18,040,286 
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $18,474,011 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $18,040,286 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   715,002 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $25.23 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

7 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends  $520,184 
Securities Lending Income   30 
Total Investment Income   520,214 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   133,745 
Total Expenses   133,745 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   386,469 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   76,312 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (2,499,595)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (2,423,283)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(2,036,814)

 

(a)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022  

For the Period February 25, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021

 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $386,469   $238,110 
Net realized gain   76,312    718,062 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (2,499,595)   2,092,751 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (2,036,814)   3,048,923 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,095,528)   (277,240)
From tax return of capital   (83,271)    
Total distributions   (1,178,799)   (277,240)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   4,984,526    21,611,468 
Cost of shares redeemed   (7,966,498)   (145,280)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (2,981,972)   21,466,188 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (6,197,585)   24,237,871 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   24,237,871     
End of year  $18,040,286   $24,237,871 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   820,002     
Shares sold   175,000    825,002 
Shares redeemed   (280,000)   (5,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   715,002    820,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9 | November 30, 2022

 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF  

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Period February 25, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $29.56   $24.62 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income(a)   0.54    0.37 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (3.39)   5.01 
Total from investment operations   (2.85)   5.38 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From net investment income   (0.53)   (0.38)
From net realized gains   (0.83)   (0.06)
From tax return of capital   (0.12)    
Total distributions   (1.48)   (0.44)
           
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (4.33)   4.94 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $25.23   $29.56 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (10.17)%   22.01%
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:          
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $18,040   $24,238 
           
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.68%   0.68%(c) 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.96%   1.69%(c) 
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   120%   92%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the year and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

10 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Active REIT ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return through dividends and capital appreciation. The Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq Exchange”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 5,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

11 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Fund’s investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 2Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

  

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value   Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices       Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs      Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total   
Common Stocks*  $17,674,661   $     –   $       –   $17,674,661 
Short Term Investments   392,506            392,506 
Total  $18,067,167   $   $   $18,067,167 

 

*For a detailed breakdown of sectors, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

12 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $958,443   $(958,443)

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the year ended November 30, 2022 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income  

Long-Term

Capital Gain

   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022            
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $1,070,973   $24,555   $83,271 

 

Fund  Ordinary Income  

Long-Term

Capital Gain

   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $277,240   $   $ 

 

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $875,539   $ 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Accumulated Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   Other Accumulated Gains   Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments   Total 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $   $(875,539)  $   $(438,860)  $(1,314,399)

 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Active REIT ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $796,643 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (1,235,503)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $(438,860)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $18,506,027 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales.

 

F. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

As part of its investments in real estate related securities, the Fund will invest in REITs and is subject to certain risks associated with direct investment in REITs. REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool investors’ capital to acquire, develop and/or finance real estate and provide services to their tenants. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types, e.g., regional malls, shopping centers, office buildings, apartment buildings and industrial warehouses. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareowners, and certain REITs have self-liquidation provisions by which mortgages held may be paid in full and distributions of capital returns may be made at any time.

 

13 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

As REITs generally pay a higher rate of dividends than most other operating companies, to the extent application of the Fund's investment strategy results in the Fund investing in REIT shares, the percentage of the Fund's dividend income received from REIT shares will likely exceed the percentage of the Fund's portfolio that is comprised of REIT shares. Distributions received by the Fund from REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital.

 

Dividend income from REITs is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The calendar year-end amounts of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital included in distributions received from the Fund's investments in REITs are reported to the Fund after the end of the calendar year; accordingly, the Fund estimates these amounts for accounting purposes until the characterization of REIT distributions is reported to the Fund after the end of the calendar year. Estimates are based on the most recent REIT distribution information available.

 

The performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Due to the Fund's investments in REITs, the Fund may also make distributions in excess of the Fund's earnings and capital gains. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder’ shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder.

 

G. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

H. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations. As of November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

 

14 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF 

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.68% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.

 

GSI Capital Advisors LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund's sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Sub-Advisory Agreement’’). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser’s advisory fee for the services it provides. The fee is payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

4.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $23,344,267   $23,830,120 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $4,820,916   $7,753,542 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the ALPS Active REIT ETF had in-kind net realized gain of $960,264.

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

5.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 5,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

15 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

6.  MARKET RISK

 

 

The Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause the Fund to lose value. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Fund holds, and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of the Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.

 

7.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

16 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF  

 

Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

The ALPS Active REIT ETF designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction 199A
ALPS Active REIT ETF 0.00% 0.00% 20.33%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

17 | November 30, 2022

 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

At a meeting held June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”),including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of (i) the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Active REIT ETF (“REIT” or the "Fund") (the “REIT Advisory Agreement”) and (ii) the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between AAI and GSI Capital Advisors LLC (the “Sub-Adviser” or “GSI”) with respect to REIT (the “GSI Capital Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the REIT Advisory Agreement and GSI Capital Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

In evaluating the REIT Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to REIT under the REIT Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by REIT compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to REIT and the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates from the Adviser’s relationship with REIT; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized, if and as REIT’s assets grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser under the REIT Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the REIT Advisory Agreement, the investment strategy, financial information regarding the Adviser and its parent company, information describing the Adviser’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of REIT, the financial support of REIT, and the nature and quality of services provided to other ETFs, open-end and closed-end funds sponsored by the Adviser. Based upon their review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the Adviser was qualified to oversee the services to be provided by other service providers and that the services provided by the Adviser to REIT are satisfactory.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser under the REIT Advisory Agreement, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the REIT Advisory Agreement, financial information regarding the Adviser and its parent company, information describing the Adviser’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its benchmark and the FUSE performance group. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the REIT Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fee for the Fund was a unitary fee pursuant to which the Adviser assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the REIT Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate for the Fund is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund's net expense ratio is slightly above the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered other benefits available to the Adviser because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered with respect to the Fund the information provided by the Adviser about the costs and profitability of the Adviser with respect to the Fund, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that the Adviser was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that the Adviser should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew the REIT Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the REIT Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

18 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

GSI Capital Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, discussed the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

In evaluating the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by GSI with respect to REIT under the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by REIT compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the profitability to GSI of its sub-advisory relationship with REIT and the reasonableness of compensation to GSI; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if, and as, REIT’s assets increase, and whether the fee level in the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement reflects these economies of scale; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by GSI under the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement, REIT’s performance, financial information regarding GSI, information describing GSI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of REIT. Based upon their review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that GSI was qualified to oversee the portfolio management of REIT and that the services provided by GSI to REIT are satisfactory. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to GSI with respect to REIT was 0.35% of REIT’s average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.68% of REIT’s average daily net assets. Based on the consideration of all factors deemed relevant by them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the sub-advisory fees received by GSI under the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services provided.

 

With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by GSI, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the resources involved in managing REIT. Based on their review of the profitability of REIT to GSI, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the profitability of REIT to GSI was not unreasonable.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered other benefits that have been and may be realized by GSI from its relationship with REIT and concluded that the sub-advisory fees with respect to REIT were reasonable taking into account such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the extent to which economies of scale may be realized if REIT’s assets continue to grow in size and whether fee levels reflect a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted that REIT launched in February 2021 and had not yet achieved scale in terms of assets. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved with respect to REIT.

 

In voting to approve the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the GSI Sub-Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

19 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES        

Name, Address &

Year of Birth*

Position(s)

Held with Trust

Term of Office and Length of Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees***

Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine, 1940 Trustee

Since March 2008

Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 Trustee

Since March 2008

Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson, 1952

Trustee

Since March 2008

Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014- 2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015-

present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present;Trustee, Boettcher Foundation,2018 -present.

24

Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

* The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
*** The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

20 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address &

Year of Birth*

Position(s)

Held with Trust

Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a webbased system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

* The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
*** The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:      

Name, Address and

Year of Birth of Officer*

Position(s)

Held with Trust

Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Laton Spahr, 1975 President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.
Matthew Sutula, 1985 Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019), Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc
Kathryn Burns, 1976 Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.
Michael P. Lawlor, 1969 Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

22 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

Intentionally Left Blank 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 4
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 7
Statement of Operations 8
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 9
Financial Highlights 10
Notes to Financial Statements 11
Additional Information 17
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 18
Trustees & Officers 19

 

alpsfunds.com 

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index™ (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is an index of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs") comprised of all active Select Sector SPDR® ETFs in an equal-weighted portfolio. These are the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Health Care Select Sector SPDR® Fund and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR® Fund (each, an “Underlying Sector ETF” and collectively, the “Underlying Sector ETFs”). In order to track the Underlying Index, the Fund will use a “fund of funds” approach, and seek to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 90% of its total assets in the shares of the Underlying Sector ETFs.

 

The Underlying Index is designed to track performance of the equally weighted Underlying Sector ETFs. Accordingly, the Underlying Index is rebalanced to an equal weighting quarterly during the months of March, June, September, and December.

 

Each Underlying Sector ETF is an “index fund” that invests in the equity securities of companies in a particular sector or group of industries. The objective of each Underlying Sector ETF is to track its respective underlying sector index by replicating the securities in the underlying sector index. Together, the Underlying Sector ETFs represent the Underlying Index as a whole.

 

Performance Overview

For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund generated a total return of -0.59%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -0.48%. The Fund outperformed the S&P 500® Total Return Index (the “S&P 500”), which returned -9.21% for the same period.

 

The S&P 500 returned -9.21% for the trailing twelve-month (TTM) period ended November 30, 2022, as fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the U.S., offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows U.S. Real gross domestic product year-over-year rising 1.9%, offset by CPI of 7.7%. Looking forward, the Fund's adviser believes markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the S&P 500 Price-to-Earnings ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for U.S. and global equities.

 

The best performing Fund holdings for the period were the Energy Select Sector SPDR® (XLE) (+74.42%), the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR® (XLP) (+12.60%) and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® (XLU) (+11.79%). The worst performing Fund holdings for the period were the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR® (XLC) which lost 31.03% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR® (XLY) which fell 27.97%.

 

Looking forward, the Fund’s strategy of holding each of the eleven sectors in the S&P 500 via the Select SPDR® Funds can result in a diversified core holding, and potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting. 

 

1 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF - NAV -0.59% 10.27% 12.19% 13.31%
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF - Market Price* -0.54% 10.26% 12.19% 13.32%
NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Total Return Index™ -0.48% 10.43% 12.41% 13.57%
S&P 500® Total Return Index -9.21% 10.98% 13.34% 14.19%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current Prospectus) is 0.48%. Net Expense Ratio (per the current Prospectus) is 0.27%. Net expense ratio reflects the reimbursement of distribution fees for underlying sector ETFs. In addition, the Adviser has contractually agreed, through March 31, 2023, to reduce its advisory fee by 0.19%. This fee waiver may only be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (and not by the Adviser) prior to such date. Please see the prospectus for additional information.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on July 6, 2009 with an Inception Date, the first day of trading on the Exchange, of July 7, 2009.
   
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Total Return Index™ consists of a strategy that holds all active Select Sector SPDR® ETFs in an equal-weighted portfolio. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

S&P 500® Total Return Index: the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. The indexes are reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.  

 

2 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following table shows the sector weights of both the Fund and the S&P 500® Total Return Index as of November 30, 2022:

 

Sector Weighting Comparison (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  EQL* S&P 500® +/-
Energy 10.01% 5.12% 4.89%
Industrials 9.82% 8.44% 1.38%
Materials 9.77% 2.68% 7.09%
Financials 9.46% 11.61% -2.15%
Health Care 9.39% 15.22% -5.83%
Consumer Staples 9.32% 6.99% 2.33%
Technology 9.10% 26.41% -17.31%
Communication Services 8.51% 7.46% 1.05%
Real Estate 8.37% 2.68% 5.69%
Utilities 8.26% 2.99% 5.27%
Consumer Discretionary 7.97% 10.40% -2.43%
Money Market Fund 0.02% 0.02%
Total 100.00% 100.00%  

 

Source: S&P 500®

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned).

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past ten years including dividend reinvestment with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. 

 

3 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF        
Actual $1,000.00     $994.40 0.16% $0.80
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,024.27 0.16% $0.81

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 30, 2022, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statement of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period then ended were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023 

 

5 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (99.99%)        
Communication Services (8.51%)        
Communication Services        
Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   565,047   $29,105,571 
           
Consumer Discretionary (7.97%)          
Consumer Discretionary          
Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   186,534    27,265,675 
           
Consumer Staples (9.32%)          
Consumer Staples Select          
Sector SPDR Fund(a)   413,038    31,882,403 
           
Energy (10.01%)          
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund   375,606    34,236,487 
           
Financials (9.46%)          
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund   891,169    32,358,346 
           
Healthcare (9.39%)          
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   231,167    32,136,836 
           
Industrials (9.82%)          
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   330,253    33,593,335 
           
Materials (9.78%)          
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   404,134    33,442,089 
           
Real Estate (8.37%)          
Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund   730,157    28,651,361 
           
Technology (9.10%)          
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund   228,905    31,121,924 
           
Utilities (8.26%)          
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   395,622    28,259,279 
           
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS          
(Cost $279,695,621)        342,053,306 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS(24.50%)            
Money Market Fund (0.02%)        
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)            
(Cost $69,789)   3.69%   69,789   $69,789 
                
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (24.48%)                                    
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money               
Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $83,760,048)        83,760,048    83,760,048 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $83,829,837)             83,829,837 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (124.49%)               
(Cost $363,525,458)            $425,883,143 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS(-24.49%)             (83,784,309)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $342,098,834 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan.

The total market value of securities on loan is $91,196,271.

 

Common Abbreviations:

SPDR® - Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 

 

6 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value(a)  $425,883,143 
Dividends receivable   17,413 
Total Assets   425,900,556 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   41,674 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   83,760,048 
Total Liabilities   83,801,722 
NET ASSETS  $342,098,834 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $284,579,180 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   57,519,654 
NET ASSETS  $342,098,834 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $363,525,458 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $342,098,834 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   3,375,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $101.36 

 

(a)Includes $91,196,271 of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 

 

7 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends  $4,863,390 
Securities Lending Income   108,817 
Total Investment Income   4,972,207 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   900,819 
Total Expenses before waiver/reimbursement   900,819 
Less fee waiver/reimbursement by investment adviser   (518,506)
Net Expenses   382,313 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   4,589,894 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   5,922,093 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (9,615,305)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (3,693,212)
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $896,682 

 

(a)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 

 

8 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF        
Statements of Changes in Net Assets        

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $4,589,894   $3,568,055 
Net realized gain   5,922,093    7,438,861 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (9,615,305)   32,612,619 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   896,682    43,619,535 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (4,607,523)   (3,568,055)
From tax return of capital       (37,609)
Total distributions   (4,607,523)   (3,605,664)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   153,184,146    27,797,544 
Cost of shares redeemed   (15,270,895)   (24,055,755)
Net increase from capital share transactions   137,913,251    3,741,789 
Net increase in net assets   134,202,410    43,755,660 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   207,896,424    164,140,764 
End of year  $342,098,834   $207,896,424 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   2,000,000    1,950,000 
Shares sold   1,525,000    300,000 
Shares redeemed   (150,000)   (250,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   3,375,000    2,000,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 

 

9 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $103.95   $84.17   $78.33   $70.34   $69.28 
                          
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   1.89    1.76    1.91    1.53    1.50 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (2.55)   19.82    5.84    8.03    1.02 
Total from investment operations   (0.66)   21.58    7.75    9.56    2.52 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (1.93)   (1.78)   (1.90)   (1.57)   (1.46)
From tax return of capital       (0.02)   (0.01)        
Total distributions   (1.93)   (1.80)   (1.91)   (1.57)   (1.46)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET                         
VALUE   (2.59)   19.78    5.84    7.99    1.06 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $101.36   $103.95   $84.17   $78.33   $70.34 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (0.59)%   25.89%   10.37%   13.86%   3.66%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of year (in 000s)  $342,099   $207,896   $164,141   $168,407   $154,742 
                          
Ratio of expenses excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.37%   0.37%   0.37%   0.37%   0.37%
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.16%   0.15%   0.15%   0.15%   0.15%
Ratio of net investment income excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   1.68%   1.59%   2.31%   1.89%   1.92%
Ratio of net investment income including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   1.89%   1.81%   2.53%   2.11%   2.14%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   12%   8%   11%   4%   14%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 

 

10 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements

November 30, 2022 

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities. 

 

11 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements

November 30, 2022 

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Fund’s investments by major category are as follows:

 

Exchange Traded Funds, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3 –

Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Exchange Traded Funds*  $342,053,306   $   $   $342,053,306 
Short Term Investments   83,829,837            83,829,837 
Total  $425,883,143   $   $   $425,883,143 

 

*For a detailed breakdown of sectors, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually. 

 

12 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements

November 30, 2022 

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $7,171,474   $(7,171,474)

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022            
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $4,607,523   $   $ 

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $3,568,055   $   $37,609 

 

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $992,242   $3,075,574 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Accumulated Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   Other Accumulated Gains   Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments   Total 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $   $(4,067,816)  $   $61,587,470   $57,519,654 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $68,491,139 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (6,903,669)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $61,587,470 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $364,295,673 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales. 

 

13 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements

November 30, 2022

 

 

F. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2022:

 

   Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $91,196,271   $83,760,048   $7,558,240   $91,318,288 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received. 

 

14 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $83,760,048   $   $   $   $83,760,048 
Total Borrowings                       83,760,048 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)              $83,760,048 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.37% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive 0.19% of its annual unitary fee payable by the Fund until at least March 31, 2023. The waiver may only be terminated by the Fund's Board of Trustees prior to such date.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (“APSD”) is both the distributor for the Fund as well as the Select Sector SPDR exchange traded funds (“Underlying Sector ETFs”) that the Fund invests in. As required by exemptive relief obtained by the Underlying Sector ETFs, the Adviser will reimburse the Fund an amount equal to the distribution fee received by APSD from the Underlying Sector ETFs attributable to the Fund’s investment in the Underlying Sector ETFs, for so long as APSD acts as the distributor to the Fund and the Underlying Sector ETFs. Such reimbursement is generally expected to be approximately 0.02% - 0.03% annually.

 

Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles. 

 

15 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022 the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $28,712,812   $28,770,607 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $153,188,314   $15,270,806 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF had in-kind net realized gain of $7,076,803.

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

 

The Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause the Fund to lose value. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Fund holds, and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of the Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements. 

 

16 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF 88.31% 85.80%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

LICENSING AGREEMENT

 

 

ICE Data Indices, LLC (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”) or ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”). The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.

 

The only relationship that the Index Provider has with the Fund, the Adviser or Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that the Index Provider has licensed certain of its intellectual property, including the determination of the component stocks of the Underlying Index and the name of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is selected and calculated without regard to the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the specific needs of the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund into consideration in the determination and calculation of the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the net asset value of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Fund.

 

NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index is a service mark of ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates (“ICE Data”) and has been licensed for use by the Adviser in connection with the Fund. Neither the Trust nor the Fund is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ICE Data. ICE Data makes no representations or warranties regarding the Adviser or the Fund or the ability of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index to track general stock market performance.

 

ICE DATA MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE NYSE® EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHT INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. IN NO EVENT SHALL ICE DATA HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages. 

 

17 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreement  

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (“EQL” or the “Fund”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment parameters of the index of the Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Board also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between the underlying index and the Fund’s performance. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fee for the Fund was a unitary fee pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Investment Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate the Fund is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio, however, is lower than the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered, with respect to the Fund, the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to the Fund, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together. 

 

18 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,

1940

Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

Jeremy W. Deems,

1976

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson,

1952

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014- 2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

* The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
*** The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

19 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Edmund J. Burke,

1961

Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web- based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All -Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All- Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

* The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
*** The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

20 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:

Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Laton Spahr,

1975

President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.

Matthew Sutula,

 1985

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

Kathryn Burns,

1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

Michael P. Lawlor,

1969

Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

* The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
** This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679. 

 

21 | November 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Table of Contents  
   
Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 4
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 8
Statement of Operations 9
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 10
Financial Highlights 11
Notes to Financial Statements 12
Additional Information 18
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment  
Sub-Advisory Agreement 19
Trustees & Officers 21

 

alpsfunds.com

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF (the "Fund") seeks long-term total return from a combination of income and capital gains. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in U.S. companies that Hillman Capital Management, Inc. (“HCM”), the Fund's sub-adviser believes have competitive advantages and have temporarily fallen out of favor for reasons that are considered non-recurring or short-term; whose value is not currently well known; or whose value is not fully recognized by the public.

 

Performance Overview

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund returned, at NAV, -3.05% versus a return of 2.42% for the Russell 1000® Value Total Return Index. While the team at HCM is not pleased with the short-term performance versus the Fund’s benchmark index, it is our view that investment in enterprises which we believe possess sustainable competitive advantages, coupled with strict adherence to our fundamentally sound valuation discipline, should work well for long term investors.

 

During the period, U.S. equity investors appeared concerned by rising interest rates and inflation. Further dampening enthusiasm, supply chain issues lingered, exacerbated by war in Ukraine and China’s zero tolerance COVID policy. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s Open Market Committee increased the target federal funds rate from a range of 0.00% to 0.25% to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, and the yield on the benchmark Ten Year U.S. Treasury Note rose from 1.43% to 3.68%.

 

The Fund benefitted from strong performance in the Consumer Staples, Health Care, and Energy sectors. The Communication Services, Information Technology, and Consumer Discretionary sectors weighed heavily on relative performance.

 

The top 5 performers for the period were Biogen Inc. (BIIB), Merck & Co Inc. (MRK), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY), Plains All American Pipeline LP (PAA), and Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM).

 

The bottom 5 performers for the fiscal year were Meta Platforms Inc (META), Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD), Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Salesforce.com Inc. (CRM), and ServiceNow Inc. (NOW).

 

HCM’s equity strategies are driven by its core belief that competitively advantaged companies will outperform their peers through economic cycles and market cycles. HCM’s goal is to invest in great enterprises at attractive prices. HCM’s investment team will continue to invest according to this precept for the long-term interest of our clients. HCM feels that the Fund is well positioned with investments in companies with sustainable competitive advantages, at prices that it believes to be reasonable.

 

1 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

  

  1 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF - NAV -3.05% -4.81%
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF – Market Price* -3.21% -4.87%
Russell 1000® Value Total Return Index 2.42% 2.18%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.55%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on July 15, 2021, with the first day of trading on the exchange of July 16, 2021.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. .

 

Russell 1000® Value Total Return is a broad-based benchmark that measures the performance of the large cap value segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

2 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)  
   
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. 2.91%
Constellation Brands, Inc. 2.78%
Wells Fargo & Co. 2.61%
Enterprise Products Partners LP 2.51%
Becton Dickinson and Co. 2.48%
Kraft Heinz Co. 2.47%
Meta Platforms, Inc. 2.41%
Emerson Electric Co. 2.39%
AT&T, Inc. 2.38%
Lam Research Corp. 2.37%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 25.31%

 

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)  
   
Information Technology 19.79%
Communication Services 15.21%
Health Care 12.16%
Consumer Staples 11.48%
Financials 11.44%
Industrials 10.92%
Materials 7.42%
Consumer Discretionary 5.68%
Energy 2.51%
Real Estate 2.29%
Money Market Fund 1.10%
Total Investments 100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned).

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund's benchmark

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

3 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

   Beginning Account Value 6/1/22   Ending Account Value 11/30/22    Expense Ratio(a)   Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b) 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF                
Actual  $1,000.00   $982.10    0.55%  $2.73 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.31    0.55%  $2.79 

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF, a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 30, 2022, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from July 15, 2021 (commencement of operations) through November 30, 2021 were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

5 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (96.22%)        
Communication Services (15.18%)        
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   1,360   $137,346 
AT&T, Inc.   8,358    161,142 
Comcast Corp., Class A   3,972    145,534 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   1,385    163,569 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   2,943    114,718 
Walt Disney Co.(a)   1,550    151,699 
Warner Bros Discovery, Inc.(a)   13,759    156,852 
Total Communication Services        1,030,860 
           
Consumer Discretionary (5.67%)          
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   1,400    135,156 
CarMax, Inc.(a)   1,760    122,074 
Nordstrom, Inc.(b)   6,095    127,812 
Total Consumer Discretionary        385,042 
           
Consumer Staples (11.46%)          
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, ADR(b)   2,385    140,453 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   3,789    143,906 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A   733    188,637 
Kellogg Co.   1,893    138,094 
Kraft Heinz Co.   4,250    167,238 
Total Consumer Staples        778,328 
           
Financials (11.42%)          
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.   3,359    154,178 
BlackRock, Inc.   217    155,372 
T Rowe Price Group, Inc.   1,077    134,528 
Wells Fargo & Co.   3,684    176,648 
Western Union Co.   10,581    155,117 
Total Financials        775,843 
           
Health Care (12.14%)          
Becton Dickinson and Co.   673    167,806 
Biogen, Inc.(a)   477    145,566 
CVS Health Corp.   1,487    151,496 
GSK PLC, ADR(b)   3,454    119,474 
Medtronic PLC   1,299    102,673 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.   1,143    137,274 
Total Health Care        824,289 
           
Industrials (10.90%)          
3M Co.   1,139    143,480 
Boeing Co.(a)   826    147,755 
Emerson Electric Co.   1,692    162,043 
General Electric Co.   1,641    141,077 
Raytheon Technologies Corp.   1,477    145,809 
Total Industrials        740,164 
           
Information Technology (19.76%)          
Adobe, Inc.(a)   463    159,702 
ASML Holding NV   242    147,165 
Equifax, Inc.   740    146,054 
Intel Corp.   4,341    130,534 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)        
Lam Research Corp.   340   $160,610 
Microsoft Corp.   589    150,277 
Salesforce, Inc.(a)   915    146,629 
ServiceNow, Inc.(a)   377    156,945 
Taiwan Semiconductor          
Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR   1,732    143,721 
Total Information Technology        1,341,637 
           
Materials (7.41%)          
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.   637    197,572 
Compass Minerals          
International, Inc.   3,571    158,374 
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.   2,084    146,943 
Total Materials        502,889 
           
Real Estate (2.28%)          
Simon Property Group, Inc.   1,299    155,153 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $7,446,926)        6,534,205 

  

Security Description  Shares   Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (2.50%)        
Energy (2.50%)        
Enterprise Products Partners LP   6,852    169,998 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $171,009)        169,998 

  

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (5.09%)        
Money Market Fund (1.11%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)            
(Cost $75,268)   3.69%   75,268    75,268 
                
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral  from Securities Loaned (3.98%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $270,198)        270,198    270,198 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $345,466)             345,466 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (103.81%)               
(Cost $7,963,401)            $7,049,669 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-3.81%)             (258,577)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $6,791,092 

 

6 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $266,932.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value*  $7,049,669 
Dividends receivable   14,665 
Total Assets   7,064,334 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   3,044 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   270,198 
Total Liabilities   273,242 
NET ASSETS  $6,791,092 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $7,573,022 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   (781,930)
NET ASSETS  $6,791,092 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $7,963,401 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $6,791,092 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   300,002 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $22.64 

  

*Includes $266,932 of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends*  $158,169 
Securities Lending Income   169 
Total Investment Income   158,338 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   35,841 
Net Expenses   35,841 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   122,497 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   151,616 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (602,794)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (451,178)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(328,681)

 

*Net of foreign tax withholding of $865.
(a)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Period July 15, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $122,497   $50,743 
Net realized gain   151,616    60,733 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (602,794)   (310,938)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (328,681)   (199,462)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (144,140)   (17,283)
Total distributions   (144,140)   (17,283)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   3,537,225    6,232,629 
Cost of shares redeemed   (1,652,974)   (636,222)
Net increase from capital share transactions   1,884,251    5,596,407 
Net increase in net assets   1,411,430    5,379,662 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   5,379,662     
End of period  $6,791,092   $5,379,662 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   225,002     
Shares sold   150,000    250,002 
Shares redeemed   (75,000)   (25,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   300,002    225,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Period July 15, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $23.91   $24.88 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income(a)   0.42    0.22 
Net realized and unrealized loss   (1.14)   (1.12)
Total from investment operations   (0.72)   (0.90)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From net investment income   (0.34)   (0.07)
From net realized gains   (0.21)    
Total distributions   (0.55)   (0.07)
           
NET (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (1.27)   (0.97)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $22.64   $23.91 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (3.05)%   (3.63)%
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:          
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $6,791   $5,380 
           
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.55%   0.55%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.88%   2.28%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   33%   10%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF (the “Fund”). The Fund seeks long-term total return from a combination of income and capital gains. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

12 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability; including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Fund's investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities and Limited Partnerships, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF

  

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $6,534,205   $   $   $6,534,205 
Master Limited Partnerships*   169,998            169,998 
Short Term Investments   345,466            345,466 
Total  $7,049,669   $   $   $7,049,669 

 

*For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

 

13 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $78,568   $(78,568)

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the year ended November 30, 2022 and the fiscal period ended November 30, 2021 was as follows:

  

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022            
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $144,059   $81   $ 

 

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $17,283   $   $ 

  

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Accumulated Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   Other Accumulated Gains   Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments   Total 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $112,135   $14,414   $   $(908,479)  $(781,930)

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $255,484 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (1,163,963)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $(908,479)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $7,958,148 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from investments in partnerships.

 

F. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the

 

14 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

The following is a summary of the fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30,2022

 

   Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $266,932   $270,198   $   $270,198 

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $270,198   $   $   $   $270,198 
Total Borrowings                       270,198 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                      $270,198 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.

 

15 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Hillman Capital Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Sub-Advisory Agreement’’). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser’s advisory fee for the services it provides. The fee is payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $2,192,924   $2,144,801 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $3,485,680   $1,640,955 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, Fund had in-kind net realized gains of $71,453.

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares (prior to October 1, 2021, the Creation Unit size was 50,000 Shares). Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

The Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause the Fund to lose value. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Fund holds, and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to

 

16 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of the Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements ere issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

17 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Fund designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF 57.96% 52.67%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

18 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022, via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of (i) the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “HVAL Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF (“HVAL” or the “Fund”) and (ii) the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between AAI and Hillman Capital Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser” or “HCM”) with respect to the Fund. The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Agreement.

 

In evaluating the HVAL Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to HVAL under the HVAL Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund and the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates from the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the Fund’s assets grow and whether fees reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser under the HVAL Advisory Agreement, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the HVAL Advisory Agreement, financial information regarding the Adviser and its parent company, information describing the Adviser’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its benchmark and the FUSE performance group. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the HVAL Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fee for the Fund was a unitary fee pursuant to which the Adviser assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the HVAL Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following: The gross management fee rate for the Fund is approximately equal to the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to the Adviser because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees also considered with respect to the Fund the information provided by the Adviser about the costs and profitability of the Adviser with respect to the Fund, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that the Adviser was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that the Adviser should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew the HVAL Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of the HVAL Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

19 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

In evaluating the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by HCM with respect to HVAL under the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by HVAL compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the profitability to HCM of its sub-advisory relationship with HVAL and the reasonableness of compensation to HCM (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if, and as, HVAL’s assets increase, and whether the fee level in the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement reflects these economies of scale; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by HCM under the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement, HVAL's performance, financial information regarding HCM, information describing HCM’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of HVAL. Based upon their review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that HCM was qualified to oversee the portfolio management of HVAL and that the services provided by HCM to HVAL are satisfactory. The Board, including the Independent Trustees considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to HCM with respect to HVAL was 0.25% of HVAL’s average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.55% of HVAL's average daily net assets. Based on the consideration of all factors deemed relevant by them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fees received by HCM under the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services provided.

 

With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by HCM, the Board, including the Independent Trustees considered the resources involved in managing HVAL. Based on their review of the profitability of HVAL to HCM, the Board including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the profitability of HVAL to HCM was not unreasonable.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees also considered other benefits that have been and may be realized by HCM from its relationships with HVAL and concluded that the sub-advisory fees with respect to HVAL were reasonable taking into account such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale may be realized if HVAL’s assets continue to grow in size and whether fee levels reflect a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. The Board, including the Independent Trustees noted that HVAL was launched in July 2021 and has not yet achieved scale in terms of assets. The Independent Trustees determined that the Adviser should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved with respect to HVAL.

 

In voting to approve the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of the HCM Sub-Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the Board, including the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

20 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014- 2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web- based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All- Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

22 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:      
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Laton Spahr, 1975 President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.
Matthew Sutula, 1985 Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Kathryn Burns, 1976 Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.
Michael P. Lawlor, 1969 Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

23 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 4
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 5
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 10
Statement of Operations 11
Statement of Changes in Net Assets 12
Financial Highlights 13
Notes to Financial Statements 14
Additional Information 19
Trustees & Officers 20

 

alpsfunds.com

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (the “Fund") seeks to protect investor's capital and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Fund seeks to actively achieve its investment objective by applying bottom-up fundamental analysis and investing in a long-term, tax-aware manner. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest that is generally excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (except that the interest paid by certain municipal securities may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax).

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF produced a total return of 3.19%, based on its market price and 2.38%, based on its NAV from its inception date of May 19, 2022 through November 30, 2022. By comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend Index had a return of 2.03%. Throughout the measurement period, the bond market experienced elevated volatility amid the Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) most aggressive inflation-fighting campaign in decades.

 

The objective of the Fund is to protect investors’ capital and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Fund seeks to achieve this objective by investing in a limited number of durable credits that provide attractive yields or return potential. From its launch, the Fund’s net assets increased from both net inflows and positive investment returns, ending November 2022 at $31 million.

 

In the Municipal market, valuations are often disconnected from their underlying fundamentals, particularly during periods of heightened market volatility. 2022 began with elevated valuations that the Fund’s sub-adviser viewed as heavily dependent on fiscal and monetary stimulus measures as well as record inflows into industry funds. These market supports crumbled as the Fed pivoted to contain the 40-year high in domestic inflation. By the fall, yields increased to their highest levels since the Global Financial Crisis, credit valuations normalized, and fund redemptions hit record levels. The Fund’s sub-adviser views volatility constructively and actively engaged throughout the year as our opportunity set expanded.

 

In addition to higher yields, the Fund’s sub-adviser was pleased that credit valuations normalized, reversing much of last year’s outperformance of lower-rated credits. The Fund’s exposure to BBB-rated bonds has been modest, at around 4%, and it has zero high-yield exposure. The Fund owns a portfolio of resilient, higher-quality credits which provided the Fund’s sub-adviser the flexibility to take advantage of many opportunities that emerged during the year.

 

The Fund's sub-adviser invests the Fund's portfolio from the bottom-up and have continued to identify more opportunities in Revenue Bonds than in General Obligation issues (GO). As of November 30, 2022, the Fund held approximately 84% of its net assets in Revenue Bonds and the balance in GOs. Within the Revenue sector, the Fund’s largest exposure was to the State Housing Finance Authority (HFA) sector, which comprised 24% of net assets at the end of November. The Fund also held significant exposures of Prepaid Natural Gas bonds and Airport bonds, which represented 14% and 12% of the Fund’s net assets, respectively. The combination of higher base yields, wider credit spreads and rampant forced selling helped generate a wide range of opportunities. Consequently, the Fund had elevated levels of portfolio activity.

 

The Fund also held large exposures to bonds with non-standard coupons such as zero-coupon bonds and floating-rate notes. As of November 30th, 2022, these two types of bonds comprised 18% and 7% of the Fund’s net assets, respectively. The magnitude of rate increases also materially extended the duration of the Fund’s benchmark. Consistent with the Fund’s sub-adviser’s strategy, they executed many purchases in ten- to fifteen-year maturities to keep the Fund’s duration relatively in-line.

 

Heightened volatility and forced selling throughout the Fund’s fiscal period provided a wide range of credit opportunities as well as attractive entry points for bonds with non-standard coupon structures. Together, these opportunities helped drive the outperformance of the Fund. Although the Fund’s State Housing Finance Authority bonds detracted from performance, they offer generous risk-adjusted yields.

 

Despite the performance headwinds from rising interest rates, municipal market valuations have improved significantly. The Fund’s sub-adviser believes the Fund is well-positioned going forward with its holdings of high-quality credits that are providing attractive yields. 

 

1 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  6 Months Since Inception^
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF - NAV -0.53% 2.38%
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF - Market* -0.01% 3.19%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend Index -0.40% 2.03%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.50%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on May 19, 2022, with the first day of trading on the exchange of May 20, 2022.
   
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend Index is an unmanaged index comprised of fixed-rate, investment-grade tax-exempt bonds with remaining maturities between 1 and 17 years. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund is new with limited operating history.

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF's shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.  

 

2 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 3.81%
City of San Antonio TX Electric & Gas Systems Revenue 3.67%
City of Houston TX Airport System Revenue 3.43%
Deschutes & Jefferson Counties School District No 2J Redmond 3.36%
South Dakota Housing Development Authority 3.33%
Tennessee Housing Development Agency 3.33%
Ohio Housing Finance Agency 3.33%
Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority 3.08%
E-470 Public Highway Authority 3.03%
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency 3.02%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 33.39%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Revenue Bonds 82.40%
General Obligation Bonds 14.88%
Money Market Fund 2.72%
Total 100.00%

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.  

 

3 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF        
Actual $1,000.00    $994.70 0.50% $2.50
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.56 0.50% $2.54

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF, a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from May 19, 2022 (commencement of operations) through November 30, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 30, 2022, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the period May 19, 2022 through November 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

5 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
MUNICIPAL BONDS (98.08%)        
General Obligation Limited (2.33%)        
Pennsylvania (2.33%)        
School District of Philadelphia        
5.00%, 09/01/2034  $500,000   $521,518 
4.00%, 09/01/2036   200,000    199,481 
Total Pennsylvania        720,999 
           
Total General Obligation Limited        720,999 
           
General Obligation Unlimited (12.67%)          
California (6.82%)          
Chino Valley Unified School          
District          
0.00%, 08/01/2035(a)   95,000    57,800 
Long Beach Community College          
District          
0.00%, 06/01/2030(a)   1,000,000    774,569 
Oak Grove School District          
0.00%, 08/01/2031(a)   200,000    144,897 
Rio Hondo Community College          
District          
0.00%, 08/01/2036(a)   300,000    173,634 
Rowland Unified School District          
0.00%, 08/01/2033(a)   1,000,000    612,140 
San Diego Unified School District          
0.00%, 07/01/2034(a)   100,000    63,974 
San Mateo County Community          
College District          
0.00%, 09/01/2035(a)   110,000    68,515 
San Mateo Union High School          
District          
0.00%, 09/01/2041(a)   220,000    209,767 
Total California        2,105,296 
           
New York (0.81%)          
City of New York NY          
4.00%, 08/01/2037   250,000    251,413 
Total New York        251,413 
           
Oregon (3.38%)          
Deschutes & Jefferson Counties          
School District No 2J Redmond          
0.00%, 06/15/2028(a)   1,250,000    1,047,344 
Total Oregon        1,047,344 
           
Texas (1.66%)          
Northside Independent School          
District          
0.70%, 06/01/2050(b)   200,000    188,592 
2.00%, 06/01/2052(b)   345,000    323,529 
Total Texas        512,121 
           
Total General Obligation Unlimited        3,916,174 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Revenue Bonds (83.08%)        
Arizona (3.80%)        
Salt Verde Financial Corp.        
5.00%, 12/01/2032  $675,000   $708,875 
5.00%, 12/01/2037   450,000    465,755 
Total Arizona        1,174,630 
           
California (3.97%)          
Anaheim Public Financing          
Authority          
0.00%, 09/01/2030(a)   275,000    208,128 
Long Beach Bond Finance          
Authority          
3M US L + 1.45%,          
11/15/2027(b)   430,000    407,657 
Northern California Gas Authority          
No 1          
3M US L + 0.72%,          
07/01/2027(b)   275,000    266,384 
University of California          
5.00%, 05/15/2031(c)   300,000    347,685 
Total California        1,229,854 
           
Colorado (4.65%)          
City & County of Denver Co.          
Airport System Revenue          
5.75%, 11/15/2036   250,000    293,849 
Colorado Health Facilities          
Authority          
4.00%, 01/01/2038   200,000    201,958 
E-470 Public Highway Authority          
0.00%, 09/01/2024(a)   1,000,000    944,445 
Total Colorado        1,440,252 
           
Connecticut (4.63%)          
Connecticut Housing Finance          
Authority          
4.00%, 11/15/2047   465,000    465,453 
Connecticut State Health &          
Educational Facilities Authority          
0.25%, 07/01/2037(b)   1,000,000    960,710 
Total Connecticut        1,426,163 
           
Florida (2.26%)          
County of Broward FL Airport          
System Revenue          
5.00%, 10/01/2031   200,000    215,701 
Florida Housing Finance Corp.          
5.50%, 01/01/2054   150,000    159,467 
Greater Orlando Aviation          
Authority          
5.00%, 10/01/2033   300,000    321,591 
Total Florida        696,759 

 

6 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Revenue Bonds (continued)        
Georgia (4.42%)        
Development Authority of Burke        
County        
1.50%, 01/01/2040(b)  $255,000   $239,537 
1.70%, 12/01/2049(b)   650,000    625,164 
Main Street Natural Gas, Inc.          
4.00%, 08/01/2049(b)   500,000    503,338 
Total Georgia        1,368,039 
           
Illinois (3.17%)          
Illinois Finance Authority          
5.00%, 08/15/2035   225,000    245,609 
5.00%, 02/15/2036   200,000    210,597 
Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement          
Authority          
5.00%, 06/01/2025   500,000    524,245 
Total Illinois        980,451 
           
Indiana (0.32%)          
Indiana Finance Authority          
1.00%, 11/01/2037(b)   100,000    100,000 
Total Indiana        100,000 
           
Kentucky (1.65%)          
Kentucky Public Energy Authority          
4.00%, 12/01/2049(b)   210,000    208,766 
1D US SOFR + 1.20%,          
08/01/2052(b)   325,000    298,464 
Total Kentucky        507,230 
           
Massachusetts (2.32%)          
Massachusetts Development          
Finance Agency          
4.00%, 07/01/2035   200,000    201,398 
1.05%, 09/01/2037(b)   100,000    100,000 
Massachusetts Housing Finance          
Agency          
4.15%, 12/01/2037   250,000    245,814 
3.00%, 12/01/2050   175,000    170,146 
Total Massachusetts        717,358 
           
Minnesota (0.44%)          
Minnesota Housing Finance          
Agency          
2.47%, 01/01/2050   149,237    136,458 
Total Minnesota        136,458 
           
Missouri (0.61%)          
Missouri Housing Development          
Commission          
4.00%, 05/01/2050   190,000    190,142 
Total Missouri        190,142 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Revenue Bonds (continued)        
Nebraska (3.27%)        
Central Plains Energy Project        
5.00%, 05/01/2053(b)  $725,000   $743,691 
Nebraska Investment Finance          
Authority          
3.50%, 09/01/2046   270,000    267,663 
Total Nebraska        1,011,354 
           
New Jersey (3.77%)          
New Jersey Health Care Facilities          
Financing Authority          
5.00%, 07/01/2045(b)   220,000    234,509 
New Jersey Transportation Trust          
Fund Authority          
0.00%, 12/15/2031(a)   1,375,000    932,222 
Total New Jersey        1,166,731 
           
New Mexico (0.97%)          
New Mexico Mortgage Finance          
Authority          
5.25%, 03/01/2053   285,000    300,755 
Total New Mexico        300,755 
           
New York (8.59%)          
Metropolitan Transportation          
Authority          
1D US SOFR + 0.33%,          
11/01/2035(b)   470,000    458,624 
New York City Transitional          
Finance Authority Future Tax          
Secured Revenue          
1.00%, 11/01/2036(b)   100,000    100,000 
4.00%, 02/01/2038   250,000    250,155 
New York State Dormitory          
Authority          
4.00%, 03/15/2036   200,000    202,905 
Port Authority of New York &          
New Jersey          
5.00%, 11/01/2030   1,100,000    1,186,465 
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel          
Authority          
0.00%, 11/15/2039(a)   1,000,000    453,260 
Total New York        2,651,409 
           
North Carolina (1.63%)          
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital          
Authority          
4.00%, 01/15/2037   500,000    500,145 
Total North Carolina        500,145 

 

7 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Revenue Bonds (continued)        
North Dakota (4.50%)        
North Dakota Housing Finance        
Agency        
4.25%, 01/01/2049  $445,000   $447,694 
3.00%, 01/01/2052   975,000    942,767 
Total North Dakota        1,390,461 
           
Ohio (4.96%)          
Ohio Air Quality Development          
Authority          
4.25%, 11/01/2039(b)   500,000    498,020 
Ohio Housing Finance Agency          
5.00%, 03/01/2052   1,000,000    1,036,660 
Total Ohio        1,534,680 
           
Oklahoma (1.68%)          
Oklahoma Housing Finance          
Agency          
5.00%, 03/01/2052   500,000    518,403 
Total Oklahoma        518,403 
           
Pennsylvania (0.27%)          
State Public School Building          
Authority          
5.00%, 06/01/2033   80,000    83,698 
Total Pennsylvania        83,698 
           
South Dakota (3.34%)          
South Dakota Housing          
Development Authority          
5.00%, 05/01/2053   1,000,000    1,036,694 
Total South Dakota        1,036,694 
           
Tennessee (3.34%)          
Tennessee Housing Development          
Agency          
5.00%, 01/01/2053   1,000,000    1,036,680 
Total Tennessee        1,036,680 
           
Texas (11.32%)          
City of Houston TX Airport System          
Revenue          
5.00%, 07/01/2028   1,000,000    1,069,579 
City of San Antonio TX Electric &          
Gas Systems Revenue          
5.00%, 02/01/2031   1,000,000    1,143,145 
Texas Department of Housing &          
Community Affairs          
4.40%, 07/01/2037   200,000    206,302 
3.50%, 07/01/2052   300,000    292,200 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Revenue Bonds (continued)        
Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition        
and Supply Corp. I        
3M US L + 0.70%,        
12/15/2026(b)  $750,000   $735,701 
6.25%, 12/15/2026   50,000    52,253 
Total Texas        3,499,180 
           
Washington D.C. (1.74%)          
Metropolitan Washington          
Airports Authority Aviation          
Revenue          
5.00%, 10/01/2028   500,000    538,523 
Total Washington D.C.        538,523 
           
Wisconsin (1.46%)          
Public Finance Authority          
3.70%, 10/01/2046(b)   150,000    150,200 
University of Wisconsin Hospitals          
& Clinics          
1.00%, 04/01/2048(b)   100,000    100,000 
Wisconsin Health & Educational          
Facilities Authority          
4.00%, 08/15/2036   200,000    200,549 
Total Wisconsin        450,749 
           
Total Revenue Bonds        25,686,798 
           
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS          
(Cost $30,511,864)        30,323,971 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (2.74%)            
Money Market Fund            
State Street Institutional US            
Government Money Market               
Fund   3.66%   848,284    848,284 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $848,284)             848,284 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.82%)               
(Cost $31,360,148)            $31,172,255 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.82%)    (252,902)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $30,919,353 

 

8 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

(a)Zero coupon bond.
(b)Floating or variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically on specific dates. The rate shown represents the coupon or interest rate in effect as of November 30, 2022. Security description includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.
(c)Represents a security purchased on a when-issued basis.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements. 

 

9 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $31,172,255 
Interest receivable   279,336 
Total Assets   31,451,591 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   519,750 
Payable to adviser   12,488 
Total Liabilities   532,238 
NET ASSETS  $30,919,353 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $30,876,770 
Total distributable earnings   42,583 
NET ASSETS  $30,919,353 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $31,360,148 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $30,919,353 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   1,225,002 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $25.24 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.  

 

10 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Period Ended November 30, 2022(a)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Interest  $510,587 
Dividends   3,880 
Total Investment Income   514,467 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   81,021 
Net Expenses   81,021 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   433,446 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments   225,977 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (187,893)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS   38,084 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $471,530 

 

(a)The ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF commenced operations on May 19, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.  

 

11 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF
Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Period May 19, 2022 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2022 
OPERATIONS:     
Net investment income  $433,446 
Net realized gain   225,977 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (187,893)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   471,530 
      
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:     
From distributable earnings   (428,947)
Total distributions   (428,947)
      
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:     
Proceeds from sale of shares   30,876,770 
Net increase from capital share transactions   30,876,770 
Net increase in net assets   30,919,353 
      
NET ASSETS:     
Beginning of period    
End of period  $30,919,353 
      
OTHER INFORMATION:     
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:     
Beginning shares    
Shares sold   1,225,002 
Shares outstanding, end of period   1,225,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.  

 

12 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period Presented

 

   For the Period May 19, 2022 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2022 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   $25.00 
      
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:     
Net investment income(a)   0.36 
Net realized and unrealized gain   0.23 
Total from investment operations   0.59 
      
DISTRIBUTIONS:     
From net investment income   (0.35)
Total distributions   (0.35)
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSET VALUE   0.24 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $25.24 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   2.38%
      
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:     
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $30,919 
      
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS     
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.67%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   75%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.  

 

13 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to protect investor’s capital and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The market price for debt securities is generally the evaluated price supplied by an independent third-party pricing service approved by the Board, which references a combination of transactions and quotations for the same or other securities believed to be comparable in quality, coupon, maturity, type of issue, call provisions, trading characteristics and other features deemed to be relevant. To the extent the Fund’s debt securities are valued based on price quotations or other equivalent indications of value provided by a third-party pricing service, any such third-party pricing service may use a variety of methodologies to value some or all of the Fund’s debt securities to determine the market price.

 

The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for the Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to all Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities. 

 

14 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Fund’s investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued based on evaluated prices received from third party pricing vendors or from brokers who make markets in such securities. For municipal bonds, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as broker-supplied prices. When independent prices are unavailable or unreliable, debt securities may be valued utilizing pricing methodologies which consider similar factors that would be used by third party pricing vendors. Debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy but may be Level 3 depending on the circumstances.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1  – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2  – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3  – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Municipal Bonds*  $   $30,323,971   $   $30,323,971 
Short Term Investments   848,284            848,284 
Total  $848,284   $30,323,971   $   $31,172,255 

 

*For a detailed breakdown of sectors, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the period ended November 30, 2022. 

 

15 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid monthly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. For the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, there were no reclassifications between Paid-in-Capital and Total Distributable Earnings.

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Tax Exempt Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022                
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  $83,654   $345,293   $   $ 

 

The character of distributions made during the period may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have any amounts available to carry forward to the next tax year.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows.

 

Fund  Accumulated Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   Other Accumulated Gains   Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments   Total 
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF   230,476   $   $   $(187,893)  $42,583 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

  ALPS Intermediate
Municipal Bond ETF
 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $127,008 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (314,901)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $(187,893)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $31,360,148 

 

G. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes. 

 

16 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund's sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Sub-Advisory Agreement’’). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser's advisory fee for the services it provides. The fee is payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.

 

Each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Givernance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the period starting with the commencement of operations and ending November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  $53,194,511   $22,915,562 

 

For the period starting with the commencement of operations and ending November 30, 2022, there were no in-kind transactions or realized gain/(loss) on in-kind transactions.

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

 

The Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause the Fund to lose value. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. 

 

17 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Fund holds, and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of the Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements. 

 

18 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2023 via Form 1099 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2022. 

 

19 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,

1940

Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

Jeremy W. Deems,

1976

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson,

1952

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014-  2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).
           

 

20 | November 30, 2022

  

 

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Edmund J. Burke,

1961

Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web- based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).
         

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

  

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:

 

Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Laton Spahr,

1975

President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.

Matthew Sutula,

1985

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

Kathryn Burns,

1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

Michael P. Lawlor,

1969

Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds' Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.  

 

22 | November 30, 2022

  

 

 

Intentionally Left Blank

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview  
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 1
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 4
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 7
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 10
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 13
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 14
Financial Statements  
Schedules of Investments
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 15
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 17
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 19
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 21
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 23
Statements of Operations 24
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 25
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 26
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 27
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 28
Financial Highlights 29
Notes to Financial Statements 33
Additional Information 42
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements 46
Trustees & Officers 47

 

alpsfunds.com

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Clean Energy ETF (the “Fund” or “ACES”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index (ticker symbol NACEX) (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by CIBC National Trust Company, which is designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology.

 

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by CIBC National Trust Company (the “Index Provider”), which is designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology. The clean energy sector is comprised of companies that provide the products and services that enable the evolution of a more sustainable energy sector. Clean energy business segments include, but are not limited to, the following activities: (i) renewable energy sources, including solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, biomass, biofuels, and tidal/wave energy, (ii) clean technologies, including electric vehicles, energy storage, lithium, fuel cell, smart grid, and energy efficiency technologies and (iii) other emerging clean energy activities and technologies. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. or Canadian companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index, a company’s stock must be traded on one or more major U.S. or Canadian securities exchanges, be based in the U.S. or in Canada, have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization and minimum average daily trading value thresholds established by the index rulebook of at least $300 million, and have a minimum median average daily trading liquidity of greater than $3 million over the last 60 trading days prior to the selection date, and the company must derive a majority of its value from clean energy business segments (as defined above). Such eligible companies shall be defined as the “Index Universe.” All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. The Underlying Index is reconstituted and rebalanced quarterly on the third Friday in March, June, September and December.

 

Performance Overview

For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund generated a total return of -24.00%. Performance was relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -23.92%. The Fund underperformed the S&P 1000 Total Return Index, which returned -4.11% for the same period.

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500), returned -9.21% for the trailing twelve-month (TTM) period that ended November 30, 2022, as fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the US, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows US Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the US, offset by CPI of 7.7%. Looking forward, we believe markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the S&P 500 Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for US and global equities.

 

2022 saw an acceleration of clean energy adoption and mandates driven by legislation. The Biden Administration has set forth enormous initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, setting the precedent for further infrastructure spending and tax credits aimed at achieving these goals. The $260 billion Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16, 2022, with specific mandates and tax credits targeting all reaches of clean energy with initiatives that aim to create a 100% carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. Solar and wind stocks stole the spotlight throughout the year, as tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act were highly geared towards those clean energy segments. It is likely that North America will see more policy support targeted at clean energy infrastructure in the near future, as projections call for immediate increases in policy action in order to meet a net-zero global fleet by 2050.

 

The best performing stocks in the Fund for the period were First Solar, Inc. (FSLR US), which increased 66.53%, Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, Inc. (IEA US), which saw a gain of 45.03%, and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REGI US), which rose 28.71%. The largest detractors were Volta, Inc. (VLTA US), which decreased 94.07%, Lion Electric Co. (LEV US), falling 74.50%, and Spruce Power Holdings Corp. (SPRU US), which lost 73.35%.

 

ACES Underlying Index has a differentiated approach to investing in clean energy. First, by narrowing the list of constituents to companies whose primary operations are focused on clean energy, the Fund offers more pure-play exposure to the clean energy sector. Second, constituents are diversified across the sector and offer exposure to the full opportunity set of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Lastly, focusing on U.S. and Canadian-based companies helps to further minimize the risk of investing in a global industry by reducing risks related to foreign holdings, including currency exchange rates, financial disclosures, and regulatory and policy changes.

 1 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 3 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Clean Energy ETF - NAV -24.00% 21.16% 21.21%
ALPS Clean Energy ETF - Market Price* -24.10% 20.94% 21.18%
S&P 1000® Total Return Index -4.11% 10.01% 7.55%
CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index -23.92% 21.53% 21.81%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.55%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2018, with the first day of trading on the exchange of June 29, 2018.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index is an adjusted market cap weighted index designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. or Canadian based companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology. The clean energy sector is comprised of companies that provide the products and services which enable the evolution of a more sustainable energy sector. Clean energy business segments include but are not limited to: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, electric vehicles, LED, biomass, smart grid, energy efficiency and storage. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The S&P 1000® Total Return Index combines the S&P MidCap 400® and the S&P SmallCap 600® to form an investable benchmark for the mid- to small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Clean Energy ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Clean Energy ETF.

 2 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

First Solar, Inc. 7.49%
Enphase Energy, Inc. 6.30%
Sunrun, Inc. 5.69%
Rivian Automotive, Inc. 5.48%
NextEra Energy Partners LP 5.43%
Livent Corp. 4.60%
Northland Power, Inc. 4.58%
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP 4.18%
Tesla, Inc. 3.96%
Lucid Group, Inc. 3.67%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 51.38%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

Clean Energy Segment Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark indices. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 3 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (the “Fund” or “DTEC”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index (ticker symbol IDTEC) (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by Indxx, LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is designed to identify the companies using disruptive technologies in each of ten thematic areas: Healthcare Innovation, Internet of Things, Clean Energy and Smart Grid, Cloud Computing, Data and Analytics, FinTech, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, 3D Printing, and Mobile Payments (each a “Theme” and together, the “Themes”). Companies using disruptive technologies are those that are entering traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, seek to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market-leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including foreign and emerging markets companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s Index Universe, a company’s stock must be traded on one or more major global securities exchanges, have a minimum market capitalization of at least $500 million, and have a six month minimum average daily trading volume of $2 million, and the company must derive a minimum of 50% of its revenue from a single Theme. All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. From the Index Universe, the Underlying Index methodology selects ten stocks in each Theme according to proprietary quantitative and qualitative factors. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is reconstituted annually on the third Friday of September and rebalanced quarterly.

 

Performance Overview

For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund generated a total return of -27.41%. Performance was relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -27.24%. The Fund underperformed the Morningstar Global Markets Index, which returned -11.76% for the same period.

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index returned -9.21% for the trailing twelve-month (TTM) period that ended November 30, 2022, as fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment across developed and emerging markets, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., 2.3% in the Eurozone, 1.8% in Japan and 3.9% in China. Looking forward, global markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening. We believe that global stocks, as measured by the Morningstar Global Markets Index, that exhibit Price-to-Earnings ratios below 10-year averages, along with any pause or pivot in rate hikes across developed central banks, will likely serve as positive catalysts for global equities.

 

DTEC underperformed the Morningstar Global Markets Index, which returned -11.76% for the trailing twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022. The Fund holds roughly 69% U.S. equities and 31% foreign equities. The U.S. Dollar strengthened relative to the Euro, causing U.S. equities to pull back along with weakening potential growth. Value equities far outperformed growth equities internationally in 2022, with energy and other cyclical companies benefitting from elevated prices. Future growth prospects remain cautiously optimistic, predicated on a slowing of interest rate hikes and a strong consumer.

 

We believe that disruptive technologies pave the way for a brighter future through innovation and fundamentally alter the way industries operate. Furthermore, the potential to capture returns within different disruptive technology themes is compelling and offers the potential to supercharge a portfolio. DTEC employs an equal-weighted strategy to its disruptive themes, resulting in 10 sub-themes (3D Printing, Clean Energy & Smart Grid, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Data & Analytics, FinTech, Healthcare Innovation, IoT, Mobile Payments, Robotics & AI), each with a 10% holding. The Fund picks the top 10 names from its universe that most represent the specific theme. Cybersecurity was the best-performing theme for the year, although all DTEC themes were negative for the TTM period. DTEC’s top performing name on the year was First Solar, Inc. (FSLR), a solar module manufacturer, gaining an impressive 66.53%. In contrast, the worst-performing name for DTEC was Cerence, Inc. (CRNC), an application software provider for roadmap visibility, falling 76.15%.

 

Looking ahead, the Fund’s strategy of selecting the top disruptive themes in the market today will provide exposure to areas of the market ALPS Advisors, Inc. believes will be high-growth relative to the Morningstar Global Markets Index.

 4 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 3 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF - NAV -27.41% 3.44% 7.25%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF - Market Price* -27.41% 3.38% 7.27%
Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index -27.24% 3.73% 7.52%
Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index -11.76% 6.27% 5.79%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.50%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on December 28, 2017, with the first day of trading on the exchange of December 29, 2017.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index (Ticker: IDTEC) is based around companies that enter traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, are likely to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

The Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index, measures the performance of the stocks located in the developed and emerging countries across the world. Stocks in the index are weighted by their float capital, which removes corporate cross ownership, government holdings and other locked-in shares.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.

 5 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

ABIOMED, Inc. 1.39%
Kaspi.KZ JSC 1.38%
AutoStore Holdings, Ltd. 1.37%
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. 1.37%
Netflix, Inc. 1.36%
SAP SE 1.32%
Dexcom, Inc. 1.29%
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 1.28%
First Solar, Inc. 1.27%
Schneider Electric SE 1.21%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 13.24%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

Thematic Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark indices. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 6 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF (the "Fund" or "JRNY") seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network Global Travel Net Total Return Index (ticker symbol TRAVEL) (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index uses a rules-based methodology developed by S-Network Global Indexes Inc. (the "Index Provider"), which is designed to identify exchange-traded stocks of companies that are materially engaged in the global travel industry, including four segments: Airlines & Airport Services; Hotels, Casinos, Cruise Lines; Booking & Rental Agencies; and Ancillary Beneficiaries. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including foreign and emerging markets companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index's Index Universe, a company's stock must be traded on one or more major global securities exchanges and is principally engaged in or derives significant revenue from one of the segments. In addition, a company's stock must have a minimum market capitalization of at least $100 million, a three-month minimum average daily trading volume of $1 million, and a minimum free float factor of 18%. All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. From the Index Universe, the Underlying Index methodology selects and weights twenty stocks in each segment, subject to a minimum of one constituent per geographic region (U.S. & Canada, Europe, Pacific (ex-Canada), and Emerging) and a 65% maximum weight per geographic region. The Underlying Index is rebalanced and reconstituted quarterly on the third Friday of the last month in each calendar quarter.

 

Performance Overview

For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund generated a total return of -10.27%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -10.04%. The Fund outperformed the Morningstar Global Markets Index, which returned -11.76% for the same period.

 

The S&P 500 Total Return Index returned -9.21% for the trailing twelve-month (TTM) period that ended November 30, 2022, as fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment across developed and emerging markets, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the US, 2.3% in the Eurozone, 1.8% in Japan and 3.9% in China. Looking forward, global markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening. We believe that global stocks, as measured by the Morningstar Global Markets Index, that exhibit Price-to-Earnings ratios below 10-year averages, along with any pause or pivot in rate hikes across developed central banks, will likely serve as positive catalysts for global equities.

 

In terms of global travel, we believe travel companies and beneficiaries are poised to benefit from the continued global re-opening. Global travel continues to have its pulse on the state of the consumer with strong travel spending expected to continue into 2023, affirmed by Thanksgiving weekend seeing the highest foot traffic across U.S. airports since the pandemic began, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. Additionally, global air traffic and flights booked are expected to continue to increase as the International Air Transportation Association reported total airport traffic spiked +44.6% year-over-year in October of 2022. Travel beneficiaries have so far been able to pass the majority of increased costs related to inflation and supply chain disruptions on to consumers, reducing pressure on profit margins.

 

The best-performing stocks in the Fund for the TTM period were Dassault Aviation SA (AM FP), which increased 68.10%, and Localiza Rent A Car SA (RENT1 BZ), which saw a gain of 58.14%. Furthermore, the top-performing JRNY segment was Airlines & Airport Services, returning -2.58%. The largest individual detractors for the TTM period were SWVL Holdings Corp. (SWVL US), decreasing 94.64%, and Lyft, Inc. (LYFT US), which lost 72.37%.

 

Looking ahead, the Fund’s strategy of identifying companies that are materially engaged in global travel industries, including airlines, hotels, casinos and cruise lines, and companies that support and stand to benefit from those industries, is designed to provide a holistic and more diversified exposure to the secular tailwinds in global travel.

 7 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF - NAV -10.27% -12.45%
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF - Market Price* -10.08% -12.21%
S-Network Global Travel Net Total Return Index -10.04% -12.23%
Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index -11.76% -11.38%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.65%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on September 8, 2021, with the first day of trading on the exchange of September 9, 2021.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The S-Network Global Travel Net Total Return Index (Ticker: TRAVEL) is an Index of stocks listed on global recognized stock exchanges that are materially engaged in segments of the global travel industry, including Airlines & Airport Services; Hotels, Casinos, and Cruise Lines; Booking & Rental Agencies; and ancillary beneficiaries of global travel. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

The Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index, measures the performance of the stocks located in the developed and emerging countries across the world. Stocks in the index are weighted by their float capital, which removes corporate cross ownership, government holdings and other locked-in shares.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF.

 8 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE 5.12%
L'Oreal SA 4.64%
Booking Holdings, Inc. 4.62%
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. 4.51%
Marriott International, Inc. 4.45%
Cintas Corp. 4.43%
American Express Co. 4.41%
The Estee Lauder Company, Inc. 4.07%
Walt Disney Co. 3.74%
Airbnb, Inc. 3.69%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 43.68%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

Thematic Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark indices. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 9 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (the “Fund” or “SBIO”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the S-Network® Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index (or depository receipts based on such securities).

 

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is comprised of small- and mid-cap stocks of biotechnology companies that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") clinical trials. In a Phase II trial, the drug is administered to a group of 100-300 people to see if it is effective and to evaluate its safety. In a Phase III trial, the drug is given to a larger group, between 500-3,000 people, to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely. Stocks selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index must be listed on a U.S. stock exchange. Underlying Index constituents must have a market capitalization of no less than $200 million and no more than $5 billion. Stocks included in the Underlying Index must also sustain an average daily trading volume in excess of $1 million for the 90-day period preceding an Underlying Index reconstitution. Constituents must be able to sustain the monthly rates at which they use shareholder capital ("cash burn rates") for at least 24 months. The Underlying Index is reconstituted semi-annually on the third Fridays of June and December.

 

Performance Overview

For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund generated a total return of -27.13%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -26.43%. The Fund underperformed the broad market, as represented by the S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500), which returned -9.21% for the period, and also underperformed the NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index’s (XNBI Index) return of -8.54% as the small and mid-cap (SMID) biotech companies saw multiples compress further than their large-cap counterparts.

 

The S&P 500 returned -9.21% for the trailing twelve-month (TTM) period ended November 30, 2022, as the fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the US, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows US Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the US, offset by Consumer Price Index of 7.7%. Looking forward, markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the S&P 500 Price-to-Earnings ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for U.S. and global equities.

 

Specifically for the biotech industry and its high-growth stocks, 2022’s headwinds weighed on performance more than other segments of the market. Although Congress’ efforts to reduce drug pricing could potentially slow the pace of innovation for many drug companies, 2022 has seen a number of positive catalysts including major acquisitions by big pharma looking to add promising drugs to their pipeline and exceedingly positive drug trial results. Despite headwinds, the biotech industry’s continued positive fundamentals and depressed valuations paint an exciting future for drug therapies, and continued innovation. There have been 272 U.S. biotech M&A deals in 2022, with an average premium paid of +98.24% for the acquired biotech companies, highlighting what we believe to be attractive prices and a positive outlook for U.S. biotech.

 

The Fund’s volatility during the year was higher than the S&P 500, which is not unusual for the biotech industry as the space typically carries a higher beta relative to the broad market. The best-performing stocks in the Fund for the period were 4D Molecular Therapeutics Inc. (FDMT), Nuvalent, Inc. (NUVL), and Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (GBT), which returned 272.42%, 228.14%, and 177.93%, respectively. In contrast, the worst-performing stocks for the period were Allakos, Inc. (ALLK), Kodiak Sciences, Inc. (KOD), and Instil Bio, Inc. (TIL), which declined 96.40%, 91.96%, and 91.71%, respectively.

 

Due to the high failure rate of companies within the space, the non-traditional metrics used to evaluate biotech companies, and the technical knowledge required to succeed in the space, biotechnology is a difficult industry for stock pickers. We believe this environment makes a passive strategy attractive, as it provides a diversified, rules-based access vehicle for those looking to gain exposure to the biotechnology space, while mitigating single-stock risk. The Fund and its Underlying Index focus on innovation, seeking to capture research and development opportunities in the biotechnology industry. Looking forward, the Fund’s strategy of providing exposure to small and mid-cap biotechnology companies that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III FDA clinical trials can provide potential alpha and pure-play exposure to the biotech space.

 10 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF - NAV -27.13% 0.66% 3.66%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF - Market Price* -27.12% 0.65% 3.65%
S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index -26.43% 1.06% 4.07%
NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index -8.54% 6.27% 4.57%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.50%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced investment operations on December 30, 2014.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index (Ticker: NBI) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of all the NASDAQ stocks in the biotechnology sector. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index (Ticker: PMBI) is designed to capture research and development opportunities in the biotechnology industry. PMBI consists of small-cap and mid-cap biotechnology stocks listed on U.S. stock exchanges that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III U.S. FDA clinical trials. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

Companies in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry may be subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Legislation introduced or considered by certain governments on such industries or on the healthcare sector cannot be predicted.

 

Companies in the pharmaceuticals industry are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. The profitability of some companies in the pharmaceuticals industry may be dependent on a relatively limited number of products. In addition, their products can become obsolete due to industry innovation, changes in technologies or other market developments. Many new products in the pharmaceuticals industry are subject to government approvals, regulation and reimbursement rates. The process of obtaining government approvals may be long and costly. Many companies in the pharmaceuticals industry are heavily dependent on patents and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

 

The development of new drugs generally has a high failure rate, and such failures may negatively impact the stock price of the company developing the failed drug. Biotechnology companies may have persistent losses during a new product’s transition from development to production. In order to fund operations, biotechnology companies may require financing from the capital markets, which may not always be available on satisfactory terms or at all.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is not affiliated with S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.

 11 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. 4.41%
Ascendis Pharma A/S 3.85%
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3.25%
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. 2.85%
Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. 2.53%
CRISPR Therapeutics AG 2.40%
Alkermes PLC 2.28%
Cytokinetics, Inc. 2.24%
Zai Lab, Ltd. 2.24%
Denali Therapeutics, Inc. 2.21%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 28.26%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark indices. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 12 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
ALPS Clean Energy ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $1,053.70 0.55% $2.83
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.31 0.55% $2.79
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $956.50 0.50% $2.45
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.56 0.50% $2.54
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $982.30 0.65% $3.23
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.81 0.65% $3.29
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $1,217.00 0.50% $2.78
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.56 0.50% $2.54

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.
 13 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF, and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF, and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, each a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of November 30, 2022, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and their financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial statements and financial highlights for the periods presented below were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Fund Financial Statements and Financial Highlights Audited by Other Auditor
ALPS Clean Energy ETF Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and Financial Highlights for each of the years ended November 30, 2021, 2020, 2019 and for the period June 28, 2018 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2018
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and Financial Highlights for each of the years ended November 30, 2021, 2020, 2019 and for the period December 28, 2017 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2018
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF Statement of Changes in Net Assets and Financial Highlights for the period September 8, 2021 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2021
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and Financial Highlights for each of the years in the four-year period ended November 30, 2021

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 14 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (88.61%)          
Consumer Discretionary (13.88%)          
EVgo, Inc.(a)(b)   446,769   $2,859,322 
Lucid Group, Inc.(a)(b)   2,560,508    25,963,550 
Rivian Automotive, Inc.(a)(b)   1,210,239    38,776,057 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   143,727    27,983,647 
Volta, Inc.(a)(b)   699,046    344,140 
Workhorse Group, Inc.(a)   1,002,006    2,304,614 
Total Consumer Discretionary        98,231,330 
           
Energy (4.27%)          
Aemetis, Inc.(a)(b)   192,273    1,059,424 
Archaea Energy, Inc., Class A(a)   522,268    13,547,632 
Green Plains, Inc.(a)   365,423    12,629,019 
REX American Resources Corp.(a)   101,378    2,991,665 
Total Energy        30,227,740 
           
Financials (2.57%)          
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.   561,775    18,223,981 
           
Industrials (28.08%)          
Ameresco, Inc., Class A(a)(b)   206,351    13,520,118 
Array Technologies, Inc.(a)   929,905    19,472,211 
Ballard Power Systems, Inc.(a)(b)   1,548,922    9,448,424 
Blink Charging Co.(a)(b)   289,002    4,011,348 
ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   1,667,499    20,710,337 
Fluence Energy, Inc.(a)(b)   242,155    4,160,223 
Hyliion Holdings Corp.(a)(b)   812,983    2,455,209 
Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.(a)(b)   778,829    4,961,141 
Lion Electric Co.(a)(b)   591,456    1,644,248 
Microvast Holdings, Inc.(a)   957,177    2,096,218 
Nikola Corp.(a)(b)   1,702,543    4,460,663 
Plug Power, Inc.(a)(b)   1,499,999    23,939,984 
Proterra, Inc.(a)(b)   1,334,156    7,391,224 
Shoals Technologies Group, Inc., Class A(a)   400,138    11,591,998 
Stem, Inc.(a)(b)   950,428    12,422,094 
SunPower Corp.(a)(b)   554,385    13,443,836 
Sunrun, Inc.(a)   1,235,526    40,253,437 
TPI Composites, Inc.(a)   234,150    2,828,532 
Total Industrials        198,811,245 
           
Information Technology (15.97%)          
Enphase Energy, Inc.(a)   139,061    44,581,565 
First Solar, Inc.(a)   307,027    52,971,369 
Itron, Inc.(a)   292,234    15,541,004 
Total Information Technology        113,093,938 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Materials (4.60%)          
Livent Corp.(a)   1,162,631   $32,542,042 
           
Utilities (19.24%)          
Altus Power, Inc.(a)   216,834    1,550,363 
Boralex, Inc., Class A(b)   666,942    18,746,665 
Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C   532,025    18,854,966 
Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc.(b)   1,005,071    12,582,534 
Montauk Renewables, Inc.(a)(b)   388,225    4,685,876 
Northland Power, Inc.   1,143,467    32,387,535 
Ormat Technologies, Inc.(b)   279,240    25,251,673 
Sunnova Energy International, Inc.(a)(b)   644,123    14,705,328 
TransAlta Renewables, Inc.(b)   695,494    7,388,477 
Total Utilities        136,153,417 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $728,185,609)        627,283,693 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (11.23%)          
Energy (1.62%)          
Enviva, Inc.(b)   202,325    11,481,944 
           
Utilities (9.61%)          
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP   1,047,446    29,566,609 
NextEra Energy Partners LP(b)   477,391    38,425,202 
Total Utilities        67,991,811 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $81,873,114)        79,473,755 
 15 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (13.81%)      
Money Market Fund (0.06%)      
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $438,918)   3.69%   438,918   $438,918 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (13.75%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $97,315,282)        97,315,282    97,315,282 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $97,754,200)             97,754,200 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (113.65%)               
(Cost $907,812,923)            $804,511,648 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-13.65%)             (96,600,794)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $707,910,854 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $162,310,785.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 16 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.04%)          
Communication Services (1.36%)          
Netflix, Inc.(a)   5,442   $1,662,694 
           
Consumer Discretionary (3.79%)          
ADT, Inc.   151,699    1,416,869 
Garmin, Ltd.   13,795    1,282,797 
iRobot Corp.(a)   21,082    1,098,161 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   4,275    832,343 
Total Consumer Discretionary        4,630,170 
           
Financials (4.42%)          
American Express Co.   8,101    1,276,637 
Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR(b)   22,163    1,682,172 
Moody's Corp.   4,203    1,253,628 
S&P Global, Inc.   3,387    1,194,934 
Total Financials        5,407,371 
           
Health Care (12.81%)          
ABIOMED, Inc.(a)   4,500    1,700,054 
Align Technology, Inc.(a)   4,847    953,211 
Boston Scientific Corp.(a)   29,069    1,315,954 
Cutera, Inc.(a)(c)   24,894    1,184,457 
Dexcom, Inc.(a)   13,556    1,576,292 
DiaSorin SpA(c)   9,274    1,225,139 
HealthEquity, Inc.(a)   18,854    1,196,852 
Insulet Corp.(a)   4,608    1,379,497 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)   5,788    1,565,017 
PROCEPT BioRobotics Corp.(a)   24,908    1,068,553 
ResMed, Inc.   5,319    1,224,434 
Smith & Nephew PLC, Sponsored ADR   48,096    1,275,506 
Total Health Care        15,664,966 
           
Industrials (16.46%)          
ABB, Ltd., Sponsored ADR(c)   44,465    1,400,203 
AeroVironment, Inc.(a)   12,180    1,120,438 
AutoStore Holdings, Ltd.(a)(b)(c)(d)   923,988    1,671,039 
Experian PLC   39,942    1,398,475 
FANUC Corp.   7,793    1,149,283 
Proto Labs, Inc.(a)   32,248    855,217 
RELX PLC, Sponsored ADR(c)   47,513    1,338,916 
Schneider Electric SE   10,210    1,475,965 
Sensata Technologies Holding PLC   30,231    1,363,418 
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA(a)   68,975    1,294,116 
Thomson Reuters Corp.(c)   11,134    1,311,017 
TransUnion   16,194    1,021,518 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)          
Verisk Analytics, Inc.   6,518   $1,197,422 
Vestas Wind Systems A/S   50,693    1,272,866 
Wolters Kluwer NV   12,191    1,334,568 
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Class H   844,200    906,783 
Total Industrials        20,111,244 
           
Information Technology (58.38%)          
Adobe, Inc.(a)   3,211    1,107,570 
Adyen NV(a)(b)(d)   857    1,305,414 
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.(a)   17,528    874,647 
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.(a)   53,621    1,669,758 
ams-OSRAM AG(a)   177,296    1,440,103 
ANSYS, Inc.(a)   4,896    1,245,053 
Autodesk, Inc.(a)   5,915    1,194,534 
Black Knight, Inc.(a)   18,803    1,165,598 
Block, Inc., Class A(a)   17,581    1,191,464 
Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.(a)   10,324    1,371,337 
Cognex Corp.   27,910    1,389,360 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)   6,902    812,020 
CyberArk Software, Ltd.(a)   8,531    1,271,716 
Dassault Systemes SE   32,060    1,170,498 
Datadog, Inc., Class A(a)   12,673    960,360 
Dynatrace, Inc.(a)   31,202    1,209,078 
FARO Technologies, Inc.(a)   36,652    1,096,628 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   13,794    1,001,169 
First Solar, Inc.(a)   9,016    1,555,530 
Fiserv, Inc.(a)   11,740    1,225,187 
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a)   5,789    1,135,802 
Fortinet, Inc.(a)   23,987    1,275,148 
Gen Digital, Inc.   53,071    1,218,510 
Global Payments, Inc.   9,424    978,023 
GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.   16,600    1,461,771 
Guidewire Software, Inc.(a)   18,296    1,085,136 
Intuit, Inc.   2,828    1,152,665 
Itron, Inc.(a)   25,090    1,334,286 
Keyence Corp.   3,309    1,369,224 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   3,771    1,343,984 
Materialise NV, ADR(a)   101,053    975,161 
Nemetschek SE   21,388    1,037,150 
Okta, Inc.(a)   19,800    1,055,736 
Omron Corp.   24,300    1,239,548 
Pagseguro Digital, Ltd., Class A(a)(c)   84,467    889,438 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)   6,805    1,156,170 
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)   12,884    1,010,234 
 17 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)          
PTC, Inc.(a)   10,374   $1,319,676 
Qorvo, Inc.(a)   13,618    1,351,587 
Qualys, Inc.(a)   8,063    994,329 
Renishaw PLC   31,248    1,390,474 
Salesforce, Inc.(a)   7,930    1,270,783 
SAP SE, Sponsored ADR   14,535    1,611,496 
ServiceNow, Inc.(a)   2,746    1,143,160 
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a)   9,865    1,434,765 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   12,434    1,188,939 
Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)   6,886    984,009 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a)   3,936    1,176,313 
Splunk, Inc.(a)   13,888    1,078,820 
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.   21,910    1,177,882 
Stratasys, Ltd.(a)   74,521    1,045,530 
Temenos AG   15,303    922,789 
Trend Micro, Inc.(c)   21,253    1,048,106 
Visa, Inc., Class A   6,170    1,338,890 
VMware, Inc., Class A(a)   10,633    1,291,802 
Workday, Inc., Class A(a)   7,401    1,242,628 
Xero, Ltd.(a)   21,033    1,008,465 
Xinyi Solar Holdings, Ltd.   946,000    1,091,220 
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A(a)   15,452    1,165,544 
Zscaler, Inc.(a)   8,049    1,074,139 
Total Information Technology        71,326,356 
           
Real Estate (1.07%)          
Equinix, Inc.   1,899    1,311,544 
           
Utilities (0.75%)          
China Longyuan Power Group Corp., Ltd., Class H   757,000    922,633 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $140,738,263)        121,036,978 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (0.76%)          
Utilities (0.76%)          
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP   32,989    931,192 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $979,249)        931,192 
   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (4.20%)      
Money Market Fund (0.11%)      
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $138,234)   3.69%   138,234   $138,234 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (4.09%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $5,000,014)        5,000,014    5,000,014 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $5,138,248)             5,138,248 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (104.00%)               
(Cost $146,855,760)            $127,106,418 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-4.00%)             (4,892,834)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $122,213,584 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2022, the market value of those securities was $4,658,625 representing 3.81% of net assets.
(c)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $5,154,490.
(d)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $2,976,453, representing 2.44% of net assets.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 18 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.86%)          
Communication Services (3.94%)          
TripAdvisor, Inc.(a)   764   $15,578 
Walt Disney Co.(a)   3,023    295,861 
Total Communication Services        311,439 
           
Consumer Discretionary (43.47%)          
Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)   2,859    292,017 
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)   176    365,983 
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.(a)   1,384    70,321 
Choice Hotels International, Inc.   332    40,909 
Churchill Downs, Inc.   281    62,371 
Dufry AG(a)   515    20,801 
Expedia Group, Inc.(a)   1,183    126,392 
Flight Centre Travel Group, Ltd.(a)   1,621    17,670 
Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.   21,000    125,555 
H World Group, Ltd.   13,700    54,285 
Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.(a)   932    41,027 
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.   2,503    356,977 
Intercontinental Hotels Group   922    53,306 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.(a)   2,256    105,671 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   529    405,869 
Marriott International, Inc., Class A   2,130    352,195 
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   331    49,312 
MGM Resorts International   2,796    103,061 
Moncler SpA   1,184    60,434 
Oriental Land Co., Ltd.   1,160    165,655 
Penn Entertainment, Inc.(a)   1,248    43,917 
Samsonite International SA(a)(b)(c)   17,400    46,335 
Sonder Holdings, Inc.(a)   8,486    15,020 
Thule Group AB(b)(c)   802    18,687 
Tongcheng Travel Holdings, Ltd.(a)(c)   7,600    16,230 
Trainline PLC(a)(b)(c)   4,785    19,285 
Trip.com Group, Ltd., ADR(a)   6,732    215,087 
TUI AG(a)   12,328    21,796 
Vacasa, Inc.(a)   4,751    7,459 
Vail Resorts, Inc.   367    94,517 
WH Smith PLC   1,172    19,959 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Consumer Discretionary (continued)          
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   743   $54,477 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,442,580 
           
Consumer Staples (12.76%)          
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A   1,366    322,089 
Hormel Foods Corp.   2,325    109,275 
L'Oreal SA   996    367,730 
Premium Brands Holdings Corp.   255    16,081 
Shiseido Co., Ltd.   4,670    196,114 
Total Consumer Staples        1,011,289 
           
Financials (4.41%)          
American Express Co.   2,216    349,219 
           
Industrials (27.99%)          
Aena SME SA(a)(b)(c)   418    53,632 
Air China, Ltd., Class H(a)(d)   21,000    16,669 
Airports of Thailand PCL(a)   13,800    29,349 
Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a)   1,326    62,905 
American Airlines Group, Inc.(a)   3,927    56,667 
ANA Holdings, Inc.(a)   2,800    59,705 
Auckland International Airport, Ltd.(a)   9,647    48,876 
Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)   119    26,608 
China Airlines, Ltd.   81,000    47,438 
China Southern Airlines Co., Ltd., Class H(a)(d)   38,000    22,476 
Cintas Corp.   760    350,953 
Dassault Aviation SA   144    22,657 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.(a)   5,030    177,911 
Deutsche Lufthansa AG(a)   3,054    24,334 
Elis SA   1,512    19,667 
Eva Airways Corp.   68,000    61,497 
Flughafen Zurich AG(a)   116    19,124 
Grab Holdings, Ltd.(a)   13,445    40,604 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR   392    63,719 
Grupo Aeroportuario del          
Sureste SAB de CV, Class B   2,030    50,222 
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a)   993    17,080 
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.(a)   4,043    78,018 
Localiza Rent a Car SA   4,935    57,155 
Lyft, Inc., Class A(a)   1,094    12,275 
Qantas Airways, Ltd.(a)   23,275    98,579 
Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(a)   275    20,815 
Sixt SE   195    18,658 
Southwest Airlines Co.(a)   5,686    226,928 
 19 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)          
Swvl Holdings Corp.(a)   12,257   $4,535 
Textron, Inc.   1,641    117,135 
Uber Technologies, Inc.(a)   7,273    211,935 
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.(a)   2,241    98,985 
Total Industrials        2,217,111 
           
Information Technology (3.98%)          
Agilysys, Inc.(a)   382    25,365 
Amadeus IT Group SA(a)   4,303    229,528 
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)   457    42,478 
Sabre Corp.(a)   2,864    17,499 
Total Information Technology        314,870 
           
Real Estate (3.31%)          
Gaming and Leisure          
Properties, Inc.   2,634    138,575 
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   6,543    123,924 
Total Real Estate        262,499 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $8,626,832)        7,909,007 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.59%)      
Money Market Fund (0.14%)      
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $11,318)   3.69%   11,318    11,318 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (0.45%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $35,640)        35,640    35,640 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $46,958)             46,958 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.45%)               
(Cost $8,673,790)            $7,955,965 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.45%)             (35,251)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $7,920,714 
(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $137,939, representing 1.74% of net assets.
(c)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2022, the market value of those securities was $154,169 representing 1.95% of net assets.
(d)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $35,256.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 20 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.95%)          
Biotechnology (98.61%)          
4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   20,890   $504,911 
Aadi Bioscience, Inc.(a)   13,556    181,379 
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   104,428    1,626,988 
Adaptimmune Therapeutics PLC, ADR(a)(b)   104,441    226,637 
ADC Therapeutics SA(a)   45,643    167,053 
Adicet Bio, Inc.(a)(b)   25,834    469,662 
Affimed NV(a)(b)   94,167    201,517 
Agenus, Inc.(a)(b)   182,707    493,309 
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   35,371    1,066,082 
Akero Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   24,243    1,127,300 
Albireo Pharma, Inc.(a)(b)   12,654    279,400 
Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   37,629    210,722 
Alector, Inc.(a)   53,279    452,339 
Alkermes PLC(a)   105,978    2,626,135 
Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   92,794    914,949 
Allovir, Inc.(a)(b)   60,054    451,006 
Altimmune, Inc.(a)   31,629    314,709 
ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.(a)   26,293    291,852 
Amarin Corp. PLC, ADR(a)(b)   260,034    299,039 
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   180,987    2,189,943 
AnaptysBio, Inc.(a)(b)   18,218    503,363 
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.(a)(b)   50,287    443,531 
Arbutus Biopharma Corp.(a)(b)   96,758    227,381 
Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(a)   17,153    316,301 
Arcus Biosciences, Inc.(a)   46,562    1,637,586 
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)   38,827    668,989 
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   68,296    2,199,131 
Ascendis Pharma A/S, ADR(a)   36,006    4,430,899 
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   91,548    469,641 
Autolus Therapeutics PLC, ADR(a)(b)   58,651    154,839 
Avidity Biosciences, Inc.(a)   33,632    391,476 
BELLUS Health, Inc.(a)   80,766    797,160 
Bicycle Therapeutics PLC, ADR(a)(b)   19,141    554,323 
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   119,982    1,602,959 
Bioxcel Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   18,079    299,569 
C4 Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   31,561    270,478 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   66,309    1,112,002 
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   30,168    1,118,931 
Centessa Pharmaceuticals PLC, ADR(a)(b)   60,862    243,448 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Biotechnology (continued)          
Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   100,494   $2,910,307 
Chinook Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   61,279    919,114 
Cogent Biosciences, Inc.(a)   42,430    533,769 
Compass Pathways PLC, ADR(a)(b)   27,440    282,632 
Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   30,939    149,126 
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   34,682    619,767 
CRISPR Therapeutics AG(a)(b)   50,340    2,758,128 
Cullinan Oncology, Inc.(a)   29,426    365,765 
Cytokinetics, Inc.(a)(b)   60,752    2,581,960 
Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   47,403    1,006,366 
Denali Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   79,591    2,539,749 
Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   8,567    311,153 
Editas Medicine, Inc.(a)(b)   44,351    470,121 
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(a)   32,170    395,691 
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   13,371    585,516 
EQRx, Inc.(a)   289,153    1,087,215 
Erasca, Inc.(a)   78,818    595,076 
Essa Pharma, Inc.(a)(b)   28,447    104,969 
Fate Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   62,586    1,303,041 
FibroGen, Inc.(a)   60,490    869,241 
Galapagos NV, Sponsored ADR(a)(b)   42,841    1,703,787 
HilleVax, Inc.(a)   21,569    431,380 
Icosavax, Inc.(a)(b)   25,731    85,942 
Ideaya Biosciences, Inc.(a)   25,367    453,562 
I-Mab, ADR(a)   53,325    197,303 
Imago Biosciences, Inc.(a)(b)   21,766    776,829 
Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR(a)   28,306    1,777,900 
ImmunoGen, Inc.(a)   142,407    739,092 
Immunovant, Inc.(a)   75,219    986,121 
Instil Bio, Inc.(a)(b)   83,688    111,305 
Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   49,045    2,523,856 
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   19,230    286,719 
Invivyd, Inc.(a)   70,218    158,693 
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   91,576    3,735,386 
Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)   101,816    651,622 
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   98,866    1,197,267 
iTeos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   22,951    462,463 
IVERIC bio, Inc.(a)   76,195    1,799,726 
Jounce Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   33,354    29,352 
KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   15,856    85,464 
 21 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Biotechnology (continued)          
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   21,578   $5,077,520 
Keros Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   16,615    828,092 
Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.(a)   44,110    344,499 
Kodiak Sciences, Inc.(a)   33,587    247,872 
Kronos Bio, Inc.(a)   36,623    69,584 
Krystal Biotech, Inc.(a)   16,564    1,287,685 
Kura Oncology, Inc.(a)   43,166    680,728 
LianBio, ADR(a)(b)   69,098    108,484 
MannKind Corp.(a)(b)   166,037    777,053 
Merus NV(a)(b)   29,607    454,467 
MiMedx Group, Inc.(a)   73,301    238,228 
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   35,878    3,278,533 
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics(a)   23,821    229,396 
Novavax, Inc.(a)(b)   50,470    832,250 
Nuvalent, Inc.(a)   27,733    911,861 
Ocugen, Inc.(a)   139,730    217,979 
Organogenesis Holdings, Inc.(a)   84,456    231,409 
PMV Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   29,433    293,741 
Point Biopharma Global, Inc.(a)   58,154    396,029 
Prometheus Biosciences, Inc.(a)   26,397    1,085,181 
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   31,678    250,573 
Prothena Corp. PLC(a)   30,276    1,892,553 
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   46,154    1,914,929 
Rallybio Corp.(a)   20,732    119,416 
RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   19,133    338,271 
Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   106,546    1,001,532 
REGENXBIO, Inc.(a)   27,897    666,738 
Repare Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   27,058    433,740 
Replimune Group, Inc.(a)   31,820    651,355 
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   111,517    74,895 
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   42,610    804,477 
Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   38,342    1,573,556 
Seres Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   80,055    520,358 
SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   31,897    771,269 
Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   25,433    191,765 
Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   36,488    874,252 
Tango Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   56,814    426,673 
Travere Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   41,269    830,745 
uniQure NV(a)(b)   30,149    797,743 
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   36,446    397,626 
Vaxart, Inc.(a)(b)   81,630    96,323 
Vaxcyte, Inc.(a)   38,275    1,762,947 
VBI Vaccines, Inc.(a)(b)   166,629    86,647 
Vera Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   17,453    291,465 
Vericel Corp.(a)   30,435    694,831 
Vir Biotechnology, Inc.(a)   85,587    2,415,265 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Biotechnology (continued)          
Viridian Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   24,631   $622,425 
Xencor, Inc.(a)   38,514    1,144,636 
Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   40,172    1,481,543 
Zai Lab, Ltd., ADR(a)   66,684    2,571,335 
Total Biotechnology        113,409,888 
           
Health Care Providers & Services (0.65%)          
OPKO Health, Inc.(a)(b)   498,088    747,132 
           
Pharmaceuticals (0.69%)          
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   10,893    794,100 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $127,157,082)        114,951,120 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (6.46%)      
Money Market Fund (0.08%)      
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $95,179)   3.69%   95,179    95,179 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (6.38%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $7,329,078)        7,329,078    7,329,078 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $7,424,257)             7,424,257 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (106.41%)               
(Cost $134,581,339)            $122,375,377 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-6.41%)             (7,366,801)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $115,008,576 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $12,973,826. See Notes to Financial Statements
 22 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

   ALPS Clean Energy ETF   ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 
ASSETS:                    
Investments, at value(a)  $804,511,648   $127,106,418   $7,955,965   $122,375,377 
Foreign Currency, at value (Cost $34,097, $30, $– and $–)   34,097    32         
Dividends receivable   992,836    155,844    4,467    4,922 
Due from Authorized Participant   3,444,433             
Receivable for shares sold               2,347,114 
Total Assets   808,983,014    127,262,294    7,960,432    124,727,413 
                     
LIABILITIES:                    
Payable to adviser   312,209    48,696    4,078    42,479 
Payable for investments purchased   3,444,669            2,347,280 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   97,315,282    5,000,014    35,640    7,329,078 
Total Liabilities   101,072,160    5,048,710    39,718    9,718,837 
NET ASSETS  $707,910,854   $122,213,584   $7,920,714   $115,008,576 
                     
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                    
Paid-in capital  $928,666,797   $159,327,519   $9,487,310   $260,687,365 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   (220,755,943)   (37,113,935)   (1,566,596)   (145,678,789)
NET ASSETS  $707,910,854   $122,213,584   $7,920,714   $115,008,576 
                     
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $907,812,923   $146,855,760   $8,673,790   $134,581,339 
                     
PRICING OF SHARES                    
Net Assets  $707,910,854   $122,213,584   $7,920,714   $115,008,576 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   12,700,002    3,500,002    375,002    3,675,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $55.74   $34.92   $21.12   $31.29 

 

(a)Includes $162,310,785, $5,154,490, $35,256 and $12,973,826 of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 23 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Statements of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

   ALPS Clean Energy ETF   ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                    
Dividends*  $5,315,090   $695,505   $39,436   $715 
Securities Lending Income   3,851,234    23,421    1,544    128,789 
Total Investment Income   9,166,324    718,926    40,980    129,504 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser fees   4,050,594    793,281    57,189    610,816 
Total Expenses   4,050,594    793,281    57,189    610,816 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME/(LOSS)   5,115,730    (74,355)   (16,209)   (481,312)
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS                    
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(a)   (19,724,263)   4,744,055    (512,883)   (64,609,014)
Net realized gain/(loss) on foreign currency transactions   (50,285)   44,186    (960)    
Total net realized gain/(loss)   (19,774,548)   4,788,241    (513,843)   (64,609,014)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (235,887,640)   (64,941,945)   (342,636)   14,490,450 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   4,374    2,289    (22)    
Total net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (235,883,266)   (64,939,656)   (342,658)   14,490,450 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (255,657,814)   (60,151,415)   (856,501)   (50,118,564)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(250,542,084)  $(60,225,770)  $(872,710)  $(50,599,876)
*Net of foreign tax withholding.  $467,857   $66,068   $2,410   $ 

 

(a)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 24 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income  $5,115,730   $2,492,485 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (19,774,548)   85,403,452 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (235,883,266)   (103,058,310)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (250,542,084)   (15,162,373)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (2,463,315)   (2,023,844)
From tax return of capital   (3,378,816)   (3,160,255)
Total distributions   (5,842,131)   (5,184,099)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   203,438,962    667,197,824 
Cost of shares redeemed   (253,910,852)   (241,541,495)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (50,471,890)   425,656,329 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (306,856,105)   405,309,857 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   1,014,766,959    609,457,102 
End of year  $707,910,854   $1,014,766,959 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   13,725,002    8,700,002 
Shares sold   3,625,000    8,400,000 
Shares redeemed   (4,650,000)   (3,375,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   12,700,002    13,725,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 25 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income/(loss)  $(74,355)  $676,422 
Net realized gain   4,788,241    14,565,809 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (64,939,656)   5,497,585 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (60,225,770)   20,739,816 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (621,900)   (633,863)
Total distributions   (621,900)   (633,863)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   14,781,795    100,271,458 
Cost of shares redeemed   (69,266,142)   (33,290,851)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (54,484,347)   66,980,607 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (115,332,017)   87,086,560 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   237,545,601    150,459,041 
End of year  $122,213,584   $237,545,601 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   4,925,002    3,500,002 
Shares sold   325,000    2,125,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,750,000)   (700,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   3,500,002    4,925,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 26 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Period September 8, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income/(loss)  $(16,209)  $12,482 
Net realized loss   (513,843)   (19,713)
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (342,658)   (375,185)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (872,710)   (382,416)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From distributable earnings   (12,194)    
Total distributions   (12,194)    
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   9,593,771    8,047,426 
Cost of shares redeemed   (8,453,163)    
Net increase from capital share transactions   1,140,608    8,047,426 
Net increase in net assets   255,704    7,665,010 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   7,665,010     
End of period  $7,920,714   $7,665,010 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   325,002     
Shares sold   450,000    325,002 
Shares redeemed   (400,000)    
Shares outstanding, end of period   375,002    325,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 27 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment loss  $(481,312)  $(852,170)
Net realized gain/(loss)   (64,609,014)   46,250,415 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   14,490,450    (77,077,650)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (50,599,876)   (31,679,405)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   23,693,301    97,970,744 
Cost of shares redeemed   (47,014,164)   (119,904,054)
Net decrease from capital share transactions   (23,320,863)   (21,933,310)
Net decrease in net assets   (73,920,739)   (53,612,715)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   188,929,315    242,542,030 
End of year  $115,008,576   $188,929,315 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   4,400,000    4,950,000 
Shares sold   725,000    1,800,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,450,000)   (2,350,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   3,675,000    4,400,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 28 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Period June 28, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $73.94   $70.05   $32.23   $25.03   $24.95 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   0.39    0.20    0.25    0.32    0.09 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (18.14)   4.11    38.08    7.42    (0.01)
Total from investment operations   (17.75)   4.31    38.33    7.74    0.08 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.19)   (0.17)   (0.18)   (0.23)    
Tax return of capital   (0.26)   (0.25)   (0.33)   (0.31)    
Total distributions   (0.45)   (0.42)   (0.51)   (0.54)    
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (18.20)   3.89    37.82    7.20    0.08 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $55.74   $73.94   $70.05   $32.23   $25.03 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (24.00)%   6.16%   120.45%   31.28%   0.32%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $707,911   $1,014,767   $609,457   $106,359   $16,271 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.55%   0.56%(c)    0.65%   0.65%   0.65%(d) 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.69%   0.26%   0.57%   1.10%   0.89%(d) 
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   44%   39%   34%   15%   9%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Effective January 1, 2021, the Fund's Advisory Fee changed from 0.65% to 0.55%.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 29 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Period December 28, 2017 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $48.23   $42.99   $31.88   $26.21   $25.08 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income/(loss)(a)   (0.02)   0.15    0.25    0.14    0.13 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (13.17)   5.26    11.00    5.61    1.00(b) 
Total from investment operations   (13.19)   5.41    11.25    5.75    1.13 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.12)   (0.17)   (0.14)   (0.08)    
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.17)   (0.14)   (0.08)    
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (13.31)   5.24    11.11    5.67    1.13 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $34.92   $48.23   $42.99   $31.88   $26.21 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (27.41)%   12.60%   35.42%   22.04%   4.47%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $122,214   $237,546   $150,459   $74,910   $48,483 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%(d) 
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.05)%   0.31%   0.72%   0.48%   0.53%(d) 
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   31%   26%   38%   42%   33%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized gain on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized loss in the Statements of Operations for the period ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 30 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Period September 8, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $23.58   $24.91 
           
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income/(loss)(a)   (0.04)   0.05 
Net realized and unrealized loss   (2.39)   (1.38)
Total from investment operations   (2.43)   (1.33)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From net investment income   (0.03)    
Total distributions   (0.03)    
           
Net (decrease) in net asset value   (2.46)   (1.33)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $21.12   $23.58 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (10.27)%   (5.34)%
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:          
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $7,921   $7,665 
           
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.65%   0.65%(c) 
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.18)%   0.82%(c) 
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   57%   19%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 31 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $42.94   $49.00   $39.51   $33.59   $31.70 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income/(loss)(a)   (0.13)   (0.18)   (0.13)   0.03    (0.10)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (11.52)   (5.88)   9.64    6.67    2.57(b)  
Total from investment operations   (11.65)   (6.06)   9.51    6.70    2.47 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income           (0.02)   (0.78)   (0.58)
Total distributions           (0.02)   (0.78)   (0.58)
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (11.65)   (6.06)   9.49    5.92    1.89 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $31.29   $42.94   $49.00   $39.51   $33.59 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (27.13)%   (12.37)%   24.07%   20.99%   7.81%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $115,009   $188,929   $242,542   $197,570   $221,694 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.39)%   (0.36)%   (0.33)%   0.09%   (0.27)%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   88%   81%   68%   88%   48%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized gain on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized loss in the Statements of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 32 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

The investment objective of the ALPS Clean Energy ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the S-Network Global Travel Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index.

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund. ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF have elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 33 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability; including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
   
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.
 34 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $627,283,693   $   $   $627,283,693 
Master Limited Partnerships*   79,473,755            79,473,755 
Short Term Investments   97,754,200            97,754,200 
Total  $804,511,648   $   $   $804,511,648 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $121,036,978   $   $   $121,036,978 
Master Limited Partnerships*   931,192            931,192 
Short Term Investments   5,138,248            5,138,248 
Total  $127,106,418   $   $   $127,106,418 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF                
Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $7,909,007   $   $   $7,909,007 
Short Term Investments   46,958            46,958 
Total  $7,955,965   $   $   $7,955,965 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $114,951,120   $   $   $114,951,120 
Short Term Investments   7,424,257            7,424,257 
Total  $122,375,377   $   $   $122,375,377 

 

*For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Foreign Investment Risk

The Funds may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors. The Fund will not enter into transactions to hedge against declines in the value of the Fund’s assets that are denominated in foreign currency.

 

Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.

 35 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of the Fund, the value of the Funds’ securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Fund. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.

 

D. Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.

 

E. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income for the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, if any, are declared and paid annually or as the Board may determine from time to time. Dividends from net investment income for ALPS Clean Energy ETF, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

G. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $51,104,581   $(51,104,581)
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   17,201,594    (17,201,594)
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   299,276    (299,276)
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   (10,218,894)   10,218,894 

 

Included in the amounts reclassified was a net operating loss offset to Paid-in Capital as follows:

 

   Paid-in Capital 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $ 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF    
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   16,966 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   601,772 
 36 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022               
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $2,463,315   $   $3,378,816 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   621,900         
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   12,194         
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF            

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021               
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $2,023,844   $   $3,160,255 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   633,863         
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF            
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF            

 

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $95,237,759   $17,824,699 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   9,594,458    6,638,043 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   770,617    68,861 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   81,852,451    50,190,516 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Accumulated Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   Other Accumulated  Losses(a)   Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments   Total 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $   $(113,062,458)  $   $(107,693,485)  $(220,755,943)
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF       (16,232,501)   (93,177)   (20,788,257)   (37,113,935)
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF       (839,478)   (104)   (727,014)   (1,566,596)
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF       (132,042,967)   (413,192)   (13,222,630)   (145,678,789)

 

(a)Other accumulated losses represents late year ordinary losses the Fund elects to defer to the year ending November 30, 2023.
 37 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

Fund  ALPS Clean Energy ETF   ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $101,756,757   $10,744,487   $336,337   $20,753,364 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (209,451,394)   (31,534,866)   (1,063,332)   (33,975,994)
Net appreciation/(depreciation) of foreign currency   1,152    2,122    (19)    
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $(107,693,485)  $(20,788,257)  $(727,014)  $(13,222,630)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $912,206,285   $147,896,797   $8,682,960   $135,598,007 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales, investments in partnerships and investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

H. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Each Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

I. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Funds have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend their portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. Each Funds’ securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with each Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in a Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of each Fund, and each Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 38 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following is a summary of each Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2022:

 

Fund  Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $162,310,785   $97,315,282   $61,664,500   $158,979,782 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   5,154,490    5,000,014    202,098    5,202,112 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   35,256    35,640        35,640 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   12,973,826    7,329,078    5,717,977    13,047,055 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received. The following tables reflect a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $97,315,282   $   $   $   $97,315,282 
Total Borrowings                       97,315,282 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)    $97,315,282 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $5,000,014   $   $   $   $5,000,014 
Total Borrowings                       5,000,014 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)    $5,000,014 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $35,640   $   $   $   $35,640 
Total Borrowings                       35,640 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)    $35,640 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $7,329,078   $   $   $   $7,329,078 
Total Borrowings                       7,329,078 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)    $7,329,078 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 39 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Fund Advisory Fee
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 0.55%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 0.50%
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 0.65%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 0.50%

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund's expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator for the Funds.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $332,361,831   $331,976,581 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   49,926,252    50,282,898 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   5,084,806    4,960,320 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   109,147,623    109,526,765 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $198,444,514   $247,677,009 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   14,720,020    69,259,744 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   9,269,955    8,270,922 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   23,696,044    47,008,604 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the in-kind net realized gain/(loss) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $57,641,943 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   18,070,066 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   323,693 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   (8,477,163)

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 40 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

 

The Funds are subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause each Fund to lose value. Securities in each Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities each Fund holds, and may adversely affect each Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of each Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Funds.

 

7. CONCENTRATION RISK

 

 

Each Fund seeks to track an underlying index, which itself may have concentration in certain regions, economies, countries, markets, industries or sectors. Underperformance or increased risk in such concentrated areas may result in underperformance or increased risk in the Fund.

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 41 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Funds file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

The Funds designate the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

Fund Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 76.58% 15.40%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 100.00% 100.00%
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 77.73% 28.51%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 0.00% 0.00%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

LICENSING AGREEMENT

 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

CIBC NTC is the designer of the construction and methodology for the Underlying Index. “CIBC NTC” and “CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index” are service marks or trademarks of the Index Provider. CIBC NTC acts as brand licensor for the Underlying Index and is not responsible for the descriptions of the Fund that appear herein.

 

The Fund is not sponsored by CIBC NTC or any of its affiliates. CIBC NTC makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or commodities generally or in the Fund particularly. CIBC NTC does not guarantee the quality, accuracy or completeness of the Underlying Index or any Underlying Index data included herein or derived therefrom and assumes no liability in connection with their use. The Underlying Index is determined and composed without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. CIBC NTC has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser, the Fund or the shareholders of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. CIBC NTC is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the Fund.

 

CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. CIBC NTC makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Adviser, the Fund, Fund shareholders or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. CIBC NTC makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall CIBC NTC have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

All intellectual property rights in the Underlying Index vests in CIBC NTC.

 42 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The Underlying Index is the property of CIBC NTC, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) to calculate and maintain the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is not sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices or its affiliates or its third party licensors (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices will not be liable for any errors or omissions in calculating the Underlying Index. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and the related stylized mark(s) are service marks of S&P Dow Jones Indices and have been licensed for use by CIBC NTC. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”), and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”).

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to CIBC NTC with respect to the Underlying Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and the provision of the calculation services related to the Underlying Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY CIBC NTC, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.

 

The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”). The Index Provider has entered into a license agreement with the Adviser (the “License Agreement”). The use of the Underlying Index by the Adviser and the Fund is subject to the terms of the License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions on the Fund’s ability to use the Underlying Index.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

“Indxx” is a service mark of Indxx, LLC (“Indxx” or the “Index Provider”) and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”).

 

The ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Indxx. Indxx makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF particularly. Indxx has no obligation to take the needs of ALPS Advisors, Inc. or the shareholders of ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Underlying Index. Indxx is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, amount or pricing of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF shares to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is to be converted into cash. Indxx has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.

 

INDXX MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX(ES), TRADING BASED ON THE INDEX(ES), OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCTS, OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. INDXX EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, INDXX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX(ES) OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY DATA SUPPLIED BY IT OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE FUNDS, ITS SHAREHOLDERS OR AFFILIATES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE DATA SUPPLIED BY INDXX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA SUPPLIED BY INDXX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL INDXX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 43 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

S-Network and S-Network Global Travel Index are service marks of S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. ("S-Network") and have been licensed for use by the ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS” or the “Adviser”). The Fund is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network or its affiliates. S-Network makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the purchasers or owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S-Network's only relationship to the Fund is the licensing of the service marks and the Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by S-Network without regard to ALPS or the Fund. S-Network is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund issued by ALPS. S-Network has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

S-NETWORK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S-NETWORK GLOBAL TRAVEL INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND S-NETWORK SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. S-NETWORK MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S-NETWORK GLOBAL TRAVEL INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S-NETWORK MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE S-NETWORK GLOBAL TRAVEL INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, UNLESS ARISING AS A RESULT OF S-NETWORK'S (i) GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, (ii) BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS: OR (iii) INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS, S-NETWORK SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of the physical commodities market. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 44 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

Standard & Poor’s Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s®, and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 45 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (“ACES”), the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (“DTEC”) and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (“SBIO”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the investment parameters of the index of each Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Board also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between each underlying index and its corresponding Fund’s performance. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate for ACES is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The gross management fee rates for DTEC and SBIO are approximately equal to the median of their respective FUSE expense groups. DTEC's and SBIO's net expense ratios are at the median of their respective FUSE expense groups. ACES' net expense ratio is slightly above the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Funds. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed and noted the relatively small sizes of DTEC and SBIO and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. With respect to ACES, the Independent Trustees noted that the Fund’s asset levels have decreased over the prior year and that current profitability levels were not unreasonable. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 46 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES    
Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,

1940

Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

Jeremy W. Deems,

1976

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson,

1952

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014-  2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.
 47 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Edmund J. Burke,

1961

Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web-based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.
 48 | November 30, 2022 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:  
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Laton Spahr,

1975

President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.

Matthew Sutula,

1985

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

Kathryn Burns,

1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

Michael P. Lawlor,

1969

Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 49 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 13
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 14
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 15
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 22
Statements of Operations 23
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 24
Financial Highlights 28
Notes to Financial Statements 32
Additional Information 41
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements 43
Trustees and Officers 44

 

alpsfunds.com

 
 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or “SDOG”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S&P 500® Total Return Index (“SPX”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the Real Estate sector, that make up the S&P 500® Total Return Index which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, for the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, generated a total return of 10.42%, in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 10.81%. The Fund greatly outperformed the S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500), which returned -9.21% for the same period.

 

The trailing twelve-month (TTM) yield for the Fund’s underlying constituents as of November 30, 2022 was 3.77% vs. 1.57% for the S&P 500®.

 

The S&P 500 returned -9.21% for the TTM period ended November 30, 2022, as fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the US, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows US Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., offset by CPI of 7.7%. Looking forward, markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the S&P 500 Price-to-Earnings ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for U.S. and global equities.

 

Compared to the S&P 500, the Fund saw a positive impact from security selection and asset allocation, leading to an approximately 2,000 bps outperformance over the S&P 500. The asset allocation outperformance was largely driven by relative over-weightings to cyclical sectors including Energy and Materials, while the security selection outperformance was mainly attributed to SDOG’s selection of high-yielding value securities across all sectors (excluding the Real Estate sector) that far outperformed core and growth year-to-date. The Fund also saw a negative impact (-7.48%) from selection effect, with Information Technology lagging all other sectors and detracting 3.32%. The Fund’s Health Care, Energy, and Industrials sectors led in terms of contribution to overall return over the TTM period.

 

The best performing stocks in the fund for the period were Valero Energy Corp. (VLO), which increased 106.85%, Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), which saw a gain of 93.39%, and Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH), rising 79.58%. The largest detractors for the Fund were Lumen Technologies Inc. (LUMN), which decreased 52.60%, VF Corp. (VFC), which fell 52.30%, and Seagate Technology Holdings (STX), which lost 41.15%.

 

Looking ahead, the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest yielding securities in each of the ten sectors (excluding the Real Estate sector) in the S&P 500 is intended to provide meaningfully higher yield relative to the S&P 500, the potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting, and a portfolio of securities that is identified through low valuations and high yield relative to sector peers.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year 10 Years Since Inception^
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV 10.42% 7.29% 11.26% 11.60%
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* 10.46% 7.29% 11.25% 11.60%
S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Total Return Index 10.81% 7.73% 11.76% 12.10%
S&P 500® Total Return Index -9.21% 10.98% 13.34% 13.29%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.40%.

 

1 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Performance Overview   November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund Commencement Date was June 29, 2012.
  
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. The S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Total Return Index is designed to serve as a fair, impartial and transparent measure of the performance of US large cap equities with above average dividend yields. The Underlying Index is a portfolio of fifty stocks derived from the S&P 500® Index. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is an index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping among other factors. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.

 

2 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Gilead Sciences, Inc.   2.60%
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.   2.41%
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   2.32%
Valero Energy Corp.   2.28%
Amgen, Inc.   2.23%
Exxon Mobil Corp.   2.23%
International Business Machines Corp.   2.23%
Lockheed Martin Corp.   2.22%
Cummins, Inc.   2.22%
Cardinal Health, Inc.   2.21%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   22.95%

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Health Care   11.45%
Energy   10.63%
Industrials   10.40%
Consumer Staples   10.38%
Financials   10.27%
Information Technology   10.07%
Materials   9.68%
Communication Services   9.54%
Utilities   9.30%
Consumer Discretionary   8.26%
Money Market Fund   0.02%
Total   100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned).

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

  

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past ten years with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

3 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or “IDOG”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Developed Markets (ex NA) Index, a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks in international developed markets not located in the Americas (the “S-Net Developed Markets”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the Real Estate sector, that make up the S-Net Developed Markets which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, for the trailing twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, generated a total return of 1.92%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 2.15%. The Fund greatly outperformed the Morningstar Developed Markets ex-North America Index (MSDINUS), which returned -11.63% for the same period.

 

The trailing twelve-month (TTM) yield for the Fund’s constituents as of November 30, 2022 was 4.18%, compared to the MSDINUS yield of 3.29%.

 

Developed Markets (ex-U.S.), as represented by the MSDINUS, returned -11.63% for the TTM period ended November 30, 2022 compared to the S&P 500® Total Return Index return of -9.21%, as the fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong, including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment across developed and emerging markets, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., 2.3% in the Eurozone, 1.8% in Japan and 3.9% in China. Looking forward, global markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as global stocks, as measured by the MSDINUS, exhibits a Price-to-Earnings ratio below its 10-year average, with any pause or pivot in rate hikes across developed central banks serving as a positive catalyst for global equities.

 

Compared to the MSDINUS, the Fund saw a positive impact from security selection and asset allocation, leading to a 1,355 bps outperformance over the index. The asset allocation outperformance was largely driven by relative over-weightings to cyclical sectors including Energy, Materials and Industrials, while the security selection outperformance was mainly attributed to IDOG’s selection of high-yielding value securities across all sectors (excluding the Real Estate sector) that far outperformed core and growth year-to-date. Conversely, the Fund’s relative overweight to the Communication Services sector detracted from positive performance.

 

From a geographical perspective, the highest contribution to return was attributed to holdings based in Australia, while the Fund’s performance was adversely impacted by holdings based in Sweden.

 

The best-performing stocks for the TTM period were Repsol SA (REP SM), which increased 45.75%, BP Plc. (BP/ LN), which returned 43.65%, and TotalEnergies SE (TTE FP), which gained 43.61%. The worst performing stocks for the TTM period were Ericsson LM (ERICB SS), losing 40.76%, Tokyo Electron LTD (8035 JP), falling 37.94%; and Hennes & Mauritz AB (HMB SS), which decreased 37.57%.

 

Looking ahead, the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest-yielding securities in each of the ten sectors in the S-Network Developed Markets (Ex NA) Index is intended to provide a high yield relative to the MSDINUS, the potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting, and a portfolio of securities that is identified through low valuations and high yield relative to sector peers.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV 1.92% 2.54% 4.46%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* 2.86% 2.55% 4.52%
S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index 2.15% 2.90% 4.85%

Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total

Return Index

-11.63% 1.58% 4.54%

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.50%.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund Commencement Date was June 28, 2013.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index is designed to serve as a fair, impartial and transparent measure of the performance of international large cap equities with above average dividend yields. The Underlying Index is a portfolio of fifty stocks derived from the S-Network International Developed Markets (ex-Americas) Index. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total Return Index measures the performance of companies in developed markets ex-North America. It covers approximately 97% of the full market capitalization in the Developed Markets ex-North America.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.

 

5 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Eni SpA   2.37%
OMV AG   2.34%
TotalEnergies SE   2.34%
SAP SE   2.33%
Japan Tobacco, Inc.   2.27%
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG   2.26%
Anglo American PLC   2.25%
Rio Tinto PLC   2.21%
Swedbank AB   2.21%
Sumitomo Corp.   2.21%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   22.79%

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Energy   11.36%
Materials   10.82%
Financials   10.24%
Industrials   10.17%
Health Care   10.07%
Consumer Staples   9.95%
Consumer Discretionary   9.76%
Utilities   9.67%
Information Technology   9.39%
Communication Services   8.45%
Money Market Fund   0.12%
Total   100.00%
      

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned).

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

6 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or “EDOG”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Emerging Markets Index, a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks domiciled in emerging markets (the “S-Network Emerging Markets”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S-Network® Emerging Markets which offer the highest dividend yields. Emerging market countries are countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, for the trailing twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, generated a total return of -5.20%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -4.43%. The Fund outperformed the Morningstar Emerging Markets Index (MEMMN), which returned -15.44% for the same period. It is important to note that the excess return difference of the benchmark and the Fund was partially attributed to the removal and delisting of Russian securities, which were essentially worthless after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 

The trailing twelve-month (TTM) yield for the Fund’s constituents as of November 30, 2022 was 4.66% vs. 3.60% for the MEMMN.

 

Through the first half of the year, emerging markets benefitted from the continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as countries saw growth in export volumes and consumption. Despite higher inflation and weakening currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, emerging markets exhibited strong support from increased activity. The TTM period saw emerging market equities underperform broad U.S. indexes, a result of a stronger dollar, as Fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index surging in the high double-digits across many emerging market countries. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., 2.3% in the Eurozone, 1.8% in Japan and 3.9% in China. China continues to pose significant headwinds for emerging market performance as U.S. regulators threaten to potentially delist a number of Chinese equities on U.S. exchanges along with the global impact of China’s COVID-zero policy, although positive reforms point to a relaxation of strict mandates in the near future. Looking forward, emerging markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening. Global stocks, as measured by the MEMMN, that exhibit Price-to-Earnings ratios below their 10-year averages, along with any pause or pivot in rate hikes across developed central banks or a weaker dollar, will likely serve as positive catalysts for global and emerging market equities.

 

Compared to the MEMMN, the Fund saw a positive impact from security selection and asset allocation, leading to a 1,024 bps outperformance over the index. The asset allocation outperformance was largely driven by relative overweight to the Energy sector and relative underweight to the Information Technology sector, a result of the equal sector weighting strategy. Security selection outperformance was mainly attributed to EDOG’s selection of high-yielding value securities across all sectors (excluding the Real Estate sector) that far outperformed core and growth year-to-date.

 

From a geographical perspective, the highest contribution to return was attributed to holdings based in South Africa. The Fund’s performance was adversely impacted by holdings based in Russia.

 

The best-performing stocks for the period were Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR3 BZ), which increased 71.68%, Exxaro Resources Ltd. (EXX SJ), gaining 60.03%, and Bim Birlesik Magazalar AS (BIMAS TI), which gained 56.47%. The worst-performing stocks for the TTM period were Magnit PJSC (MGNT TI), losing 99.92%, Severstal (SVST LI), which fell 99.70%; and Novolipetsk Steel PJSC (NLMK LI), decreasing 98.93%.

 

Looking ahead, the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest-yielding securities in each of the ten sectors in the S-Net Emerging Markets Index is intended to provide high yield relative to the MEMMN, potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting, and a portfolio of securities that is identified through low valuations and high yield relative to sector peers.

 

7 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV -5.20% 1.76% 2.15%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* -5.00% 1.69% 2.16%
S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index -4.43% 2.53% 2.98%
Morningstar® Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index -15.44% 0.72% 3.20%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.60%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund Commencement Date was March 28, 2014.
  
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index is a portfolio of stocks derived from a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks domiciled in emerging markets (the “S-Network Emerging Markets Index” or “SNEMX”). The index methodology selects the five stocks in each of the GICS sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the universe which offer the highest dividend yields as of the last trading day of November. The fifty stocks that are selected for inclusion in the portfolio are equally weighted. The universe includes stocks whose domicile and primary exchange listings are in countries identified by the World Bank as Upper Middle Income (certain lower middle income countries are also included, as well as stocks traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange despite non-recognition by the World Bank). The selection criteria for the universe, in addition to the aforementioned country qualifications, also include requirements for sector inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, share price, average daily trading volume and other factors. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

Morningstar® Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index measures the performance of emerging markets targeting the top 97% of stocks by market capitalization. The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.

 

8 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)   
    
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS   2.60%
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS   2.54%
Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS   2.48%
Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS   2.39%
Enel Chile SA   2.31%
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV   2.29%
Globe Telecom, Inc.   2.29%
Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA   2.28%
El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de CV   2.28%
LPP SA   2.21%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   23.67%
Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)   
    
Communication Services   10.86%
Health Care   10.55%
Industrials   10.52%
Consumer Discretionary   10.28%
Materials   10.20%
Financials   10.09%
Information Technology   9.73%
Utilities   9.41%
Consumer Staples   9.35%
Energy   8.77%
Money Market Fund   0.24%
Total   100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned).

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

9 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or "RDOG") seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Composite US REIT Index, a universe of mainly REITs listed in the United States (the “S-Net U.S. REIT” or "SNREIT"), on a segment-by-segment basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five REITs in each of the nine segments that make up the S-Net U.S. REIT which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF, for the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, generated a total return of -13.06%, slightly underperforming the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -12.76%. The Fund outperformed the broader U.S. REIT market, as represented by the S-Network Composite US REIT Index (SNREIT), which returned -13.86% for the same period.

 

The trailing twelve-month (TTM) yield for the Fund as of November 30, 2022 was 4.87% while the SNREIT TTM yield was 4.36%.

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500) returned -9.21% for the TTM period ended November 30, 2022, as fiscal year 2022 saw the worst drawdown for equities since the pandemic. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong, including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the U.S., offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows U.S. Real GDP year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., offset by CPI of 7.7%. Looking forward, markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the S&P 500 Price-to-Earnings ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for U.S. and global equities.

 

Rising rates and a work-from-home culture negatively impacted Office REITs and Mortgage REITs, as properties became less attractive with higher cap rates and pressure of funds-from-operations (FFO). In contrast, defensive REIT segments including Health Care REITs and Specialized REITs, provided positive performance for the Fund, benefitting from more consistent lease demand.

 

The best-performing stocks in the Fund for the period were VICI Properties Inc. (VICI), which increased 32.18%, LTC Properties Inc. (LTC), gaining 31.45%, and American Campus Communities (ACC), which rose 27.59%. The largest detractors were Industrial Logistics Properties (ILPT), falling 81.00%, Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR), losing 47.18% and Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN), which fell 41.98%.

 

Looking ahead, the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest-yielding securities in each of the nine segments in the S-Network Composite US REIT Index is intended to provide meaningfully higher yield relative to the S-Network Composite US REIT Index, potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal segment weighting, and a portfolio of securities that is identified through low valuations and high yield relative to segment peers.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)        
         
        Since
  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Inception^
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV -13.06% 2.56% 4.52% 2.76%
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* -13.61% 2.45% 4.47% 2.72%
S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Total Return Index -12.76%  
S-Network® Composite US REIT Index -13.86% 5.10%
S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index/S&P United States REIT Index** -12.76% 3.42% 6.66% 5.63%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.35%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. On January 2, 2020, the Fund changed its Underlying Index and principal investment strategies. Consequently, the Fund's total returns shown above for the periods prior to January 2, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the Fund, as it is currently managed. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on

 

10 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund Inception Date was May 7, 2008.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

**The performance shown reflects a combination of the Fund's Underlying Index, and for periods prior to January 2, 2020, the S&P United States REIT Index. Prior to January 2, 2020, the Fund used a different Underlying Index than the S&P United States REIT Index. Therefore, the historical returns shown for the periods prior to January 2, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the historical strategy of the Fund.

 

The S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Total Return Index, like the S-Net U.S. REIT from which components of the Underlying Index are selected, divides into nine segments, eight of which are based on Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) Sub-Industries (excluding Technology REITs involved in cell towers and/or data centers) and a separate Technology REIT segment based on the research of the Underlying Index provider, S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. (the “Index Provider”). The Underlying Index generally consists of 45 REITs on each annual reconstitution date. The Underlying Index’s REITs must be constituents of the S-Net U.S. REIT universe, which includes a universe of mainly REITs listed in the United States. The selection criteria for the universe also includes requirements for segment inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, share price, average daily trading volume and other factors. The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index commenced operations on October 29, 2019.

 

The S-Network® Composite US REIT Index (the “S-Net U.S. REIT” or “SNREIT”) is a benchmark index for the Real Estate Investment Trust component of the US stock market. The SNREIT provides the universe of stocks for RDOGX. The selection criteria for SNREIT include requirements for sector inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, minimum average daily trading volume, and other factors. All constituents of RDOGX must be constituents of SNREIT. The index commenced operations on February 12, 2016.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.

 

11 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)   
    
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.   3.16%
Simon Property Group, Inc.   2.84%
STORE Capital Corp.   2.84%
Service Properties Trust   2.77%
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.   2.60%
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.   2.60%
Equinix, Inc.   2.59%
American Assets Trust, Inc.   2.58%
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.   2.55%
STAG Industrial, Inc.   2.55%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   27.08%
REIT Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)   
    
Retail REITs   12.47%
Diversified REITs   12.36%
Specialized REITs   11.92%
Technology REITs   11.33%
Health Care REITs   10.89%
Office REITs   10.63%
Residential REITs   10.44%
Hotel & Resort REITs   10.02%
Industrial REITs   9.65%
Money Market Fund   0.29%
Total   100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

  

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past ten years with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

12 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value  11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid  During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF        
Actual $ 1,000.00 $ 977.10 0.40% $ 1.98
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,023.06 0.40% $ 2.03
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF        
Actual $ 1,000.00 $ 942.50 0.50% $ 2.43
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,022.56 0.50% $ 2.54
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF        
Actual $ 1,000.00 $ 989.10 0.60% $ 2.99
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,022.06 0.60% $ 3.04
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF        
Actual $ 1,000.00 $ 915.90 0.35% $ 1.68
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,023.31 0.35% $ 1.78

 

(a)Annualized based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

13 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF, each a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of November 30, 2022, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and their financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statements of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period then ended were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

14 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.50%)        
Communication Services (9.49%)        
AT&T, Inc.   1,469,667   $28,335,180 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   876,654    30,121,832 
Lumen Technologies, Inc.(a)   2,510,377    13,731,762 
Omnicom Group, Inc.   355,467    28,352,048 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   592,533    23,096,936 
Total Communication Services        123,637,758 
           
Consumer Discretionary (8.22%)          
Best Buy Co., Inc.   328,287    28,002,881 
Hasbro, Inc.   307,281    19,303,392 
Newell Brands, Inc.   1,378,217    17,875,475 
VF Corp.   577,225    18,944,525 
Whirlpool Corp.   156,223    22,891,356 
Total Consumer Discretionary        107,017,629 
           
Consumer Staples (10.34%)          
Altria Group, Inc.   549,233    25,583,273 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   728,204    27,657,188 
Kraft Heinz Co.   686,461    27,012,241 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   257,863    25,701,205 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   690,634    28,661,311 
Total Consumer Staples        134,615,218 
           
Energy (10.58%)          
Exxon Mobil Corp.   259,364    28,877,588 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   1,366,925    26,135,606 
ONEOK, Inc.   400,516    26,802,531 
Valero Energy Corp.   220,865    29,511,981 
Williams Cos., Inc.   763,765    26,502,645 
Total Energy        137,830,351 
           
Financials (10.22%)          
Franklin Resources, Inc.(a)   948,770    25,436,524 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.   1,770,048    27,400,343 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.   319,685    28,669,351 
Prudential Financial, Inc.   254,144    27,455,176 
Truist Financial Corp.   516,259    24,166,084 
Total Financials        133,127,478 
           
Health Care (11.40%)          
AbbVie, Inc.   176,981    28,525,797 
Amgen, Inc.   101,042    28,938,429 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   356,735    28,638,686 
Cardinal Health, Inc.   358,117    28,710,240 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   383,399    33,673,934 
Total Health Care        148,487,086 
           
Industrials (10.35%)        
3M Co.   203,313    25,611,339 
Cummins, Inc.   114,560    28,772,889 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.   106,367    24,672,889 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   59,378    28,809,612 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Snap-On, Inc.   112,025   $26,953,215 
Total Industrials        134,819,944 
           
Information Technology (10.02%)          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   546,835    27,188,636 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.   1,863,621    31,271,561 
Intel Corp.   795,561    23,922,519 
International Business          
Machines Corp.   193,737    28,847,439 
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC   363,627    19,261,322 
Total Information Technology        130,491,477 
           
Materials (9.63%)          
Amcor PLC   2,036,484    25,150,577 
International Paper Co.   599,920    22,269,030 
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A   297,495    25,290,050 
Newmont Mining Corp.   579,765    27,521,445 
The Dow Chemical Co.   495,517    25,256,502 
Total Materials        125,487,604 
           
Utilities (9.25%)          
Edison International   362,205    24,144,585 
FirstEnergy Corp.   602,947    24,865,534 
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.   324,876    25,444,288 
PPL Corp.   838,476    24,751,812 
Southern Co.   314,740    21,289,014 
Total Utilities        120,495,233 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $1,227,997,950)        1,296,009,778 

 

15 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.36%)           
Money Market Fund (0.02%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $318,909)   3.69%   318,909   $318,909 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (0.34%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money               
Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $4,423,194)        4,423,194    4,423,194 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $4,742,103)             4,742,103 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.86%)               
(Cost $1,232,740,053)            $1,300,751,881 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.14%)             1,816,517 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $1,302,568,398 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $10,861,316.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.14%)        
Australia (11.84%)        
Australia & New Zealand          
Banking Group, Ltd.(a)   198,458   $3,332,553 
BHP Group, Ltd.   119,941    3,705,772 
Coles Group, Ltd.(a)   264,995    3,048,711 
Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.   256,526    3,374,380 
Wesfarmers, Ltd.(a)   96,632    3,185,649 
Westpac Banking Corp.   214,995    3,468,697 
Total Australia        20,115,762 
           
Austria (2.32%)          
OMV AG   75,640    3,948,159 
           
Finland (2.00%)          
Nordea Bank Abp   326,367    3,402,942 
           
France (8.08%)          
Danone SA   61,132    3,185,800 
Orange SA   309,117    3,142,058 
Sanofi   38,481    3,462,962 
TotalEnergies SE   62,874    3,945,900 
Total France        13,736,720 
           
Germany (8.69%)          
BASF SE   71,924    3,631,077 
Bayer AG   59,064    3,403,780 
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG   42,497    3,816,850 
SAP SE   36,095    3,923,582 
Total Germany        14,775,289 
           
Hong Kong (1.81%)          
CITIC, Ltd.   3,001,000    3,069,792 
           
Italy (6.32%)          
Enel SpA   643,119    3,435,839 
Eni SpA   267,818    3,991,993 
Snam SpA   655,239    3,319,219 
Total Italy        10,747,051 
           
Japan (19.61%)          
Bridgestone Corp.   86,200    3,225,399 
Canon, Inc.   135,363    3,148,569 
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.   120,900    2,938,232 
Japan Tobacco, Inc.(a)   187,500    3,822,914 
Kyocera Corp.   56,120    2,837,090 
Marubeni Corp.   316,400    3,546,869 
Mitsubishi Corp.   101,800    3,394,808 
Sumitomo Corp.   228,800    3,723,033 
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,          
Ltd.   114,600    3,361,069 
Tokyo Electron, Ltd.   10,200    3,330,567 
Total Japan        33,328,550 
           
Norway (3.64%)          
DNB Bank ASA   172,530    3,337,459 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Norway (continued)        
Telenor ASA   293,729   $2,842,472 
Total Norway        6,179,931 
           
Spain (7.70%)          
Endesa SA   178,613    3,289,819 
Naturgy Energy Group SA   113,463    3,161,917 
Repsol SA   238,822    3,678,085 
Telefonica SA   794,723    2,964,767 
Total Spain        13,094,588 
           
Sweden (7.17%)          
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB,          
Class B   297,112    3,300,474 
Swedbank AB, Class A   231,612    3,731,604 
Telefonaktiebolaget LM          
Ericsson, Class B   419,674    2,602,320 
Telia Co. AB   933,360    2,543,625 
Total Sweden        12,178,023 
           
Switzerland (1.98%)          
Novartis AG   38,006    3,359,791 
           
United Kingdom (17.98%)          
Anglo American PLC   92,509    3,799,258 
BAE Systems PLC   344,882    3,419,307 
BP PLC   601,375    3,605,931 
British American Tobacco PLC   77,610    3,171,936 
GSK PLC   200,611    3,401,465 
Imperial Brands PLC   138,656    3,551,211 
Rio Tinto PLC   55,508    3,736,437 
SSE PLC   151,196    3,113,395 
Vodafone Group PLC   2,493,788    2,760,389 
Total United Kingdom        30,559,329 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $179,743,663)        168,495,927 

 

17 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (2.25%)        
Money Market Fund (0.10%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $166,933)   3.69%   166,933   $166,933 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral  from Securities Loaned (2.15%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $3,652,196)        3,652,196    3,652,196 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $3,819,129)             3,819,129 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (101.39%)               
(Cost $183,562,792)            $172,315,056 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-1.39%)           (2,364,414)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $169,950,642 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $3,499,054.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.40%)        
Brazil (8.65%)        
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras        
SA, ADR(a)   61,087   $547,340 
Engie Brasil Energia SA   68,700    522,927 
JBS SA   99,287    421,879 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA   78,175    457,810 
Vibra Energia SA   153,607    489,295 
Total Brazil        2,439,251 
           
Chile (9.49%)          
Banco Santander Chile   13,198,263    513,109 
Cencosud SA   366,449    544,838 
Empresas CMPC SA   303,465    502,651 
Empresas COPEC SA   66,511    464,868 
Enel Chile SA, ADR(a)   297,944    649,518 
Total Chile        2,674,984 
           
China (9.16%)          
China Railway Signal &          
Communication Corp., Ltd.,          
Class H(b)(c)   1,731,000    554,030 
China Shenhua Energy Co.,          
Ltd., Class H   164,500    505,444 
Huadian Power International          
Corp., Ltd., Class H(a)   1,140,000    439,306 
Legend Holdings Corp., Class          
H(b)(c)   504,500    514,127 
Zoomlion Heavy Industry          
Science and Technology          
Co., Ltd., Class H   1,223,000    568,368 
Total China        2,581,275 
           
Czech Republic (1.71%)          
CEZ AS   14,031    482,161 
           
Hungary (2.11%)          
Richter Gedeon Nyrt   27,653    594,220 
           
India (3.92%)          
Infosys, Ltd., Sponsored ADR   28,254    574,969 
Wipro, Ltd., ADR(a)   103,334    529,070 
Total India        1,104,039 
           
Indonesia (3.72%)        
Gudang Garam Tbk PT   338,000    428,637 
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT   4,711,700    619,980 
Total Indonesia        1,048,617 
           
Luxembourg (1.89%)          
Ternium SA, Sponsored ADR(a)   16,879    531,520 
           
Malaysia (9.82%)          
Hartalega Holdings Bhd   1,500,100    583,513 
Malayan Banking Bhd   271,000    525,853 
RHB Bank Bhd   421,900    533,126 
Sime Darby Bhd   1,089,800    526,828 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Malaysia (continued)          
Top Glove Corp. Bhd   3,057,400   $598,075 
Total Malaysia        2,767,395 
           
Mexico (8.61%)          
El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de          
CV   109,777    639,693 
Grupo Aeroportuario del          
Sureste SAB de CV, ADR   2,446    604,871 
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB          
de CV, Class A   378,700    643,794 
Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de          
CV   275,407    538,567 
Total Mexico        2,426,925 
           
Philippines (4.33%)          
Globe Telecom, Inc.   15,819    643,276 
PLDT, Inc.   18,595    575,998 
Total Philippines        1,219,274 
           
Poland (4.48%)          
LPP SA   291    620,287 
Powszechny Zaklad          
Ubezpieczen SA   91,109    641,599 
Total Poland        1,261,886 
           
Russia (0.01%)          
Magnit PJSC, GDR(c)(d)   32,174    321 
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC,          
Sponsored ADR(d)(e)   64,600    646 
Novolipetsk Steel PJSC,          
GDR(c)(d)   17,594    176 
Severstal PAO, GDR(c)(d)   23,283    233 
X5 Retail Group NV, GDR(c)(d)   17,785    178 
Total Russia        1,554 
           
South Africa (9.55%)          
African Rainbow Minerals, Ltd.   35,572    597,091 
Exxaro Resources, Ltd.   40,541    530,037 
Mr Price Group, Ltd.   47,574    465,940 
MultiChoice Group   83,704    576,053 
Vodacom Group, Ltd.   71,800    522,596 
Total South Africa        2,691,717 
           
Thailand (9.90%)          
Bangkok Dusit Medical          
Services PCL   660,100    566,228 
BTS Group Holdings PCL   2,272,100    541,206 
Delta Electronics Thailand PCL   29,400    560,238 
PTT PCL   535,100    504,525 
TMBThanachart Bank PCL   15,594,200    619,081 
Total Thailand        2,791,278 
           
Turkey (12.05%)          
BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS   81,344    587,014 
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS   517,140    711,976 

 

 

19 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Turkey (continued)        
Eregli Demir ve Celik        
Fabrikalari TAS   303,644   $695,002 
Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS   28,115    671,122 
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS,          
ADR   162,428    730,926 
Total Turkey        3,396,040 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $29,815,829)        28,012,136 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (3.64%)        
Money Market Fund (0.22%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund (Premier            
Class)            
(Cost $62,759)   3.69%   62,759    62,759 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral  from Securities Loaned (3.42%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money Market               
Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $964,712)        964,712    964,712 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $1,027,471)             1,027,471 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (103.04%)               
(Cost $30,843,300)            $29,039,607 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-3.04%)             (857,621)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $28,181,986 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $1,755,722.
(b)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $1,068,157, representing 3.79% of net assets.
(c)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2022, the market value of those securities was $1,069,065 representing 3.79% of net assets.
(d)As a result of the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value, these investments have been classified as Level 3 securities under the fair value hierarchy.
(e)Non-income producing security. See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.62%)        
Diversified REITs (12.35%)        
American Assets Trust, Inc.   18,235   $534,103 
Broadstone Net Lease, Inc.   26,207    444,733 
Essential Properties Realty          
Trust, Inc.   22,746    527,935 
STORE Capital Corp.   18,447    588,459 
WP Carey, Inc.   5,934    467,599 
Total Diversified REITs        2,562,829 
           
Health Care REITs (10.88%)          
LTC Properties, Inc.   11,545    453,603 
Medical Properties Trust, Inc.   34,446    451,932 
National Health Investors, Inc.   7,733    435,059 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.   15,654    474,003 
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.   34,310    442,942 
Total Health Care REITs        2,257,539 
           
Hotel & Resort REITs (10.01%)          
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.   31,656    540,051 
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust   27,997    466,150 
RLJ Lodging Trust   40,989    496,787 
Service Properties Trust   73,285    575,287 
Total Hotel & Resort REITs        2,078,275 
           
Industrial REITs (9.65%)          
Industrial Logistics Properties          
Trust   71,854    292,446 
Innovative Industrial          
Properties, Inc.   5,398    654,291 
LXP Industrial Trust   48,999    527,229 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   16,037    527,778 
Total Industrial REITs        2,001,744 
           
Office REITs (10.62%)          
Brandywine Realty Trust   60,969    421,296 
Easterly Government          
Properties, Inc.   27,984    443,267 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust,          
Inc., Class A   41,189    428,777 
SL Green Realty Corp.   10,591    444,398 
Vornado Realty Trust   18,465    466,980 
Total Office REITs        2,204,718 
           
Residential REITs (10.43%)        
Apartment Income REIT Corp.   11,908    453,099 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   2,383    416,787 
Centerspace   6,546    422,217 
Equity Residential   6,626    429,762 
UDR, Inc.   10,661    442,112 
Total Residential REITs        2,163,977 
           
Retail REITs (12.45%)          
Agree Realty Corp.   6,845    478,808 
National Retail Properties, Inc.   11,314    524,517 
Realty Income Corp.   7,657    482,927 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Retail REITs (continued)        
Simon Property Group, Inc.   4,931   $588,958 
Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.   12,295    509,259 
Total Retail REITs        2,584,469 
           
Specialized REITs (19.01%)          
American Tower Corp.   1,954    432,323 
EPR Properties   11,690    486,421 
Equinix, Inc.   778    537,326 
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.   19,208    521,305 
Gaming and Leisure          
Properties, Inc.   10,234    538,411 
Iron Mountain, Inc.   9,264    503,313 
Uniti Group, Inc.   53,454    407,319 
VICI Properties, Inc.   15,172    518,882 
Total Specialized REITs        3,945,300 
           
Technology REITs (4.22%)          
Crown Castle, Inc.   2,931    414,532 
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.   4,111    462,323 
Total Technology REITs        876,855 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $24,407,667)        20,675,706 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.29%)        
Money Market Fund (0.29%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money               
Market Fund (Premier               
Class)   3.69%   59,397    59,397 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               

(Cost $59,397)   59,397 
      
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.91%)     
(Cost $24,467,064)  $20,735,103 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.09%)   18,539 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%  $20,753,642 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

   ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF 
ASSETS:                
Investments, at value*  $1,300,751,881   $172,315,056   $29,039,607   $20,735,103 
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $–, $45,304, $3,619 and $–)       45,343    3,838     
Foreign tax reclaims       441,520    5,505    1,223 
Dividends receivable   6,649,592    867,675    110,965    23,209 
Total Assets   1,307,401,473    173,669,594    29,159,915    20,759,535 
                     
LIABILITIES:                    
Payable for investments purchased       445         
Payable to adviser   409,881    66,311    13,217    5,893 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   4,423,194    3,652,196    964,712     
Total Liabilities   4,833,075    3,718,952    977,929    5,893 
NET ASSETS  $1,302,568,398   $169,950,642   $28,181,986   $20,753,642 
                     
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                    
Paid-in capital  $1,438,158,765   $235,550,533   $38,754,471   $31,006,108 
Total Distributable earnings/(Accumulated losses)   (135,590,367)   (65,599,891)   (10,572,485)   (10,252,466)
NET ASSETS  $1,302,568,398   $169,950,642   $28,181,986   $20,753,642 
                     
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $1,232,740,053   $183,562,792   $30,843,300   $24,467,064 
                     
PRICING OF SHARES:                    
Net Assets  $1,302,568,398   $169,950,642   $28,181,986   $20,753,642 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   24,309,141    6,575,000    1,325,000    500,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $53.58   $25.85   $21.27   $41.51 

 

*Includes $10,861,316, $3,499,054, $1,755,722, and $respectively of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust
Statements of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

   ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF
INVESTMENT INCOME:            
Dividends*  $51,964,957   $8,086,188   $1,492,225   $888,417 
Securities Lending Income   44,480    5,539    8,583    216 
Total Investment Income   52,009,437    8,091,727    1,500,808    888,633 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser fees   4,902,751    820,322    156,027    86,810 
Total Expenses   4,902,751    820,322    156,027    86,810 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   47,106,686    7,271,405    1,344,781    801,823 
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)                    
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(a)   79,831,594    212,315    (66,267)   3,120,138 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions       (200,262)   (31,253)   (10)
Total net realized gain/(loss)   79,831,594    12,053    (97,520)   3,120,128 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (10,173,890)   (5,821,516)   (2,292,345)   (7,304,443)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on                    
translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies       17,347    2,199    (262)
Total net change in unrealized depreciation   (10,173,890)   (5,804,169)   (2,290,146)   (7,304,705)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   69,657,704    (5,792,116)   (2,387,666)   (4,184,577)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $116,764,390   $1,479,289   $(1,042,885)  $(3,382,754)
*Net of foreign tax withholding:  $   $875,356   $153,295   $1,603 

 

(a)         Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

23 | November 30, 2022

 
 


ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022  For the Year Ended November 30, 2021
OPERATIONS:      
Net investment income  $47,106,686   $39,668,912 
Net realized gain`   79,831,594    20,856,818 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (10,173,890)   133,811,971 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   116,764,390    194,337,701 
           
Net Equalization Credits/(Debits)   1,492,734    (376,556)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (46,839,426)   (41,129,463)
Total distributions   (46,839,426)   (41,129,463)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   142,289,681    42,671,156 
Cost of shares redeemed   (44,389,643)   (68,650,049)
Net income equalization (Note 2)   (1,492,734)   376,556 
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions   96,407,304    (25,602,337)
Net increase in net assets   167,825,002    127,229,345 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   1,134,743,396    1,007,514,051 
End of year  $1,302,568,398   $1,134,743,396 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   22,484,141    23,059,141 
Shares sold   2,700,000    800,000 
Shares redeemed   (875,000)   (1,375,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   24,309,141    22,484,141 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

24 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022  For the Year Ended November 30, 2021
OPERATIONS:      
Net investment income  $7,271,405   $6,944,021 
Net realized gain/(loss)   12,053    (3,001,108)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (5,804,169)   12,459,941 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   1,479,289    16,402,854 
Net Equalization Credits/(Debits)   157,925    (1,568,545)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (6,875,035)   (7,018,603)
From tax return of capital   (104,515)   (36,242)
Total distributions   (6,979,550)   (7,054,845)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   47,390,193    22,093,394 
Cost of shares redeemed   (29,427,911)   (20,383,668)
Net income equalization (Note 2)   (157,925)   1,568,545 
Net increase from share transactions   17,804,357    3,278,271 
Net increase in net assets   12,462,021    11,057,735 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   157,488,621    146,430,886 
End of year  $169,950,642   $157,488,621 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   5,950,000    5,900,000 
Shares sold   1,775,000    800,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,150,000)   (750,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   6,575,000    5,950,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

25 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022  For the Year Ended November 30, 2021
OPERATIONS:      
Net investment income  $1,344,781   $1,061,607 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (97,520)   998,537 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (2,290,146)   1,419,906 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,042,885)   3,480,050 
           
Net Equalization Credits   69,251    19,079 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,199,258)   (971,386)
Total distributions   (1,199,258)   (971,386)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   8,949,252    1,275,304 
Cost of shares redeemed   (3,266,629)    
Net income equalization (Note 2)   (69,251)   (19,079)
Net increase from share transactions   5,613,372    1,256,225 
Net increase in net assets   3,440,480    3,783,968 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   24,741,506    20,957,538 
End of year  $28,181,986   $24,741,506 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   1,050,000    1,000,000 
Shares sold   450,000    50,000 
Shares redeemed   (175,000)    
Shares outstanding, end of year   1,325,000    1,050,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

26 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022  For the Year Ended November 30, 2021
OPERATIONS:      
Net investment income  $801,823   $770,660 
Net realized gain/(loss)   3,120,128    (1,539,997)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (7,304,705)   8,191,103 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (3,382,754)   7,421,766 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (825,395)   (874,838)
From tax return of capital   (282,853)   (444,426)
Total distributions   (1,108,248)   (1,319,264)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Cost of shares redeemed   (3,444,778)   (3,733,564)
Net decrease from share transactions   (3,444,778)   (3,733,564)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (7,935,780)   2,368,938 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   28,689,422    26,320,484 
End of year  $20,753,642   $28,689,422 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   575,000    650,000 
Shares sold        
Shares redeemed   (75,000)   (75,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   500,000    575,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

27 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022  For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 

For the Year

Ended

November 30, 2020

  For the Year Ended November 30, 2019  For the Year Ended November 30, 2018
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $50.47   $43.69   $45.78   $44.26   $45.61 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   2.02    1.75    1.70    1.71    1.54 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   3.11    6.84    (2.14)   1.34    (1.31)
Total from investment operations   5.13    8.59    (0.44)   3.05    0.23 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (2.02)   (1.81)   (1.65)   (1.53)   (1.58)
Total distributions   (2.02)   (1.81)   (1.65)   (1.53)   (1.58)
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   3.11    6.78    (2.09)   1.52    (1.35)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $53.58   $50.47   $43.69   $45.78   $44.26 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   10.42%   19.77%   (0.27)%   7.26%   0.51%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $1,302,568   $1,134,743   $1,007,514   $1,746,784   $2,166,709 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   3.84%   3.43%   4.27%   3.97%   3.40%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   53%   54%   77%   55%   61%
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(d)  $0.06   $(0.02)  $0.12   $0.06   $0.04 

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(d)The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $26.47   $24.82   $26.88   $25.14   $28.27 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   1.15    1.09    0.75    1.20    1.15 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (0.68)   1.65    (1.66)   1.69    (3.19)
Total from investment operations   0.47    2.74    (0.91)   2.89    (2.04)
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (1.07)   (1.08)   (1.11)   (1.15)   (1.09)
Tax return of capital   (0.02)   (0.01)   (0.04)        
Total distributions   (1.09)   (1.09)   (1.15)   (1.15)   (1.09)
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (0.62)   1.65    (2.06)   1.74    (3.13)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $25.85   $26.47   $24.82   $26.88   $25.14 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   1.92%   10.93%   (3.08)%   11.79%   (7.47)%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $169,951   $157,489   $146,431   $221,741   $285,327 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   4.43%   3.92%   3.22%   4.65%   4.16%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   53%   61%   79%   58%   72%
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(d)  $0.03   $(0.25)  $0.00(e)  $0.04   $0.05 

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(d)The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share
(e)Less than $0.005.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

29 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $23.56   $20.96   $20.67   $21.33   $24.29 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   1.11    1.04    0.56    0.89    0.91 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (2.41)   2.50    0.42    (0.33)   (3.02)
Total from investment operations   (1.30)   3.54    0.98    0.56    (2.11)
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.99)   (0.94)   (0.69)   (1.22)   (0.85)
Total distributions   (0.99)   (0.94)   (0.69)   (1.22)   (0.85)
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (2.29)   2.60    0.29    (0.66)   (2.96)

NET ASSET VALUE,

END OF PERIOD

  $21.27   $23.56   $20.96   $20.67   $21.33 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (5.20)%   16.81%   5.20%   2.67%   (8.76)%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $28,182   $24,742   $20,958   $28,941   $35,201 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   5.17%   4.32%   2.92%   4.16%   3.88%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   90%   84%   93%   83%   85%
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(d)  $0.06   $0.02   $0.02   $0.01   $0.10 

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(d)The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020(a)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $49.89   $40.49   $48.42   $44.18   $45.37 
                          

INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                         
Net investment income(b)   1.49    1.21    1.29    1.19    1.17 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (7.86)   10.25    (7.26)   4.45    (0.53)
Total from investment operations   (6.37)   11.46    (5.97)   5.64    0.64 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (1.51)   (1.36)   (1.57)   (1.40)   (1.83)
Tax return of capital   (0.50)   (0.70)   (0.39)        
Total distributions   (2.01)   (2.06)   (1.96)   (1.40)   (1.83)
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (8.38)   9.40    (7.93)   4.24    (1.19)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $41.51   $49.89   $40.49   $48.42   $44.18 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (13.06)%   29.03%   (11.77)%   13.00%   1.47%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $20,754   $28,689   $26,320   $53,265   $55,222 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.35%   0.35%   0.38%(d)   0.55%   0.55%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   3.23%   2.60%   3.26%   2.56%   2.67%
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   85%   78%   148%   10%   14%

 

(a)Prior to January 2, 2020, the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF was known as the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Effective January 2, 2020 the Fund's Advisory Fee changed from 0.55% to 0.35%.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

31 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

The investment objective of the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index. Each Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

32 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 –Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

Level 2 –Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 –Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

  

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $1,296,009,778   $   $   $1,296,009,778 
Short Term Investments   4,742,103            4,742,103 
Total  $1,300,751,881   $   $   $1,300,751,881 

  

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

  

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $168,495,927   $   $   $168,495,927 
Short Term Investments   3,819,129            3,819,129 
Total  $172,315,056   $   $   $172,315,056 

 

33 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*                    
Russia  $   $   $1,554   $1,554 
Other*  $28,010,582           $28,010,582 
Short Term Investments   1,027,471            1,027,471 
Total  $29,038,053   $   $1,554   $29,039,607 

  

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

  

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $20,675,706   $   $   $20,675,706 
Short Term Investments   59,397            59,397 
Total  $20,735,103   $   $   $20,735,103 

 

*For a detailed sector/country breakdown, see the accompanying Schedules of Investments.

 

The Funds, except for the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022. As of November 30, 2022, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF held securities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy valued at $1,554, which represents 0.01% of net assets. The net change in unrealized depreciation included in the Statements of Operations attributable to Level 3 investments held at November 30, 2022 is $2,459,526.

 

C. Foreign Securities

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.

 

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of each Fund, the value of each Fund's securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Funds. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.

 

D. Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.

 

E. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including any amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

 

F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income for each Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

34 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

G. Equalization

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF utilize the accounting practice known as “Equalization” by which a portion of the proceeds from sales and costs of reacquiring the Funds’ shares, equivalent on a per share basis to the amount of distributable net investment income on the date of the transaction, is credited or charged to undistributed net investment income. As a result, undistributed net investment income per share is unaffected by sales or reacquisitions of the Funds’ shares. Amounts related to Equalization can be found on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

H. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

As part of its investments in real estate related securities, the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (“RDOG”) will invest in REITs and is subject to certain risks associated with direct investment in REITs. REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool investors’ capital to acquire, develop and/or finance real estate and provide services to their tenants. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types, e.g., regional malls, shopping centers, office buildings, apartment buildings and industrial warehouses. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareowners, and certain REITs have self-liquidation provisions by which mortgages held may be paid in full and distributions of capital returns may be made at any time.

 

As REITs generally pay a higher rate of dividends than most other operating companies, to the extent application of RDOG’s investment strategy results in RDOG investing in REIT shares, the percentage of RDOG’s dividend income received from REIT shares will likely exceed the percentage of RDOG’s portfolio that is comprised of REIT shares. Distributions received by RDOG from REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital.

 

Dividend income from REITs is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The calendar year-end amounts of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital included in distributions received from RDOG’s investments in REITs are reported to RDOG after the end of the calendar year; accordingly, RDOG estimates these amounts for accounting purposes until the characterization of REIT distributions is reported to RDOG after the end of the calendar year. Estimates are based on the most recent REIT distribution information available.

 

The performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Due to RDOG’s investments in REITs, RDOG may also make distributions in excess of RDOG’s earnings and capital gains. Distributions, if any, in excess of RDOG’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder.

 

I. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $5,275,846   $(5,275,846)
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   1,392,749    (1,392,749)
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   165,862    (165,862)
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   166,844    (166,844)

 

35 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022        
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $46,839,426   $ 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   6,875,035    104,515 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   1,199,258     
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   825,395    282,853 

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021        
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $41,129,463   $ 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   7,018,603    36,242 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   971,386     
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   874,838    444,426 

 

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $   $200,576,307 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   4,571,287    48,986,381 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   436,837    7,651,923 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   5,407,710    979,936 

 

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF and ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF used capital loss carryovers during the year ended November 30, 2022 in the amount of $78,336,431, $465,578, and $ 2,884,455, respectively.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:

 

   Undistributed net investment income   Accumulated net realized loss on investments   Net unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments   Total 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $4,643,070   $(200,576,307)  $60,342,870   $(135,590,367)
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF       (53,557,668)   (12,042,223)   (65,599,891)
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   224,618    (8,088,760)   (2,708,343)   (10,572,485)
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF       (6,387,646)   (3,864,820)   (10,252,466)

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   Gross Appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)   Gross Depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   Net Appreciation/ (Depreciation) of Foreign Currency   Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)   Cost of Investments for Income Tax Purposes 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $187,745,253   $(127,402,383)  $   $60,342,870   $1,240,409,011 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   10,879,886    (22,930,955)   8,846    (12,042,223)   184,366,125 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   2,545,409    (5,255,270)   1,518    (2,708,343)   31,749,468 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   885,736    (4,750,453)   (103)   (3,864,820)   24,599,820 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales

 

36 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

J. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Code, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Each Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

K. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Funds have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statements of Operations.

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2022:

 

Fund  Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $10,861,316   $4,423,194   $6,613,669   $11,036,863 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   3,499,054    3,652,196        3,652,196 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   1,755,722    964,712    871,650    1,836,362 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Funds benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.

 

37 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous  Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $4,423,194  $   $   $   $4,423,194 
Total Borrowings                     4,423,194 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)    $4,423,194 

  

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous  Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $3,652,196  $   $   $   $3,652,196 
Total Borrowings                     3,652,196 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)   $3,652,196 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous  Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $964,712  $   $   $   $964,712 
Total Borrowings                     964,712 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)   $964,712 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 

Fund Advisory Fee
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.40%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.50%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.60%
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF 0.35%

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund's expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Funds.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

38 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $651,111,558   $648,908,071 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   87,117,978    86,616,339 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   25,056,436    23,208,308 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   20,965,868    20,980,488 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $142,270,611   $44,382,656 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   46,694,143    29,331,781 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   6,282,279    2,428,929 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF       3,445,174 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $6,300,891 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   1,706,733 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   231,858 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   301,728 

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF and ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.

 

Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2022, were as follows:

 

   Purchase cost paid   Sale proceeds received   Realized gain/(loss) on sales 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $8,768,015   $3,311,891   $(731,437)
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   412,584    513,553    (197,524)

 

39 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

7. MARKET RISK

 

The Funds are subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause each Fund to lose value. Securities in each Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities each Fund holds, and may adversely affect each Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of each Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Funds.

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

40 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Funds designate the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

    Qualified Dividend Income    Dividend Received Deduction    199A
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   97.81%   91.15%   0.00%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   100.00%   0.00%   0.00%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   73.67%   0.00%   0.00%
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   0.47%   0.00%   70.35%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

Pursuant to Section 853(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, the following Funds designated the following for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022:

 

   Foreign Taxes Paid   Foreign Source Income 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $751,325   $8,734,207 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $136,708   $1,576,116 

 

LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.SM (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of the (i) in the case of SDOG, S-Network Sector Dividend DogsSM, (ii) in the case of IDOG, S-Network International Sector Dividend DogsSM, (iii) in the case of EDOG, S-Network Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs IndexSM, and (iv) in the case of RDOG, S-Network REIT Dividend Dogs IndexSM (each an “Underlying Index”) to track the performance of a market or sector. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

  

41 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of each Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in each Fund particularly or the ability of each Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Index Provider is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of each Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of each Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which each Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of each Fund.

  

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by the Index Provider.

 

The S&P 500® is the property of Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and has been licensed by S&P for use by S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. in connection with the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: SDOGX), the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: IDOGX), the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: EDOGX), and the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: RDOGX).

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of each Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by each Fund, owners of the Shares of each Fund or any other person or entity from the use of each Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to each Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of each Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

42 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Advisory Agreements  

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“SDOG”), the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“IDOG”), the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“EDOG”), and the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (“RDOG”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the investment parameters of the index of each Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Board also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between each underlying index and its corresponding Fund’s performance. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate for SDOG and IDOG is higher than the median of their respective FUSE expense groups. These Funds’ respective net expense ratios, however, are slightly above the median of their respective FUSE expense groups.

 

The gross management fee rate for EDOG is approximately equal to the median of its FUSE expense group. EDOG'S net expense ratio is at the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

The gross management fee rate for RDOG is lower than the median of its FUSE expense group. RDOG’s net expense ratio is also below the median of its FUSE expense group.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Funds. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed and noted the relatively small sizes of the Funds (other than SDOG) and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. With respect to SDOG, the Independent Trustees noted that the Fund’s asset levels have not recovered to its historic highs. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

43 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees and Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES                  

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Mary K. Anstine,
1940
Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.
Jeremy W. Deems,
1976
Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).
Rick A. Pederson,
1952
Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014- 2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

44 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees and Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Edmund J. Burke,
1961
Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web- based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All- Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

45 | November 30, 2022

 
 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees and Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:      
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Laton Spahr,
1975
President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.
Matthew Sutula,
1985
Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019), Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc
Kathryn Burns,
1976
Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.
Michael P. Lawlor,
1969
Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

46 | November 30, 2022

 
 

Intentionally Left Blank

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 14
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 15
Financial Statements  
Schedules of Investments 16
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 26
Statements of Operations 27
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 29
Financial Highlights 33
Notes to Financial Statements 37
Additional Information 46
Trustees & Officers 48

 

alpsfunds.com

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance Objective

The ALPS|O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (the "Fund") seeks investment results that track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index (the "Underlying Index").

 

The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of publicly-listed large-capitalization and mid-capitalization dividend-paying issuers in the United States that meet certain market capitalization, liquidity, high quality, low volatility and dividend yield thresholds, as determined by O'Shares Investment Advisers, LLC. The high quality and low volatility requirements are designed to reduce exposure to high dividend equities that have experienced large price declines. The constituents of the Underlying Index are selected from the S-Network U.S. Equity Large-Cap 500 Index.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022, generated a total return of 8.27%, performing relatively in line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 8.51%. The Fund slightly underperformed the Russell 1000® Value Index and the S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500), which returned 10.56% and 8.56%, respectively.

 

The trailing-twelve-month yield for the Fund’s underlying constituents as of November 30, 2022 was 1.85% vs. 1.88% for the Russell 1000® Value Index.

 

The S&P 500 returned 8.56% for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the U.S., offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., offset by CPI of 7.7%. Looking forward, we believe markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the S&P 500® Index Price-to-Earnings ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for U.S. and global equities.

 

Compared to the Russell 1000® Value Index, for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund saw a positive impact from its higher-quality holdings across non-cyclical sectors. The Fund outperformed the Index across Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology, and Health Care sectors, although its underweight to Energy drove the bulk of relative underperformance.

 

The best-performing stocks in the Fund for the period were TJX Companies Inc. (TJX), which increased 44.61%, Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD), which saw a gain of 43.69%, and Trane Technologies Plc (TT), rising 37.97%. The largest detractors for the Fund were Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), which decreased 20.88%, Intel Corp. (INTC), which fell 17.75%, and Church & Dwight Co Inc. (CHD), which lost 17.15%.

 

Looking forward we believe the Fund’s methodology of selecting large-cap and mid-cap companies in the U.S. with fundamental determinates including quality, low volatility, and dividend growth, provides a cost-efficient core investment holding.

 

Effective November 30, 2022, the Board of Trustees approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF – NAV 1.09% 8.99% 10.21%
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF – Market Price* 0.96% 8.96% 10.20%
O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index** 1.58% 9.54% 10.77%
Russell 1000® Value Index 2.42% 7.86% 8.58%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.48%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. The Fund adopted the historical performance of the O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (the "Predecessor Fund") as the result of a reorganization in which the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Predecessor Fund on June 17, 2022. The returns presented for the Fund for periods prior to June 17, 2022 reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund. At the time of the reorganization, the investment objectives of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were identical and the investment strategies of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were substantially the same. Previously, the Predecessor Fund had adopted the historical performance of the O’Shares FTSE U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (the “Previous Predecessor Fund”), a series of FQF Trust, as the result of a reorganization in which the Predecessor Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Previous Predecessor Fund on June 28, 2018. The returns presented for the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to June 28, 2018 reflect the performance of the Previous Predecessor Fund. At the time of the reorganization, the investment objectives of the Previous Predecessor Fund and the Predecessor Fund were identical and the investment strategies of the Previous Predecessor Fund and the Predecessor Fund were substantially the same. Effective June 1, 2020, the Predecessor Fund’s underlying index was changed to the Underlying Index from the FTSE USA Qual/Vol/Yield Factor 5% Capped Index (the “Former Index”). Thus, Predecessor Fund performance shown through May 31, 2020 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Former Index, and Predecessor Fund performance shown beginning June 1, 2020 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index. In addition, the Underlying Index performance shown reflects the blended performance of the Former Index through May 31, 2020 and the Underlying Index thereafter. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

1 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund's per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund's NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund's NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commencement date was July 14, 2015.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per shares, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

**The O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index performance information reflects the blended performance of the FTSE USA Qual/Vol/Yield Factor 5% Capped Index through May 31, 2020 and the O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index thereafter.

 

The O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index is designed to measure the performance of publicly-listed large-capitalization and mid-capitalization dividend-paying issuers in the United States that meet certain market capitalization, liquidity, high quality, low volatility and dividend yield thresholds. The high quality and low volatility requirements are designed to reduce exposure to high dividend equities that have experienced large price declines. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund's shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or "authorized participants" may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

2 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Home Depot, Inc. 5.11%
Microsoft Corp. 4.66%
Johnson & Johnson 4.25%
Pfizer, Inc. 4.03%
S&P Global, Inc. 3.91%
Merck & Co., Inc. 3.82%
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. 3.80%
T Rowe Price Group, Inc. 3.73%
Apple, Inc. 3.39%
McDonald's Corp. 3.15%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 39.85%

 

* % of Total Investments (excluding short term investments)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Information Technology 21.43%
Health Care 21.02%
Consumer Discretionary 16.43%
Financials 15.31%
Industrials 11.15%
Consumer Staples 9.64%
Communication Services 4.90%
Money Market Fund 0.12%
Total 100.00%

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

3 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance Objective

The ALPS|O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (the "Fund") seeks investment results that track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index (the "Underlying Index").

 

The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of publicly-listed small-capitalization dividend-paying issuers in the United States that meet certain market capitalization, liquidity, high quality, low volatility and dividend yield thresholds, as determined by O'Shares Investment Advisers, LLC. The high quality and low volatility factors are designed to reduce exposure to high dividend equities that have experienced large price declines, as may occur with some dividend investing strategies. The constituents of the Underlying Index are selected from the S-Network U.S. Equity Mid/Small-Cap 2500 Index.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF, for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022, generated a total return of 12.39%, relatively in line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 12.63%. The Fund outperformed the S&P 500® Total Return Index and Russell 2000® Value Index, which returned 8.56% and 10.68%, respectively, for the same period.

 

The trailing-twelve-month yield for the Fund’s underlying constituents as of 11/30/2022 was 1.81% vs. 1.95% for the Russell 2000 Value Index. The Russell 2000® Value Index returned 10.68% for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment in the U.S., offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., offset by CPI of 7.7%. Looking forward, we believe markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening as the Russell 2000 Value Index Price-to-Earnings ratio is below its 10-year average, and any pause or pivot in rate hikes would serve as a positive catalyst for U.S. and global equities.

 

Compared to the Russell 2000® Value Index, for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022, the Fund saw a positive impact from its higher-quality holdings across non-cyclical sectors. The Fund outperformed the Index across Information Technology, Consumer Staples, Communication Services and Industrials sectors, although its underweight to Energy drove the bulk of relative underperformance.

 

The best-performing stocks in the Fund for the period were Lancaster Colony Corp. (LANC), which increased 61.60%, Erie Indemnity Company (ERIE), which saw a gain of 48.47%, and National Instruments Corp. (NATI), rising 33.28%. The largest detractors for the Fund were Cable One Inc. (CABO), which decreased 43.46%, Mercury General Corp. (MCY), which fell 27.03%, and Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP), which lost 23.09%. Looking forward, we believe the Fund’s methodology of selecting small-cap companies in the U.S. with fundamental determinates including quality, low volatility, and dividend growth, provides a cost-efficient core investment holding.

 

Effective November 30, 2022, the Board of Trustees approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

  

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF – NAV 2.51% 7.58% 8.23%
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF – Market Price* 2.53% 7.56% 8.23%
O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index** 3.02% 8.11% 8.77%
Russell 2000® Value Index -4.75% 5.35% 5.93%

  

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.48%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. The Fund adopted the historical performance of the O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF (the "Predecessor Fund") as the result of a reorganization in which the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Predecessor Fund on June 17, 2022. The returns presented for the Fund for periods prior to June 17, 2022 reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund. At the time of the reorganization, the investment objectives of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were identical and the investment strategies of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were substantially the same. Effective May 4, 2018, the Predecessor Fund’s underlying index was changed from the FTSE USA Small Cap Qual/Vol/Yield Factor 3% Capped Index (the “Former Underlying Index 1”) to the FTSE USA Small Cap ex Real Estate 2Qual/Vol/Yield 3% Capped Factor Index (the “Former Underlying Index 2” and together with the Former Underlying Index 1, the “Former Underlying Indexes”). Effective June 1, 2020, the Predecessor Fund’s underlying index was changed from the Former Underlying Index 2 to the Underlying Index. Thus, Predecessor Fund performance shown prior to May 4, 2018 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Former Underlying Index 1, Predecessor Fund performance shown from May 4, 2018 through May 31, 2020 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Former Underlying Index 2, and Predecessor Fund performance shown beginning June 1, 2020 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index.

 

4 | November 30, 2022 

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In addition, the Underlying Index performance shown reflects the blended performance of the Former Underlying Index 1 through May 3, 2018, the Former Underlying Index 2 from May 4, 2018 through May 31, 2020 and the Underlying Index thereafter. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund's per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund's NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund's NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commencement date was December 30, 2016.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per shares, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

**The O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index performance information reflects the blended performance of the FTSE USA Small Cap Qual/Vol/Yield 3% Capped Factor Index through May 3, 2018, the FTSE USA Small Cap ex Real Estate 2Qual/Vol/Yield 3% Capped Factor Index from May 4, 2018 through May 31, 2020 and the O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index thereafter.

 

The O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index is designed to reflect the performance of publicly-listed small-capitalization dividend paying issuers in the United States that meet certain market capitalization, liquidity, high quality, low volatility and dividend yield thresholds. The quality and low volatility requirements are designed to reduce exposure to high dividend equities that have experienced large price declines. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The Russell 2000® Value Index measures the performance of the small capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund's shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or "authorized participants" may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

5 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. 2.41%
Erie Indemnity Co. 2.40%
Juniper Networks, Inc. 2.21%
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. 2.18%
Encompass Health Corp. 2.18%
Donaldson Co., Inc. 2.16%
SEI Investments Co. 2.12%
Old Republic International Corp. 2.11%
Snap-on, Inc. 2.07%
Gentex Corp. 2.05%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 21.89%

 

* % of Total Investments (excluding short term investments)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Industrials 22.69%
Financials 21.30%
Information Technology 20.19%
Consumer Discretionary 13.30%
Health Care 7.96%
Consumer Staples 5.68%
Utilities 4.51%
Communication Services 4.28%
Money Market Fund 0.09%
Total 100.00%

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

6 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance Objective

The ALPS|O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF (the "Fund") seeks investment results that track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the O'Shares Global Internet Giants Index (the "Underlying Index").

 

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking stocks exhibiting quality and growth characteristics in the "internet sector", as defined by O'Shares Investment Advisers, LLC.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS|O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF generated a total return of -7.27% for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022, relatively in line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned -7.07%. The Fund underperformed the NASDAQ 100 Index, which returned 4.99% for the same period.

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index returned 8.56% for the trailing five-month period that ended November 30, 2022. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment across developed and emerging markets, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows Real Gross Domestic Product year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., 2.3% in the Eurozone, 1.8% in Japan and 3.9% in China. Looking forward, we believe global markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening. We believe that global stocks, as measured by the Morningstar Global Markets Index, that exhibit Price-to-Earnings ratios below 10-year averages, along with any pause or pivot in rate hikes across developed central banks, will likely serve as positive catalysts for global equities.

 

The Fund underperformed the NASDAQ 100 Index, which returned 4.99% for the trailing five-month period ending November 30, 2022. The Fund holds roughly 80% U.S. equities and 20% foreign equities, with the majority of foreign holdings domiciled in China. The U.S. Dollar created a headwind for global equities, strengthening relative to global currencies and cementing its status as the global reserve currency, causing ex-U.S. markets to underperform. Global markets and economic activity were directly impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as the combined impact of regulatory crackdowns and the Zero COVID mandate in China pressuring supply chains. For emerging economies, higher energy prices and inflation was uncontrollable, disproportionately impacting yields and output compared to developed economies. Energy and natural gas shortages stemming from Russia have exacerbated inflation, adding to currency devaluation across ex-U.S. countries. Value outperformed growth equities in global markets for the trailing twelve-month period, with cyclical sectors leading due to company pricing power amidst higher prices. Although global growth prospects remain murky, quantitative tightening, defined as monetary policies that contract or reduce the Federal Reserve balance sheet, is well on its way, with China ahead of the pack and beginning to stimulate its economy through easing COVID-19 restrictions and monetary policy.

 

The best-performing stocks in the Fund for the period were Etsy Inc. (ETSY US), which increased by 80.43%, and Netflix Inc. (NFLX US), which saw a gain of 74.72%. Other top performers included Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE US), which climbed 64.95%. The largest detractors were Applovin Corp. (APP US), which decreased 58.16%, Sinch AB (SINCH SS), which fell 52.79%, and Twilio Inc. (TWLO) lost 41.51%.

 

Looking forward, we believe the Fund’s rules-based approach of investing in some of the largest global companies that derive most of their revenue from the internet technology and e-commerce business segments with above-average growth potential provides a quality and differentiated investment holding.

 

Effective November 30, 2022, the Board of Trustees approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year Since Inception^
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF – NAV -51.83% 0.10%
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF – Market Price* -51.72% 0.14%
O'Shares Global Internet Giants Index -51.58% 0.60%
NASDAQ 100 Index -24.81% 13.32%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.48%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. The Fund adopted the historical performance of the O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF (the "Predecessor Fund") as the result of a reorganization in which the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Predecessor Fund on June 17, 2022. The returns presented for the Fund for periods prior to June 17, 2022 reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund. At the time of the reorganization, the investment objectives of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were identical and the investment strategies of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were substantially the same. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

7 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund's per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund's NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund's NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commencement date was June 5, 2018.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per shares, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The O’Shares Global Internet Giants Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking stocks exhibiting quality and growth characteristics in the internet technology and e-commerce business segments and pass screens for gross margin and cash burn sustainability. Companies included in the Underlying Index derive at least 50% of their revenues from a) internet technology companies whose principal business is to provide the technologies that support internet commerce; and b) internet commerce companies whose principal business is to sell products and services via the internet. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The NASDAQ 100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund's shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or "authorized participants" may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Microsoft Corp. 6.88%
Alphabet, Inc. 5.93%
Amazon.com, Inc. 5.18%
Meituan 2.30%
Pinduoduo, Inc. 1.86%
Shopify, Inc. 1.81%
Snowflake, Inc. 1.77%
ServiceNow, Inc. 1.75%
MercadoLibre, Inc. 1.75%
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. 1.48%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 30.71%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding short term investments)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Country Exposure* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

United States 76.98%
China 12.18%
Canada 1.81%
Uruguay 1.75%
Germany 1.71%
Israel 1.70%
Poland 1.21%
Singapore 1.08%
New Zealand 0.72%
Japan 0.52%
Sweden 0.34%
Total 100.00%

8 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

9 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance Objective

The ALPS|O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF (the "Fund") seeks investment results that track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index (the "Underlying Index").

 

The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of publicly-listed large-capitalization and mid-capitalization dividend-paying issuers in Europe that meet certain market capitalization, liquidity, high quality, low volatility and dividend yield thresholds, as determined by O'Shares Investment Advisers, LLC. The high quality and low volatility requirements are designed to reduce exposure to high dividend equities that have experienced large price declines. The constituents of the Underlying Index are selected from the S-Network Europe Equity 500 Index.

 

Performance Overview

The ALPS|O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF generated a total return of 7.78% for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 8.41%. The Fund outperformed the Morningstar Developed Markets ex-North America Index (MSDINUS Index) but lagged the Euro Stoxx 50 Index, which returned 5.73% and 13.48%, respectively, for the same period.

 

The trailing five-month yield for the Fund’s constituents as of November 30, 2022 was 1.90% vs. 3.29% for the MSDINUS Index.

 

European stocks, as represented by the Euro Stoxx 50 Index, returned 15.36% for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022.

 

Developed Markets (ex-U.S.), as represented by the MSDINUS Index, returned 5.73% for the trailing five-month period ended November 30, 2022 compared to the S&P 500 Total Return Index return of 8.56%. Pressured by the Federal Reserve (Fed) raising interest rates to combat inflation, markets adjusted equity values to reflect a forward-looking slowed economy. Main macroeconomic talking points throughout 2022 centered on the path of future interest rates driven by monetary policy, and inflation sustaining levels well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Inflation fears continued to be justified with the year-over-year Consumer Price Index surging above 9% in June, along with core inflation readings maintaining levels above 6%. Despite the quantitative tightening efforts in 2022, many economic indicators remain strong including consumer spending, wage growth and low unemployment across developed and emerging markets, offering a sliver of hope for a soft landing. Global supply chains were relieved of backlogs and most delays stemming from COVID-19 restrictions, benefitting company margins and lowering some pressure on prices of inflated goods. The latest economic data shows Real Gross Domestic Product year-over-year rising 1.9% in the U.S., 2.3% in the Eurozone, 1.8% in Japan, and 3.9% in China. Looking forward, we believe global markets have likely discounted a significant portion of quantitative tightening. We believe that global stocks, as measured by the MSDINUS Index, that exhibit Price-to-Earnings ratios below 10-year averages, along with any pause or pivot in rate hikes across developed central banks, will likely serve as positive catalysts for global equities.

 

Compared to the Euro Stoxx 50 Index, the Fund saw a positive impact of +0.36% from its relative underweight to Industrials while the Fund’s underweight to Financials was the largest detractor (-2.11%) from relative performance. From a geographical perspective, the highest contribution to return was attributed to holdings based in Germany, which contributed +1.83% towards overall Fund performance. All regions in the Fund contributed positive performance for the trailing five-month period.

 

The best-performing stocks for the trailing five-month period were Hermes International (RMS FP), which increased 42.43%, Atlas Copco AB (ATCOA SS), which returned 31.15%, and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (MC FP), which gained 24.88%. The worst performing stocks were GSK PLC (GSK LN), losing 21.08%, Essity Aktiebolag (ESSITYB SS), which fell 16.66%, and Accelleron Industries AG (ACLN SW), which decreased by 13.57%.

 

Looking forward, we believe the Fund’s methodology of selecting large-cap and mid-cap companies in Europe with fundamental determinates including quality, low volatility and dividend growth, provides a cost-efficient core investment holding.

 

Effective November 30, 2022, the Board of Trustees approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF – NAV -10.59% 2.18% 2.51%
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF – Market Price* -10.27% 2.33% 2.65%
O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index** -10.25% 2.66% 3.00%
EURO STOXX 50 Net Return USD Index -8.49% 1.55% 3.24%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.48%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. The Fund adopted the historical performance of the O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF (the "Predecessor Fund") as the result of a reorganization in which the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Predecessor Fund on June 17, 2022. The returns presented for the Fund for periods prior to June 17, 2022 reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund. At the time of the reorganization, the investment objectives of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were identical and the investment strategies of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund were substantially the same. Previously, the Predecessor Fund had adopted the historical performance of the O’Shares FTSE Europe Quality Dividend ETF (the “Previous Predecessor Fund”), a series of FQF Trust, as the result of a reorganization in which the Predecessor Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Previous Predecessor Fund on June 28, 2018. The returns presented for the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to June 28, 2018 reflect the performance of the Previous Predecessor Fund. At the time of the reorganization, the investment objectives of the Previous Predecessor Fund and the Predecessor Fund were identical and the investment strategies of the Previous Predecessor Fund and the Predecessor Fund were substantially the same.

 

10 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Effective June 1, 2020, the Predecessor Fund’s underlying index was changed to the Underlying Index from the FTSE Developed Europe Qual/Vol/Yield 5% Capped Factor Index (the “Former Index”). Thus, Predecessor Fund performance shown through May 31, 2020 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Former Index, and Predecessor Fund performance shown beginning June 1, 2020 reflects the Predecessor Fund seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index. In addition, the Underlying Index performance shown reflects the blended performance of the Former Index through May 31, 2020 and the Underlying Index thereafter. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund's per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund's NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund's NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commencement date was August 19, 2015.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per shares, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

**The O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index performance information reflects the blended performance of the FTSE Developed Europe Qual/Vol/Yield 5% Capped Factor Index through May 31, 2020 and the O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index thereafter.

 

The O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index is designed to reflect the performance of publicly-listed large-capitalization and mid-capitalization dividend paying issuers in Europe that meet certain market capitalization, liquidity, high quality, low volatility and high dividend yield thresholds. The quality and low volatility requirements are designed to reduce exposure to high dividend equities that have experienced large price declines. The index is reported on a Net Total Return basis which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period (net of any amounts of withholding tax).

 

The EURO STOXX 50 Net Return USD Index represents the performance of the 50 largest companies among the 20 supersectors in terms of free-float market cap in Eurozone countries.

 

The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The Fund's shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or "authorized participants" may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

11 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

SAP SE 5.67%
ASML Holding NV 5.49%
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE 5.38%
Novartis AG 4.92%
Nestle SA 4.73%
Novo Nordisk A/S 4.61%
Roche Holding AG 3.93%
Schneider Electric SE 3.40%
Kering SA 2.81%
3i Group PLC 2.72%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 43.66%

 

Country Exposure* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Switzerland 21.86%
France 18.59%
Great Britain 13.77%
Germany 13.02%
Netherlands 10.65%
Sweden 8.05%
Denmark 6.73%
Finland 3.44%
Spain 2.47%
Ireland 1.37%
United States 0.05%
Total 100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding short term investments)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Industrials 23.39%
Health Care 15.68%
Information Technology 15.64%
Consumer Staples 15.23%
Consumer Discretionary 14.92%
Utilities 6.56%
Financials 5.84%
Communication Services 1.52%
Transportation 1.17%
Money Market Fund 0.05%
Total 100.00%

12 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

13 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF        
Actual(c) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,082.70 0.48% $ 2.10
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,018.95 0.48% $ 2.03
         
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF        
Actual(c) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,123.90 0.48% $ 2.14
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,018.95 0.48% $ 2.03
         
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF        
Actual(c) $ 1,000.00 $ 927.30 0.48% $ 1.94
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,018.95 0.48% $ 2.03
         
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF        
Actual(c) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,077.80 0.48% $ 2.09
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000.00 $ 1,018.95 0.48% $ 2.03

 

(a)Annualized based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

(c)The Funds' fiscal year end changed from June 30th to November 30th. Actual expenses on the Funds are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value of the period, multiplied by the number of days since the prior year-end (153) divided by 365. Actual returns for the Funds represent the period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022.

 

14 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF, and ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF, and ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF, each a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations for the period July 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022 and for the year ended June 30, 2022, the statements of changes in net assets for the period July 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2022, the financial highlights as noted in the table below, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of November 30, 2022, and the results of their operations and the changes in their net assets for each of the periods noted above and their financial highlights for each of the periods noted in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Fund Financial Highlights Presented
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF For the period July 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022 and each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2022
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF For the period July 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022 and each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2022
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF For the period July 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022 and each of the years in the four-year period ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from June 5, 2018 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2018
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF For the period July 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022 and each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2022

 

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust and the former OSI ETF Trust since 2017.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

15 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.87%)        
Aerospace & Defense (2.06%)        
General Dynamics Corp.   9,684   $2,444,145 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   4,529    1,028,445 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   14,014    6,799,453 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   9,702    5,173,980 
Total Aerospace & Defense        15,446,023 
           
Air Freight & Logistics (2.48%)          
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   7,791    780,814 
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.   14,999    1,740,784 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   84,975    16,122,308 
Total Air Freight & Logistics        18,643,906 
           
Beverages (2.79%)          
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B   13,139    959,410 
Coca-Cola Co.   159,487    10,144,968 
PepsiCo, Inc.   52,749    9,785,467 
Total Beverages        20,889,845 
           
Biotechnology (3.22%)          
AbbVie, Inc.   65,107    10,493,946 
Amgen, Inc.   34,801    9,967,006 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   41,353    3,632,034 
Total Biotechnology        24,092,986 
           
Building Products (0.18%)          
Trane Technologies PLC   7,379    1,316,561 
           
Capital Markets (10.91%)          
BlackRock, Inc.   8,046    5,760,936 
Blackstone, Inc.   78,275    7,164,511 
Moody's Corp.   21,928    6,540,465 
MSCI, Inc.   9,965    5,060,526 
S&P Global, Inc.   82,816    29,217,484 
T Rowe Price Group, Inc.   223,207    27,880,786 
Total Capital Markets        81,624,708 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies (0.45%)          
Cintas Corp.   2,932    1,353,939 
Waste Management, Inc.   11,909    1,997,377 
Total Commercial Services & Supplies        3,351,316 
           
Communications Equipment (2.61%)          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   369,578    18,375,418 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.   4,244    1,155,217 
Total Communications Equipment        19,530,635 
           
Diversified Telecommunication Services (2.52%)          
AT&T, Inc.   245,015    4,723,889 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   364,080    14,191,839 
Total Diversified Telecommunication Services        18,915,728 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Electrical Equipment (0.42%)        
Eaton Corp. PLC   7,210   $1,178,475 
Emerson Electric Co.   20,194    1,933,979 
Total Electrical Equipment        3,112,454 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.56%)          
Amphenol Corp., Class A   19,324    1,554,229 
Corning, Inc.   17,525    598,128 
TE Connectivity, Ltd.   15,993    2,017,038 
Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components        4,169,395 
           
Food & Staples Retailing (1.34%)          
Costco Wholesale Corp.   9,415    5,077,039 
Walmart, Inc.   32,463    4,948,010 
Total Food & Staples Retailing        10,025,049 
           
Food Products (0.94%)          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   8,837    861,608 
General Mills, Inc.   14,936    1,274,041 
Hershey Co.   6,920    1,627,376 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A   36,530    2,469,793 
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A   12,328    817,100 
Total Food Products        7,049,918 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.85%)          
Abbott Laboratories   103,504    11,134,961 
Medtronic PLC   34,631    2,737,234 
Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies        13,872,195 
           
Health Care Providers & Services (1.67%)          
CVS Health Corp.   5,513    561,664 
Elevance Health, Inc.   1,357    723,172 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   4,922    747,308 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   19,061    10,440,854 
Total Health Care Providers & Services        12,472,998 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (6.31%)          
McDonald's Corp.   86,351    23,555,689 
Starbucks Corp.   177,081    18,097,678 
Yum! Brands, Inc.   43,168    5,553,995 
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure        47,207,362 
           
Household Durables (0.34%)          
Garmin, Ltd.   27,086    2,518,727 
           
Household Products (3.47%)          
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   37,066    2,871,874 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.   12,085    1,639,089 
Procter & Gamble Co.   143,909    21,465,466 
Total Household Products        25,976,429 
           
Industrial Conglomerates (1.80%)          
3M Co.   38,333    4,828,808 

 

16 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrial Conglomerates (continued)        
Honeywell International, Inc.   39,373   $8,644,342 
Total Industrial Conglomerates        13,473,150 
           
Insurance (4.40%)          
Chubb, Ltd.   20,444    4,489,298 
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.   164,149    28,427,324 
Total Insurance        32,916,622 
           
IT Services (5.31%)          
Accenture PLC, Class A   42,251    12,714,594 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.   10,320    2,725,925 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   44,643    2,777,241 
International Business Machines Corp.   8,580    1,277,562 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   11,246    4,008,074 
Paychex, Inc.   18,368    2,278,183 
Visa, Inc., Class A   64,471    13,990,208 
Total IT Services        39,771,787 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.27%)          
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   4,488    695,550 
Danaher Corp.   2,959    809,021 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   964    540,052 
Total Life Sciences Tools & Services        2,044,623 
           
Machinery (1.58%)          
Caterpillar, Inc.   7,691    1,818,229 
Cummins, Inc.   6,666    1,674,233 
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.   30,029    6,830,697 
Otis Worldwide Corp.   18,772    1,465,905 
Total Machinery        11,789,064 
           
Media (2.38%)          
Comcast Corp., Class A   485,032    17,771,572 
           
Multiline Retail (0.78%)          
Dollar General Corp.   11,185    2,859,781 
Target Corp.   17,665    2,951,291 
Total Multiline Retail        5,811,072 
           
Personal Products (0.09%)          
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A   2,760    650,780 
           
Pharmaceuticals (14.01%)          
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   65,139    5,229,359 
Eli Lilly & Co.   19,733    7,322,522 
Johnson & Johnson   178,491    31,771,397 
Merck & Co., Inc.   259,821    28,611,489 
Pfizer, Inc.   601,042    30,130,234 
Zoetis, Inc.   10,912    1,681,976 
Total Pharmaceuticals        104,746,977 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Professional Services (0.10%)        
Verisk Analytics, Inc.   4,151   $762,580 
           
Road & Rail (1.64%)          
CSX Corp.   54,830    1,792,393 
Norfolk Southern Corp.   9,009    2,310,809 
Union Pacific Corp.   37,398    8,131,446 
Total Road & Rail        12,234,648 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (4.42%)          
Analog Devices, Inc.   15,064    2,589,652 
Broadcom, Inc.   5,390    2,970,052 
Intel Corp.   115,875    3,484,361 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   7,865    994,844 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   127,548    23,017,312 
Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment        33,056,221 
           
Software (5.01%)          
Microsoft Corp.   136,740    34,887,844 
Oracle Corp.   31,346    2,602,658 
Total Software        37,490,502 
           
Specialty Retail (8.49%)          
Home Depot, Inc.   117,997    38,229,849 
Lowe's Cos., Inc.   59,962    12,744,923 
TJX Cos., Inc.   115,370    9,235,369 
Tractor Supply Co.   14,646    3,314,536 
Total Specialty Retail        63,524,677 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (3.51%)          
Apple, Inc.   171,198    25,342,440 
HP, Inc.   29,383    882,665 
Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals        26,225,105 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.51%)          
NIKE, Inc., Class B   35,041    3,843,647 
           
Tobacco (1.01%)          
Altria Group, Inc.   29,582    1,377,930 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   61,895    6,169,074 
Total Tobacco        7,547,004 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors (0.44%)          
Fastenal Co.   63,493    3,270,524 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $654,946,874)        747,146,790 

 

17 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.12%)            
Money Market Fund (0.12%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)   3.69%   925,127   $925,127 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $925,127)             925,127 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.99%)               
(Cost $655,872,001)            $748,071,917 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.01%)             49,585 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $748,121,502 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.88%)        
Air Freight & Logistics (0.43%)        
Forward Air Corp.   6,962   $782,320 
           
Auto Components (3.04%)          
BorgWarner, Inc.   29,368    1,248,434 
Gentex Corp.   129,201    3,733,908 
Lear Corp.   3,853    555,757 
Total Auto Components        5,538,099 
           
Beverages (0.32%)          
Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B   10,706    590,008 
           
Building Products (2.75%)          
A O Smith Corp.   61,138    3,713,522 
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.   6,918    643,720 
UFP Industries, Inc.   7,874    644,566 
Total Building Products        5,001,808 
           
Capital Markets (12.34%)          
Artisan Partners Asset          
Management, Inc., Class A   35,803    1,242,006 
Cohen & Steers, Inc.   20,657    1,368,526 
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.   4,759    846,912 
Evercore, Inc., Class A   18,548    2,136,359 
GCM Grosvenor, Inc.   166,823    1,463,038 
Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A   13,389    989,179 
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.   44,515    4,378,049 
Invesco, Ltd.   40,269    769,541 
Lazard, Ltd., Class A   57,969    2,122,245 
Moelis & Co., Class A   55,716    2,408,046 
Morningstar, Inc.   3,558    872,173 
SEI Investments Co.   62,047    3,864,287 
Total Capital Markets        22,460,361 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies (1.21%)          
Ennis, Inc.   40,165    933,033 
Tetra Tech, Inc.   8,190    1,266,092 
Total Commercial Services & Supplies        2,199,125 
           
Communications Equipment (2.21%)          
Juniper Networks, Inc.   120,959    4,020,677 
           
Consumer Finance (0.55%)          
FirstCash Holdings, Inc.   10,716    1,005,804 
           
Diversified Consumer Services (2.42%)          
H&R Block, Inc.   30,910    1,351,076 
Service Corp. International   42,647    3,047,128 
Total Diversified Consumer Services        4,398,204 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.43%)        
Cogent Communications        
Holdings, Inc.   13,598   $789,364 
           
Electric Utilities (1.97%)          
ALLETE, Inc.   3,789    250,832 
IDACORP, Inc.   3,470    383,539 
MGE Energy, Inc.   2,654    191,115 
NRG Energy, Inc.   21,318    904,950 
OGE Energy Corp.   22,277    901,327 
Otter Tail Corp.   4,754    283,481 
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.   5,582    437,182 
Portland General Electric Co.   4,630    227,935 
Total Electric Utilities        3,580,361 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (5.08%)          
Avnet, Inc.   74,899    3,383,188 
Littelfuse, Inc.   6,438    1,586,967 
National Instruments Corp.   73,109    2,998,931 
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.   55,242    1,272,776 
Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components        9,241,862 
           
Food & Staples Retailing (0.45%)          
Casey's General Stores, Inc.   2,282    554,572 
Weis Markets, Inc.   3,039    265,031 
Total Food & Staples Retailing        819,603 
           
Food Products (4.34%)          
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.   14,756    859,980 
Flowers Foods, Inc.   76,971    2,312,978 
Ingredion, Inc.   22,938    2,247,236 
J & J Snack Foods Corp.   2,632    431,701 
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.   4,430    384,967 
Lancaster Colony Corp.   6,431    1,332,117 
Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.   7,236    325,258 
Total Food Products        7,894,237 
           
Gas Utilities (1.48%)          
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.   772    92,432 
National Fuel Gas Co.   12,702    841,253 
New Jersey Resources Corp.   4,266    212,234 
Spire, Inc.   2,625    194,513 
UGI Corp.   35,202    1,360,556 
Total Gas Utilities        2,700,988 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.31%)          
DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.   78,547    2,376,832 
           
Health Care Providers & Services (4.95%)          
Encompass Health Corp.   67,693    3,958,688 
National HealthCare Corp.   28,727    1,770,732 
Premier, Inc., Class A   98,564    3,287,109 
Total Health Care Providers & Services        9,016,529 

 

19 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (3.59%)        
Choice Hotels International, Inc.   6,992   $861,554 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.   4,689    538,297 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.   15,099    1,499,633 
Vail Resorts, Inc.   12,087    3,112,887 
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   7,265    532,670 
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure        6,545,041 
           
Household Durables (1.28%)          
Leggett & Platt, Inc.   34,863    1,241,471 
Whirlpool Corp.   7,364    1,079,047 
Total Household Durables        2,320,518 
           
Household Products (0.57%)          
Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.   20,503    655,275 
WD-40 Co.   2,237    374,698 
Total Household Products        1,029,973 
           
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.15%)          
Clearway Energy, Inc.   7,681    272,215 
           
Insurance (7.66%)          
Erie Indemnity Co., Class A   15,433    4,358,125 
First American Financial Corp.   64,905    3,547,058 
Old Republic International Corp.   156,335    3,830,208 
RLI Corp.   9,677    1,258,687 
Stewart Information Services Corp.   21,131    935,258 
Total Insurance        13,929,336 
           
IT Services (9.71%)          
Amdocs, Ltd.   41,520    3,689,467 
CSG Systems International, Inc.   19,305    1,193,821 
Genpact, Ltd.   61,962    2,857,068 
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   17,601    3,332,749 
Maximus, Inc.   44,475    3,126,593 
Western Union Co.   235,928    3,458,704 
Total IT Services        17,658,402 
           
Leisure Products (0.78%)          
Brunswick Corp.   6,849    508,196 
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.   16,574    910,410 
Total Leisure Products        1,418,606 
           
Machinery (11.53%)          
Crane Holdings Co.   15,009    1,590,053 
Donaldson Co., Inc.   64,488    3,928,608 
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.   11,812    983,940 
Graco, Inc.   53,030    3,710,509 
ITT, Inc.   16,095    1,360,349 
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.   25,079    3,708,683 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Machinery (continued)        
Mueller Industries, Inc.   10,583   $727,793 
Snap-on, Inc.   15,631    3,760,819 
Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A   7,691    1,218,639 
Total Machinery        20,989,393 
           
Media (3.85%)          
Cable One, Inc.   441    319,412 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   115,250    3,959,989 
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A   15,094    715,607 
New York Times Co., Class A   16,655    610,406 
News Corp., Class A   49,397    945,953 
TEGNA, Inc.   22,360    441,386 
Total Media        6,992,753 
           
Multi-Utilities (0.59%)          
Avista Corp.   3,025    124,872 
Black Hills Corp.   2,405    172,270 
NiSource, Inc.   21,372    597,134 
NorthWestern Corp.   3,025    176,690 
Total Multi-Utilities        1,070,966 
           
Pharmaceuticals (1.69%)          
Organon & Co.   118,366    3,079,883 
           
Professional Services (2.85%)          
Exponent, Inc.   16,243    1,679,689 
Robert Half International, Inc.   44,510    3,506,497 
Total Professional Services        5,186,186 
           
Road & Rail (2.12%)          
Landstar System, Inc.   11,584    2,003,800 
Schneider National, Inc., Class B   71,726    1,847,662 
Total Road & Rail        3,851,462 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.74%)          
Power Integrations, Inc.   16,741    1,347,316 
           
Software (2.45%)          
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A   47,004    3,519,189 
InterDigital, Inc.   18,763    941,340 
Total Software        4,460,529 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (2.19%)          
Carter's, Inc.   16,132    1,178,281 
Columbia Sportswear Co.   13,321    1,193,428 
Ralph Lauren Corp.   8,190    926,453 
Steven Madden, Ltd.   19,718    681,060 
Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods        3,979,222 
           
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.74%)          
Essent Group, Ltd.   14,490    580,904 

 

20 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (continued)        
Radian Group, Inc.   38,734   $758,024 
Total Thrifts & Mortgage Finance        1,338,928 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors (1.80%)          
Watsco, Inc.   12,167    3,272,680 
           
Water Utilities (0.31%)          
American States Water Co.   2,183    213,912 
Essential Utilities, Inc.   7,401    357,024 
Total Water Utilities        570,936 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $162,735,624)        181,730,527 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.09%)            
Money Market Fund (0.09%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)   3.69%   161,958    161,958 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $161,958)             161,958 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.97%)               
(Cost $162,897,582)            $181,892,485 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.03%)             51,429 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $181,943,914 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.93%)        
Entertainment (9.07%)        
Activision Blizzard, Inc.   14,645   $1,082,998 
Bilibili, Inc., ADR(a)   89,474    1,553,269 
Electronic Arts, Inc.   5,528    722,952 
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.(a)   16,400    1,193,264 
NetEase, Inc.   39,068    546,685 
Netflix, Inc.(a)   3,751    1,146,043 
Nexon Co., Ltd.   38,000    796,379 
ROBLOX Corp., Class A(a)   44,181    1,403,630 
Roku, Inc.(a)   16,441    976,102 
Sea, Ltd., ADR(a)   28,155    1,643,407 
Spotify Technology SA(a)   6,544    519,724 
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(a)   21,303    2,251,515 
Total Entertainment        13,835,968 
           
Interactive Media & Services (13.46%)          
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   89,622    9,050,926 
Baidu, Inc., Sponsored ADR(a)   5,244    569,498 
Kanzhun, Ltd., ADR(a)   99,873    1,879,610 
Kuaishou Technology(a)(b)(c)   146,000    1,057,016 
Match Group, Inc.(a)   10,472    529,464 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   15,649    1,848,147 
Pinterest, Inc., Class A(a)   41,903    1,065,174 
Snap, Inc., Class A(a)   88,021    907,497 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   57,117    2,100,129 
ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc.(a)   53,283    1,523,894 
Total Interactive Media & Services        20,531,355 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (17.89%)          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.,          
Sponsored ADR(a)   17,950    1,571,702 
Allegro.eu SA(a)(b)(c)   372,124    1,853,032 
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   81,924    7,908,944 
Chewy, Inc., Class A(a)   21,463    925,699 
Delivery Hero SE(a)(b)(c)   44,998    1,918,425 
DoorDash, Inc., Class A(a)   30,335    1,767,014 
Etsy, Inc.(a)   6,894    910,628 
JD.com, Inc., Class A   50,846    1,424,296 
Meituan, Class B(a)(b)(c)   167,366    3,505,473 
MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)   2,861    2,663,548 
Pinduoduo, Inc., ADR(a)   34,537    2,833,415 
Total Internet & Direct Marketing Retail        27,282,176 
           
IT Services (9.08%)          
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A(a)   39,513    1,941,669 
DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.(a)   47,344    1,412,272 
MongoDB, Inc.(a)   8,586    1,310,996 
Okta, Inc.(a)   32,594    1,737,912 
Shopify, Inc., Class A(a)   67,619    2,764,264 
Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)   18,913    2,702,668 
Twilio, Inc., Class A(a)   28,941    1,418,688 
VeriSign, Inc.(a)   2,825    564,463 
Total IT Services        13,852,932 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Software (50.43%)        
Adobe, Inc.(a)   5,895   $2,033,362 
AppLovin Corp., Class A(a)   39,811    573,677 
Asana, Inc., Class A(a)   91,122    1,654,776 
Atlassian Corp., Class A(a)   12,600    1,657,530 
Bill.com Holdings, Inc.(a)   15,422    1,857,117 
Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc.(a)   18,235    1,248,003 
Confluent, Inc., Class A(a)   82,399    1,897,649 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)   16,490    1,940,049 
Datadog, Inc., Class A(a)   28,435    2,154,804 
DocuSign, Inc.(a)   14,557    685,198 
Dynatrace, Inc.(a)   37,677    1,459,984 
Elastic NV(a)   22,495    1,376,469 
Five9, Inc.(a)   17,849    1,144,299 
Fortinet, Inc.(a)   41,478    2,204,970 
Gitlab, Inc., Class A(a)   41,820    1,653,981 
HashiCorp, Inc., Class A(a)   63,764    1,740,757 
HubSpot, Inc.(a)   5,793    1,755,453 
Intuit, Inc.   3,912    1,594,492 
Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd.(a)   934,215    1,540,490 
Microsoft Corp.   41,144    10,497,480 
Monday.com, Ltd.(a)   17,416    1,872,220 
Nice, Ltd., ADR(a)   3,660    710,662 
Oracle Corp.   25,795    2,141,759 
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Class A(a)   228,160    1,711,200 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)   11,783    2,001,932 
Paycom Software, Inc.(a)   4,895    1,659,895 
Paylocity Holding Corp.(a)   7,098    1,546,157 
Qualtrics International, Inc., Class A(a)   117,644    1,207,027 
Salesforce, Inc.(a)   13,084    2,096,711 
Samsara, Inc., Class A(a)   165,937    1,581,380 
SAP SE   6,319    686,885 
SentinelOne, Inc., Class A(a)   86,006    1,247,087 
ServiceNow, Inc.(a)   6,427    2,675,560 
Smartsheet, Inc., Class A(a)   56,827    1,746,862 
Splunk, Inc.(a)   16,482    1,280,322 
Trade Desk, Inc., Class A(a)   34,990    1,824,379 
Tyler Technologies, Inc.(a)   1,438    492,860 
UiPath, Inc., Class A(a)   143,923    1,794,720 
Unity Software, Inc.(a)   47,786    1,888,025 
VMware, Inc., Class A(a)   4,842    588,255 
Workday, Inc., Class A(a)   9,589    1,609,993 
Xero, Ltd.(a)   22,899    1,097,933 
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A(a)   6,937    523,258 
Zscaler, Inc.(a)   16,853    2,249,033 
Total Software        76,904,655 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $244,205,523)        152,407,086 

 

22 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.09%)            
Money Market Fund (0.09%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)   3.69%   132,849   $132,849 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $132,849)             132,849 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.02%)               
(Cost $244,338,372)            $152,539,935 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.02%)             (26,828)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $152,513,107 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $8,333,946, representing 5.46% of net assets.
(c)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2022, the market value of those securities was $8,333,946 representing 5.46% of net assets.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

23 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.55%)        
Air Freight & Logistics (2.14%)        
Deutsche Post AG   19,409   $764,056 
           
Auto Components (1.17%)          
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA   14,961    416,068 
           
Automobiles (3.86%)          
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG   10,653    956,795 
Stellantis NV   27,146    420,673 
Total Automobiles        1,377,468 
           
Beverages (3.04%)          
Carlsberg A/s(a)   1,873    234,127 
Diageo PLC   12,496    573,518 
Heineken NV   1,536    141,104 
Pernod Ricard SA   672    132,130 
Total Beverages        1,080,879 
           
Building Products (2.33%)          
Assa Abloy AB, Class B   25,896    587,612 
Geberit AG   515    243,173 
Total Building Products        830,785 
           
Capital Markets (5.10%)          
3i Group PLC   59,441    966,086 
Partners Group Holding AG   876    856,328 
Total Capital Markets        1,822,414 
           
Communications Equipment (2.18%)          
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson   125,246    776,627 
           
Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.52%)          
Elisa Oyj   10,459    541,572 
           
Electric Utilities (4.70%)          
Iberdrola SA   78,190    877,113 
SSE PLC   38,764    798,220 
Total Electric Utilities        1,675,333 
           
Electrical Equipment (6.39%)          
ABB, Ltd.   22,951    712,118 
Legrand SA   4,453    359,028 
Schneider Electric SE   8,354    1,207,660 
Total Electrical Equipment        2,278,806 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (2.28%)          
Hexagon AB, Class B   72,435    814,923 
           
Food & Staples Retailing (0.94%)          
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV   11,629    336,595 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Food Products (4.89%)        
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG   6   $62,901 
Nestle SA   14,142    1,678,956 
Total Food Products        1,741,857 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.29%)          
Coloplast A/S, Class B   894    104,271 
           
Household Products (1.50%)          
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC   7,450    534,080 
           
Insurance (0.70%)          
Zurich Insurance Group AG   524    250,800 
           
Machinery (4.19%)          
Atlas Copco AB   55,318    680,344 
Kone Oyj, Class B   13,741    679,343 
Schindler Holding AG(a)   733    137,227 
Total Machinery        1,496,914 
           
Marine (2.70%)          
A P Moller-Maersk A/S(a)   193    414,508 
Kuehne + Nagel International AG   2,280    550,814 
Total Marine        965,322 
           
Multi-Utilities (1.84%)          
E.ON SE   69,127    656,325 
           
Personal Products (4.50%)          
L'Oreal SA   1,847    681,924 
Unilever PLC   18,514    924,696 
Total Personal Products        1,606,620 
           
Pharmaceuticals (15.33%)          
GSK PLC   8,671    147,021 
Merck KGaA   1,297    234,572 
Novartis AG   19,762    1,746,991 
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B   13,247    1,638,463 
Roche Holding AG   4,292    1,396,119 
Sanofi   3,347    301,201 
Total Pharmaceuticals        5,464,367 
           
Professional Services (6.69%)          
Experian PLC   13,868    485,556 
RELX PLC   30,034    836,912 
SGS SA   55    127,873 
Wolters Kluwer NV   8,541    934,997 
Total Professional Services        2,385,338 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (5.47%)          
ASML Holding NV   3,341    1,950,753 

 

24 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Software (5.65%)        
SAP SE   18,531   $2,014,347 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (9.84%)          
Hermes International   371    595,504 
Kering SA   1,691    998,432 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   2,492    1,911,957 
Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods        3,505,893 
           
Tobacco (0.31%)          
British American Tobacco PLC   2,666    108,960 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $38,001,595)        35,501,373 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.05%)            
Money Market Fund (0.05%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)   3.69%   18,888    18,888 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $18,888)             18,888 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.60%)               
(Cost $38,020,483)            $35,520,261 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.40%)             143,827 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $35,664,088 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

25 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

   ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF   ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF 
ASSETS:                
Investments, at value  $748,071,917   $181,892,485   $152,539,935   $35,520,261 
Foreign Currency, at value (Cost $–, $–, $– and $326)               329 
Dividends and foreign tax reclaims receivable   1,690,850    457,429    33,016    218,611 
Receivable for shares sold       1,728,531         
Total Assets   749,762,767    184,078,445    152,572,951    35,739,201 
                     
LIABILITIES:                    
Payable to adviser   282,523    66,916    59,844    13,413 
Payable for investments purchased       1,727,842         
Distribution payable   1,358,742    339,773        61,700 
Total Liabilities   1,641,265    2,134,531    59,844    75,113 
NET ASSETS  $748,121,502   $181,943,914   $152,513,107   $35,664,088 
                     
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                    
Paid-in capital  $711,649,987   $176,154,800   $388,523,703   $47,807,829 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   36,471,515    5,789,114    (236,010,596)   (12,143,741)
NET ASSETS  $748,121,502   $181,943,914   $152,513,107   $35,664,088 
                     
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $655,872,001   $162,897,582   $244,338,372   $38,020,483 
                     
PRICING OF SHARES                    
Net Assets  $748,121,502   $181,943,914   $152,513,107   $35,664,088 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   17,300,000    5,154,000    6,075,000    1,475,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $43.24   $35.30   $25.11   $24.18 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust
Statements of Operations

 

   ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF(a)   ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF(a) 
   For the Period Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Period Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                    
Dividends*  $7,811,756   $17,213,528   $1,857,374   $3,386,138 
Total Investment Income   7,811,756    17,213,528    1,857,374    3,386,138 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser fees   1,448,088    3,652,468    323,006    749,085 
Total Expenses   1,448,088    3,652,468    323,006    749,085 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   6,363,668    13,561,060    1,534,368    2,637,053 
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS                    
Net realized gain on investments(b)   3,499,404    43,405,783    669,930    14,022,562 
Total net realized gain   3,499,404    43,405,783    669,930    14,022,562 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   47,553,595    (83,029,339)   17,488,042    (29,865,443)
Total net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   47,553,595    (83,029,339)   17,488,042    (29,865,443)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   51,052,999    (39,623,556)   18,157,972    (15,842,881)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $57,416,667   $(26,062,496)  $19,692,340   $(13,205,828)
*Net of foreign tax withholding.  $   $   $   $ 

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.
(b)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

27 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust
Statements of Operations

 

   ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF(a)   ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF(a) 
   For the Period Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Period Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                
Dividends*  $89,176   $521,381   $117,298   $1,137,271 
Income from non-cash dividends       223,794        45,145 
Total Investment Income   89,176    745,175    117,298    1,182,416 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser fees   395,612    2,219,431    73,655    211,895 
Total Expenses   395,612    2,219,431    73,655    211,895 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME/(LOSS)   (306,436)   (1,474,256)   43,643    970,521 
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS                    
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(b)   (48,523,377)   (38,672,396)   (4,894,756)   3,229,389 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (28,528)   (4,792)   (3,093)   (32,845)
Total net realized gain/(loss)   (48,551,905)   (38,677,188)   (4,897,849)   3,196,544 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   34,370,466    (244,942,759)   6,973,714    (14,648,951)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   89    (128)   2,078    (11,589)
Total net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   34,370,555    (244,942,887)   6,975,792    (14,660,540)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   (14,181,350)   (283,620,075)   2,077,943    (11,463,996)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(14,487,786)  $(285,094,331)  $2,121,586   $(10,493,475)
*Net of foreign tax withholding.  $   $8,960   $6,733   $159,771 

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.
(b)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:            
Net investment income  $6,363,668   $13,561,060   $10,746,630 
Net realized gain   3,499,404    43,405,783    32,907,730 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   47,553,595    (83,029,339)   102,443,817 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   57,416,667    (26,062,496)   146,098,177 
                
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:               
From distributable earnings   (6,308,456)   (13,415,408)   (10,300,014)
Total distributions   (6,308,456)   (13,415,408)   (10,300,014)
                
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Proceeds from sale of shares   6,268,102    230,032,035    193,214,199 
Cost of shares redeemed   (46,483,693)   (142,045,551)   (119,413,177)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (40,215,591)   87,986,484    73,801,022 
Net increase in net assets   10,892,620    48,508,580    209,599,185 
                
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   737,228,882    688,720,302    479,121,117 
End of period  $748,121,502   $737,228,882   $688,720,302 
                
OTHER INFORMATION:               
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Beginning shares   18,300,000    16,400,000    14,450,000 
Shares sold   150,000    5,200,000    5,150,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,150,000)   (3,300,000)   (3,200,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   17,300,000    18,300,000    16,400,000 

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

29 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:            
Net investment income  $1,534,368   $2,637,053   $2,556,369 
Net realized gain   669,930    14,022,562    4,938,284 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   17,488,042    (29,865,443)   34,458,826 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   19,692,340    (13,205,828)   41,953,479 
                
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:               
From distributable earnings   (1,333,102)   (2,765,428)   (2,128,261)
Total distributions   (1,333,102)   (2,765,428)   (2,128,261)
                
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Proceeds from sale of shares   13,889,462    78,553,967    18,805,699 
Cost of shares redeemed   (5,623,137)   (56,478,862)   (3,228,094)
Net increase from capital share transactions   8,266,325    22,075,105    15,577,605 
Net increase in net assets   26,625,563    6,103,849    55,402,823 
                
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   155,318,351    149,214,502    93,811,679 
End of period  $181,943,914   $155,318,351   $149,214,502 
                
OTHER INFORMATION:               
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Beginning shares   4,904,000    4,254,000    3,754,000 
Shares sold   425,000    2,250,000    600,000 
Shares redeemed   (175,000)   (1,600,000)   (100,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   5,154,000    4,904,000    4,254,000 

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:            
Net investment loss  $(306,436)  $(1,474,256)  $(2,450,867)
Net realized gain/(loss)   (48,551,905)   (38,677,188)   108,500,737 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   34,370,555    (244,942,887)   77,354,082 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (14,487,786)   (285,094,331)   183,403,952 
                
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Proceeds from sale of shares       5,994,386    558,000,546 
Cost of shares redeemed   (42,866,222)   (229,798,933)   (295,150,967)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (42,866,222)   (223,804,547)   262,849,579 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (57,354,008)   (508,898,878)   446,253,531 
                
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   209,867,115    718,765,993    272,512,462 
End of period  $152,513,107   $209,867,115   $718,765,993 
                
OTHER INFORMATION:               
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Beginning shares   7,750,000    12,600,000    7,200,000 
Shares sold       150,000    11,100,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,675,000)   (5,000,000)   (5,700,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   6,075,000    7,750,000    12,600,000 

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

31 | November 30, 2022

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:            
Net investment income  $43,643   $970,521   $458,122 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (4,897,849)   3,196,544    747,430 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   6,975,792    (14,660,540)   4,207,028 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2,121,586    (10,493,475)   5,412,580 
                
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:               
From distributable earnings   (284,255)   (1,031,977)   (682,515)
Total distributions   (284,255)   (1,031,977)   (682,515)
                
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Proceeds from sale of shares       43,521,283    4,045,935 
Cost of shares redeemed   (6,889,121)   (17,876,858)    
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (6,889,121)   25,644,425    4,045,935 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (5,051,790)   14,118,973    8,776,000 
                
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   40,715,878    26,596,905    17,820,905 
End of period  $35,664,088   $40,715,878   $26,596,905 
                
OTHER INFORMATION:               
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Beginning shares   1,800,000    950,000    800,000 
Shares sold       1,550,000    150,000 
Shares redeemed   (325,000)   (700,000)    
Shares outstanding, end of period   1,475,000    1,800,000    950,000 

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32 | November 30, 2022

 

 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021   For the Year Ended June 30, 2020   For the Year Ended June 30, 2019   For the Year Ended June 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $40.29   $42.00   $33.16   $34.13   $30.69   $29.25 
                               
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(b)   0.36    0.77    0.69(c)    0.93    0.89(c)    0.78 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   2.95    (1.72)   8.81    (0.96)   3.44    1.46 
Total from investment operations   3.31    (0.95)   9.50    (0.03)   4.33    2.24 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.36)   (0.76)   (0.66)   (0.94)   (0.89)   (0.80)
Total distributions   (0.36)   (0.76)   (0.66)   (0.94)   (0.89)   (0.80)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   2.95    (1.71)   8.84    (0.97)   3.44    1.44 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $43.24   $40.29   $42.00   $33.16   $34.13   $30.69 
TOTAL RETURN(d)   8.27%   (2.38)%   28.84%   (0.12)%   14.31%   7.67%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $748,122   $737,229   $688,720   $479,121   $496,574   $411,269 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.48%(e)   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%(f)
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.48%(e)   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%(f)
Ratio of net investment income excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   2.11%(e)   1.78%   1.81%   2.71%   2.76%   2.53%
Ratio of net investment income including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   2.11%(e)   1.78%   1.81%(g)   2.71%   2.76%(g)   2.54%
Portfolio turnover rate(h)   25%   15%   26%   64%(i)    15%   18%

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)The net investment income per share excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was $0.67 during the year ended June 30, 2021 and $0.88 during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(d)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Prior to June 28, 2018, the unitary management fee was 0.48% and the former investment advisor to the Fund agreed to contractually waive its fees and reimburse expenses so that the total annual fund operating expenses were limited to 0.48%.
(g)The ratio of net investment income, including waiver/reimbursement and excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was 1.77% during the year ended June 30, 2021 and 2.71% during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(h)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(i)Increase in the Portfolio turnover was a result of the Index change that was effective on June 1, 2020.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

33 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021   For the Year Ended June 30, 2020   For the Year Ended June 30, 2019   For the Year Ended June 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $31.67   $35.08   $24.99   $27.45   $27.07   $25.41 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(b)   0.31    0.59    0.64(c)    0.64(c)    0.58(c)    0.66 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   3.59    (3.38)   9.98    (2.48)   0.38(d)    1.70 
Total from investment operations   3.90    (2.79)   10.62    (1.84)   0.96    2.36 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.27)   (0.62)   (0.53)   (0.57)   (0.58)   (0.66)
From net realized gain/loss                       (e) 
From tax return of capital               (0.05)       (0.04)
Total distributions   (0.27)   (0.62)   (0.53)   (0.62)   (0.58)   (0.70)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   3.63    (3.41)   10.09    (2.46)   0.38    1.66 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $35.30   $31.67   $35.08   $24.99   $27.45   $27.07 
TOTAL RETURN(f)   12.39%   (8.12)%   42.79%   (6.82)%   3.65%   9.39%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $181,944   $155,318   $149,215   $93,812   $97,570   $136,802 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.48%(g)   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.28%(g)   1.69%   2.08%(h)   2.38%(h)   2.16%(h)   2.51%
Portfolio turnover rate(i)   34%   34%   60%   101%(j)   52%   64%

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(c)The net investment income per share excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was $0.57 during the year ended June 30, 2021, $0.62 during the year ended June 30, 2020 and $0.54 during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(d)The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period is not in accordance with the aggregate net realized and unrealized gain (loss) for that period because of the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market value of the investments in the Fund.
(e)Per share amount is less than $0.01.
(f)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

(g) Annualized.

(h)The ratio of net investment income, including waiver/reimbursement and excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was 1.84% during the year ended June 30, 2021, 2.30% during the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2.03% during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(i)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(j)Increase in the Portfolio turnover was a result of the Index change that was effective on June 1, 2020.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented
   

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021   For the Year Ended June 30, 2020   For the Year Ended June 30, 2019   For the Period June 5, 2018 (Commencement of operations) to June 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $27.08   $57.04   $37.85   $25.04   $24.06   $25.00 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment loss(b)   (0.04)   (0.15)   (0.21)   (0.10)   (0.06)(c)   (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (1.93)   (29.81)   19.40    12.91    1.04    (0.93)
Total from investment operations   (1.97)   (29.96)   19.19    12.81    0.98    (0.94)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (1.97)   (29.96)   19.19    12.81    0.98    (0.94)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $25.11   $27.08   $57.04   $37.85   $25.04   $24.06 
TOTAL RETURN(d)   (7.27)%   (52.52)%   50.70%   51.16%   4.07%   (3.76)%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $152,513   $209,867   $718,766   $272,512   $48,834   $51,735 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.48%(e)   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%(e)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.37)%(e)   (0.32)%   (0.40)%   (0.34)%   (0.28)%(f)   (0.48)%(e)
Portfolio turnover rate(g)   22%   51%   48%   38%   55%   8%

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(c)The net investment loss per share excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was $(0.07) during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(d)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)The ratio of net investment loss, including waiver/reimbursement and excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was (0.31)% during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(g)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

35 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Period July 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022(a)   For the Year Ended June 30, 2022   For the Year Ended June 30, 2021   For the Year Ended June 30, 2020   For the Year Ended June 30, 2019   For the Year Ended June 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $22.62   $28.00   $22.28   $24.28   $23.94   $24.69 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(b)   0.03    0.58    0.55(c)    0.64(c)    0.76(c)    0.69 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   1.71    (5.33)   5.97    (1.95)   0.44    (0.55)
Total from investment operations   1.74    (4.75)   6.52    (1.31)   1.20    0.14 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.18)   (0.63)   (0.80)   (0.69)   (0.86)   (0.89)
Total distributions   (0.18)   (0.63)   (0.80)   (0.69)   (0.86)   (0.89)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   1.56    (5.38)   5.72    (2.00)   0.34    (0.75)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $24.18   $22.62   $28.00   $22.28   $24.28   $23.94 
TOTAL RETURN(d)   7.78%   (17.29)%   29.72%   (5.44)%   5.16%   0.53%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $35,664   $40,716   $26,597   $17,821   $25,498   $40,698 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.48%(e)   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.60%(f)
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.48%(e)   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.48%   0.58%(f)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.29%(e)   2.20%   2.18%   2.72%   3.23%   2.75%
Ratio of net investment income including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.29%(e)   2.20%   2.18%(g)   2.72%(g)   3.23%(g)   2.77%(g)
Portfolio turnover rate(h)   38%   22%   42%   72%(i)   35%   30%

 

(a)Effective November 30, 2022, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from June 30 to November 30.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(c)The net investment income per share excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was $0.54 during the year ended June 30, 2021, $0.63 during the year ended June 30, 2020 and $0.74 during the year ended June 30, 2019.
(d)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Prior to June 28, 2018, the unitary management fee was 0.58% and the former investment advisor to the Fund agreed to contractually waive its fees and reimburse expenses so that the total annual fund operating expenses were limited to 0.58%.
(g)The ratio of net investment income, including waiver/reimbursement and excluding the impact of large, non-recurring dividends (special dividends) was 2.15% during the year ended June 30, 2021, 2.70% during the year ended June 30, 2020 and 3.15% during the year ended June 30, 2019 and 2.76% during the year ended June 30, 2018.
(h)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(i)Increase in the Portfolio turnover was a result of the Index change that was effective on June 1, 2020.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the ‘‘Trust’’), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the ‘‘1940 Act’’). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, the ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF, the ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF and the ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Effective November 30, 2022, the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Funds from June 30 to November 30.

 

The investment objective of the ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF is to seek investment results that track the performance (before fees and expenses) of the O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index. The investment objective of the ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF is to seek investment results that track the performance (before fees and expenses) of the O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index. The investment objective of the ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF is to seek investment results that track the performance (before fees and expenses) of the O’Shares Global Internet Giants Index. The investment objective of the ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF is to seek investment results that track the performance (before fees and expenses) of the O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index.

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund. ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF and ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF have each elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act The Funds, previously part of another investment company, OSI ETF Trust, reorganized effective after the close of business on June 17, 2022. See Note 7 for further discussion on the reorganizations.

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Cboe BZX”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

 

Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of each Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

37 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

Level 2 –Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 –Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

38 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $747,146,790   $    –   $     –   $747,146,790 
Short Term Investments   925,127            925,127 
Total  $748,071,917   $   $   $748,071,917 

 

ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $181,730,527   $     –   $      –   $181,730,527 
Short Term Investments   161,958            161,958 
Total  $181,892,485   $   $   $181,892,485 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $152,407,086   $     –   $      –   $152,407,086 
Short Term Investments   132,849            132,849 
Total  $152,539,935   $   $   $152,539,935 

 

ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $35,501,373   $    –   $      –   $35,501,373 
Short Term Investments   18,888            18,888 
Total  $35,520,261   $   $   $35,520,261 

 

*For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the period ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Foreign Investment Risk

The ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF and the ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.

 

Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.

 

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of each Fund, the value of each Fund's securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Funds. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.

 

39 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

D. Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.

 

E. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the asset received. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

 

F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income for each Fund, if any, are declared and paid monthly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

G. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/ (Accumulated Losses) 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $9,788,871   $(9,788,871)
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   812,536    (812,536)
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   (4,466,480)   4,466,480 
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   (514,928)   514,928 

 

The tax character of the distributions paid for the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, and fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 were as follows:

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022               
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $6,308,456   $     –   $     – 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   1,333,102         
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF            
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   284,255         

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
June 30, 2022            
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $13,415,408   $     –   $     – 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   2,765,428         
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF            
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   1,031,977         

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
June 30, 2021               
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $10,300,014   $     –   $     – 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   2,128,261         
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF            
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   682,515         

 

40 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The character of distributions made during the period may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:

 

   Accumulated net investment income   Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) on investments   Other accumulated gains   Net unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments   Total 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $679,101   $(56,166,401)  $       –   $91,958,815   $36,471,515 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend                         
ETF   332,539    (13,374,787)       18,831,362    5,789,114 
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF       (141,909,794)       (94,100,802)   (236,010,596)
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   107,853    (9,590,888)       (2,660,706)   (12,143,741)

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $19,082,389   $37,084,012 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   4,402,596    8,972,191 
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   91,621,464    50,288,330 
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   2,867,763    6,723,125 

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF   ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   ALPS| O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   ALPS| O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $124,003,662   $23,994,061   $2,549,861   $1,656,634 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (32,044,847)   (5,162,699)   (96,650,478)   (4,308,785)
Net depreciation of foreign currency           (185)   (8,555)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $91,958,815   $18,831,362   $(94,100,802)  $(2,660,706)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $656,113,102   $163,061,123   $246,640,552   $38,172,412 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales, investments in partnerships and investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

H. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Funds’ tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Each Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

I. Lending of Portfolio Securities

Effective June 20, 2022, the Funds have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Funds' securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Funds or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Funds collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

41 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Funds' Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Funds, and the Funds do not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations. The Funds did not participate in any securities lending during the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022.

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 

Fund Advisory Fee  
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF Average net assets up to and including $2 billion 0.48%
  Average net assets greater than $2 billion up to and including $3 billion 0.44%
  Average net assets greater than $3 billion up to and including $4 billion 0.40%
  Average net assets greater than $4 billion up to and including $5 billion 0.36%
  Average net assets greater than $5 billion 0.32%
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF Average net assets up to and including $2 billion 0.48%
  Average net assets greater than $2 billion up to and including $3 billion 0.44%
  Average net assets greater than $3 billion up to and including $4 billion 0.40%
  Average net assets greater than $4 billion up to and including $5 billion 0.36%
  Average net assets greater than $5 billion 0.32%
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   0.48%
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   0.48%

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund’s business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.

 

Prior to June 17, 2022, O’Shares Investment Advisers, LLC (“OSI”) served as each predecessor fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “O’Shares Advisory Agreement”). Under the O’Shares Advisory Agreement, the Funds paid OSI a unitary management fee for its services payable on a monthly basis at an annual rate of 0.48%, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund. Under the O’Shares Advisory Agreement, OSI was responsible for all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Funds, except for (i) the management fee, (ii) payments under the Funds’ Rule 12b-1 plan, (iii) brokerage expenses (including any costs incidental to transactions in portfolio securities or instruments), (iv) acquired fund fees and expenses, (v) taxes, interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short and overdraft charges), litigation expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or a Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto) and (viii) other extraordinary or non-routine expenses. See Note 7.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Funds.

 

42 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

Each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $181,119,740   $180,985,168 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   55,297,037    54,999,215 
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   40,921,794    41,055,178 
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   13,962,835    14,289,311 

 

For the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $6,268,529   $46,486,259 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   13,888,458    5,623,875 
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF       42,711,841 
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF       6,725,222 

 

For the fiscal period ended November 30, 2022, the in-kind net realized gain/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $9,870,025 
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   871,499 
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   (3,711,503)
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   (503,647)

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the cost of securities purchased and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $109,264,630   $109,957,756 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   53,519,409    53,090,491 
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   236,257,402    237,418,829 
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   9,670,617    9,819,223 

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $229,540,202   $141,453,935 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   78,377,800    56,738,062 
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   5,604,311    229,266,171 
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   43,374,326    15,564,732 

 

43 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the in-kind net realized gain/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF  $47,018,417 
ALPS | O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF   15,086,636 
ALPS | O'Shares Global Internet Giants ETF   36,553,162 
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF   2,867,757 

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

 

The Funds are subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause each Fund to lose value. Securities in each Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities each Fund holds, and may adversely affect each Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of each Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Funds.

 

44 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

7. FUND REORGANIZATIONS

 

 

On February 23, 2022, the Board of Trustees of OSI ETF Trust (the “OSI ETF Board”) approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization with the Trust (the “Plan”) to reorganize each Predecessor Fund listed below with and into its corresponding Acquiring Fund, each a newly created series of the Trust. Shareholders of the O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF and O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF approved the Plan on May 18, 2022. Shareholders of the O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF approved the Plan on June 15, 2022 and shareholders of the O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF approved the Plan on June 8, 2022. The Trust acquired all of the assets of the corresponding Predecessor Funds, each a series of OSI ETF Trust, in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the liabilities of the Predecessor Fund (the “Reorganizations”). The Reorganizations were completed after the close of business on June 17, 2022 in a tax-free exchange in which each shareholder of the Acquiring Funds received the same aggregate share and net asset value.

 

Acquiring Fund Predecessor Fund
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF

 

At the time of the reorganizations, each Acquiring Fund had the same ticker symbol and underlying index as its respective Predecessor Fund, was managed in accordance with the same investment objective and was subject to substantially the same investment strategies, policies and risks as the Predecessor Fund. Each Acquiring Fund is the accounting successor of the corresponding Predecessor Fund and assumed the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund. As a result, the financial statements and financial highlights reflect the operations of the Predecessor Funds for periods prior to June 17, 2022.

 

Prior to the Reorganizations, the Acquiring Funds did not have any assets or liabilities. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Acquiring Funds were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Predecessor Funds were carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Acquiring Funds realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective January 3, 2023, dividends from net investment income, if any for the ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF are declared and paid quarterly.

 

45 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Funds file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

The Funds designate the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF 100% 100%
ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF 100% 100%
ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF 0% 0%
ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF 87.61% 0%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

Pursuant to Section 853(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, the following Funds designated the following for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022:

 

   Foreign Taxes Paid   Foreign Source Income 
ALPS | O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF  $166,881   $1,499,181 

 

LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

 

O’Shares Investment Advisers, LLC ( “O’Shares”) has entered into an index licensing agreement with ALPS Advisors Inc. (the “Adviser”) with respect to each of ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend ETF, ALPS | O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF, and ALPS | O’Shares Europe Quality Dividend ETF (each, a “Fund”), to allow the Adviser’s use of the O'Shares U.S. Quality Dividend Index, the O'Shares U.S. Small-Cap Quality Dividend Index, the O'Shares Global Internet Giants Index, and the O'Shares Europe Quality Dividend Index (each, an “Underlying Index”). The following disclosure relates to O’Shares.

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by O’Shares or its third party licensors. Neither O’Shares nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to shareholders of a Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in a Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. O’Shares’ and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Adviser and each Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of O’Shares and/or its third party licensors and for the providing the Underlying Index. Neither O’Shares nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of a Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of a Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which a Fund is to be converted into cash. O’Shares has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Funds.

 

NEITHER O’SHARES, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. O’SHARES, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. O’SHARES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL O’SHARES, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

46 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

O’Shares Investments is a registered trademark and registered service mark of O’Shares Investment, Inc. and has been licensed for use by the Adviser and the Funds.

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by O’Shares, its affiliates or their third party licensors and neither O’Shares, its affiliates nor its third party licensors make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds.

 

O’Shares has entered into an agreement with S-Network Global Indexes Inc. (“S-Network”) pursuant to which S-Network calculates each Underlying Index. The following disclosure relates to O’Shares.

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by or its third party licensors. Neither S-Network nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of a Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in a Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S-Network's and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Adviser is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S-Network nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of a Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of a Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which a Fund is to be converted into cash. S-Network has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Funds.

 

NEITHER S-NETWORK GLOBAL INDEXES, INC. (“S-Network”), ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CUSTOM INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S-NETWORK, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S-NETWORK MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE CUSTOM INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S-NETWORK, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.SM, and SNGISM are registered trademarks and registered service marks of S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. “Calculated by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.” and its related stylized mark are service marks of S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.SM, and have been licensed for use by the Adviser.

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SNGI, its affiliates or their third party licensors and neither SNGI, its affiliates nor their its third party licensors make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in a Fund.

 

47 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,

1940

Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

Jeremy W. Deems,

1976

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson,

1952

Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014- 2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 - present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

48 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Edmund J. Burke,

1961

Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web- based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All- Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

49 | November 30, 2022

 
 

 

ALPS ETF Trust  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:

Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Laton Spahr,

1975

President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.

Matthew Sutula,

1985

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

Kathryn Burns,

1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

Michael P. Lawlor,

1969

Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds' Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

50 | November 30, 2022

 
 

  

Intentionally Left Blank

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 7
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 8
Schedule of Investments 9
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 14
Statement of Operations 15
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 16
Financial Highlights 17
Notes to Financial Statements 18
Additional Information 24
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 26
Trustees & Officers 27
   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund” or “BFOR”) seeks investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM (the “Underlying Index” or “B400T”). The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of high performing equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the equity securities which comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Underlying Index generally consists of 400 stocks. The Underlying Index’s stocks are constituents of the MarketGrader U.S. Coverage Universe. In compiling the Underlying Index, MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) selects the 400 stocks from the MarketGrader U.S. Coverage Universe by using a methodology that selects components based on the strength of their fundamentals in growth, value, profitability and cash flow and then screens such potential Underlying Index components for certain criteria regarding concentration, market capitalization, and liquidity. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is rebalanced by the Index Provider semiannually, on the third Friday of March and September each year.

 

Performance Overview

 

The Barron’s 400 ETF declined 6.2% between November 30, 2021, and November 30, 2022, its worst fiscal year return since the Fund was launched in June 2013. However, in a very challenging year for U.S. equities and for asset prices in general due to rapidly rising interest rates, BFOR showed resilience. The Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, the broadest U.S. benchmark equity benchmark, lost 11.3% on a total return basis during the Fund’s fiscal year. Meanwhile, BFOR’s benchmark, the Barron’s 400 Index (B400T), fell by less than half the broad market’s decline, losing 5.5%, on a total return basis. Figure 1 represents the fiscal year returns for BFOR and B400T since the Fund’s inception on June 3, 2013.

 

Figure 1. Fiscal Year Returns for the Barron’s 400 ETF (BFOR) and its Benchmark, the Barron’s 400 Index (B400T) Since Inception on June 3, 2013.

 

Fiscal Year Barron’s 400 ETF (BFOR) Barron’s 400 Index (B400T)
2013* 17.2% 18.4%
2014 8.1% 9.0%
2015 1.0% 1.8%
2016 9.1% 9.9%
2017 21.9% 22.6%
2018 -2.1% -1.5%
2019 5.0% 5.6%
2020 13.3% 14.1%
2021 33.2% 34.1%
2022 -6.2% -5.5%

 

*Fiscal year 2013 is measured from the Fund’s inception on June 3, 2013, through November 30, 2013. BFOR returns are based on the Fund’s last market price at each fiscal year’s end date. B400T figures reflect total returns. Source: Bloomberg.

 

Strategy Helps the Barron’s 400 Index Sidestep the Worst of the Market’s Decline

 

The most recent fiscal year was particularly challenging for growth stocks, especially when compared to their value counterparts, reversing years of large cap performance. The Russell 3000 Growth Index declined by -21.6% in the 12 months ending November 30th, trailing the Russell 3000 Value Index, which was up 1.9%, by a spread of over 23 percentage points. Meanwhile, the Barron’s 400 Index (B400T), which selects its constituents according to MarketGrader’s Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP) methodology, was able to sidestep much of the growth benchmark’s decline, falling a mere 5.5%, which means the B400T outperformed the growth benchmark by more than 16 percentage points1.

 

Besides the Index’s GARP selection methodology, readers should remember that B400T equally weights its constituents at its semi-annual rebalances that take place every March and September. This also served it well during the most recent fiscal year as it helped the Index avoid an overconcentration in large cap growth stocks, which suffered larger declines than the overall market. This may be seen in the -21.6% return for the Russell 1000 Growth Index, well below the -10.7% return for the Russell 1000 Index. Additionally, the Index’s all-cap methodology served it well in outperforming both the large cap and small cap benchmarks, with B400T beating the Russell 1000 Index by 520 basis points and the Russell 2000 Index by 750 basis points. It also outperformed the S&P 500 Index, a widely followed large cap benchmark, by 370 basis points2. Figure 2 shows the fiscal year performance for both BFOR and B400T relative to various broad market benchmarks.

 

1Source: Bloomberg
2All figures cited above are based on total returns; source: Bloomberg.

 

1 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Figure 2. Fiscal Year 2022 Performance for the Barron’s 400 ETF (BFOR) and the Barron’s 400 Index (B400T) vs. Select Broad, Size, and Style U.S. Equity Benchmarks

 

  Fiscal Year Return
  11/30/2021 – 11/30/2022
Barron’s 400 ETF (BFOR) -6.2%
Barron’s 400 Index (B400T) -5.5%
Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Index -11.3%
S&P 500 Index -9.2%
Russell 1000 Index -10.7%
Russell 1000 Growth Index -21.6%
Russell 2000 Index -13.0%
Russell 2000 Value Index -4.7%
Russell 3000 Index -10.8%
Russell 3000 Growth Index -21.6%
Russell 3000 Value Index 1.9%

 

All figures are based on total returns. Source: Bloomberg

 

A Drill-Down Into the Barron’s 400 Companies

 

The Barron’s 400 Index, as its name implies, tracks 400 companies that are selected based on the quality of their GARP rating, as calculated by MarketGrader. However, over the course of BFOR’s fiscal year, which runs from November 30 of one year to November 30 of the following year, both the Index (B400T) and the Fund (BFOR) hold three different sets of 400 companies, given that B400T is reconstituted and rebalanced every March and September. The first portfolio of 400 companies is the one with which it starts the fiscal year (which was reconstituted in September of the previous fiscal year), and this is held through the March rebalance. When the B400T is reconstituted in March, this essentially determines the second portfolio of 400 companies that BFOR holds. Finally, when B400T reconstitutes in September, the third portfolio of Barron’s 400 companies that BFOR holds is determined. Each portfolio of companies is not, of course, completely different from the others as there is plenty of overlap across all three of them, as explained below.

 

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, B400T and BFOR held a total of 714 stocks. Figure 3 shows how these holdings were broken down across all three holding periods. Among these 714 stocks, it is worth highlighting the 127 stocks that were selected to B400T across all three holding periods, or the entire fiscal year of BFOR. The average price return for these 127 stocks was -2.3%, outperforming the Index itself by 491 basis points. Figure 4 shows how these companies were broken down by sector along with each category’s average return.

 

Figure 3. Companies Selected to Barron’s 400 Index by Holding Period

 

Period # of Companies
Sept. 2021 to March 2022 Only 147
March 2022 to Sept. 2022 Only 72
Sept. 2022 to Present Only (in current portfolio) 136
Sept. 2021 to March 2022 & March 2022 to Sept. 2022 95
Sept. 2021 to March 2022 & Sept. 2022 to Present 31
March 2022 to Sept. 2022 & Sept. 2022 to Present (in current portfolio) 106
Entire Period: Sept. 2021 to Present (in current portfolio) 127
Total Holdings from Sept. 2021 to Present 714

 

Source: MarketGrader Research

 

2 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Figure 4. Size & Sector Composition of Companies Selected to Barron’s 400 Index Across All Holding Periods During Fiscal Year 2022

 

Market Cap Breakdown Count Average Market Cap in USD Millions Average Return
Large Caps 74 151,632 -5.2%
Small Caps 53 4,582 1.8%
Total 127 90,265 -2.3%
       
Sector Breakdown      
Consumer Discretionary 20 9,460 -13.9%
Consumer Staples 5 70,656 20.2%
Energy 6 15,073 42.8%
Financials 16 9,091 -5.3%
Health Care 14 95,855 5.1%
Industrials 26 28,880 -10.8%
Materials 13 17,631 9.2%
Technology 27 309,749 -7.2%

 

Market Cap breakdown is based on MarketGrader’s annual categorization of the U.S. equity universe by size. All companies in the top 85% of aggregate market capitalization are considered large caps and the remaining companies are considered small caps. Sources: MarketGrader Research, FactSet.

 

3 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Lastly, Figure 5 shows the 30 best performing stocks in B400T during fiscal year 2022, across all holding periods. Some, like top performer Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (CPRX), achieved some of the year’s best returns because they were held for the entire period. Others, like San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (SJT), were held over two holding periods, starting with the March 2022 rebalance. And, remarkably, six of the top 30 made the list after only two months as members of B400T, having been selected in September 2022.

 

Figure 5. Top 30 Performing Stocks in the Barron’s 400 Index During the 2022 Fiscal Year*

 

Symbol Company Name Market Cap** (in USD Millions) Sector Start Date End Date Return (%)
CPRX Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 522 Health Care 11/30/21 11/30/22 139.6
TPL Texas Pacific Land Corp. 10,267 Energy 11/30/21 11/30/22 114.5
CLFD Clearfield, Inc. 524 Technology 11/30/21 11/30/22 103.3
BDSI BioDelivery Sciences Intl. 360 Health Care 11/30/21 3/18/22 100.7
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc. 13,038 Materials 11/30/21 11/30/22 73.8
SJT San Juan Basin Royalty Trust 324 Energy 3/21/22 11/30/22 73.7
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. 51,351 Health Care 11/30/21 11/30/22 69.3
CCRN Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. 768 Health Care 3/21/22 11/30/22 64.8
EOG EOG Resources, Inc. 39,777 Energy 11/30/21 11/30/22 63.1
HALO Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. 5,985 Health Care 11/30/21 3/18/22 58.8
  Archer-Daniels-Midland          
ADM Company 33,493 Consumer Staples 11/30/21 11/30/22 56.7
MUSA Murphy USA, Inc. 4,103 Consumer Discretionary 3/21/22 11/30/22 54.3
BTU Peabody Energy Corporation 3,463 Energy 9/19/22 11/30/22 50.5
MOS Mosaic Company 11,173 Materials 11/30/21 11/30/22 49.9
CHRD Chord Energy Corporation 2,313 Energy 9/19/22 11/30/22 48.9
CAT Caterpillar Inc. 115,671 Industrials 11/30/21 3/18/22 48.3
DE Deere & Company 108,228 Industrials 11/30/21 3/18/22 45.4
ATEN A10 Networks, Inc. 934 Technology 9/19/22 11/30/22 45.2
MNRL Brigham Minerals, Inc. Class A 1,002 Energy 3/21/22 11/30/22 43.4
MGPI MGP Ingredients, Inc. 881 Consumer Staples 11/30/21 9/16/22 43.2
HDSN Hudson Technologies, Inc. 326 Industrials 9/19/22 11/30/22 42.7
FHN First Horizon Corporation 8,601 Financials 11/30/21 3/18/22 42.7
NUE Nucor Corporation 33,678 Materials 11/30/21 11/30/22 41.1
PBF PBF Energy, Inc. Class A 3,679 Energy 9/19/22 11/30/22 40.6
LSCC Lattice Semiconductor Corp. 7,438 Technology 9/19/22 11/30/22 40.3
ABBV AbbVie, Inc. 197,618 Health Care 11/30/21 11/30/22 39.8
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. 192,673 Health Care 3/21/22 11/30/22 39.3
NOC Northrop Grumman Corp. 58,867 Industrials 11/30/21 9/16/22 39.1
HES Hess Corporation 28,224 Energy 3/21/22 11/30/22 38.6
MGY Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp. Cl A 3,143 Energy 11/30/21 11/30/22 37.5

 

*Regardless of holding period.
**Market Capitalizations are from the first date each company was first selected to the Index across the three holding periods in fiscal year 2022. All returns are price-only. Sources: MarketGrader Research, FactSet.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
Barron’s 400SM ETF – NAV -6.18% 7.79% 10.04%
Barron’s 400SM ETF – Market Price* -6.21% 7.79% 10.04%
Barron’s 400 IndexSM -5.52% 8.51% 10.77%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.65%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on June 4, 2013.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The Barron’s 400 IndexSM, calculated by NYSE Arca or its affiliates, measures the performance of a diversified group of U.S. companies selected in part based on fundamentals-related rules-based criteria. The index includes companies that have scored highest according to fundamentals-related rankings calculated by MarketGrader Capital, LLC. Additional rules-based screening provides for sector and market cap diversification. The Underlying Index has been licensed by MarketGrader for use with the Barron’s 400SM ETF.

 

The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect Fund performance.

 

Funds that emphasize investments in small/mid cap companies will generally experience greater price volatility.

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Barron’s 400SM ETF on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.

 

5 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings*^ (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Amkor Technology, Inc. 0.35%
Texas Pacific Land Corp. 0.34%
Atkore, Inc. 0.34%
Hudson Technologies, Inc. 0.34%
Peabody Energy Corp. 0.33%
Netflix, Inc. 0.33%
Lattice Semiconductor Corp. 0.33%
A10 Networks, Inc. 0.33%
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. 0.32%
Medpace Holdings, Inc. 0.32%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 3.33%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned).

 

^Excludes Money Market Fund

 

Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Underlying Index

 

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

6 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
Barron's 400 SM ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $1,024.40 0.65% $3.30
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.81 0.65% $3.29

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

7 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the shareholders of Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Barron’s 400SM ETF, a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 30, 2022, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and its financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statement of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period then ended were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

8 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (97.29%)        
Communication Services (2.43%)        
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   3,083   $311,352 
Charter Communications, Inc., Class A(a)   830    324,771 
Electronic Arts, Inc.   2,522    329,827 
Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty SiriusXM, Class C(a)   7,783    341,129 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   2,100    248,010 
Netflix, Inc.(a)   1,482    452,796 
Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A   1,660    314,670 
PubMatic, Inc., Class A(a)(b)   17,984    281,809 
Warner Music Group Corp., Class A   11,611    397,909 
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A   4,706    375,915 
Total Communication Services        3,378,188 
           
Consumer Discretionary (13.53%)          
Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)   2,644    270,058 
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.(a)   1,991    373,551 
Best Buy Co., Inc.   4,350    371,055 
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)   167    347,268 
Buckle, Inc.   9,797    430,578 
Cavco Industries, Inc.(a)   1,524    349,956 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(a)   190    309,122 
Crocs, Inc.(a)   4,264    430,664 
Darden Restaurants, Inc.   2,495    366,740 
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.(a)   8,872    351,864 
Deckers Outdoor Corp.(a)   960    382,925 
Destination XL Group, Inc.(a)   53,762    358,055 
Dillard's, Inc., Class A(b)   1,091    392,433 
Dollar Tree, Inc.(a)   2,318    348,372 
DR Horton, Inc.   4,626    397,836 
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.   13,575    386,209 
Ford Motor Co.   21,731    302,061 
Fox Factory Holding Corp.(a)   3,642    386,416 
Genuine Parts Co.   2,030    372,160 
Green Brick Partners, Inc.(a)   14,192    343,163 
H&R Block, Inc.   7,164    313,138 
Hasbro, Inc.   4,010    251,908 
Home Depot, Inc.   1,154    373,885 
Installed Building Products, Inc.   3,650    309,995 
Kontoor Brands, Inc.(b)   8,805    382,577 
LCI Industries   2,770    273,842 
Lennar Corp., Class B   5,440    394,998 
LKQ Corp.   6,345    344,724 
Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A(a)   5,892    340,027 
MarineMax, Inc.(a)   9,926    327,856 
Marriott International, Inc., Class A   2,056    339,960 
Meritage Homes Corp.(a)   4,330    374,155 
MGM Resorts International   9,450    348,327 
Murphy USA, Inc.   1,132    334,857 
NIKE, Inc., Class B   3,030    332,361 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Consumer Discretionary (continued)        
NVR, Inc.(a)   80   $371,121 
OneWater Marine, Inc., Class A(a)   9,264    302,840 
Oxford Industries, Inc.   3,713    419,049 
Patrick Industries, Inc.   6,636    371,152 
Pool Corp.   959    315,904 
PulteGroup, Inc.   8,173    365,987 
RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc.   4,708    428,522 
RH(a)   1,226    351,654 
Shoe Carnival, Inc.   13,892    366,888 
Skyline Champion Corp.(a)   5,979    310,848 
Steven Madden, Ltd.   11,060    382,012 
Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A(a)   13,636    414,398 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   1,096    213,391 
TopBuild Corp.(a)   1,835    282,737 
Tractor Supply Co.   1,658    375,222 
Ulta Beauty, Inc.(a)   747    347,236 
Vista Outdoor, Inc.(a)(b)   11,401    318,886 
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.   2,237    261,505 
Winnebago Industries, Inc.(b)   5,534    324,237 
Total Consumer Discretionary        18,836,685 
           
Consumer Staples (2.41%)          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   3,720    362,700 
Brown-Forman Corp., Class A   4,436    323,783 
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.   5,675    330,739 
Campbell Soup Co.   6,798    364,849 
Coca-Cola Co.   5,320    338,405 
Costco Wholesale Corp.   631    340,267 
Darling Ingredients, Inc.(a)   4,218    302,979 
General Mills, Inc.   4,310    367,643 
Hershey Co.   1,441    338,880 
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A   4,369    289,577 
Total Consumer Staples        3,359,822 
           
Energy (13.83%)          
Antero Resources Corp.(a)   8,030    293,496 
APA Corp.   8,184    383,420 
Arch Resources, Inc., Class A   2,442    377,899 
Brigham Minerals, Inc., Class A   11,619    411,661 
California Resources Corp.   7,409    336,220 
Callon Petroleum Co.(a)   7,623    319,556 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.   3,163    327,370 
Chevron Corp.   2,012    368,820 
Chord Energy Corp.   2,297    350,361 
Civitas Resources, Inc.   5,119    344,816 
Comstock Resources, Inc.   16,353    300,078 
ConocoPhillips   2,917    360,279 
CONSOL Energy, Inc.   4,820    373,309 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   10,661    297,549 
Denbury, Inc.(a)   3,756    337,139 
Devon Energy Corp.   4,640    317,933 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.   2,377    351,844 
Earthstone Energy, Inc., Class A(a)   21,381    338,675 
EOG Resources, Inc.   2,642    374,979 
EQT Corp.   6,680    283,299 

 

9 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Energy (continued)        
Exxon Mobil Corp.   3,368   $374,993 
Halliburton Co.   10,989    416,373 
Hess Corp.   2,587    372,295 
HF Sinclair Corp.   6,228    388,254 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   17,621    336,914 
Kosmos Energy, Ltd.(a)   49,801    331,177 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.(a)   4,469    285,256 
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A   13,969    364,312 
Marathon Oil Corp.   12,094    370,439 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   3,292    400,999 
Matador Resources Co.   5,489    364,250 
Murphy Oil Corp.   8,081    381,423 
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.(b)   10,118    368,194 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   4,898    340,362 
ONEOK, Inc.   5,191    347,382 
Ovintiv, Inc.   6,212    346,381 
PBF Energy, Inc., Class A   10,375    412,614 
PDC Energy, Inc.   4,908    364,763 
Peabody Energy Corp.(a)(b)   14,295    456,582 
Permian Resources Corp.   41,000    416,560 
Phillips 66   3,720    403,397 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   1,328    313,395 
Range Resources Corp.   10,181    293,925 
Ranger Oil Corp.(a)   8,373    364,812 
Sabine Royalty Trust(b)   3,928    314,672 
San Juan Basin Royalty Trust   27,707    322,509 
SandRidge Energy, Inc.(a)   17,408    355,123 
Schlumberger Ltd.   8,320    428,896 
SilverBow Resources, Inc.(a)   8,841    308,639 
SM Energy Co.   7,150    308,236 
Targa Resources Corp.   4,641    345,244 
Texas Pacific Land Corp.   184    477,027 
VAALCO Energy, Inc.   68,868    356,736 
Valero Energy Corp.   2,880    384,826 
Total Energy        19,265,663 
           
Financials (16.49%)          
Ally Financial, Inc.   10,011    270,397 
Amalgamated Financial Corp.   14,086    375,674 
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.   8,639    349,966 
American Express Co.   2,065    325,423 
American International Group, Inc.   5,911    373,043 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   1,154    383,070 
Ameris Bancorp   6,835    361,435 
Bank of America Corp.   9,459    358,023 
Bank OZK   7,845    362,047 
Blackstone, Inc.   3,395    310,744 
Capital One Financial Corp.   3,179    328,200 
Cathay General Bancorp   7,794    362,187 
Charles Schwab Corp.   4,406    363,671 
Comerica, Inc.   3,914    280,790 
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.   12,925    339,152 
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.   10,388    370,540 
Discover Financial Services   3,258    353,037 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Financials (continued)        
East West Bancorp, Inc.   4,386   $307,941 
Enterprise Financial Services Corp.   6,930    362,716 
Equitable Holdings, Inc.   10,743    340,983 
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   718    331,206 
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc./Archbold OH   11,770    337,564 
Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A   7,899    318,804 
Fifth Third Bancorp   9,154    332,840 
First BanCorp   22,565    347,050 
First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A   380    310,255 
First Commonwealth Financial Corp.   24,303    357,740 
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.   7,654    282,815 
First Foundation, Inc.   16,812    235,536 
First Republic Bank   2,120    270,533 
Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A   4,534    334,972 
Hancock Whitney Corp.   6,535    358,379 
Hanmi Financial Corp.   13,399    362,443 
Horizon Bancorp, Inc.   17,229    280,144 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.   22,840    353,563 
Jackson Financial, Inc., Class A   9,925    370,699 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   2,762    381,653 
KeyCorp   17,847    335,702 
Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.   19,661    367,268 
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.   2,000    346,360 
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.(a)   4,576    290,759 
Mr Cooper Group, Inc.(a)   7,381    333,326 
Northern Trust Corp.   3,370    313,781 
OFG Bancorp   12,046    348,973 
Origin Bancorp, Inc.   7,937    324,782 
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.   10,045    371,163 
Patria Investments, Ltd., Class A   23,516    320,993 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.   3,972    333,211 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   2,000    336,520 
Preferred Bank   4,781    361,396 
Premier Financial Corp.   12,507    364,954 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.   4,140    371,275 
Regions Financial Corp.   14,776    342,951 
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.   8,469    294,891 
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.   3,876    293,878 
Signature Bank/New York NY   1,801    251,240 
Silvergate Capital Corp., Class A(a)(b)   3,605    98,885 
South State Corp.   4,018    352,981 
Southside Bancshares, Inc.   8,684    315,577 
Synchrony Financial   10,130    380,685 
Synovus Financial Corp.   7,985    336,408 
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.   4,844    369,936 
Truist Financial Corp.   6,800    318,308 
TrustCo Bank Corp.   9,738    378,224 

 

10 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Financials (continued)        
UMB Financial Corp.   3,650   $312,148 
US Bancorp   7,093    321,951 
Washington Federal, Inc.   10,336    364,551 
Western Alliance Bancorp   4,282    293,488 
WR Berkley Corp.   4,819    367,593 
Total Financials        22,959,393 
           
Health Care (8.32%)          
Abbott Laboratories   3,038    326,828 
AbbVie, Inc.   2,315    373,132 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   2,404    372,572 
Amgen, Inc.   1,415    405,256 
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)   3,111    384,831 
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   11,127    328,135 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   4,536    364,150 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   20,996    352,103 
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(a)   1,511    345,369 
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.(a)   12,144    434,512 
Danaher Corp.   1,140    311,687 
Doximity, Inc., Class A(a)(b)   9,684    329,159 
Dynavax Technologies Corp.(a)(b)   28,518    353,908 
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   7,779    445,426 
Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   7,003    418,569 
Hologic, Inc.(a)   4,728    360,085 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a)   1,510    329,210 
iTeos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   15,898    320,345 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings   1,405    338,184 
Medpace Holdings, Inc.(a)   2,105    441,818 
Merck & Co., Inc.   3,722    409,867 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)   257    377,677 
Moderna, Inc.(a)   2,442    429,572 
QuidelOrtho Corp.(a)   3,836    336,072 
Repligen Corp.(a)(b)   1,440    257,530 
ResMed, Inc.   1,370    315,374 
Shockwave Medical, Inc.(a)   1,115    282,764 
SIGA Technologies, Inc.   24,090    221,146 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   574    321,566 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   1,144    361,962 
Waters Corp.(a)   1,075    372,595 
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.   1,096    257,187 
Zoetis, Inc.   1,997    307,818 
Total Health Care        11,586,409 
           
Industrials (17.19%)          
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.(b)   2,370    230,506 
AerSale Corp.(a)   15,790    250,271 
AMETEK, Inc.   2,606    371,146 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   3,073   $407,142 
ArcBest Corp.   4,284    354,587 
Atkore, Inc.(a)   3,904    476,874 
Boise Cascade Co.   5,421    401,371 
Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a)   5,652    361,332 
Carlisle Cos., Inc.   1,064    279,949 
Caterpillar, Inc.   1,740    411,353 
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   2,918    292,442 
Cintas Corp.   787    363,421 
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.   3,150    399,294 
Copart, Inc.(a)   5,833    388,244 
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.   11,317    434,460 
CSX Corp.   10,174    332,588 
Deere & Co.   884    389,844 
Dover Corp.   2,528    358,850 
Eagle Bulk Shipping, Inc.(b)   6,861    352,998 
Emerson Electric Co.   3,893    372,833 
Encore Wire Corp.   2,723    397,857 
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.   3,217    373,365 
Fastenal Co.   6,684    344,293 
Forward Air Corp.   3,272    367,675 
Genco Shipping & Trading, Ltd.   22,721    336,952 
Generac Holdings, Inc.(a)   1,511    159,441 
GMS, Inc.(a)   7,468    366,679 
Golden Ocean Group, Ltd.(b)   34,843    294,075 
Graco, Inc.   4,968    347,611 
Herc Holdings, Inc.   2,780    356,313 
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.(a)   10,296    325,354 
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   16,810    289,132 
Hub Group, Inc., Class A(a)   4,187    352,336 
Hubbell, Inc.   1,467    372,706 
Hudson Technologies, Inc.(a)   41,921    473,288 
IDEX Corp.   1,548    367,634 
Insteel Industries, Inc.   11,513    339,518 
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.   1,879    345,529 
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.   6,462    358,189 
Korn Ferry   6,190    353,016 
Landstar System, Inc.   2,213    382,805 
Marten Transport, Ltd.   16,411    349,718 
Matson, Inc.   4,453    283,923 
Mueller Industries, Inc.   5,247    360,836 
Nordson Corp.   1,413    334,160 
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.   1,235    373,723 
Owens Corning   3,776    335,460 
PACCAR, Inc.   3,735    395,574 
Quanex Building Products Corp.   16,108    382,887 
Republic Services, Inc.   2,193    305,463 
Resources Connection, Inc.   16,928    326,710 
Robert Half International, Inc.   4,094    322,525 
Ryder System, Inc.   4,212    393,780 
Saia, Inc.(a)   1,632    397,539 
Schneider National, Inc., Class B   14,459    372,464 

 

11 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.   3,782   $351,915 
Snap-on, Inc.   1,476    355,126 
Trex Co., Inc.(a)   6,800    312,052 
Triton International, Ltd.   5,346    360,695 
UFP Industries, Inc.   4,359    356,828 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   1,664    315,711 
United Rentals, Inc.(a)   1,088    384,097 
Verisk Analytics, Inc.   1,728    317,451 
Waste Management, Inc.   1,879    315,146 
Watsco, Inc.   1,176    316,320 
Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A   2,412    382,181 
Werner Enterprises, Inc.   8,122    357,206 
WW Grainger, Inc.   576    347,363 
Total Industrials        23,940,126 
           
Information Technology (13.41%)          
A10 Networks, Inc.   24,169    452,202 
Adobe, Inc.(a)   872    300,779 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)   4,178    324,338 
Amkor Technology, Inc.   17,567    492,227 
Amphenol Corp., Class A   4,329    348,181 
Analog Devices, Inc.   2,168    372,701 
Apple, Inc.   2,088    309,087 
Applied Materials, Inc.   3,545    388,532 
Arista Networks, Inc.(a)   2,680    373,324 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.   1,367    361,079 
Axcelis Technologies, Inc.(a)   5,119    408,803 
Black Knight, Inc.(a)   4,721    292,655 
Broadcom, Inc.   638    351,557 
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)   1,925    331,177 
CDW Corp.   1,860    350,870 
Cirrus Logic, Inc.(a)   4,372    326,632 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   7,291    362,509 
Clearfield, Inc.(a)   3,198    420,921 
Corning, Inc.   9,769    333,416 
Diodes, Inc.(a)   4,770    439,937 
Enphase Energy, Inc.(a)   1,050    336,619 
Entegris, Inc.   3,360    259,694 
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a)   1,516    297,439 
GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.(a)(b)   5,630    362,291 
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   1,652    312,806 
Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a)   1,902    344,053 
KLA Corp.   941    369,954 
Lam Research Corp.   763    360,426 
Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(a)   6,212    452,420 
Littelfuse, Inc.   1,430    352,495 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   988    352,123 
MaxLinear, Inc.(a)   9,218    337,379 
Microchip Technology, Inc.   5,084    402,602 
Micron Technology, Inc.   5,978    344,632 
Microsoft Corp.   1,274    325,048 
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.   759    289,908 
NetApp, Inc.   4,504    304,515 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)        
ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)   5,013   $376,978 
Onto Innovation, Inc.(a)   4,553    364,012 
Paychex, Inc.   2,632    326,447 
Paycom Software, Inc.(a)   890    301,799 
Photronics, Inc.(a)   20,405    383,614 
Power Integrations, Inc.   4,798    386,143 
Progress Software Corp.   7,083    377,666 
PTC, Inc.(a)   2,743    348,937 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   2,565    324,447 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   3,283    313,920 
Synopsys, Inc.(a)   994    337,503 
Teradyne, Inc.   3,850    359,783 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,995    360,018 
Verra Mobility Corp.(a)   19,623    311,025 
Visa, Inc., Class A, Class A   1,606    348,502 
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A(a)   4,061    306,321 
Total Information Technology        18,672,446 
           
Materials (8.38%)          
AdvanSix, Inc.   9,180    377,849 
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.   1,256    389,561 
Alcoa Corp.   6,401    320,882 
Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.   2,348    402,048 
Avery Dennison Corp.   1,738    336,008 
Celanese Corp.   2,935    314,926 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.   3,199    346,100 
Chemours Co.   9,215    286,126 
Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.(a)(b)   19,088    295,482 
Commercial Metals Co.   8,052    396,319 
Dow Chemical Co.   6,691    341,040 
Eagle Materials, Inc.   2,749    374,799 
Eastman Chemical Co.   3,810    330,022 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.   10,318    410,656 
Huntsman Corp.   12,194    338,749 
International Paper Co.   7,910    293,619 
Intrepid Potash, Inc.(a)   7,411    267,167 
Louisiana-Pacific Corp.   6,043    385,543 
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.   946    346,690 
Mosaic Co.   6,112    313,546 
MP Materials Corp.(a)(b)   9,891    328,876 
Myers Industries, Inc.   17,721    413,608 
Nucor Corp.(b)   2,366    354,782 
Olin Corp.   6,245    355,840 
Olympic Steel, Inc.   12,291    431,291 
Packaging Corp. of America   2,335    317,303 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.   1,711    361,517 
Ryerson Holding Corp.   11,259    332,028 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.   3,914    406,782 
TimkenSteel Corp.(a)   19,648    367,418 
United States Steel Corp.   14,393    378,392 
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.   10,676    393,090 
Westlake Corp.   3,408    366,871 
Total Materials        11,674,930 

 

12 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Real Estate (0.47%)        
CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)   4,094   $325,882 
Marcus & Millichap, Inc.   8,671    322,908 
Total Real Estate        648,790 
           
Utilities (0.83%)          
Brookfield Renewable Corp.   8,081    263,521 
National Fuel Gas Co.   4,620    305,983 
Otter Tail Corp.   4,380    261,179 
UGI Corp.   8,321    321,607 
Total Utilities        1,152,290 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $120,888,734)        135,474,742 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (2.13%)        
Energy (1.67%)          
Black Stone Minerals LP   20,011    375,206 
Dorchester Minerals LP   11,295    341,674 
Enterprise Products Partners LP   12,094    300,052 
Kimbell Royalty Partners LP   18,550    320,359 
Magellan Midstream Partners LP   6,288    331,378 
MPLX LP   9,772    332,150 
Western Midstream Partners LP   11,601    324,596 
Total Energy        2,325,415 
           
Materials (0.23%)          
CVR Partners LP   2,447    314,195 
           
Utilities (0.22%)          
Suburban Propane Partners LP   19,081    314,073 
           
TOTAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $2,737,810)        2,953,683 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.81%)            
Money Market Fund (0.46%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)            
(Cost $646,709)   3.69%   646,709   $646,709 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (1.35%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $1,877,149)        1,877,149    1,877,149 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $2,523,858)             2,523,858 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (101.22%)               
(Cost $126,150,402)            $140,952,283 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-1.22%)             (1,704,687)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $139,247,596 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $4,395,851.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

13 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value*  $140,952,283 
Dividends receivable   243,665 
Total Assets   141,195,948 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   71,203 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   1,877,149 
Total Liabilities   1,948,352 
NET ASSETS  $139,247,596 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $175,223,529 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   (35,975,933)
NET ASSETS  $139,247,596 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $126,150,402 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $139,247,596 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   2,400,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $58.02 

 

*Includes $4,395,851 of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends*  $2,692,048 
Securities Lending Income   14,940 
Total Investment Income   2,706,988 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   893,164 
Net Expenses   893,164 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   1,813,824 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   4,441,694 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (15,691,208)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (11,249,514)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(9,435,690)

 

*Net of foreign tax withholding of $3,402.
(a)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $1,813,824   $1,264,631 
Net realized gain   4,441,694    35,081,287 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (15,691,208)   2,133,972 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (9,435,690)   38,479,890 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,433,725)   (1,258,708)
Total distributions   (1,433,725)   (1,258,708)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   1,408,837    94,843,165 
Cost of shares redeemed   (7,260,095)   (94,389,197)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (5,851,258)   453,968 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (16,720,673)   37,675,150 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   155,968,269    118,293,119 
End of year  $139,247,596   $155,968,269 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   2,500,000    2,500,000 
Shares sold   25,000    1,650,000 
Shares redeemed   (125,000)   (1,650,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   2,400,000    2,500,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $62.39   $47.32   $42.04   $40.42   $41.54 
                          
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   0.75    0.52    0.43    0.44    0.40 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (4.55)   15.05    5.14    1.51    (1.27)
Total from investment operations   (3.80)   15.57    5.57    1.95    (0.87)
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.57)   (0.50)   (0.29)   (0.33)   (0.25)
Total distributions   (0.57)   (0.50)   (0.29)   (0.33)   (0.25)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (4.37)   15.07    5.28    1.62    (1.12)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $58.02   $62.39   $47.32   $42.04   $40.42 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (6.18)%   33.18%   13.33%   5.00%   (2.12)%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of year (in 000s)  $139,248   $155,968   $118,293   $147,150   $163,708 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.32%   0.90%   1.08%   1.10%   0.93%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   94%   91%   83%   109%   88%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the year and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for the Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

18 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability; including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Fund's investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities and Limited Partnerships, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

Barron's 400 SM ETF                
Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $135,474,742   $   $   $135,474,742 
Limited Partnerships*   2,953,683            2,953,683 
Short Term Investments   2,523,858            2,523,858 
Total  $140,952,283   $   $   $140,952,283 

 

*For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.

 

19 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid annually or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital  

Total Distributable Earnings/

(Accumulated Losses)

 
Barron’s 400 SM ETF  $1,166,701   $(1,166,701)

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income  

Long-Term

Capital Gain

  

Return

of Capital

 
November 30, 2022            
Barron’s 400 SM ETF  $1,433,725   $   $ 

 

   Ordinary Income  

Long-Term

Capital Gain

  

Return

of Capital

 
November 30, 2021            
Barron’s 400 SM ETF  $1,258,708   $   $ 

 

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
Barron’s 400 SM ETF  $43,473,433   $8,875,623 

 

During the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund used capital loss carryovers in the amount of $3,312,792.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Accumulated Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   Other Accumulated Gains   Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments   Total 
Barron's 400 SM ETF  $1,569,830   $(52,349,056)  $   $14,803,293   $(35,975,933)

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   Barron’s 400SM  ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $21,162,212 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (6,358,919)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)  $14,803,293 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $126,148,990 

 

20 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and investments in partnerships and grantor trusts.

 

F. Income Taxes

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2022:

 

   Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
Barron's 400 SM ETF  $4,395,851   $1,877,149   $2,523,490   $4,400,639 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

Barron's 400 SM ETF      Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements    
            
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days  30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $1,877,149   $–  $   $   $1,877,149 
Total Borrowings                     1,877,149 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                    $1,877,149 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 

Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022 the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Barron's 400 SM ETF  $127,933,150   $127,790,167 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Barron's 400 SM ETF  $1,410,856   $7,257,626 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022 the Fund had in-kind net realized gains of $1,180,917.

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

22 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

5.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The Fund engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.

 

Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2022, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchase Cost Paid   Sale Proceeds Received   Realized Gain/(Loss) on Sales 
Barron's 400 SM ETF  $4,037,990   $2,874,105   $(207,521)

 

7. MARKET RISK

 

 

The Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause the Fund to lose value. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Fund holds, and may adversely affect the Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of the Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

23 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
Barron's 400SM ETF 100.00% 100.00%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

LICENSING AGREEMENT

 

MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) has entered into a license agreement with Dow Jones & Company to use the “Barron’s” name and certain related intellectual property in connection with the Underlying Index. The Index Provider also has entered into a license and services agreement with its parent company, MarketGrader.com, to use the methodology for constructing the Underlying Index. The Index Provider in turn has entered into the Sublicense Agreement with the Adviser to use the Underlying Index. The following disclosure relates to such licensing agreements:

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund”) is not sponsored, managed or advised by the Index Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of a market or sector. The Index Provider’s only relationship to the Adviser or the Fund is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of the Index Provider and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the Fund or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index.

 

THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, THE FUND, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

“The Barron’s 400SM Index ” is calculated and published by the Index Provider. “Barron’s,” “Barron’s 400” and “Barron’s 400 Index” are trademarks or service marks of DJC & Company, Inc. (“DJC”) or its affiliates and have been licensed to the Index Provider and sublicensed for certain purposes by Barron’s 400 Exchange Traded Fund, a sub-fund of that certain ALPS ETF Trust, a Delaware Statutory Trust (the “Sub-Licensee”). The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Product”) is not sponsored or advised by DJC or its affiliates. DJC and its affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the Licensee or to the owners of the Product(s) or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the Product. DJC and its affiliates’ only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of DJC. The Barron's 400SM Index is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to DJC. DJC has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Product into consideration in connection with its licensing of the Barron’s 400 Index to the Index Provider or the sublicense to Licensee. DJC and its affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the calculation of the Barron's 400SM Index or in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be sold or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product are to be converted into cash. DJC and its affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Barron’s 400 Index or the Product.

 

24 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

DOW JONES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONESAND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN DJC AND THE LICENSEE, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF MARKETGRADER.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

25 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
of Investment Advisory Agreement  

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF (“BFOR” or the “Fund”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, including the Independent Trustees, the Board considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment parameters of the index of the Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Board reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its benchmark. The Board also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between the underlying index and the Fund’s performance.

 

Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fee for the Fund was a unitary fee pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate for the Fund is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. With respect to the Fund, the Board took into account, among other things, the unique features and performance of the Fund’s underlying index and the costs and benefits of linkage to the Barron’s name.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees also considered with respect to the Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to the Fund, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

26 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,

1940

Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014-  2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015- 2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present. 24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

27 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 Trustee Since December 2017 Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a web-based system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All- Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

28 | November 30, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:      
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Laton Spahr,

1975

President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.

Matthew Sutula,

1985

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

Kathryn Burns, 

1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

Michael P. Lawlor,

1969

Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

29 | November 30, 2022

   

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview  
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 1
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 3
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 6
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 9
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 11
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 12
Financial Statements  
Schedules of Investments  
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 13
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 16
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 18
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 20
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 23
Statements of Operations 24
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 25
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 26
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 27
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 28
Financial Highlights 29
Notes to Financial Statements 33
Additional Information 41
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements 42
Trustees & Officers 44

 

alpsfunds.com

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (the “Fund” or "RFCI") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations.

 

Market Recap

Over the Fund's last calendar year, fixed income markets were extremely volatile as yields on the 10-year Treasury ranged from 1.51% to closing as high as 4.25% on October 24th. The move up in interest rates was attributed to rising inflation prompting the Federal Reserve (Fed) to change its monetary policy from Quantitative Easing (QE) to Quantitative Tightening (QT). Since March, the Fed has attempted to tighten financial conditions to fight inflation through rate increases and balance sheet reduction in the form of QT. The Fed chose to front-load rate hikes to avoid a repeat of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when inflation appeared to peak only to rear its head and climb higher. Over the last six meetings, the Fed incrementally raised the Fed funds target range from 0% to 4%.

 

Fund-Level Attribution

RFCI navigated this environment over the last year by investing in investment grade and high yield companies at the front-end of the curve with maturities inside of 5 years and maintaining a short duration relative to the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index. The Fund limited its Treasury exposure mostly to the long-end of the curve to serve as a shock-absorber during periods of risk-off.

 

Outlook

Given the monetary backdrop and recent interest rate hikes going into 2023, RiverFront anticipates that the Fund will continue to have a shorter duration relative to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. However, as interest rates rise and the Fed nears the end of its rate hiking cycle in 2023, the Fund will opportunistically look to close the duration gap. Additionally, RiverFront anticipates the Fund will continue to focus primarily on adding credit risk over taking on interest rate risk given that the bond market has priced in recession for early 2023, which RiverFront believes is premature. RiverFront believes that the Fed’s terminal Fed funds rate range will be between 5.00% - 5.25%, and the 10-year Treasury could rise to between 4.50%- 4.75%, hence the Fund’s expected focus on credit over interest rate risk in the first half of 2023.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF – NAV -9.02% 0.56% 0.64%
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF – Market Price* -8.78% 0.58% 0.67%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index -12.84% 0.21% 0.34%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.51%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^

The Fund commenced operations on June 14, 2016.

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF.

 

1 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings*^ (as of November 30, 2022)

 

U.S. Treasury Bond 5/15/2032 2.875% 6.89%
U.S. Treasury Bond 5/15/2042 3.25% 6.59%
United States Treasury Bond 2/15/2028 2.75% 6.25%
United States Treasury Note 10/31/2025 3.00% 3.12%
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC 11/4/2027 7.35% 2.54%
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. 11/15/2027 5.85% 2.51%
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 11/1/2024 5.7% 2.47%
Royal Bank of Canada 11/1/2027 6.00% 2.40%
Morgan Stanley 11/24/2025 5.00% 2.31%
FNB Corp. 8/25/2025 5.15% 2.21%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 37.29%

 

*% of Total Investments.

^Excludes Money Market Fund.

 

Asset Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

2 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (the “Fund” or "RFDA") seeks to provide capital appreciation and dividend income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in a portfolio of equity securities of publicly traded U.S. companies with the potential for dividend income. Equity securities include common stocks and common or preferred shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

 

Market Recap

 

The 12-month period from November 30, 2021 to November 30, 2022 was one defined by uncertainty in the market. Early on in the fiscal year, markets began to feel the effects of high inflation and the raising of rates to counteract these higher prices. As such, the S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500) produced a total return of -9.21% over the same 12-month period, well below its return from the previous year. Additionally, the changing economic background caused leadership within factor investing to flip. S&P 500® Value Index actually saw a 3.21% gain, while S&P 500® Growth Index had a total return of -22.41% over the same 12-month period from November 30, 2021 to November 30, 2022. Sector leadership had similar themes. The energy sector was the performing sector, while communication services and consumer discretionary stocks were the worst two performing sectors.

 

Fund-Level Attribution

 

RFDA posted NAV returns and market returns above the S&P 500 during the fiscal year. For the last year, the Fund has been heavily invested in value-oriented cyclical dividend payers and defensive dividend payers, with less emphasis on growth-oriented themes. This positioning benefited the portfolio throughout most of 2022, and should rates continue to increase into 2023, RiverFront believes it will continue to be beneficial. Offsetting this was the Fund’s allocation into large technology-oriented companies, which detracted from the Fund’s performance for most of 2022.

 

Outlook

 

While RiverFront expects a further slowdown into 2023, RiverFront believes that the elevated levels of inflation will fuel growth more than expected, which will benefit all equities, but particularly cyclicals and growth companies. As Federal Reserve (Fed) rate increases peak (likely in late Q1 2023, in RiverFront’s view), we will seek to opportunistically add to growth-oriented dividend stocks and potentially large cap Technology / Communications Services companies. RiverFront believes that macro challenges associated with rate increases for these large companies are real, but that the market has over-reacted in 2022 to the challenges posed by higher rates, and has underestimated the earnings power of these large companies. Following a year that was defined by economic, geopolitical and market upheaval, RiverFront believes 2023 will be a year of transitions in the following key themes:

 

Transition from a Bear to a Possible Bull market

History suggests strong forward returns after large drawdowns. While the market may have yet to bottom, once it does, the reset in valuations provides an investment opportunity, in our view.

 

Transition from Inflation worries to Recession worries

As inflation shows signs of peaking, a policy pause later in 2023 seems likely to RiverFront. While the economic ramifications of the Fed’s actions is likely to cause a recession, RiverFront believes that the recession is likely to be mild.

 

Transition from ‘T.I.N.A’ (‘There is No Alternative’) to ‘P.A.T.T.Y’ (‘Pay Attention to the Yield’)

On the equity side, RiverFront believes dividends will be an increasingly important return driver for stocks.

 

Transition from Pandemic concerns to ongoing Geopolitical fears

RiverFront believes U.S. equities are still advantaged from a geopolitical, commodity, and geographic perspective relative to Europe and Asia. RiverFront believes that, with the U.S. and China continuing to drift further apart, reshoring to the U.S. will continue.

 

Given all of the above, RiverFront believes there is modest upside for stocks for 2023. Within the U.S., RiverFront prefers cyclical sectors, small-cap and traditional ‘value’ plays, such as financials and energy.

 

3 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF – NAV 2.86% 9.67% 11.61%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF – Market Price* 2.84% 9.68% 11.61%
S&P 500® Total Return Index -9.21% 10.98% 12.76%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.52%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 7, 2016.

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

S&P 500® Total Return Index is the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF.

 

4 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Microsoft Corp. 6.61%
Apple, Inc. 6.14%
Merck & Co., Inc. 4.32%
Exxon Mobil Corp. 3.77%
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. 2.96%
Amazon.com, Inc. 2.82%
Duke Energy Corp. 2.78%
Texas Instruments, Inc. 2.74%
MDU Resources Group, Inc. 2.73%
Cisco Systems, Inc. 2.71%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 37.58%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Asset Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

5 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (the “Fund” or "RFFC") seeks to provide capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in a portfolio of equity securities of publicly traded U.S. companies. Equity securities include common stocks and common or preferred shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

 

Market Recap

The 12-month period from November 30, 2021 to November 30, 2022 was one defined by uncertainty in the market. Early on in the fiscal year, markets began to feel the effects of high inflation and the raising of rates to counteract these higher prices. As such, the S&P 500® Total Return Index (S&P 500) produced a total return of -9.21% over the same 12-month period, well below its return from the previous year. Additionally, the changing economic background caused leadership within factor investing to flip. The S&P 500® Value Index actually saw a 3.21% gain, while the S&P 500® Growth Index had a total return of -22.41% over the same 12-month period from November 30, 2021 to November 30, 2022. Sector leadership had similar themes. The energy sector was the performing sector, while communication services and consumer discretionary stocks were the worst two performing sectors.

 

Fund-Level Attribution

RFFC posted NAV returns and market returns above the S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Index during the fiscal year. For the last year, the Fund has been heavily invested in value-oriented cyclical dividend payers and defensive dividend payers, with less emphasis on growth-oriented themes. This positioning benefited the portfolio throughout most of 2022, and should rates continue to increase into 2023, RiverFront believes it will continue to be beneficial. Offsetting this was the Fund’s allocation into large technology-oriented companies, which detracted from the Fund’s performance for most of 2022.

 

Outlook

While RiverFront expects a further slowdown into 2023, RiverFront believes that the elevated levels of inflation will fuel growth more than expected, which will benefit all equities, but particularly cyclicals and growth companies. As Federal Reserve (Fed) rate increases peak (likely in late Q1 2023, in RiverFront’s view), we will seek to opportunistically add to growth-oriented dividend stocks and potentially large cap Technology / Communications Services companies. RiverFront believes that macro challenges associated with rate increases for these large companies are real, but that the market has over-reacted in 2022 to the challenges posed by higher rates, and has underestimated the earnings power of these large companies. Following a year that was defined by economic, geopolitical and market upheaval, RiverFront believes 2023 will be a year of transitions in the following key themes:

 

Transition from a Bear to a Possible Bull market

History suggests strong forward returns after large drawdowns. While the market may have yet to bottom, once it does, the reset in valuations provides an investment opportunity, in our view.

 

Transition from Inflation worries to Recession worries

As inflation shows signs of peaking, a policy pause later in 2023 seems likely to RiverFront. While the economic ramifications of the Fed’s actions is likely to cause a recession, RiverFront believes that the recession is likely to be mild.

 

Transition from ‘T.I.N.A’ (‘There is No Alternative’) to ‘P.A.T.T.Y’ (‘Pay Attention to the Yield’)

On the equity side, RiverFront believes dividends will be an increasingly important return driver for stocks.

 

Transition from Pandemic concerns to ongoing Geopolitical fears

RiverFront believes U.S. equities are still advantaged from a geopolitical, commodity, and geographic perspective relative to Europe and Asia. RiverFront believes that, with the U.S. and China continuing to drift further apart, reshoring to the U.S. will continue.

 

Given all of the above, RIverFront believes there is modest upside for stocks for 2023. Within the U.S., RiverFront prefers cyclical sectors, small-cap and traditional ‘value’ plays, such as financials and energy.

 

6 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF – NAV -5.98% 6.98% 9.84%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF – Market Price* -6.02% 6.96% 9.83%
S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Index -8.80% 10.68% 12.54%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.52%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 7, 2016.

 

*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Index is the Standard & Poor’s broad-based unmanaged capitalization-weighted index comprising 1,500 stocks of Large-cap, Mid-cap, and Small-cap U.S. companies. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.

 

7 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Apple, Inc. 5.86%
Microsoft Corp. 4.50%
Amazon.com, Inc. 2.40%
Exxon Mobil Corp. 2.12%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2.05%
Johnson & Johnson 1.62%
Visa, Inc. 1.60%
Cisco Systems, Inc. 1.57%
AbbVie, Inc. 1.51%
Pfizer, Inc. 1.48%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 24.71%

 

*% of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned)

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Asset Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

8 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund” or "RIGS") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations. The Fund utilizes various investment strategies in a broad array of fixed income sectors.

 

Market Recap

Over the Fund's last calendar year, fixed income markets were extremely volatile as yields on the 10-year Treasury ranged from 1.51% to closing as high as 4.25% on October 24th. The move up in interest rates was attributed to rising inflation prompting the Federal Reserve (Fed) to change its monetary policy from Quantitative Easing (QE) to Quantitative Tightening (QT). Since March, the Fed has attempted to tighten financial conditions to fight inflation through rate increases and balance sheet reduction in the form of QT. The Fed chose to front-load rate hikes to avoid a repeat of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when inflation appeared to peak only to rear its head and climb higher. Over the last six meetings, the Fed incrementally raised the Fed funds target range from 0% to 4%.

 

Fund-Level Attribution

RIGS navigated this environment over the last year by investing in investment grade and high yield companies at the front-end of the curve with maturities inside of 5 years and maintaining a short duration relative to the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index. The Fund limited its Treasury exposure mostly to the long-end of the curve to serve as a shock-absorber during periods of risk-off.

 

Outlook

Given the monetary backdrop and recent interest rate spikes going into 2023, RiverFront anticipates that the Fund will continue to have a shorter duration relative to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. However, as interest rates rise and the Fed nears the end of its rate hiking cycle in 2023, the Fund will opportunistically look to close the duration gap. Additionally, the Fund will continue to focus primarily on adding credit risk over taking on interest rate risk given that the bond market has priced in recession for early 2023, which RiverFront believes is premature. RiverFront believes that the Fed’s terminal Fed funds rate range will be between 5.00% - 5.25%, and the 10-year Treasury could rise to between 4.50%- 4.75%, hence the Fund’s expected focus on credit over interest rate risk in the first half of 2023.

 

Performance (as of November 30, 2022)

 

  1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund – NAV -5.20% 1.29% 2.81%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund – Market Price* -4.88% 1.31% 2.84%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index -12.84% 0.21% 1.42%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.46%. The Fund’s management fees consist of a fee of 0.11% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.35% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on October 8, 2013.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of the price (the value of principal) of a fixed-income investment to a change in interest rates. Duration is expressed as a number of years. The duration number is a calculation involving present value, yield, coupon, final maturity and call features. The bigger the duration number, the greater the interest-rate risk or reward for bond prices. Rising interest rates mean falling bond prices, while declining interest rates mean rising bond prices.

 

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The RiverFront Strategic Income Fund is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

The Fund's shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or "authorized participants" may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.

 

9 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Performance Overview November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings*^ (as of November 30, 2022)

 

U.S. Treasury Bond 5/15/2042 3.25% 5.39%
U.S. Treasury Note 6/30/2029 3.25% 4.18%
U.S. Treasury Note 5/31/2024 2.50% 4.08%
U.S. Treasury Note 6/15/2025 2.875% 4.07%
Morgan Stanley 4/24/2024 3M US L + 0.847% 1.67%
Wells Fargo & Co. 9/9/2024 3.30% 1.64%
T-Mobile USA, Inc. 4/15/2026 2.625% 1.45%
Vistra Operations Co. LLC 7/15/2024 3.55% 1.31%
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 10/21/2025 4.25% 1.30%
Bank of America Corp. 10/22/2026 4.25% 1.30%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 26.39%

 

*% of Total Investments.

^Excludes Money Market Fund

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Asset Allocation* (as of November 30, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2022)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

 

 

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

10 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through November 30, 2022.

 

Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning Account Value 6/1/22 Ending Account Value 11/30/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/22 - 11/30/22(b)
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $977.30 0.51% $2.53
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.51 0.51% $2.59
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF      
Actual $1,000.00 $966.90 0.52% $2.56
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.46 0.52% $2.64
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $986.90 0.52% $2.59
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.46 0.52% $2.64
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund        
Actual $1,000.00 $984.80 0.46% $2.29
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.76 0.46% $2.33

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

 

 

11 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust and the Shareholders of RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, and RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, and RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, each a series of shares of beneficial interest in ALPS ETF Trust (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of November 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of November 30, 2022, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and their financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The statements of changes in net assets for the year ended November 30, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period then ended were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 26, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate procedures where replies were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BBD, LLP

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the Funds in the ALPS ETF Trust since 2022.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 27, 2023

 

12 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
CORPORATE BONDS (68.11%)        
Communications (7.55%)        
AT&T, Inc.        
2.55%, 12/01/2033  $751,000   $587,211 
Charter Communications          
Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital          
4.91%, 07/23/2025   430,000    423,067 
Comcast Corp.          
4.15%, 10/15/2028   424,000    411,004 
Discovery Communications LLC          
3.95%, 03/20/2028   754,000    676,418 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.          
3.13%, 09/01/2026(a)   477,000    431,227 
Verizon Communications, Inc.          
2.36%, 03/15/2032   423,000    339,848 
Walt Disney Co.          
2.00%, 09/01/2029   477,000    403,115 
Total Communications        3,271,890 
           
Consumer Discretionary (8.52%)          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.          
3.60%, 11/28/2024   104,000    100,404 
3.40%, 12/06/2027   89,000    81,702 
CoreCivic, Inc.          
4.63%, 05/01/2023   97,000    96,710 
Ford Motor Co.          
9.63%, 04/22/2030   599,000    693,486 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC          
7.35%, 11/04/2027   961,000    999,815 
General Motors Financial Co., Inc.          
3.70%, 05/09/2023   134,000    133,163 
3.60%, 06/21/2030   419,000    358,411 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.          
4.88%, 03/15/2027   430,000    399,112 
Marriott International, Inc.          
4.00%, 04/15/2028(b)   77,000    71,577 
Toyota Motor Credit Corp.          
3.95%, 06/30/2025   771,000    757,572 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,691,952 
           
Consumer Staples (2.91%)          
Anheuser-Busch InBev          
Worldwide, Inc.          
4.00%, 04/13/2028   491,000    474,876 
Dollar Tree, Inc.          
4.00%, 05/15/2025   805,000    788,546 
Total Consumer Staples        1,263,422 
           
Energy (6.69%)          
Continental Resources, Inc.          
3.80%, 06/01/2024   89,000    86,590 
Enterprise Products Operating LLC          
3.35%, 03/15/2023   134,000    133,389 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Energy (continued)        
Hess Midstream Operations LP        
4.25%, 02/15/2030(a)  $430,000   $368,194 
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP          
4.25%, 09/01/2024   89,000    87,667 
Marathon Oil Corp.          
4.40%, 07/15/2027   801,000    773,722 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC          
5.75%, 05/15/2024   754,000    755,111 
Schlumberger Investment SA          
3.65%, 12/01/2023   220,000    217,275 
Shell International Finance BV          
2.75%, 04/06/2030   430,000    380,774 
Williams Cos., Inc.          
3.90%, 01/15/2025   98,000    95,695 
Total Energy        2,898,417 
           
Financials (28.80%)          
Bank of America Corp.          
4.25%, 10/22/2026   612,000    598,700 
Blackstone Private Credit Fund          
3.25%, 03/15/2027   465,000    400,397 
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc.          
3.35%, 05/03/2026   123,000    118,738 
Citigroup, Inc.          
4.45%, 09/29/2027   787,000    757,325 
6.63%, 06/15/2032   260,000    274,199 
CubeSmart LP          
2.25%, 12/15/2028   870,000    717,588 
Discover Bank          
4.65%, 09/13/2028   77,000    71,737 
FNB Corp.          
5.15%, 08/25/2025   879,000    871,204 
FS KKR Capital Corp.          
4.25%, 02/14/2025(a)   809,000    760,551 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.          
5.70%, 11/01/2024   961,000    972,417 
Host Hotels & Resorts LP          
4.00%, 06/15/2025   551,000    527,432 
HSBC Holdings PLC          
4.30%, 03/08/2026   77,000    74,748 
3.90%, 05/25/2026   104,000    98,858 
4.38%, 11/23/2026   787,000    754,781 
Iron Mountain, Inc.          
4.88%, 09/15/2027(a)   833,000    784,311 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.          
4.25%, 10/01/2027   507,000    494,434 
Lincoln National Corp.          
3.35%, 03/09/2025   104,000    100,203 
M&T Bank Corp.          
3M US L + 0.68%, 07/26/2023(c)   134,000    134,085 
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.          
3.85%, 03/01/2026   104,000    99,854 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

13 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Financials (continued)        
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.        
3M US L + 1.00%, 09/11/2024(c)  $253,000   $252,374 
Morgan Stanley          
5.00%, 11/24/2025   909,000    910,534 
3.63%, 01/20/2027   199,000    188,932 
NatWest Markets PLC          
3.48%, 03/22/2025(a)   501,000    479,894 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.          
3.15%, 05/19/2027   104,000    96,359 
3.45%, 04/23/2029   419,000    384,331 
Royal Bank of Canada          
6.00%, 11/01/2027   909,000    944,856 
Truist Bank          
3.30%, 05/15/2026   104,000    97,452 
Wells Fargo & Co.          
3.00%, 04/22/2026   548,000    514,308 
Total Financials        12,480,602 
           
Health Care (3.34%)          
AbbVie, Inc.          
3.20%, 11/21/2029   430,000    391,585 
Cigna Corp.          
3.00%, 07/15/2023   124,000    122,418 
CVS Health Corp.          
4.30%, 03/25/2028   162,000    157,555 
HCA, Inc.          
5.38%, 09/01/2026   430,000    427,888 
Merck & Co., Inc.          
2.80%, 05/18/2023   249,000    246,724 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.          
3.75%, 07/15/2025   104,000    102,094 
Total Health Care        1,448,264 
           
Industrials (2.69%)          
3M Co.          
3.25%, 02/14/2024   220,000    216,243 
Boeing Co.          
4.88%, 05/01/2025   785,000    777,301 
CNH Industrial NV          
4.50%, 08/15/2023   104,000    103,277 
Textron, Inc.          
3.65%, 03/15/2027   77,000    72,090 
Total Industrials        1,168,911 
           
Materials (2.82%)          
Ball Corp.          
4.00%, 11/15/2023   812,000    795,923 
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.          
4.73%, 11/15/2028   430,000    428,157 
Total Materials        1,224,080 
           
Technology (2.03%)          
Apple, Inc.          
3.20%, 05/11/2027   430,000    412,511 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Technology (continued)        
Flex, Ltd.        
5.00%, 02/15/2023  $104,000   $103,905 
Oracle Corp.          
3.25%, 11/15/2027   395,000    363,344 
Total Technology        879,760 
           
Utilities (2.76%)          
Dominion Energy, Inc.          
4.25%, 06/01/2028   77,000    73,711 
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.          
5.85%, 11/15/2027   961,000    988,757 
Southern Co.          
2.95%, 07/01/2023   134,000    132,527 
Total Utilities        1,194,995 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS          
(Cost $32,256,508)        29,522,293 
           
GOVERNMENT BONDS (22.78%)          
United States Treasury Bond          
2.75%, 02/15/2028   2,602,000    2,464,176 
2.88%, 05/15/2032   2,908,000    2,715,799 
3.25%, 05/15/2042   2,908,000    2,597,889 
United States Treasury Inflation Indexed Bonds          
2.13%, 02/15/2040(d)   110,949    119,071 
United States Treasury Note          
2.88%, 10/31/2023   758,000    745,656 
3.00%, 10/31/2025   1,270,000    1,231,057 
TOTAL GOVERNMENT BONDS          
(Cost $10,714,590)        9,873,648 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (8.49%)            
Money Market Fund (8.49%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)   3.69%   3,677,839    3,677,839 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $3,677,839)             3,677,839 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.38%)               
(Cost $46,648,937)            $43,073,780 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.62%)             267,402 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $43,341,182 

 

Investment Abbreviations:

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Reference Rates:

3M US L - 3 Month LIBOR as of November 30, 2022 was 4.76%

 

(a)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $2,824,177, representing 6.52% of net assets.

(b)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2022, the market value of those securities was$71,577 representing 0.17% of net assets.

(c)Floating or variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically on specific dates. The rate shown represents the coupon or interest rate in effect as of November 30, 2022. Security description includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.

 

(d)Principal amount of security is adjusted for inflation.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.76%)        
Communication Services (6.16%)        
Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)   16,522   $1,676,157 
AT&T, Inc.   74,662    1,439,483 
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A   21,225    1,006,277 
Lumen Technologies, Inc.   152,009    831,489 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   19,624    764,944 
Total Communication Services        5,718,350 
           
Consumer Discretionary (3.70%)          
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   27,090    2,615,268 
PetMed Express, Inc.(b)   41,696    825,581 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,440,849 
           
Consumer Staples (5.71%)          
Altria Group, Inc.   17,737    826,189 
Coca-Cola Co.   22,482    1,430,080 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   15,000    1,162,200 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   4,070    405,657 
Vector Group, Ltd.   133,697    1,484,037 
Total Consumer Staples        5,308,163 
           
Energy (11.23%)          
Antero Midstream Corp.   135,087    1,530,536 
Devon Energy Corp.   13,542    927,898 
Equitrans Midstream Corp.   196,398    1,647,779 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   31,386    3,494,517 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   67,319    1,287,140 
ONEOK, Inc.   23,072    1,543,978 
Total Energy        10,431,848 
           
Financials (15.07%)          
AllianceBernstein Holding LP   51,829    2,091,300 
Annaly Capital Management, Inc.(b)   31,748    687,979 
Artisan Partners Asset          
Management, Inc., Class A   32,245    1,118,579 
Bank of America Corp.   28,814    1,090,610 
Dynex Capital, Inc.(b)   36,623    479,761 
Ellington Financial, Inc.(b)   29,166    397,824 
FNB Corp.   47,177    665,196 
Fulton Financial Corp.   44,107    819,949 
Navient Corp.   30,287    501,856 
New York Community Bancorp, Inc.(b)   76,774    717,837 
OneMain Holdings, Inc.   18,243    718,045 
Ready Capital Corp.(b)   62,380    835,892 
Rithm Capital Corp.   139,568    1,263,090 
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.   25,750    551,308 
US Bancorp   45,373    2,059,480 
Total Financials        13,998,706 
           
Health Care (11.34%)          
AbbVie, Inc.   11,974    1,929,969 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   24,218    1,944,221 
Johnson & Johnson   10,564    1,880,392 
Merck & Co., Inc.   36,349    4,002,752 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Health Care (continued)        
Pfizer, Inc.   15,423   $773,155 
Total Health Care        10,530,489 
           
Industrials (5.83%)          
3M Co.   3,217    405,246 
Fastenal Co.   23,740    1,222,847 
MDU Resources Group, Inc.   80,307    2,528,868 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   6,621    1,256,202 
Total Industrials        5,413,163 
           
Information Technology (25.31%)          
Apple, Inc.   38,471    5,694,862 
Broadcom, Inc.   1,792    987,446 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   50,469    2,509,319 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.   163,624    2,745,611 
Intel Corp.   24,474    735,933 
Microsoft Corp.   24,040    6,133,564 
NVIDIA Corp.   7,186    1,216,087 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   14,087    2,542,140 
Western Union Co.   64,167    940,688 
Total Information Technology        23,505,650 
           
Materials (0.94%)          
Newmont Mining Corp.   18,374    872,214 
           
Real Estate (5.71%)          
American Assets Trust, Inc.   18,072    529,329 
Iron Mountain, Inc.   24,221    1,315,927 
Medical Properties Trust, Inc.(b)   52,842    693,287 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A   53,258    554,416 
SITE Centers Corp.   32,786    445,562 
Universal Health Realty Income Trust   33,668    1,767,233 
Total Real Estate        5,305,754 
           
Utilities (8.76%)          
Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C   43,009    1,524,239 
Duke Energy Corp.   25,774    2,575,596 
Entergy Corp.   10,620    1,234,787 
Evergy, Inc.   10,478    620,402 
NRG Energy, Inc.   16,688    708,406 
OGE Energy Corp.   17,205    696,114 
UGI Corp.   19,998    772,923 
Total Utilities        8,132,467 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $90,055,041)        92,657,653 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.24%)            
Money Market Fund (0.08%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $79,627)   3.69%   79,627   $79,627 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (1.16%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $1,074,218)        1,074,218    1,074,218 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $1,153,845)             1,153,845 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (101.00%)               
(Cost $91,208,886)            $93,811,498 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-1.00%)             (930,375)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $92,881,123 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $4,152,810.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.85%)        
Communication Services (7.65%)        
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   3,676   $371,239 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)   1,747    177,233 
Comcast Corp., Class A   9,507    348,337 
EverQuote, Inc., Class A(a)   12,761    137,819 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   5,298    182,039 
Lumen Technologies, Inc.   33,730    184,503 
Magnite, Inc.(a)   3,880    43,107 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   1,716    202,660 
New York Times Co., Class A   2,657    97,379 
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.   1,493    283,013 
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.(b)   26,939    174,834 
Total Communication Services        2,202,163 
           
Consumer Discretionary (9.43%)          
ADT, Inc.   31,212    291,520 
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   7,156    690,840 
Choice Hotels International, Inc.   640    78,861 
Clarus Corp.(b)   3,918    32,598 
Ford Motor Co.   24,106    335,073 
H&R Block, Inc.   6,171    269,734 
Home Depot, Inc.   1,028    333,062 
NIKE, Inc., Class B   1,858    203,804 
Tapestry, Inc.   9,054    341,970 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   710    138,237 
Total Consumer Discretionary        2,715,699 
           
Consumer Staples (6.69%)          
Altria Group, Inc.   2,158    100,520 
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   3,042    296,595 
Coca-Cola Co.   6,319    401,952 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   2,705    209,583 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A   4,239    286,599 
Procter & Gamble Co.   1,958    292,055 
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.(a)   4,821    165,505 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   4,204    174,466 
Total Consumer Staples        1,927,275 
           
Energy (9.80%)          
Alto Ingredients, Inc.(a)   55,408    193,374 
Archrock, Inc.   15,851    138,062 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   7,597    212,032 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   5,464    608,362 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   16,820    321,598 
Marathon Oil Corp.   12,738    390,165 
New Fortress Energy, Inc.(b)   6,357    323,571 
ONEOK, Inc.   2,789    186,640 
Transocean, Ltd.(a)(b)   46,178    196,257 
Williams Cos., Inc.   7,284    252,755 
Total Energy        2,822,816 
           
Financials (8.56%)          
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.   6,477    96,378 
Bank of America Corp.   7,046    266,691 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Financials (continued)        
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)   239   $76,145 
Citigroup, Inc.   7,376    357,072 
First Commonwealth Financial Corp.   7,352    108,221 
Hope Bancorp, Inc.   7,915    107,802 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   3,050    421,449 
Kearny Financial Corp.   8,425    81,470 
KeyCorp   8,355    157,158 
Radian Group, Inc.   8,366    163,723 
Regions Financial Corp.   8,211    190,577 
Travelers Cos., Inc.   1,317    249,980 
US Bancorp   4,032    183,013 
Willis Towers Watson PLC   28    6,892 
Total Financials        2,466,571 
           
Health Care (14.26%)          
Abbott Laboratories   2,409    259,160 
AbbVie, Inc.   2,686    432,930 
Cigna Corp.   731    240,419 
CVS Health Corp.   2,670    272,020 
Johnson & Johnson   2,610    464,580 
Merck & Co., Inc.   3,640    400,837 
Pacific Biosciences of          
California, Inc.(a)(b)   5,224    56,158 
Pfizer, Inc.   8,516    426,907 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   1,117    169,594 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   240    180,408 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   1,075    588,842 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   740    234,136 
Zoetis, Inc.   1,381    212,867 
Zynex, Inc.(b)   12,331    169,181 
Total Health Care        4,108,039 
           
Industrials (7.20%)          
ACCO Brands Corp.   14,061    78,320 
BWX Technologies, Inc.   1,992    121,293 
CACI International, Inc., Class A(a)   497    155,213 
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.,          
Class A(a)   2,030    174,763 
Cintas Corp.   446    205,954 
CoreCivic, Inc.(a)   10,732    142,521 
CSX Corp.   10,884    355,798 
General Dynamics Corp.   1,313    331,388 
Heidrick & Struggles          
International, Inc.   3,041    90,318 
Snap-on, Inc.   121    29,112 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   2,046    388,187 
Total Industrials        2,072,867 
           
Information Technology (27.09%)          
Adeia, Inc.   6,102    67,427 
Adobe, Inc.(a)   48    16,557 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)   2,757    214,026 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)        
Amdocs, Ltd.   2,422   $215,219 
Apple, Inc.   11,383    1,685,024 
Block, Inc., Class A(a)   1,257    85,187 
Broadcom, Inc.   614    338,332 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   9,055    450,215 
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A(a)   2,459    120,835 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)   1,118    131,533 
Ebix, Inc.(b)   2,308    43,829 
Enphase Energy, Inc.(a)   675    216,398 
Gen Digital, Inc.   12,520    287,459 
Identiv, Inc.(a)   13,488    112,625 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   1,186    422,690 
Maximus, Inc.   1,509    106,083 
Microsoft Corp.   5,072    1,294,070 
NCR Corp.(a)   3,979    94,979 
NVIDIA Corp.   1,015    171,768 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   1,652    208,961 
Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)   1,505    241,176 
Seagate Technology PLC   4,703    249,118 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a)   1,012    302,446 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,475    266,179 
Visa, Inc., Class A   2,116    459,172 
Total Information Technology        7,801,308 
           
Materials (4.46%)          
American Vanguard Corp.   7,566    174,018 
FMC Corp.   1,680    219,475 
Glatfelter Corp.   7,864    27,288 
Mosaic Co.   4,245    217,769 
Nucor Corp.(b)   1,702    255,215 
O-I, Inc.(a)   13,794    226,360 
Sealed Air Corp.   254    13,520 
SunCoke Energy, Inc.   17,724    149,945 
Total Materials        1,283,590 
           
Real Estate (1.84%)          
Highwoods Properties, Inc.   2,826    84,215 
Kimco Realty Corp.   8,136    186,477 
Prologis, Inc.   1,562    183,988 
SL Green Realty Corp.   1,778    74,605 
Total Real Estate        529,285 
           
Utilities (2.87%)          
Duke Energy Corp.   1,079    107,824 
National Fuel Gas Co.   2,109    139,679 
OGE Energy Corp.   6,461    261,412 
UGI Corp.   8,186    316,389 
Total Utilities        825,304 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $26,992,838)        28,754,917 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.02%)        
Money Market Fund (0.02%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)               
(Cost $5,505)   3.69%   5,505   $5,505 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral               
from Securities Loaned (1.00%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 3.86%               
(Cost $289,041)        289,041    289,041 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $294,546)             294,546 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.87%)               
(Cost $27,287,384)            $29,049,463 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.87%)             (250,879)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $28,798,584 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $909,227.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
CORPORATE BONDS (76.60%)        
Communications (5.89%)        
AMC Networks, Inc.        
5.00%, 04/01/2024  $324,000   $309,728 
4.75%, 08/01/2025   404,000    358,536 
CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp.          
5.50%, 05/01/2026(a)   428,000    417,707 
CSC Holdings LLC          
5.50%, 04/15/2027(a)   835,000    766,104 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.          
3.75%, 07/15/2029(a)   980,000    709,230 
Netflix, Inc.          
4.38%, 11/15/2026   803,000    776,295 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.          
3.13%, 09/01/2026(a)   805,000    727,752 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.          
2.63%, 04/15/2026   1,542,000    1,415,742 
WMG Acquisition Corp.          
3.75%, 12/01/2029(a)   803,000    694,041 
Total Communications        6,175,135 
           
Consumer Discretionary (11.42%)          
Air Canada          
3.88%, 08/15/2026(a)   858,000    786,153 
Aramark Services, Inc.          
6.38%, 05/01/2025(a)   858,000    852,788 
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.          
6.25%, 07/01/2025(a)   1,012,000    1,001,052 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC          
2.30%, 02/10/2025   1,183,000    1,086,716 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.          
5.00%, 05/31/2026   1,034,000    1,003,512 
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.          
3.75%, 05/01/2029(a)   950,000    836,309 
International Game Technology PLC          
6.50%, 02/15/2025(a)   286,000    287,798 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.          
3.20%, 08/08/2024   766,000    731,989 
Lennar Corp.          
4.75%, 11/29/2027   950,000    908,571 
MGM Resorts International          
6.00%, 03/15/2023   1,012,000    1,011,645 
Newell Brands, Inc.          
4.45%, 04/01/2026   803,000    759,044 
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.          
3.52%, 09/17/2025(a)   950,000    879,609 
PulteGroup, Inc.          
5.50%, 03/01/2026   1,260,000    1,265,664 
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.          
4.88%, 07/31/2024(a)   573,000    551,463 
Total Consumer Discretionary        11,962,313 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Consumer Staples (2.31%)        
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.        
4.75%, 01/23/2029  $858,000   $856,303 
JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA Food Co. / JBS USA Finance, Inc.          
2.50%, 01/15/2027(a)   803,000    701,388 
Spectrum Brands, Inc.          
5.75%, 07/15/2025   30,000    29,533 
US Foods, Inc.          
6.25%, 04/15/2025(a)   835,000    836,065 
Total Consumer Staples        2,423,289 
           
Energy (3.99%)          
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC          
7.00%, 06/30/2024   983,000    996,663 
DCP Midstream Operating LP          
5.38%, 07/15/2025   805,000    795,567 
Petroleos Mexicanos          
4.88%, 01/18/2024   825,000    807,828 
Reliance Industries, Ltd.          
4.13%, 01/28/2025(a)   793,000    768,258 
Schlumberger Holdings Corp.          
3.90%, 05/17/2028(a)   858,000    809,506 
Total Energy        4,177,822 
           
Financials (26.81%)          
Air Lease Corp.          
4.25%, 02/01/2024   805,000    790,672 
American Express Co.          
5.85%, 11/05/2027   1,048,000    1,087,213 
Ares Capital Corp.          
3.50%, 02/10/2023   967,000    963,229 
Avolon Holdings Funding, Ltd.          
2.53%, 11/18/2027(a)   890,000    719,207 
Bank of America Corp.          
4.25%, 10/22/2026   1,294,000    1,265,879 
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund          
3.63%, 01/15/2026   942,000    876,328 
Capital One Financial Corp.          
4.20%, 10/29/2025   858,000    831,638 
Citigroup, Inc.          
4.45%, 09/29/2027   1,294,000    1,245,208 
EPR Properties          
4.75%, 12/15/2026   805,000    717,343 
FS KKR Capital Corp.          
3.40%, 01/15/2026   950,000    863,873 
           
GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II,Inc.          
3.35%, 09/01/2024   766,000    731,660 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.          
4.25%, 10/21/2025   1,294,000    1,268,392 
HAT Holdings I LLC / HAT Holdings II LLC          
3.38%, 06/15/2026(a)   879,000    757,351 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Financials (continued)        
Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.        
4.75%, 09/15/2024  $1,013,000   $974,224 
Iron Mountain, Inc.          
4.88%, 09/15/2027(a)   904,000    851,161 
iStar, Inc.          
4.75%, 10/01/2024   1,065,000    1,048,699 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.          
4.25%, 10/01/2027   1,294,000    1,261,930 
Morgan Stanley          
3M US L + 0.85%, 04/24/2024(b)   1,639,000    1,627,637 
MPT Operating Partnership LP / MPT Finance Corp.          
5.25%, 08/01/2026   766,000    686,455 
NatWest Markets PLC          
3.48%, 03/22/2025(a)   802,000    768,213 
Newmark Group, Inc.          
6.13%, 11/15/2023   993,000    991,719 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.          
4.38%, 08/01/2023   271,000    267,512 
5.25%, 01/15/2026   525,000    512,364 
OneMain Finance Corp.          
6.13%, 03/15/2024   1,012,000    988,269 
Royal Bank of Canada          
6.00%, 11/01/2027   1,048,000    1,089,339 
Santander Holdings USA, Inc.          
3.50%, 06/07/2024   400,000    388,132 
SBA Communications Corp.          
3.88%, 02/15/2027   1,202,000    1,099,477 
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.          
4.75%, 03/15/2025   803,000    770,248 
VICI Properties LP / VICI Note Co., Inc.          
4.25%, 12/01/2026(a)   1,123,000    1,044,994 
Wells Fargo & Co.          
3.30%, 09/09/2024   1,639,000    1,595,998 
Total Financials        28,084,364 
           
Health Care (1.08%)          
DaVita, Inc.          
4.63%, 06/01/2030(a)   904,000    725,641 
HCA, Inc.          
5.38%, 02/01/2025   404,000    403,203 
Total Health Care        1,128,844 
           
Industrials (5.08%)          
Boeing Co.          
4.88%, 05/01/2025   950,000    940,682 
MasTec, Inc.          
4.50%, 08/15/2028(a)   874,000    788,661 
Sensata Technologies BV          
5.00%, 10/01/2025(a)   803,000    791,714 
Stericycle, Inc.          
5.38%, 07/15/2024(a)   806,000    797,537 

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
TransDigm, Inc.        
6.25%, 03/15/2026(a)  $835,000   $823,600 
WESCO Distribution, Inc.          
7.13%, 06/15/2025(a)   1,164,000    1,180,022 
Total Industrials        5,322,216 
           
Materials (10.65%)          
Alcoa Nederland Holding BV          
4.13%, 03/31/2029(a)   1,057,000    928,257 
ArcelorMittal SA          
3.60%, 07/16/2024   881,000    855,468 
Arconic Corp.          
6.00%, 05/15/2025(a)   858,000    846,970 
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC /          
Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.          
5.25%, 04/30/2025(a)   1,030,000    995,830 
Ball Corp.          
5.25%, 07/01/2025   642,000    640,716 
4.88%, 03/15/2026   404,000    391,452 
Berry Global, Inc.          
4.88%, 07/15/2026(a)   908,000    872,388 
Braskem Finance, Ltd.          
6.45%, 02/03/2024   371,000    371,937 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.          
3.88%, 03/15/2023   881,000    878,388 
5.00%, 09/01/2027   449,000    437,052 
Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.          
5.50%, 04/15/2024(a)   338,000    332,533 
Methanex Corp.          
5.13%, 10/15/2027   835,000    767,085 
NOVA Chemicals Corp.          
4.88%, 06/01/2024(a)   1,012,000    986,057 
Novelis Corp.          
3.25%, 11/15/2026(a)   805,000    720,380 
Sasol Financing USA LLC          
4.38%, 09/18/2026   525,000    477,026 
Standard Industries, Inc.          
3.38%, 01/15/2031(a)   858,000    659,641 
Total Materials        11,161,180 
           
Technology (3.85%)          
CDW LLC / CDW Finance Corp.          
3.57%, 12/01/2031   803,000    656,154 
Flex, Ltd.          
5.00%, 02/15/2023   1,033,000    1,032,057 
Gen Digital, Inc.          
5.00%, 04/15/2025(a)   667,000    647,807 
Microchip Technology, Inc.          
4.25%, 09/01/2025   874,000    850,010 
Seagate HDD Cayman          
4.75%, 06/01/2023   858,000    848,865 
Total Technology        4,034,893 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund  
Schedule of Investments November 30, 2022

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Utilities (5.52%)        
American Electric Power Co., Inc.        
5.75%, 11/01/2027  $1,048,000$   1,074,964 
AmeriGas Partners LP / AmeriGas Finance Corp.          
5.88%, 08/20/2026   879,000    838,408 
Calpine Corp.          
5.25%, 06/01/2026(a)   428,000    410,501 
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP          
4.25%, 07/15/2024(a)   1,160,000    1,119,500 
NRG Energy, Inc.          
3.75%, 06/15/2024(a)   803,000    776,077 
6.63%, 01/15/2027   278,000    280,462 
Vistra Operations Co. LLC          
3.55%, 07/15/2024(a)   1,333,000    1,278,062 
Total Utilities        5,777,974 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS          
(Cost $86,460,226)        80,248,030 
           
GOVERNMENT BONDS (16.50%)          
U.S. Treasury Note          
2.50%, 05/31/2024   4,102,000    3,977,016 
2.88%, 06/15/2025   4,102,000    3,972,371 
3.25%, 06/30/2029   4,216,000    4,076,180 
United States Treasury Bond          
3.25%, 05/15/2042   5,887,000    5,259,208 
TOTAL GOVERNMENT BONDS          
(Cost $18,064,161)        17,284,775 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (5.89%)            
Money Market Fund (5.89%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (Premier Class)   3.69%   6,170,456    6,170,456 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $6,170,456)             6,170,456 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (98.99%)               
(Cost $110,694,843)            $103,703,261 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (1.01%)             1,056,057 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $104,759,318 

 

(a)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $31,447,329, representing 30.02% of net assets.
(b)Floating or variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically on specific dates. The rate shown represents the coupon or interest rate in effect as of November 30, 2022. Security description includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.

 

Investment Abbreviations:

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

 

Reference Rates:

3M US L - 3 Month LIBOR as of November 30, 2022 was 4.76%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

22 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2022

 

   RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 
ASSETS:                
Investments, at value  $43,073,780   $93,811,498(a)  $29,049,463(b)  $103,703,261 
Dividend receivable   12,316    182,427    49,976    16,969 
Interest receivable   273,789            1,076,069 
Receivable for investments sold   570,552             
Due from Authorized Participant               33,730 
Total Assets   43,930,437    93,993,925    29,099,439    104,830,029 
                     
LIABILITIES:                    
Payable to adviser   18,703    38,584    11,814    36,981 
Payable for investments purchased               33,730 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned       1,074,218    289,041     
Due to Authorized Participant   570,552             
Total Liabilities   589,255    1,112,802    300,855    70,711 
NET ASSETS  $43,341,182   $92,881,123   $28,798,584   $104,759,318 
                     
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                    
Paid-in capital  $48,545,109   $96,311,958   $48,937,448   $123,079,439 
Total distributable earnings/(accumulated losses)   (5,203,927)   (3,430,835)   (20,138,864)   (18,320,121)
NET ASSETS  $43,341,182   $92,881,123   $28,798,584   $104,759,318 
                     
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $46,648,937   $91,208,886   $27,287,384   $110,694,843 
                     
PRICING OF SHARES                    
Net Assets  $43,341,182   $92,881,123   $28,798,584   $104,759,318 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   1,950,000    2,075,002    675,002    4,625,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $22.23   $44.76   $42.66   $22.65 

 

(a) Includes $4,152,810 of securities on loan.
(b) Includes $909,227 of securities on loan.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

23 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Statements of Operations For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

   RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                
Interest  $1,896,767   $   $   $3,453,211 
Dividends(a)   93,851    3,993,514    541,663    94,389 
Securities Lending Income       28,442    10,601     
Total Investment Income   1,990,618    4,021,956    552,264    3,547,600 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser and sub-adviser fees (Note 3)   400,166    558,334    177,734    580,732 
Total Expenses   400,166    558,334    177,734    580,732 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   1,590,452    3,463,622    374,530    2,966,868 
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)                    
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(b)   (4,980,857)   35,036,588    10,867,396    (3,575,790)
NET REALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)   (4,980,857)   35,036,588    10,867,396    (3,575,790)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (5,468,905)   (36,235,123)   (13,757,793)   (6,970,220)
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/(DEPRECIATION)   (5,468,905)   (36,235,123)   (13,757,793)   (6,970,220)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (10,449,762)   (1,198,535)   (2,890,397)   (10,546,010)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(8,859,310)  $2,265,087   $(2,515,867)  $(7,579,142)

 

(a)Net of foreign tax withholding in the amounts of $–, $–, $– and $189, respectively.
(b)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $1,590,452   $1,990,198 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (4,980,857)   2,564,824 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (5,468,905)   (6,289,006)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (8,859,310)   (1,733,984)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (3,382,868)   (1,962,506)
Total distributions   (3,382,868)   (1,962,506)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   4,002,594    17,914,173 
Shares redeemed   (66,292,105)   (9,068,318)
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions   (62,289,511)   8,845,855 
           
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (74,531,689)   5,149,365 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   117,872,871    112,723,506 
End of year  $43,341,182   $117,872,871 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   4,650,000    4,300,000 
Shares sold   175,000    700,000 
Shares redeemed   (2,875,000)   (350,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   1,950,000    4,650,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

25 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $3,463,622   $1,902,769 
Net realized gain   35,036,588    8,733,483 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (36,235,123)   15,974,138 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   2,265,087    26,610,390 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (3,342,217)   (1,936,954)
Total distributions   (3,342,217)   (1,936,954)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   54,331,616    4,577,634 
Shares redeemed   (92,897,556)   (30,021,042)
Net decrease from share transactions   (38,565,940)   (25,443,408)
           
Net decrease in net assets   (39,643,070)   (769,972)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   132,524,193    133,294,165 
End of year  $92,881,123   $132,524,193 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   2,950,002    3,600,002 
Shares sold   1,200,000    100,000 
Shares redeemed   (2,075,000)   (750,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   2,075,002    2,950,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

26 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $374,530   $604,208 
Net realized gain   10,867,396    10,365,533 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (13,757,793)   2,789,216 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (2,515,867)   13,758,957 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (438,679)   (679,274)
From return of capital   (8,648)    
Total distributions   (447,327)   (679,274)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   15,524,015     
Shares redeemed   (35,496,905)   (32,744,774)
Net decrease from share transactions   (19,972,890)   (32,744,774)
           
Net decrease in net assets   (22,936,084)   (19,665,091)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   51,734,668    71,399,759 
End of year  $28,798,584   $51,734,668 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   1,125,002    1,900,002 
Shares sold   350,000     
Shares redeemed   (800,000)   (775,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   675,002    1,125,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

27 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $2,966,868   $2,793,818 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (3,575,790)   491,816 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (6,970,220)   (1,547,122)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (7,579,142)   1,738,512 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (3,248,534)   (3,171,669)
Total distributions   (3,248,534)   (3,171,669)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   9,753,437    43,888,656 
Shares redeemed   (37,059,629)   (18,545,978)
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions   (27,306,192)   25,342,678 
           
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (38,133,868)   23,909,521 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   142,893,186    118,983,665 
End of year  $104,759,318   $142,893,186 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   5,825,000    4,800,000 
Shares sold   425,000    1,775,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,625,000)   (750,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   4,625,000    5,825,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $25.35   $26.21   $25.22   $23.52   $24.60 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   0.47    0.47    0.50    0.68    0.68 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (2.71)   (0.87)   0.99    1.70    (1.10)
Total from investment operations   (2.24)   (0.40)   1.49    2.38    (0.42)
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.50)   (0.46)   (0.50)   (0.68)   (0.66)
From net realized gains   (0.38)                
Total distributions   (0.88)   (0.46)   (0.50)   (0.68)   (0.66)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (3.12)   (0.86)   0.99    1.70    (1.08)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $22.23   $25.35   $26.21   $25.22   $23.52 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (9.02)%   (1.51)%   5.97%   10.22%   (1.74)%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $43,341   $117,873   $112,724   $134,951   $150,527 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.03%   1.83%   1.94%   2.74%   2.83%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   50%   45%   11%   6%   15%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

29 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $44.92   $37.03   $33.98   $31.19   $31.39 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   1.46    0.62    0.56    0.65    0.73 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (0.21)   7.90    3.08    2.81    (0.26)
Total from investment operations   1.25    8.52    3.64    3.46    0.47 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (1.41)   (0.63)   (0.59)   (0.67)   (0.67)
Total distributions   (1.41)   (0.63)   (0.59)   (0.67)   (0.67)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (0.16)   7.89    3.05    2.79    (0.20)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $44.76   $44.92   $37.03   $33.98   $31.19 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   2.86%   23.13%   10.92%   11.29%   1.45%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $92,881   $132,524   $133,294   $130,828   $151,293 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   3.23%   1.47%   1.68%   2.05%   2.27%
Portfolio turnover rate(c)   104%   0%   75%   64%   96%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

30 | November 30, 2022

 

  

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $45.99   $37.58   $34.70   $32.79   $32.46 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   0.48    0.42    0.45    0.48    0.44 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (3.23)   8.43    2.87(b)   1.93    0.27(b)
Total from investment operations   (2.75)   8.85    3.32    2.41    0.71 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.57)   (0.44)   (0.44)   (0.50)   (0.38)
Tax return of capital   (0.01)                
Total distributions   (0.58)   (0.44)   (0.44)   (0.50)   (0.38)
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (3.33)   8.41    2.88    1.91    0.33 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $42.66   $45.99   $37.58   $34.70   $32.79 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (5.98)%   23.65%   9.75%   7.49%   2.16%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $28,799   $51,735   $71,400   $126,662   $152,464 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.10%   0.97%   1.34%   1.46%   1.30%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   113%   5%   99%   98%   152%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized gain on investments per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) in the Statements of Operations for the period(s) presented, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

31 | November 30, 2022

  

 

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Year Ended November 30, 2022   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $24.53   $24.79   $24.69   $24.27   $25.21 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income(a)   0.55    0.55    0.81    0.94    1.06 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (1.82)   (0.18)   0.13(b)   0.48    (0.92)
Total from investment operations   (1.27)   0.37    0.94    1.42    0.14 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.61)   (0.63)   (0.84)   (1.00)   (1.08)
Total distributions   (0.61)   (0.63)   (0.84)   (1.00)   (1.08)
                          
                          
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (1.88)   (0.26)   0.10    0.42    (0.94)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $22.65   $24.53   $24.79   $24.69   $24.27 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (5.20)%   1.52%   3.95%   5.96%   0.57%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $104,759   $142,893   $118,984   $167,889   $152,880 
                          
Ratio of expenses excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.17%(d)
Ratio of net investment income including expenses waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   2.35%   2.23%   3.32%   3.83%   4.31%
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   24%   50%   54%   44%   35%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized gain on investments per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) in the Statements of Operations for the period(s) presented, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Effective November 1, 2018, the Fund’s management fee consists of a fee of 0.11% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.35% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser ceased its voluntary waiver effective November 1, 2018.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

1.   ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2022, the Trust consisted of twenty-three separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF Fund is to seek to provide capital appreciation and dividend income. The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF Fund is to seek to provide capital appreciation. The investment objective of the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. Each Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities and/or cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of a Fund.

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of each Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.

 

Corporate bonds and United States government bonds are typically valued at the mean between the evaluated bid and ask prices formulated by an independent pricing service.

 

Each Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") as the valuation designee ("Valuation Designee") for each Fund to perform the fair value determinations relating to Fund investments. The Adviser may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through various teams and committees. When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by the Valuation Designee. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.

 

33 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:

 

Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued based on evaluated prices received from third party pricing vendors or from brokers who make markets in such securities. For corporate bonds, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as broker-supplied prices. When independent prices are unavailable or unreliable, debt securities may be valued utilizing pricing methodologies which consider similar factors that would be used by third party pricing vendors. Debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy but may be Level 3 depending on the circumstances. The RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund may invest a significant portion of their assets in below investment grade securities. The value of these securities can be more volatile due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer and is sensitive to changes in economic, market and regulatory conditions.

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.

 

These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
   
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

34 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of November 30, 2022:

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $29,522,293   $   $29,522,293 
Government Bonds       9,873,648        9,873,648 
Short Term Investments   3,677,839            3,677,839 
Total  $3,677,839   $39,395,941   $   $43,073,780 

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $92,657,653   $   $   $92,657,653 
Short Term Investments   1,153,845            1,153,845 
Total  $93,811,498   $   $   $93,811,498 

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $28,754,917   $   $   $28,754,917 
Short Term Investments   294,546            294,546 
Total  $29,049,463   $   $   $29,049,463 

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

              
Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $80,248,030   $   $80,248,030 
Government Bonds       17,284,775        17,284,775 
Short Term Investments   6,170,456            6,170,456 
Total  $6,170,456   $97,532,805   $   $103,703,261 

 

*For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identification in accordance with GAAP. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income for each Fund, if any, are declared and paid monthly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

35 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:

 

Fund  Paid-in Capital   Total Distributable Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $(3,424,267)  $3,424,267 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   24,004,192    (24,004,192)
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   8,537,767    (8,537,767)
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   (2,595,715)   2,595,715 

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2022            
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $1,672,309   $1,710,559   $ 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   3,342,217         
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   438,679        8,648 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   3,248,534         

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $1,962,506   $   $ 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   1,936,954         
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   679,274         
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   3,171,669         

 

The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration.

 

As of November 30, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $1,548,757   $61,907 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   6,171,196     
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   13,271,258    8,624,493 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   7,632,679    3,389,052 

 

During the year ended November 30, 2022, the Funds utilized the following capital loss carryovers:

 

Fund    
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $ 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   11,032,391 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   2,275,780 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund    

 

36 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:

 

Fund  Undistributed Net Investment Income   Accumulated Net Realized Gain on Investments   Net Unrealized Appreciation on Investments   Total 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   5,306   $(1,610,664)  $(3,598,569)  $(5,203,927)
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   17,848    (6,171,196)   2,722,513    (3,430,835)
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF       (21,895,751)   1,756,887    (20,138,864)
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   1,801    (11,021,731)   (7,300,191)   (18,320,121)

 

As of November 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

Fund  RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Flex- Cap ETF   RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $105,061   $9,306,674   $4,260,950   $(195,572)
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (3,703,630)   (6,584,161)   (2,504,063)   (7,104,619)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (3,598,569)   2,722,513    1,756,887    (7,300,191)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $46,672,349   $91,088,985   $27,292,576   $111,003,452 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and difference between premium amortization due to Accounting Standards Update 2017-08 and adjustments from partnership basis.

 

F. Income Taxes

 

No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Funds’ tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

 

As of and during the year ended November 30, 2022, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Each Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

 

The RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. Each Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

37 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

The following is a summary of the Funds' securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2022:

 

Fund  Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  $4,152,810   $1,074,218   $3,112,750   $4,186,968 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   909,227    289,041    613,651    902,692 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Funds benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received. As of November 30, 2022, Riverfront Dynamic Core Income Fund ETF and the Riverfront Strategic Income Fund did not have any securities on loan.

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2022:

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $1,074,218   $   $   $   $1,074,218 
Total Borrowings                       1,074,218 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                  $1,074,218 

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF  Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 Days   30-90 Days   Greater than 90 Days   Total 
Common Stocks  $289,041   $   $   $   $289,041 
Total Borrowings                       289,041 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                  $289,041 

 

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below:

 

Fund Advisory Fee
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.51%(a)
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 0.52%(b)
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 0.52%(b)
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 0.11%

 

(a)The unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 0.51% for average net assets up to $600 million, (ii) 0.48% for average net assets equal to or greater than $600 million.
(b)The unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 0.52% for average net assets up to $600 million, (ii) 0.49% for average net assets equal to or greater than $600 million.

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund's expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator for the Funds.

 

38 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as each Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Sub-Advisory Agreement’’). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser’s advisory fee for the services it provides besides RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, in which the Fund directly pays the Sub-Adviser. The fee is payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below:

 

Fund Sub-Advisory Fee
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.35%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 0.35%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 0.35%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 0.35%

 

Effective February 16, 2022, each Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $20,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $10,000, (3) $2,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly retainer of $5,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $3,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, each in connection with their respective roles. Prior to February 16, 2022, each Trustee received (1) a quarterly retainer of $10,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $5,000, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each received a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.

 

4.   PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $41,714,979   $34,068,075 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   111,744,295    112,246,757 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   39,116,515    39,008,134 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   38,193,103    27,401,437 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of U.S. Government security purchases and proceeds from U.S. Government security sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $9,814,483   $12,702,749 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   23,601,598    9,054,157 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $3,825,373   $64,850,217 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   54,302,542    91,491,711 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   15,496,108    35,436,731 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   9,687,437    36,708,306 

 

For the year ended November 30, 2022, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $(3,379,697)
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   23,881,797 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   8,589,304 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   (2,502,238)

 

Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.

 

39 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 2022

 

5.   CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from each Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.

 

6.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The Riverfront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and the Riverfront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a- 7 and the Trust’s procedures. Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2022, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchase Cost Paid   Sale Proceeds Received   Realized Gain/(Loss)on Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  $   $1,092,313   $47,817 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   1,092,313         

 

7.   MARKET RISK

 

 

The Funds are subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including the recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19), which can negatively impact the securities markets and cause each Fund to lose value. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

The spread of COVID-19 has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities each Fund holds, and may adversely affect each Fund’s investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19 could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of each Fund’s securities or other assets. Such impacts may adversely affect the performance of the Funds.

 

8.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events, if any, after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

40 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Additional Information November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of the period. Copies of the Fund’s Form N-PORT are available without a charge, upon request, by contacting the Fund at 1-866-759-5679 and on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

The Funds designate the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.00% 0.00%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 100.00% 97.31%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 100.00% 100.00%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 0.00% 0.00%

 

In early 2022, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2021 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2023 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2022.

 

41 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

At a meeting held on June 21, 2022 via electronic means (video-conference), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of (i) the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (“RIGS”), RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (“RFCI”), RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (“RFDA”) and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (“RFFC”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) and (ii) the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements between the Trust or RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser” or “RiverFront”) with respect to the Funds (the “RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements.

 

In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i)the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.

 

The Board reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark, and with respect to each Fund, the FUSE performance group. Based on this review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.

 

The Board noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

 

With respect to advisory fee rates, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted the following:

 

The gross management fee rate for RFCI is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. RFCI’s net expense ratio is slightly above the median of its respective FUSE expense group.

 

The gross management fee rate of each of RIGS, RFFC and RFDA is lower than the median of their respective FUSE expense groups. These Funds’ respective net expense ratios are also below the median of their respective FUSE expense groups.

 

Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds, including the asset levels and other factors that influence the profitability and financial viability of the Funds. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, reviewed and noted the relatively small sizes of the Funds and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.

 

In voting to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the members of the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

42 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, discussed the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements.

 

In evaluating the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by RiverFront with respect to the Funds under the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Funds compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the profitability to RiverFront of its sub-advisory relationship with the Funds and the reasonableness of compensation to RiverFront; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if, and as, the Funds’ assets increase, and whether the fee level in the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements reflects these economies of scale; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by RiverFront under the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Funds’ respective performance, financial information regarding RiverFront, information describing RiverFront’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. Based upon their review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that RiverFront was qualified to oversee the portfolio management of the Funds and that the services provided by RiverFront to the Funds are satisfactory. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to RiverFront from RIGS was 0.35% of RIGS’ average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.46% of RIGS’ average daily net assets. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to RiverFront with respect to each of RFCI, RFDA and RFFC was 0.35% of each Fund’s average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.51% with respect to RFCI’s average daily net assets, and 0.52% with respect to each of RFDA’s and RFFC’s average daily net assets, respectively. Based on the consideration of all factors deemed relevant by them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the sub-advisory fees received by RiverFront under the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services provided.

 

With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by RiverFront, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the resources involved in managing the Funds. Based on their review of the profitability of each of the Funds to RiverFront, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the profitability of each Fund to RiverFront was not unreasonable.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered other benefits that have been and may be realized by RiverFront from its relationships with each Fund and concluded that the sub-advisory fees with respect to each Fund were reasonable taking into account such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, noted that RIGS had increased in assets over the prior year. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the extent to which economies of scale may be realized if RIGS’ assets continue to grow in size and whether fee levels reflect a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. They also noted that RIGS has experienced fluctuations in assets, which makes it difficult to quantify the potential variability in net assets and thus determine the sustainability of any potential economies of scale which may exist. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also noted that RFCI and RFDA are only beginning to reach scale in terms of assets and that RFFC had a significant decline in assets over the prior year. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved with respect to each Fund.

 

In voting to approve each of the RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of each RiverFront Sub-Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

43 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees, each of whom have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES        
Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,

1940

Trustee

Since

March 2008

Ms. Anstine is Trustee/Director of AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. 38 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

Jeremy W. Deems,

1976

Trustee

Since

March 2008

Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. 38 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (29 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

Rick A. Pederson,

1952

Trustee

Since

March 2008

Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Advisory Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014-2017; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting, 2015-2019; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 - 2019; Director, National Western Stock Show (not for profit) 2010 - present; Director, History Colorado (not for profit) 2015- present; Director, Citywide Bank Advisory Board 2017-present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018 -present.

24 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds), Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

44 | November 30, 2022

  

 

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address & Year of Birth* Position(s) Held with Trust Term of Office and Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** Other Directorships Held by Trustees

Edmund J. Burke,

1961

Trustee

Since

December 2017

Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (collectively, the “ALPS Companies”). Mr. Burke retired from the ALPS Companies in June 2019. Mr. Burke is currently a partner at ETF Action, a webbased system that provides data and analytics to registered investment advisers, (since 2020) and a Director of Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., a technology company focused on emerging technologies in the renewable energy, biofuels, and bioplastics technology sectors (since 2020). 33 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (29 funds).

 

*The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

45 | November 30, 2022

  

 

RiverFront ETFs  
Trustees & Officers November 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS:      
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Time Served** Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Laton Spahr,

1975

President Since June 2021 Mr. Spahr joined ALPS in 2019 and currently serves as President and Portfolio Manager of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Spahr was a Senior Vice President and Strategy Leader of the Value & Income Team for Oppenheimer Funds from 2013 to 2019.

Matthew Sutula,

1985

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. From September 2019 to September 2022 he served as Chief Compliance Officer of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

Kathryn Burns,

 1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund. From June 2019 to September 2022 she served as President of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. and from June 2018 to November 2021 she served as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

Michael P. Lawlor,

1969

Secretary Since December 2022 Mr. Lawlor joined ALPS in January 2022, and is currently Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Lawlor was Lead Fund Counsel at Brighthouse Financial (insurance company) (January 2007-April 2021). Mr. Lawlor also serves as Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and ALPS Variable Investment Trust.

 

*The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
**This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds' Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (toll-free) 1-866-759-5679.

 

46 | November 30, 2022

  

 

Intentionally Left Blank

  

 

 

 

 

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

Item 2.Code of Ethics.

 

(a)The Registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or any persons performing similar functions on behalf of the Registrant.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

(c)During the period covered by this report, no amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were made.

 

(d)During the period covered by this report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were granted.

 

(e)Not applicable.

 

(f)The Registrant's Code of Ethics is attached as an Exhibit hereto.

  

Item 3.Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Board of Trustees of the Registrant has determined that the Registrant has at least one Audit Committee Financial Expert serving on its audit committee. The Board of Trustees of the Registrant has designated Jeremy W. Deems as the Registrant’s “Audit Committee Financial Expert”. Mr. Deems is “independent” as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)Audit Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements were $368,500 and $353,415, respectively.

 

(b)Audit-Related Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

(c)Tax Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $96,000 and $121,080, respectively. The fiscal year 2022 and 2021 tax fees were for services pertaining to federal and state income tax return review, review of year end dividend distributions and excise tax preparation.

 

(d)All Other Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021, aggregate fees billed to the Registrant by the principal accountant for services provided by the principal accountant other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item 4 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

(e)
(1)Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures: All services to be performed by the Registrant's principal accountant must be pre-approved by the Registrant's audit committee.

 -2- 

 

(2)No services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the Registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f)Not applicable.

 

(g)The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Registrant’s accountant for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021 of the Registrant were $96,000 and $121,080, respectively. These fees consisted of non-audit fees billed to (i) the Registrant of $96,000 and $121,080, respectively as described in response to paragraph (c) above.

 

(h)The Registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision of non- audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. The Registrant’s audit committee determined that the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

  

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable to the Registrant.

 

Item 6.Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

Item 7.Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

Item 8.Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

Item 9.Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

Item 10.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

No material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees have been implemented after the Registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

 -3- 

 

Item 11.Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

 

(b)There was no change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 13.Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)The registrant's Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers, which is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 of Form N-CSR, is filed herewith as Exhibit 13(a)(1).

 

(a)(2)The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.Cert.

 

(a)(3)Not applicable.

 

(a)(4)Not applicable.

 

(b)The certifications by the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906Cert.

 -4- 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ALPS ETF TRUST  
     
By: /s/Laton Spahr  
  Laton Spahr (Principal Executive Officer)  
  President  
     
Date: February 7, 2023  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By: /s/Laton Spahr  
  Laton Spahr (Principal Executive Officer)  
  President  
     
Date: February 7, 2023  
     
By: /s/Kathryn Burns  
  Kathryn Burns (Principal Financial Officer)  
  Treasurer  
     
Date: February 7, 2023  

 -5-