485APOS 1 s109449_485apos.htm 485APOS

File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

	*THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933*	x
	Pre-Effective Amendment No.	¨
	Post-Effective Amendment No. 126	x

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

	*THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940*	x
	Amendment No. 128	x

AdvisorShares Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

(877) 843-3831

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Noah Hamman

AdvisorShares Trust

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

W. John McGuire

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

1111 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20004

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

NASDAQ Ticker: DWMC

NASDAQ Ticker: DWSH

Sub-advised by:

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC

ADVISORSHARES TRUST

4800 Montgomery Lane • Suite 150

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

www.advisorshares.com

877.843.3831

Prospectus dated _________, 2018

This Prospectus provides important information about the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, each a series of AdvisorShares Trust. Before you invest, please read this Prospectus and the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information carefully and keep them for future reference.

The shares of the Funds have not been approved or disapproved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND SUMMARIES	1

ADVISORSHARES DORSEY WRIGHT MICRO-CAP ETF	1

ADVISORSHARES DORSEY WRIGHT SHORT ETF	5

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS	9

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES	9

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES	9

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS	9

OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES	11

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS	12

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS	12

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION	13

DISTRIBUTION PLAN	15

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION	15

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS	18

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	19

FUND SUMMARIES

ADVISORSHARES DORSEY WRIGHT MICRO-CAP ETF

NASDAQ Ticker: DWMC

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long term capital appreciation.

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the table below.

SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)	None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
MANAGEMENT FEES		0.XX%
DISTRIBUTION (12b-1) FEES		0.00%
OTHER EXPENSES^(a)		0.XX%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES		0.XX%
FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT^(b)		0.XX%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER FEE WAIVER/ EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT		0.XX%

(a)

Because the Fund is new, “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(b)

AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (the “Advisor”) has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses to keep net expenses (excluding amounts payable pursuant to any plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1, interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding ____% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated without payment of any penalty (i) by the Trust for any reason and at any time and (ii) by the Advisor, for any reason, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, such termination to be effective as of the close of business on the last day of the then-current one-year period.

EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This Example does not take into account creation or redemption transaction fees, or the brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling shares of the Fund. If these fees and commissions were included, your costs would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

		1 YEAR		3 YEARS
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s shares. The Fund is new and does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in U.S.-traded equity securities consisting of common and preferred stock and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs are securities traded on a local exchange stock exchange that represent interests in securities issued by a foreign publicly listed company. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in micro-cap securities. The Fund’s sub-advisor, Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”), generally defines a micro-cap company as one having a market capitalization under one billion dollars. In choosing micro-cap securities, the Sub-Advisor creates an investable universe of securities consisting of companies included in the lower half of the Russell 2000 Index based on market capitalization and an additional 1,000 companies with low market capitalizations that are not included in the Russell 2000 Index. This universe of investable securities is limited by certain liquidity screens.

The Fund’s investment focus follows the Sub-Advisor’s core philosophy of relative strength. Relative strength investing involves buying securities that have appreciated in price more than the other securities in the investment universe and holding those securities until they underperform. The strategy is entirely based on market movement of the securities and there is no company fundamental data involved in the analysis. The Sub-Advisor’s process is systematic and removes emotion from the day-to-day decision making. In implementing the strategy, stock selection is strictly based on identifying the highest ranked securities as measured by the relative strength investment process.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

The Fund is subject to a number of risks, as described below, that may affect the value of its shares, including the possible loss of money. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

American Depositary Receipt Risk. ADRs have the same currency and economic risks as the underlying non-U.S. shares they represent. They are affected by the risks associated with non-U.S. securities, such as changes in political or economic conditions of other countries, changes in the exchange rates of, or exchange control regulations associated with, foreign currencies, and differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices. In addition, investments in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying securities in their primary trading market.

Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual issuers, industries or the stock market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

Management Risk. The Sub-Advisor continuously evaluates the Fund’s holdings, purchases and sales with a view to achieving the Fund’s investment objective. However, achievement of the stated investment objective cannot be guaranteed. The Sub-Advisor’s judgment about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment.

Market Risk. Due to market conditions, the value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate significantly from day to day. Price fluctuations may be temporary or may last for extended periods. This volatility may cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease. Because of its link to the markets, an investment in the Fund may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term principal fluctuations, which at times may be significant.

Micro-Capitalization Risk. Stock prices of micro-cap companies are significantly more volatile, and more vulnerable to adverse business and economic developments, than those of larger companies. Micro-cap stocks may also be thinly traded, making it difficult for the Fund to buy and sell them.

Trading Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade above or below their net asset value (“NAV”). The trading price of the Fund’s shares may deviate significantly from their NAV during periods of market volatility and, in such instances, you may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Fund’s shares. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Fund’s shares will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in shares of the Fund may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”), make trading in shares inadvisable.

FUND PERFORMANCE

A comparison of the Funds’ performance with that of a broad measure of market performance may give some indication of the risks of an investment in the Fund; however, the Fund is new and, therefore, does not have a performance history for a full calendar year. Of course, once the Fund has performance, this past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.advisorshares.com.

MANAGEMENT

Name	Title
AdvisorShares Investments, LLC	Advisor

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC	Sub-Advisor

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Name and Title	Length of Service with Sub-Advisor

John G. Lewis, Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager	since 2002

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in a large specified number of shares called a “Creation Unit.” The shares of the Fund that trade on the Exchange are “created” at their NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of at least 25,000 shares. A “creator” enters into an authorized participant agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Fund’s distributor or uses a Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participant who has executed a Participant Agreement (an “Authorized Participant”), and deposits into the Fund a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and a specified amount of cash, together totaling the NAV of the Creation Unit(s), in exchange for at least 25,000 shares of the Fund (or multiples thereof).

Individual Fund shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. The shares of the Fund are listed on the Exchange and, because shares trade at market price rather than at NAV, shares may trade at a value greater than or less than their NAV.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains (or a combination thereof), unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), which may be taxed upon withdrawal.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

Investors purchasing shares in the secondary market through a brokerage account or with the assistance of a broker may be subject to brokerage commissions and charges. If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing broker-dealers or other intermediaries and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

ADVISORSHARES DORSEY WRIGHT SHORT ETF

NASDAQ Ticker: DWSH

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (the “Fund”) seeks capital appreciation through short selling securities.

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)	None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
MANAGEMENT FEES		0.XX%
DISTRIBUTION (12b-1) FEES		0.00%
OTHER EXPENSES^(a)		0.XX%
Short Interest Expenses ____%
Remaining Expenses ____%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES		0.XX%
FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT^(b)		0.XX%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER FEE WAIVER/ EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT		0.XX%

(a)

Because the Fund is new, “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(b)

EXAMPLE

		1 YEAR		3 YEARS
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”), the sub-advisor to the Fund seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by obtaining short exposure to investment returns of the broad U.S. large-capitalization equity market by engaging in short sales of U.S.-traded equity securities and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in investments that create or result in short exposure to U.S. equity securities.

The Fund’s investment focus applies a shorting strategy to the Sub-Advisor’s core philosophy of relative strength. Relative strength investing involves buying securities that have appreciated in price more than the other securities in the investment universe and holding those securities until they underperform. In applying the Fund’s shorting strategy to its core philosophy of relative strength, the Sub-Advisor will identify and short those securities with the highest relative weakness within the universe of investable securities, which is primarily comprised of large-capitalization U.S.-traded equity securities and ETFs.

The Sub-Advisor’s investment process seeks to identify market periods, typically after severe market corrections, where the stocks with the most relative weakness may subsequently outperform the broader market. The Sub-Advisor will utilize a quantitative investment process to seek to identify these periods, and will engage in short sales to seek to outperform the broader equity market. The strategy is entirely based on market movement of the securities and there is no company fundamental data involved in the analysis. The Sub-Advisor’s process is systematic and removes emotion from the day-to-day decision making. In implementing the strategy, stock consideration is strictly based on identifying opportunities to provide short exposure to the lowest ranked securities as measured by the relative strength investment process.

On a day-to-day basis, for investment purposes and to cover its short positions, the Fund may hold U.S. government securities, short-term high quality fixed income securities, money market instruments, overnight and fixed-term repurchase agreements, cash and cash equivalents with maturities of one year or less, and ETFs that invest in these types of instruments.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual issuers, industries or the stock market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

Exchange-Traded Fund Risk. Through its investments in other ETFs, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the ETFs’ investments, including the possibility that the value of the securities held by an ETF could decrease. These risks include any combination of the risks described in this section.

Large-Capitalization Risk. Large-cap securities tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. During a period when the demand for large-cap securities is less than for other types of investments — small-cap securities, for instance — the Fund’s performance could be reduced.

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular Fund investments are difficult to purchase or sell. This can reduce the Fund’s returns because the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or prices.

Short Sales Risk. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be higher or lower than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. If the underlying security goes down in price between the time the Fund sells the security and buys it back, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the underlying security goes up in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. Any such loss is increased by the amount of premium or interest the Fund must pay to the lender of the security. Likewise, any gain will be decreased by the amount of premium or interest the Fund must pay to the lender of the security. Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited. Short sales involve leverage because the Fund borrows securities and then sells them, effectively leveraging its assets. The use of leverage may magnify gains or losses for the Fund.

FUND PERFORMANCE

A comparison of the Fund’s performance with that of a broad measure of market performance may give some indication of the risks of an investment in the Fund; however, the Fund is new and, therefore, does not have a performance history for a full calendar year. Of course, once the Fund has performance, this past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.advisorshares.com.

MANAGEMENT

Name	Title
AdvisorShares Investments, LLC	Advisor

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC	Sub-Advisor

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Name and Title	Length of Service with Sub-Advisor

John G. Lewis, Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager	since 2002

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in a large specified number of shares called a “Creation Unit.” The shares of the Fund that trade on the Exchange are “created” at their NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of at least 25,000 shares. A “creator” enters into an authorized participant agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Fund’s distributor or uses a Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participant who has executed a Participant Agreement (an “Authorized Participant”) then receives at least 25,000 shares of the Fund (or multiples thereof) generally in exchange for a specified amount of cash totaling the NAV of the Creation Unit(s).

TAX INFORMATION

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS

AdvisorShares Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust offering a number of professionally managed investment portfolios or funds.

With respect to the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF, Creation Units of the Fund are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for portfolio securities and a specific cash payment. With respect to the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, Creation Units of the Fund generally are issued and redeemed in return for a specified amount of cash totaling the NAV of the Creation Units.

EXCEPT WHEN AGGREGATED IN CREATION UNITS, SHARES OF EACH FUND ARE NOT REDEEMABLE SECURITIES.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

The investment objective of each Fund is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without a shareholder vote.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Each Fund is an actively managed ETF and, thus, does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified passive index of securities. Instead, each Fund uses an active investment strategy in seeking to meet its investment objective. The Sub-Advisor, subject to the oversight of the Advisor and the Board, has discretion on a daily basis to manage each Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and investment policies.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

Each Fund is subject to a number of risks that may affect the value of its shares. This section provides additional information about the Funds’ principal risks. The degree to which the risks described below apply to a Fund varies according to its investment allocation. Each investor should review the complete description of the principal risks before investing in a Fund. As with investing in other securities whose prices increase and decrease in market value, you may lose money by investing in a Fund.

American Depositary Receipt Risk. Depositary receipts have the same currency and economic risks as the underlying shares they represent. They are affected by the risks associated with the underlying non-U.S. securities, such as changes in political or economic conditions of other countries, changes in the exchange rates of, or exchange control regulations associated with, foreign currencies, and differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices. The value of depositary receipts will rise and fall in response to the activities of the non-U.S. entity that issued the securities represented by the depositary receipts, regulatory actions undertaken by a foreign government, and general market and/or economic conditions. Also, if there is a rise in demand for the underlying security and it becomes less available to the market, the price of the depositary receipt may rise, causing a Fund to pay a premium in order to obtain the desired depositary receipt. Conversely, changes in foreign market conditions or access to the underlying securities could result in a decline in the value of the depositary receipt.

Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities in which a Fund invests rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may decline in response. In addition, the equity market tends to move in cycles which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

Exchange-Traded Fund Risk. The Fund may purchase shares of ETFs to gain exposure to the large-cap market. The Fund is subject to the same risks as the underlying ETFs, except the Fund may have the benefit of additional diversification. While the risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities of the ETF, lack of liquidity in an ETF can result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio securities. ETFs also may trade below their NAV or at a discount, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, certain of the underlying ETFs may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing the diversification benefits of an asset allocation style. Also, when the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing the expenses associated with the Fund’s own operations, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s expenses, including operating costs and management fees. Consequently, an investment in the Fund entails more direct and indirect expenses than a direct investment in the underlying ETF. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will purchase shares of or interest in ETFs in the secondary market.

Large-Capitalization Risk. The large-cap segment of the market may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The underperformance of large-cap securities may cause a Fund’s performance to be less than expected.

Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for a Fund to purchase and sell particular portfolio investments due to infrequent trading in such investments. The prices of such securities may experience significant volatility, make it more difficult for a Fund to transact significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices, or make it difficult for the Sub-Advisor to dispose of such securities at a fair price at the time the Sub-Advisor believes it is desirable to do so. A Fund’s investments in such securities may restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of other market opportunities and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. A Fund’s investments also may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules.

Management Risk. The Sub-Advisor continuously evaluates a Fund’s holdings, purchases and sales with a view to achieving the Fund’s investment objective. However, achievement of the stated investment objective cannot be guaranteed. The Sub-Advisor’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Sub-Advisor does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. If the Sub-Advisor is incorrect in its assessment of the income, growth or price realization potential of a Fund’s holdings or incorrect in its assessment of general market or economic conditions, then the value of the Fund’s shares may decline.

Market Risk. Investments in securities, in general, are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. A Fund’s investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities or commodities markets generally, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions or changes in interest or currency rates, or particular countries, segments, economic sectors, industries or companies within those markets. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of securities and financial instruments in which a Fund invests will cause the NAV of the Fund to fluctuate. Historically, the markets have moved in cycles, and the value of a Fund’s securities or reference asset may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Because of its link to the markets, an investment in a Fund may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term principal fluctuations, which at times may be significant.

Micro-Capitalization Risk. Micro-capitalization companies may have limited operational histories and new or unproven product lines or may have product lines that are still in development. These companies may be more vulnerable than larger companies to key personnel losses due to reliance on a smaller number of management personnel. Micro-capitalization companies may have limited financial resources and little or no access to additional credit and therefore may be more susceptible to market downturns or rising credit costs than larger, more established companies. Share prices of micro-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies and therefore a Fund’s share price may be more volatile than the share prices of funds that invest a larger percentage of assets in shares issued by small-, mid-, or large-capitalization companies. The shares of micro-capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may be at risk for de-listing from a securities exchange, making it difficult for a Fund to buy and sell shares of a particular micro-capitalization company. In addition, there may be less public information available about these companies.

Short Sales Risk. Short sales are transactions in which a Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be higher or lower than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. If the underlying security goes down in price between the time the Fund sells the security and buys it back, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the underlying security goes up in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. Any such loss is increased by the amount of premium or interest the Fund must pay to the lender of the security. Likewise, any gain will be decreased by the amount of premium or interest the Fund must pay to the lender of the security. A Fund is required to segregate other assets on its books to cover its obligation to return the security to the lender, which means that those other assets may not be available to meet the Fund’s needs for immediate cash or other liquidity. A Fund’s investment performance may suffer if the Fund is required to close out a short position earlier than it had intended. This would occur if the securities lender required the Fund to deliver the securities the Fund borrowed at the commencement of the short sale and the Fund was unable to borrow the securities from another securities lender or otherwise obtain the security by other means. In addition, a Fund may be subject to expenses related to short sales that are not typically associated with investing in securities directly, such as costs of borrowing and margin account maintenance costs associated with the Fund’s open short positions. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. For example, when the Fund short sells an interest-bearing security, such as a bond, it is obligated to pay the interest on the security it has sold. This cost is partially offset by the interest earned by the Fund on the investment of the cash generated by the short sale. When a Fund sells short an equity security that pays a dividend, the Fund must pay out the dividend rate of the equity security to the lender and records this as an expense of the Fund and reflects the expense in the financial statements. However, a dividend paid on a security sold short generally has the effect of reducing the market value of the shorted security and thus, increases the Fund’s unrealized gain or reduces the Fund’s unrealized loss on its short sale transaction. To the extent that the interest rate and/or dividend that the Fund is obligated to pay is greater than the interest earned by the Fund on investments, the performance of the Fund will be negatively impacted. These types of short sales expenses are sometimes referred to as the “negative cost of carry,” and will tend to cause a Fund to lose money on a short sale even in instances where the price of the underlying security sold short does not change over the duration of the short sale. Regulatory bans on certain short selling activities may prevent a Fund from fully implementing its strategy.

Trading Risk. Shares of a Fund may trade above or below their NAV. The NAV of shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Fund’s holdings. The trading prices of shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV, as well as market supply and demand. When the market price of a Fund’s shares deviates significantly from NAV, you may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Fund’s shares. However, given that shares can be created and redeemed only in Creation Units at NAV, the Advisor does not believe that large discounts or premiums to NAV will exist for extended periods of time. Although each Fund’s shares are currently listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in shares of a Fund may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable.

OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES

Temporary Defensive Positions. To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, a Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments. A Fund may be invested in this manner for extended periods, depending on the Sub-Advisor’s assessment of market conditions. Debt securities and money market instruments include shares of other mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements, and bonds that are rated BBB or higher. While a Fund is in a defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Furthermore, to the extent that a Fund invests in money market funds, the Fund would bear its pro rata portion of each such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.

Please see the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for a more complete list of portfolio investment strategies, permitted investments and related risks.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of Fund portfolio securities is available (i) in the SAI and (ii) on the Trust’s website at www.advisorshares.com. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed on the Trust’s website daily after the close of trading on the Exchange and prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange the following day.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

AdvisorShares Investments, LLC, located at 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, serves as investment advisor of the Funds. As of ___________ __, 2018, the Advisor had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

The Advisor continuously reviews, supervises, and administers the Funds’ investment program. In particular, the Advisor provides investment and operational oversight of the Sub-Advisor. The Board supervises the Advisor and establishes policies that the Advisor must follow in its day-to-day management activities. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Advisor, the Advisor is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee of ______% based on the average daily net assets of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro Cap ETF and _____% based on the average daily net assets of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF. The Advisor pays the Sub-Advisor out of the advisory fee it receives from each Fund.

The Advisor bears all of its own costs associated with providing these advisory services and the expenses of the members of the Board who are affiliated with the Advisor. The Advisor may make payments from its own resources to broker-dealers and other financial institutions in connection with the sale of Fund shares.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses in order to keep net expenses (excluding amounts payable pursuant to any plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1, interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding ______% of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF’s average daily net assets and _____% of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF’s average daily net assets for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated without payment of any penalty (i) by the Trust for any reason and at any time and (ii) by the Advisor, for any reason, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, such termination to be effective as of the close of business on the last day of the then-current one-year period. If at any point it becomes unnecessary for the Advisor to waive fees or make expense reimbursements, the Board may permit the Advisor to retain the difference between a Fund’s total annual operating expenses and the expense limitation currently in effect, or, if lower, the expense limitation that was in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, to recapture all or a portion of its prior fee waivers or expense reimbursements made during the immediately preceding three-year period.

Pursuant to an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Advisor, subject to certain conditions, has the right, without shareholder approval, to hire a new unaffiliated sub-advisor or materially amend the terms of a sub-advisory agreement with an unaffiliated sub-advisor when the Board and the Advisor believe that a change would benefit a Fund. The Prospectus will be supplemented when there is a significant change in a Fund’s sub-advisory arrangement.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of each Fund’s investment advisory agreement will be available in the Trust’s first Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders following the Fund’s commencement of operations.

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISOR

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC, a Nasdaq, Inc. company, is a registered investment advisory firm located at 1101 Boulder Spring Drive, Suite 150, Richmond, Virginia 23225. Since 1987, the Sub-Advisor has been an advisor to financial professionals on Wall Street and investment managers worldwide. The Sub-Advisor offers comprehensive investment research and analysis through its Global Technical Research Platform and provides research, modeling and indexes that apply the Sub-Advisor’s core philosophy of relative strength to various financial products, including ETFs, mutual funds, UITs, structured products, and separately managed accounts. The Sub-Advisor’s expertise is technical analysis. The Sub-Advisor uses Point & Figure Charting, Relative Strength Analysis, and numerous other tools to analyze market data and deliver actionable insights. In 2015, the Sub-Advisor was acquired by Nasdaq, Inc. allowing it to work towards even greater innovative solutions for its clients. As of __________ __, 2018, the Sub-Advisor had approximately $[ ] million in assets under management.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of each Fund’s investment sub-advisory agreement will be available in the Trust’s first Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders following the Fund’s commencement of operations.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

The following portfolio manager is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.

John G. Lewis, Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager

Mr. Lewis joined the Sub-Advisor in 2002. As Senior Portfolio Manager, he is responsible for investment strategy across the Sub-Advisor’s funds, ETFs, UITs and SMA accounts. He has worked in the investment industry since 1994. Mr. Lewis has conducted extensive research on relative strength and has authored several original research papers on the subject and works closely with the investment team on new product development. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in each Fund is available in the SAI.

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor’s principal address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The Distributor will not distribute shares in less than whole Creation Units, and it does not maintain a secondary market in the shares. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, The Bank of New York Mellon or any of their respective affiliates.

The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the administrator, custodian, transfer agent and fund accounting agent for the Funds.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

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

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

CALCULATING NET ASSET VALUE

Each Fund calculates NAV by (i) taking the current market value of its total assets, (ii) subtracting any liabilities, and (iii) dividing that amount by the total number of shares owned by shareholders.

Each Fund calculates NAV once each business day as of the regularly scheduled close of normal trading on the New York Stock Exchange, LLC (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The NYSE is typically closed on weekends and most national holidays.

In calculating NAV, each Fund generally values its portfolio investments at market prices. If market prices are unavailable or a Fund thinks that they are unreliable, or when the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring after the relevant market closes, the Fund will price those securities at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board. Because the Funds invest primarily in U.S.-traded securities with readily available pricing, it is expected that there would be limited circumstances in which a Fund would use fair value pricing – for example, if the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded closed early or if trading in a particular security was halted during the day and did not resume prior to the time the Fund calculated its NAV.

The use of fair valuation in pricing a security involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors and, therefore, is susceptible to the unavoidable risk that the valuation may be higher or lower than the price at which the security might actually trade if a reliable market price were readily available.

More information about the valuation of each Fund’s holdings can be found in the SAI.

SHARE TRADING PRICES

The price of each Fund’s shares is based on market price, which may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV per share and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors. The NYSE intends to disseminate the approximate value (also known as the “indicative optimized portfolio value” or IOPV) of the portfolio underlying a share of a Fund every fifteen seconds. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per share of a Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV per share, which is computed once per day. The approximate value generally is determined by using current market quotations, price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the securities and instruments held by a Fund, and/or amortized cost for securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less, based on securities and/or cash as reflected in the basket for a Creation Unit. If applicable, each approximate value also reflects changes in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the applicable currency. The approximate value is based on applicable quotes or closing prices from the securities’ local market and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. The approximate value does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by a Fund at a particular point in time (e.g., the securities in the basket for a Creation Unit may include securities that are not part of the Fund’s portfolio) or the precise valuation of the current portfolio. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of such values and makes no warranty as to their accuracy.

PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION

Information showing the number of days that the market price of a Fund’s shares was greater than the Fund’s NAV per share (i.e., at a premium) and the number of days it was less than a Fund’s NAV per share (i.e., at a discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Funds’ website at www.advisorshares.com.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund pays out dividends and distributes its net capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually.

ACTIVE INVESTORS AND MARKET TIMING

Shares of the Funds are listed for trading on the Exchange, which allows retail investors to purchase and sell individual shares at market prices throughout the trading day similar to other publicly traded securities. Because these secondary market trades do not involve a Fund directly, it is unlikely that secondary market trading would cause any harmful effects of market timing, such as dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs or realization of capital gains. The Board has determined not to adopt policies and procedures designed to prevent or monitor for frequent purchases and redemptions of a Fund’s shares because the Fund sells and redeems its shares at NAV only in Creation Units pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant, generally in exchange for (i) a basket of securities that mirrors the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and a specified amount of cash or (ii) a specified amount of cash totaling the NAV of the Creation Units. Direct trading by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that a Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. The Funds also impose transaction fees on such Creation Unit transactions that are designed to offset the Funds’ transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of the Creation Unit shares.

BOOK-ENTRY

Shares of each Fund are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. DTC, or its nominee, is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Funds and is recognized as the owner of all shares.

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

INVESTING IN A FUND

For more information on how to buy and sell shares of a Fund, call the Trust at 877.843.3831 or visit the Funds’ website at www.advisorshares.com.

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that allows each Fund to pay distribution fees to the Distributor and other firms that provide distribution services. A Fund will pay distribution fees to the Distributor at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of its average daily net assets. If a service provider provides distribution services, the Distributor will pay the service provider out of its distribution fees.

No distribution fees are currently charged to each Fund; there are no plans to impose distribution fees, and no distribution fees will be charged for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus. However, to the extent distribution fees are charged in the future, because a Fund would pay these fees out of assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees may cost you more than other types of sales charges and would increase the cost of your investment. At such time as distribution fees are charged, a Fund will notify investors by adding disclosure to the Fund’s website and in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any distribution fees will be approved by the Board.

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

The following is a summary of some important tax issues that affect each Fund and its shareholders. The summary is based on current tax law, which may be changed by legislative, judicial or administrative action. The summary is very general, and does not address investors subject to special rules, such as investors who hold shares through an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account. More information about taxes is located in the SAI. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.

Tax Status of the Funds

Each Fund is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and intends to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). As long as the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, it pays no federal income tax on the earnings it timely distributes to shareholders. However, the Fund’s failure to qualify as a RIC or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

Tax Status of Distributions

Each Fund intends to distribute, at least annually, substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains income.

Each Fund’s distributions from income and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxed to you as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. For non-corporate shareholders, dividends reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income are generally eligible for reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income generally is income derived from dividends paid by U.S. corporations or certain foreign corporations. In general, dividends received by the Fund from another ETF taxable as a RIC may be distributed and reported as qualified dividend income by the Fund to the extent the dividend distributions are distributed and reported as qualified dividend income by the other ETF.

Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends-received deduction for the portion of dividends they receive that are attributable to dividends received by a Fund (directly or in some cases indirectly) from U.S. corporations, subject to certain limitations. The Fund’s trading strategies may limit its ability to distribute dividends eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

Any distributions of net capital gain (the excess of a Fund’s net long-term capital gains over its net short-term capital losses) that you receive from a Fund generally are taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have owned your shares. Long-term capital gains are taxed to non-corporate shareholders at reduced tax rates.

Dividends and distributions are generally taxable to you whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.

Distributions paid in January but declared by a Fund in October, November or December of the previous year may be taxable to you in the previous year.

Shortly after the close of each calendar year, the Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, foreign tax credits, and net capital gain distributions received from the Fund.

You may wish to avoid investing in a Fund shortly before a dividend or other distribution, because such a distribution will generally be taxable even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of your investment.

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, except that any capital loss on the sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains to the shareholder with respect to such shares.

Investment in Foreign Securities

Each Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries on dividends, interest, and other income it may earn from investing in foreign securities which may reduce the return on such investments. The U.S. has entered into tax treaties with certain foreign countries that may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, foreign taxes on certain income it receives. The Fund may need to file special claims for refunds to secure the benefits of a reduced rate. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be determined in advance because the amount of the Fund’s assets to be invested within various countries is not known. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the Fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the Fund’s distributions. If as of the close of a taxable year more than 50% of the Fund’s assets is represented by stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund intends to elect to permit shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their U.S. income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Internal Revenue Code. For the purposes of the foreign tax credit, each such shareholder would include in gross income from foreign sources its pro rata share of such taxes. Certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code may prevent shareholders from receiving a full foreign tax credit or deduction for their allocable amount of such taxes.

Medicare Tax

U.S. individuals with income exceeding certain thresholds are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” including interest, dividends, and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains realized on the sale or exchange of shares). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts.

Non-U.S. Investors

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, a Fund’s ordinary income dividends will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. The 30% withholding tax generally will not apply to distributions of net capital gain. Each Fund may, under certain circumstances, report all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend,” which would generally be exempt from this 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met. Short-term capital gain dividends received by a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year are not exempt from this 30% withholding tax.

Distributions paid after June 30, 2014 (or, in certain cases, after later dates) and sale and redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends paid after December 31, 2018 to a shareholder that is a foreign entity may be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate unless certain certification requirements regarding persons investing in or holding accounts with you are met.

Backup Withholding

Each Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as “backup withholding”) on amounts payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is 28%. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax applicable to shareholders who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States.

Taxes on Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant who purchases a Creation Unit by exchanging securities in-kind generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (a) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time and any net cash received, and (b) the sum of the purchaser’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any net cash paid for the Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (x) the sum of the redeemer’s basis in the Creation Units and any net cash paid, and (y) the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received and any net cash received. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss that is realized, by an Authorized Participant that does not mark-to-market its holdings, upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units may not be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Each Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If the Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Creation Units so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

Persons exchanging securities or non-U.S. currency for Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction. If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund shares you purchased or redeemed and at what price.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences to you of an investment in a Fund under all tax laws applicable to you.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Funds’ financial information is not yet available because the Funds have not commenced operations.

ADVISORSHARES DORSEY WRIGHT MICRO-CAP ETF

ADVISORSHARES DORSEY WRIGHT SHORT ETF


		AdvisorShares Investments, LLC
Advisor		4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150
		Bethesda, Maryland 20814

		Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC
Sub-Advisor		1011 Boulder Springs Drive, Suite 150
		Richmond, Virginia 23225

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

		Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Legal Counsel		1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
		Washington, D.C. 20004

Administrator, Custodian &		The Bank of New York Mellon
Transfer Agent		101 Barclay Street
		New York, New York 10286

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional and more detailed information about each Fund is included in the Funds’ SAI. The SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and, therefore, legally forms a part of this Prospectus. The SEC maintains the EDGAR database on its website (http://www.sec.gov), which contains the SAI, material incorporated by reference, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. You may also review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference room in Washington, D.C. (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202.551.8090). You may request documents from the SEC by mail, upon payment of a duplication fee, by writing to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520 or by emailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.

You may obtain a copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports without charge by calling 877.843.3831, visiting the website at www.advisorshares.com, or writing to the Trust at 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Additional information about each Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports. Also, in the Funds’ Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.

No one has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations not contained in this Prospectus or in the SAI in connection with the offering of Fund shares. Do not rely on any such information or representations as having been authorized by a Fund. This Prospectus does not constitute an offering by the Funds in any jurisdiction where such an offering is not lawful.

The Trust’s SEC Investment Company Act File Number is 811-22110.

Statement of Additional Information

ADVISORSHARES TRUST

4800 Montgomery Lane

Suite 150

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

877.843.3831

www.advisorshares.com

AdvisorShares Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment company offering professionally managed investment portfolios. This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) relates to shares of the following series (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”):

AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF (NASDAQ Ticker: DWMC)

AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (NASDAQ Ticker: DWSH)

This SAI is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with each Fund’s prospectus dated [ ], 2018 (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Prospectus. Copies of the Prospectus are available, without charge, upon request by contacting the Trust at the address or telephone number above. Shares of the Funds are listed on NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”) and trade in the secondary market.

The date of this SAI is [ ], 2018.

Table of Contents

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST	1

INVESTMENT POLICIES, TECHNIQUES AND RISK FACTORS	1

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS	18

CONTINUOUS OFFERING	20

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING	21

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE	22

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST	24

BOOK-ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM	35

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS	36

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE	42

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND TAXES	43

OTHER INFORMATION	54

COUNSEL	55

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	55

CUSTODIAN	55

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	56

APPENDIX A	A-1

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST

The Trust, an open-end management investment company, was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 30, 2007. The Trust is permitted to offer separate series (i.e., funds) and additional series may be created from time to time.

As of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of 20 separate funds, not all of which are currently offered for sale. This SAI relates only to the two series of the Trust listed on the cover page.

Each share issued by a Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of that Fund. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Board”) with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation. All payments received by the Trust for shares of any Fund belong to that Fund. Each Fund has its own assets and liabilities.

The shares of the Funds are subject to approval for listing on the Exchange. The shares of each Fund, as described in the Fund’s Prospectus, will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund.

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF offers and issues shares at NAV in aggregated lots of at least 25,000 (each, a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation”), generally in exchange for: (i) a basket of individual securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and (ii) an amount of cash (the “Cash Component”). Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations consisting of at least 25,000 shares, generally in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. The Trust reserves the right to offer an “all cash” option for creations and redemptions of Creation Units for the Fund. In addition, Creation Units may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain a cash deposit with the Trust at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. In each instance, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with traditional in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with SEC requirements applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section for detailed information.

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF offers and issues Creation Units consisting of at least 25,000 shares, generally in exchange for the deposit of cash totaling the NAV of the Creation Units. Shares of the Fund are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for a specified cash payment. The Trust reserves the right to offer an in-kind option for creations and redemptions of Creation Units for the Fund.

INVESTMENT POLICIES, TECHNIQUES AND RISK FACTORS

General

AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (the “Advisor”) serves as the investment advisor to each Fund, which is a diversified open-end management investment company. Each Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies, as well as other important information, are described in the Prospectus, which should be read together with this SAI. The investment objective of each Fund is non-fundamental and may be changed without the approval of shareholders.

The day-to-day portfolio management of each Fund is provided by a sub-advisor, Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”), and is subject to the oversight of the Advisor and the Board.

The Sub-Advisor selects securities for each Fund’s investment pursuant to an “active” management strategy for security selection and portfolio construction. The investment techniques and instruments described below and in the Prospectus may, consistent with a Fund’s investment objective and investment policies, be used by the Fund if, in the opinion of the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor, such strategies will be advantageous to the Fund. The Funds may not invest in all of the instruments and techniques described below. In addition, each Fund is free to reduce or eliminate its activity with respect to any of the investment techniques described below without changing the Fund’s fundamental investment policies, and the Funds will periodically change the composition of their portfolios to best meet their respective investment objectives. For more information about each Fund’s principal strategies and risks, please see the Prospectus.

Borrowing

While the Funds do not anticipate doing so, each Fund may borrow money for investment purposes. Borrowing for investment purposes is one form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of a Fund’s assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV per share of the Fund will increase more when the Fund’s portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Fund’s portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds. Under adverse conditions, a Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. A Fund may use leverage during periods when its Sub-Advisor believes that the Fund’s investment objective would be furthered.

Each Fund may also borrow money to facilitate management of the Fund’s portfolio by enabling the Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio instruments would be inconvenient or disadvantageous. Such borrowing is not for investment purposes and will be repaid by the Fund promptly.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of a Fund’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund’s borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage requirement. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so.

In addition to the foregoing, each Fund is authorized to borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Borrowings for extraordinary or emergency purposes are not subject to the foregoing 300% asset coverage requirement. Each Fund is authorized to pledge portfolio securities the Sub-Advisor deems appropriate as may be necessary in connection with any borrowings for extraordinary or emergency purposes, in which event such pledging may not exceed 15% of the Fund’s assets, valued at cost.

Equity Securities

Each Fund will invest in equity securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company or partnership and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, securities convertible into common stock, and investments in master limited partnerships. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Fund invests will cause the NAV per share of the Fund to fluctuate. The U.S. stock market tends to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when stock prices generally decline. Each Fund may purchase equity securities traded in the U.S. on registered exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Each Fund may invest in the types of equity securities described below:

Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.

Warrants. Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third-party.

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers. Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange. Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general.

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”). MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLP units are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and are freely traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to real estate development and oil and gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other projects. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership.

The risks of investing in an MLP are generally those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Additional risks involved with investing in an MLP are risks associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risks of investing in real estate, or the oil and gas industries.

Rights. A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued. Rights normally have a short life of usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the public offering price. An investment in rights may entail greater risks than certain other types of investments. Generally, rights do not carry the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or before their expiration date. Investing in rights increases the potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment as compared with investing the same amount in the underlying securities.

Investments in Foreign Equity Securities. A Fund may invest in the equity securities of foreign issuers, including the securities of foreign issuers in emerging countries. Emerging or developing markets exist in countries that are considered to be in the initial stages of industrialization. The risks of investing in these markets are similar to the risks of international investing in general, although the risks are greater in emerging and developing markets. Countries with emerging or developing securities markets tend to have economic structures that are less stable than countries with developed securities markets. This is because their economies may be based on only a few industries and their securities markets may trade a small number of securities. Prices on these exchanges tend to be volatile, and securities in these countries historically have offered greater potential for gain (as well as loss) than securities of companies located in developed countries.

Foreign Issuers

Each Fund may invest in issuers located outside the United States directly, or in financial instruments, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and/or other exchange traded products (“ETPs”), that are indirectly linked to the performance of foreign issuers. Other examples of such financial instruments include ADRs, Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), International Depository Receipts (“IDRs”), “ordinary shares,” and “New York shares” issued and traded in the U.S. ADRs are U.S. dollar denominated receipts typically issued by U.S. banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. The underlying securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. The underlying securities are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. The depositary bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in domestic securities markets and are traded on exchanges or over-the-counter in the U.S. GDRs, EDRs, and IDRs are similar to ADRs in that they are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer, however, GDRs, EDRs, and IDRs may be issued in bearer form and denominated in other currencies, and are generally designed for use in specific or multiple securities markets outside the U.S. EDRs, for example, are designed for use in European securities markets while GDRs are designed for use throughout the world. Ordinary shares are shares of foreign issuers that are traded abroad and on a U.S. exchange. New York shares are shares that a foreign issuer has allocated for trading in the U.S. ADRs, ordinary shares, and New York shares all may be purchased with and sold for U.S. dollars, which protects the Fund from the foreign settlement risks described below.

Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. Although the two types of depositary receipt facilities (unsponsored or sponsored) are similar, there are differences regarding a holder’s rights and obligations and the practices of market participants. A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or acquiescence of) the underlying issuer; typically, however, the depository requests a letter of non-objection from the underlying issuer prior to establishing the facility. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the facility. The depository usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the underlying securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars or other currency, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of other services. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass through voting rights to depositary receipt holders with respect to the underlying securities.

Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depository and the underlying issuer through a deposit agreement. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the underlying issuer, the depository, and the depositary receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the underlying issuer typically bears some of the costs of the depositary receipts (such as dividend payment fees of the depository), although most sponsored depositary receipts holders may bear costs such as deposit and withdrawal fees. Depositories of most sponsored depositary receipts agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings, voting instructions, and other shareholder communications and information to the depositary receipt holders at the underlying issuer’s request.

Investing in foreign issuers may involve risks not typically associated with investing in issuers domiciled in the U.S. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and prices in some foreign markets can be very volatile. Many foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those that apply to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information regarding a foreign issuer’s financial condition and operations. In addition, the costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial fees, generally are higher than for U.S. investments.

Investing in companies located abroad also carries political and economic risks distinct from those associated with investing in the U.S. Foreign investment may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of seizure, expropriation or nationalization of assets, including foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment, or on the ability to repatriate assets or to convert currency into U.S. dollars. There may be a greater possibility of default by foreign governments or foreign-government sponsored enterprises. Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political, economic, or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments.

Futures and Options Transactions

Futures and Options on Futures. The Funds may buy and sell futures contracts, which provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. A Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Each Fund may use futures contracts and related options for bona fide hedging, attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of, attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument, or other risk management purposes. To the extent a Fund invests in futures, options on futures or for other instruments subject to regulation by the CFTC, it will do so in reliance on and in accordance with CFTC Regulation 4.5. The Trust, on behalf of certain of its series, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with CFTC Regulation 4.5. Therefore, none of the Funds is deemed to be a “commodity pool”, and the Advisor is not deemed to be a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Funds, under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and they are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA. Each Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures, options thereon and swaps to the extent allowed by CFTC regulations in effect from time to time and in accordance with the Fund’s policies.

Each Fund may buy and sell index futures contracts with respect to any index that is traded on a recognized exchange or board of trade. An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the contract, with the settlement being the difference between the contract price, and the actual level of the stock index at the expiration of the contract. Generally, contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.

When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Fund is required to “cover” its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks. To cover its position, a Fund may maintain with its custodian bank (and marked-to-market on a daily basis), a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise “cover” its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. If the Fund continues to engage in the described securities trading practices and properly segregates assets, the segregated account will function as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Fund may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding portfolio securities. Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the fund arising from such investment activities.

A Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract. In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will maintain, in a segregated account, cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. The Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.

A Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option. In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Fund will maintain, in a segregated account, cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option. The Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the Fund will maintain, in a segregated account, cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option.

There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on its Sub-Advisor’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates, (2) there may be imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures, (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option, (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce a Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.

Other Options. Each Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on indices and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.

Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities.

All options written on indices or securities must be covered. The SEC staff has indicated that a written call option on a security may be covered if a fund (1) owns the security underlying the call until the option is exercised or expires, (2) holds an American-style call on the same security as the call written with an exercise price (i) no greater than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the fund in cash or other liquid assets designated on the fund’s records or placed in a segregated account with the fund’s custodian, (3) has an absolute and immediate right to acquire the security without additional cost (or if additional consideration is required, cash or other liquid assets in such amount have been segregated), or (4) segregates cash or other liquid assets on the fund’s records or with the custodian in an amount equal to (when added to any margin on deposit) the current market value of the call option, but not less than the exercise price, marked to market daily. If the call option is exercised by the purchaser during the option period, the seller is required to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price or pay the difference. The seller’s obligation terminates upon expiration of the option period or when the seller executes a closing purchase transaction with respect to such option.

All put options written by a Fund will be covered by (1) segregating cash, cash equivalents, such as U.S. Treasury securities or overnight repurchase agreements, or other liquid assets on the Fund’s records or with the custodian having a value at least equal to exercise price of the option (less cash received, if any) or (2) holding a put option on the same security as the option written where the exercise price of the written put option is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates cash or other liquid assets in the amount of the difference.

A Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices and currencies, as the Fund’s Sub-Advisor determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund’s investment objective, and except as restricted by the Fund’s investment limitations.

The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an “opening transaction.” In order to close out an option position, a Fund may enter into a “closing transaction,” which is simply the purchase of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.

A Fund may purchase put and call options on securities to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. The Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium; therefore, if price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund’s securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund.

A Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which a Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which a Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.

A Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC’s position that OTC options are generally illiquid.

The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

Risks associated with options transactions include (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates, (2) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them, (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options, and (4) while a Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.

Illiquid Securities

Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (calculated at the time of investment), including Rule 144A securities. Each Fund will monitor its portfolio liquidity on an ongoing basis to determine whether, in light of current circumstances, an adequate level of liquidity is being maintained, and will consider taking appropriate steps in order to maintain adequate liquidity if, through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets are invested in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets as determined in accordance with SEC guidance.

A portfolio security is illiquid if it cannot be disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value ascribed to it by a Fund. Under the current guidelines of the staff of the SEC, illiquid securities also are considered to include, among other securities, purchased OTC options, certain cover for OTC options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, and certain securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws. A Fund may not be able to sell illiquid securities when its Sub-Advisor considers it desirable to do so or may have to sell such securities at a price that is lower than the price that could be obtained if the securities were more liquid. In addition, the sale of illiquid securities also may require more time and may result in higher dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities that are not illiquid. Illiquid securities also may be more difficult to value due to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for such securities, and investment in illiquid securities may have an adverse impact on NAV.

Investments in Other Investment Companies

Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent that such an investment would be consistent with the requirements of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, or any rule, regulation or order of the SEC or interpretation thereof. Generally, a fund may invest in the securities of another investment company (the “acquired company”) provided that the fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, does not own in the aggregate (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company, (ii) securities issued by the acquired company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies (other than U.S. Treasury stock of the fund) having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the fund. A fund also may invest in the securities of other investment companies if the fund is part of a “master-feeder” structure or operates as a fund of funds in compliance with Section 12(d)(1)(E), (F) and (G) and the rules thereunder. Section 12(d)(1)(B) prohibits another investment company from selling its shares to the fund if, after the sale (i) the fund owns more than 3% of the other investment company’s voting stock or (ii) the fund and other investment companies, and companies controlled by them, own more than 10% of the voting stock of such other investment company. The Trust has entered into agreements with several unaffiliated ETFs that permit, pursuant to an SEC order, the Fund to purchase shares of those ETFs beyond the Section 12(d)(1) limits described above. The Fund will only make such investments in conformity with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code).

If a Fund invests in, and thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund to the Fund’s own investment advisor and the other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with the Fund’s own operations.

Consistent with the restrictions discussed above, each Fund may invest in several different types of investment companies from time to time, including mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, and business development companies (“BDCs”), when the Advisor or Sub-Advisor believes such an investment is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. For example, a Fund may elect to invest in another investment company when such an investment presents a more efficient investment option than buying securities individually. A Fund also may invest in investment companies that are included as components of an index, such as BDCs, to seek to track the performance of that index. A BDC is a less common type of closed-end investment company that more closely resembles an operating company than a typical investment company. BDCs generally focus on investing in, and providing managerial assistance to, small, developing, financially troubled, private companies or other companies that may have value that can be realized over time and with management assistance. Similar to an operating company, a BDC’s total annual operating expense ratio typically reflects all of the operating expenses incurred by the BDC, and is generally greater than the total annual operating expense ratio of a mutual fund that does not bear the same types of operating expenses. However, as a shareholder of a BDC, a Fund does not directly pay for a portion of all of the operating expenses of the BDC, just as a shareholder of computer manufacturer does not directly pay for the cost of labor associated with producing such computers. As a result, when a Fund invests in a BDC, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses will be effectively overstated by an amount equal to the Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are not included as an operating expense of a Fund in the Fund’s financial statements, which more accurately reflect the Fund’s actual operating expenses.

Investment companies may include index-based investments, such as ETFs that hold substantially all of their assets in securities representing a specific index. The main risk of investing in index-based investments is the same as investing in a portfolio of equity securities comprising the index. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the market value of their underlying portfolio securities and due to supply and demand for the instruments on the exchanges on which they are traded (which may result in their trading at a discount or premium to their NAVs). Index-based investments may not replicate exactly the performance of their specific index because of transaction costs and the temporary unavailability of certain component securities of the index.

Each Fund may invest in index-based ETFs as well as ETFs that are actively managed.

Each Fund may invest in closed-end funds. Closed-end funds are pooled investment vehicles that are registered under the 1940 Act and whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. national securities exchanges. Like any stock, a closed-end fund’s share price will fluctuate in response to market conditions and other factors. Secondary market trading prices of closed-end funds should be expected to fluctuate and such prices may be higher (i.e., at a premium) or lower (i.e., at a discount) than the net asset value of a closed-end fund’s portfolio holdings. Closed-end fund shares frequently trade at persistent and ongoing discounts to the net asset value of the closed-end fund’s portfolio investments. There can be no guarantee that shares of a closed-end fund held by a Fund will not trade at a persistent and ongoing discount. Nor can there be any guarantee that an active market in shares of the closed-end funds held by a Fund will exist. A Fund may not be able to sell closed-end fund shares at a price equal to the net asset value of the closed-end fund. While a Fund seeks to take advantage of differences between the net asset value of closed-end fund shares and any secondary market premiums or discounts, the Fund may not be able to do so. In addition, there can be no assurance that any closed-end fund will achieve its stated investment objective. While a Fund investing in closed-end funds attempts to diversify its exposure to such investments, lackluster performance of a single closed-end fund can have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund as a whole. A Fund may lose money on its investment in any closed-end fund which, in turn, may cause investors to lose money on an investment in the Fund.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Fund’s Board. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33¹/₃% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). Each Fund will not lend portfolio securities to the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, or their affiliates, unless it has applied for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the respective Fund. A Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated third-party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent. By lending its securities, a Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral.

Each Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower, (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral, (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand, (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value, (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund’s administrator and the custodian), and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. The Funds’ securities lending arrangements are subject to Board approval. In addition, to the extent a Fund engages in securities lending, the Board has adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon a Fund’s ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.

Pooled Investment Vehicles

Each Fund may invest in the securities of pooled vehicles that are not investment companies and, thus, not required to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act. As a result, as a shareholder of such pooled vehicles, a Fund will not have all of the investor protections afforded by the 1940 Act. Such pooled vehicles may, however, be required to comply with the provisions of other federal securities laws, such as the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). These pooled vehicles typically hold commodities, such as gold or oil, currency, or other property that is itself not a security. If a Fund invests in and thus, is a shareholder of, a pooled vehicle, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by the pooled vehicle, including any applicable management fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund to the Advisor and the other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.

The Funds may invest in certain ETPs that are not taxable as regulated investment companies (“RICs”). These non-RIC ETPs may produce non-qualifying income for purposes of the “90% Test” (as defined below), which must be met in order for the Fund to maintain its status as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code. If one or more of these non-RIC ETPs generates more non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Test than the Fund’s portfolio management expects, this non-qualifying income may be attributed to the Fund and could cause the Fund to inadvertently fail the 90% Test, thereby causing the Fund to inadvertently fail to qualify as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code.

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. Generally, the higher a Fund’s rate of portfolio turnover, the higher the transaction costs borne by the Fund and its long-term shareholders. In addition, a Fund’s portfolio turnover level may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. Because a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate, to a great extent, will depend on the creation and redemption activity of investors, it is difficult to estimate what the Fund’s actual portfolio turnover rate will be in the future.

“Portfolio Turnover Rate” is defined under the rules of the SEC as the lesser of the value of the securities purchased or of the securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with a remaining maturity of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts and options contracts in which a Fund invests since such contracts generally have a remaining maturity of less than one year.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Each Fund may invest in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as the Funds, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Internal Revenue Code requires), and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibilities of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax for distributed income under the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks.

Investing in foreign real estate companies makes a Fund more susceptible to risks associated with the ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general. In addition, foreign real estate companies depend upon specialized management skills, may not be diversified, may have less trading volume, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. Foreign real estate companies have their own expenses, and a Fund will bear a proportionate share of those expenses.

Repurchase Agreements

Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions, which may be deemed to be loans. A Fund follows certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Sub-Advisor. In addition, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will always be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of a Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of the Funds not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by a Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets. The investments of a Fund in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Sub-Advisor, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements without limit as part of the Fund’s investment strategy. However, neither of the Funds expects to engage, under normal circumstances, in reverse repurchase agreements with respect to more than 33⅓% of its assets. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales of portfolio assets by a Fund concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while the Fund will be able to keep the interest income associated with those portfolio securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the interest cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of obtaining the cash otherwise. Opportunities to achieve this advantage may not always be available, and each Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when it will be advantageous to that Fund. The Fund will establish a segregated account with the Trust’s custodian bank in which the Fund will maintain cash, cash equivalents or other portfolio securities equal in value to the Fund’s obligations in respect of reverse repurchase agreements. Such reverse repurchase agreements could be deemed to be a borrowing, but are not senior securities.

Short Sales

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF may, and the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF intends to, engage regularly in short sales transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such a transaction, a Fund must borrow or otherwise obtain the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest, which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The Funds may also use repurchase agreements to satisfy delivery obligations in short sales transactions. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet the margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.

Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will (a) maintain a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short and (ii) the amount deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time the security was sold short or (b) otherwise cover the Fund’s short position. A Fund may use up to 100% of its portfolio to engage in short sales transactions and collateralize its open short positions.

Swap Agreements

Each Fund may enter into swap agreements, including, but not limited to, total return swaps, index swaps, and interest rate swaps. A Fund may utilize swap agreements in an attempt to gain exposure to the securities in a market without actually purchasing those securities, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a basket of securities representing a particular index.

Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap” interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor;” and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

A Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of a Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because they are two-party contracts which may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for purposes of a Fund’s illiquid investment limitations. The Funds will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Advisor believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.

A Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of the underlying securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker-dealer. The counterparty will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

Swap agreements typically are settled on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Other swap agreements, may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. The Fund will earmark and reserve assets necessary to meet any accrued payment obligations when it is the buyer of a credit default swap.

Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If a swap counterparty defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate NAV at least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Funds and the Advisor believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to each Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments, which are traded in the OTC market. The Advisor, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements.

The use of swap agreements is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline. Moreover, there is no guarantee that a Fund could eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.

U.S. Government Securities

Each Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one year or less, U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years, and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”).

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity.

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the terms of the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality. Under these Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (“SPAs”), the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide a limited amount of capital per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. In May 2009, the U.S. Treasury increased its maximum commitment to each instrumentality under the SPAs from $100 billion to $200 billion per instrumentality. In December 2009, the U.S. Treasury amended the SPAs to provide Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with some additional flexibility to meet the requirement to reduce their mortgage portfolios. Also in December 2009, the U.S. Treasury further amended the SPAs to allow the cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s net worth through the end of 2012. On August 17, 2012, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was again amending the Agreement to terminate the requirement that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each pay a 10% dividend annually on all amounts received under the funding commitment. Instead, they are now required to transfer to the U.S. Treasury on a quarterly basis all profits earned during a quarter that exceed a certain capital reserve amount. The U.S. Treasury stated that the purpose of the change was to wind down Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and to benefit taxpayers. However, shareholders of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have since sued the U.S. Government over the profit sweep, contending that it was a breach of contract and an improper taking of private property without just compensation. Although the suits have been unsuccessful so far, both of these legal arguments continue to move forward through various courts and could influence the U.S. Government’s policy towards the mortgage financial system. In addition, new initiatives from the Trump administration, such as proposed reductions to corporate tax rates, could affect the value of certain assets held by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Until further action is taken, the actions of the U.S. Treasury are intended to ensure that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations, preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives will be successful. Other U.S. government securities the Funds may invest in include (but are not limited to) securities issued or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Loan Administration, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and District of Columbia Armory Board. Because the U.S. government is not obligated by law to provide support to an instrumentality it sponsors, a Fund will invest in obligations issued by such an instrumentality only if its Sub-Advisor determines that the credit risk with respect to the instrumentality does not make its securities unsuitable for investment by the Fund.

A Fund may also invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if such components trade independently under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities program (“STRIPS”) or any similar program sponsored by the U.S. government. STRIPS may be sold as zero coupon securities. See “Zero Coupon Bonds” for additional information.

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitment Securities

Each Fund, from time to time, in the ordinary course of business, may purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis (i.e., delivery and payment can take place between a month and 120 days after the date of the transaction). These securities are subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during this period. At the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis, the Fund will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value of the securities, each day, in determining the Fund’s NAV. A Fund will not purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis if, as a result, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be so invested. At the time of delivery of the securities, the value of the securities may be more or less than the purchase price. A Fund will also establish a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian bank in which the Fund will maintain cash or liquid securities equal to or greater in value than the Fund’s purchase commitments for such when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment securities. The Trust does not believe that a Fund’s NAV or income will be adversely affected by the Fund’s purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis.

Zero Coupon Bonds

Each Fund may invest in U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds. These securities are U.S. Treasury bonds which have been stripped of their un-matured interest coupons, the coupons themselves, and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. Interest is not paid in cash during the term of these securities, but is accrued and paid at maturity. Such obligations have greater price volatility than coupon obligations and other normal interest-paying securities, and the value of zero coupon securities reacts more quickly to changes in interest rates than do coupon bonds. Because dividend income is accrued throughout the term of the zero coupon obligation, but is not actually received until maturity, a Fund may have to sell other securities to pay said accrued dividends prior to maturity of the zero coupon obligation. Unlike regular U.S. Treasury bonds, which pay semi-annual interest, U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds do not generate semi-annual coupon payments. Instead, zero coupon bonds are purchased at a substantial discount from the maturity value of such securities, the discount reflecting the current value of the deferred interest; this discount is amortized as interest income over the life of the security, and is taxable even though there is no cash return until maturity. Zero coupon U.S. Treasury issues originally were created by government bond dealers who bought U.S. Treasury bonds and issued receipts representing an ownership interest in the interest coupons or in the principal portion of the bonds. Subsequently, the U.S. Treasury began directly issuing zero coupon bonds with the introduction of STRIPS. While zero coupon bonds eliminate the reinvestment risk of regular coupon issues, that is, the risk of subsequently investing the periodic interest payments at a lower rate than that of the security held, zero coupon bonds fluctuate much more sharply than regular coupon-bearing bonds. Thus, when interest rates rise, the value of zero coupon bonds will decrease to a greater extent than will the value of regular bonds having the same interest rate.

Cybersecurity

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, investment companies (such as the Funds) and their service providers (including the Advisor and Sub-Advisor) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, the Advisor, a Sub-Advisor, or a custodian, transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect a Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. A Fund may also incur substantial costs for cybersecurity risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. While the Advisor has established business continuity plans and systems designed to minimize the risk of cyber-attacks through the use of technology, processes and controls, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified given the evolving nature of this threat. The Funds rely on third-party service providers for many of their day-to-day operations, and will be subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Funds from cyber-attack. Similar types of cybersecurity risks also are present for issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Fundamental Policies of the Funds

The investment limitations listed below are fundamental policies of the Funds, and cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of a fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund or (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a shareholders meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy.

Each Fund may not:

Borrow money except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. The 1940 Act presently allows a fund to (1) borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33^1/3% of its total assets, (2) borrow money for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time of the loan, and (3) enter into reverse repurchase agreements.

Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments issued by persons that purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts; but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing, selling and entering into financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), options on financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), warrants, swaps, forward contracts, foreign currency spot and forward contracts or other derivative instruments that are not related to physical commodities.

With respect to 75% of its total assets, (i) purchase securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or shares of investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or (ii) acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer.*

Invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries. This limitation does not apply to investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or shares of investment companies. A Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any investment company that so concentrates.

Make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may (a) invest in securities or other instruments directly or indirectly secured by real estate, and (b) invest in securities or other instruments issued by issuers that invest in real estate.

Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that a Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies.

Non-Fundamental Policies of the Funds

In addition to the investment objective of each Fund, the investment limitations listed below are non-fundamental policies of the Funds and may be changed with respect to any Fund by the Board.

Each Fund may not:

Purchase or hold illiquid securities if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF may not:

Without providing 60 days notice to shareholders, change its investment strategy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in micro-cap securities.

* For purposes of this policy, the issuer of the underlying security will be deemed to be the issuer of any respective depositary receipt.

The AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF may not:

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

The method by which Creation Units are created and sold may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by a Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus-delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters,” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares are reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus-delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on an exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the exchange upon request. The prospectus-delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

The Advisor may purchase Creation Unit Aggregations through a broker-dealer to “seed” a Fund as it is launched (which is anticipated to be an aggregate of at least 25,000 shares), or may purchase shares from other broker-dealers that have previously provided “seed” for a Fund when it was launched or otherwise in secondary market transactions, and because the Advisor may be deemed an affiliate of the Fund, the shares are being registered to permit the resale of these shares from time to time after purchase. A Fund will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale by the Advisor of these shares.

The Advisor intends to sell all or a portion of the shares owned by it and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more broker-dealers. The shares may be sold on any national securities exchange on which the shares may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, in the over-the-counter market or in transactions other than on these exchanges or systems at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions. The Advisor may use any one or more of the following methods when selling shares:

ordinary brokerage transactions through brokers or dealers (who may act as agents or principals) or directly to one or more purchasers;

privately negotiated transactions;

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; and

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

The Advisor may also loan or pledge shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Advisor may also enter into options or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell.

The Advisor and any broker-dealer or agents participating in the distribution of shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions paid to any such broker-dealer or agent and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Advisor who may be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

The Advisor has informed the Funds that it is not a registered broker-dealer and does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the shares. Upon a Fund being notified in writing by the Advisor that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this SAI will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the name of the Advisor and the name(s) of the participating broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such shares were sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s), where applicable, (v) that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in the Fund’s Prospectus and SAI, and (vi) other facts material to the transaction.

The Advisor and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares. There is a risk that the Advisor may redeem its investments in a Fund or otherwise sell its shares to a third party that may redeem. As with redemptions by other large shareholders, such redemptions could have a significant negative impact on the Fund and its shares.

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in a Fund is contained in each Fund’s Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, each Fund’s Prospectus.

Shares of the Funds are listed and traded on the Exchange. The shares of a Fund will trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ to some degree from the Fund’s NAV. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares will continue to be met.

As in the case of other stocks traded on the Exchange, broker’s commissions on purchases or sales of shares in market transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of a Fund.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. Money market securities and other debt securities are usually bought and sold directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally, a Fund will not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases. When a debt security is bought from an underwriter, the purchase price will usually include an underwriting commission or concession. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When a Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

In addition, the Advisor or a Sub-Advisor may place a combined order, often referred to as “bunching,” for two or more accounts it manages, including a Fund, engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security or other instrument if, in its judgment, joint execution is in the best interest of each participant and will result in best price and execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each account or Fund. Although it is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or the Fund may obtain, it is the opinion of the Sub-Advisor, Advisor, and Board that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible disadvantages of separate transactions. In addition, in some instances a Fund effecting the larger portion of a combined order may not benefit to the same extent as participants effecting smaller portions of the combined order. Nonetheless, the Advisor believes that the ability of a Fund to participate in higher volume transactions generally will be beneficial to the Fund.

Brokerage Selection. The Trust does not expect to use one particular broker-dealer to effect the Trust’s portfolio transactions. When one or more broker-dealers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Advisor or a Sub-Advisor is not required to select a broker-dealer based on the lowest commission rate available for a particular transaction. In such cases, the Advisor or a Sub-Advisor may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for brokerage research services provided to the Advisor or Sub-Advisor consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Section 28(e) provides that a sub-advisor may cause a fund to pay a broker-dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged as long as the sub-advisor makes a good faith determination that the amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer. To the extent the Advisor or a Sub-Advisor obtains brokerage and research services that it otherwise would acquire at its own expense, the Advisor or Sub-Advisor may have an incentive to place a greater volume of transactions or pay higher commissions than would otherwise be the case.

The Advisor or Sub-Advisor will only obtain brokerage and research services from broker-dealers in arrangements that are consistent with Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act. The types of products and services that the Advisor or a Sub-Advisor may obtain from broker-dealers through such arrangements will include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Advisor or a Sub-Advisor may use products and services provided by brokers in servicing all of its client accounts and not all such products and services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker-dealer providing such products and services. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Advisor or a Sub-Advisor are not reduced as a result of the receipt of brokerage and research services.

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

Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. A Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of the Fund, the Advisor, the Fund’s Sub-Advisor, or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Exchange Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under the 1940 Act and the Exchange Act, affiliated broker-dealers are permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the Funds on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the affiliate and the Funds expressly permitting the affiliate to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Funds for exchange transactions not exceed “usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Board, including those trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, has adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and reviews these procedures periodically.

Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers.” Each Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which a Fund may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trust’s portfolio transactions, (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust, or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Trust’s shares.

Because each Fund is new, as of the date of this SAI, neither Fund held any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers.”

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

Board of Trustees

Board Responsibilities. The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the management and affairs of the Funds and each of the Trust’s other funds, which are not described in this SAI. The Board has considered and approved contracts, as described herein, under which certain companies provide essential management and administrative services to the Trust. Like most funds, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the day-to-day management of risk, is performed by third-party service providers, such as the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, Distributor and Administrator. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has oversight responsibility with respect to the risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and eliminate or mitigate the potential effects of risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust or funds. Under the overall supervision of the Board and the Audit Committee (discussed in more detail below), the service providers to a Fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks relevant to the operations of the Trust and the Fund to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., the Advisor or Sub-Advisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of a Fund’s portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that activity. The Board has emphasized to the Funds’ service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.

The Board’s role in risk management oversight begins before the inception of a fund, at which time the fund’s primary service providers present the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the fund as well as proposed investment limitations for the fund. Additionally, the Advisor provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board oversees the risk management of the fund’s operations, in part, by requesting periodic reports from and otherwise communicating with various personnel of the fund and its service providers, including in particular the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and the fund’s independent accountants. The Board and, with respect to identified risks that relate to its scope of expertise, the Audit Committee, oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the fund may be exposed.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Advisor and Sub-Advisor, respectively, the Board meets with the Advisor and Sub-Advisor to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Advisor’s and Sub-Advisor’s adherence to a Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about each Fund’s investments, including, for example, portfolio holdings schedules and reports on the Advisor’s or Sub-Advisor’s use of higher-risk financial instruments in managing a Fund, if any, as well as reports on the Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any.

The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues and Fund, Advisor, and Sub-Advisor risk assessments. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Advisor and Sub-Advisor. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

The Board receives reports from the Funds’ service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. The Administrator makes regular reports to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Funds’ financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by each Fund and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund’s internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management’s implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements.

From their review of these reports and discussions with the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, Chief Compliance Officer, independent registered public accounting firm, and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee review in detail any material risks of each Fund, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve a Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, despite the periodic reports the Board receives, it may not be made aware of all of the relevant information of a particular risk. Most of the Funds’ investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, and other service providers. Each of these parties has an independent interest in risk management, but its policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from that of a Fund and the other parties in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

Members of the Board and Officers of the Trust. Set forth below are the names, ages, position with the Trust, term of office, and the principal occupations for a minimum of the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as members of the Board and as officers of the Trust. Also included below is the term of office for each of the executive officers of the Trust. The members of the Board serve as Trustees for the life of the Trust or until retirement, removal, or their office is terminated pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.

The Chairman of the Board, Noah Hamman, is an interested person of the Trust as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. No Independent Trustee (defined below) serves as a lead independent trustee. The Trust has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics the Trust and its operations. The Trust made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds (i.e., “Independent Trustees”) constitute sixty-six percent (66%) of the Board, the fact that the Audit Committee is composed of the Independent Trustees, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from Fund management.

Name, Address and Date of Birth of Trustee/Officer	Position(s) Held with the Trust, Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee	Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years
Interested Trustee
Noah Hamman* 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, MD 20814 (1968)	Trustee (no set term); served since 2009	Chief Executive Officer, President, and Founder of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (2006-present).	20	None
Independent Trustees
Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Piper/Bach 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, MD 20814 (1952)	Trustee (no set term); served since 2009	Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer of NADA Retirement Administrators, Inc. (2009-present).	20	None
William G. McVay 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, MD 20814 (1954)	Trustee (no set term); served since 2011	Principal of Red Tortoise LLC (May 2017-present); Founder of RDK Strategies LLC (2007-present).	20	None
Officers
Noah Hamman 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, MD 20814 (1968)	President (no set term); served since 2009	Chief Executive Officer, President, and Founder of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (2006-present).	N/A	N/A
Dan Ahrens 4144 N. Central Expressway, Suite 600 Dallas, TX 75204 (1966)	Secretary and Treasurer (no set terms); served since 2009	Managing Director of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (2013-present); Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust (2009-2013); Executive Vice President of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (2008-2013).	N/A	N/A

Name, Address

and Date of Birth of
Trustee/Officer

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust,
Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
5 Years

Stefanie Little

11 Gina Marie Lane

Elkton, MD 21921

(1967)

Chief Compliance Officer (no set term); served since 2013

Founder of Chenery Compliance Group, LLC (2015 - present); Chief Compliance Officer of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and the Trust (2013-present); Managing Member of SEC Compliance Alliance, LLC (2012-present), President of Little Consulting Group, Inc. (2011-present); Director of Cipperman Compliance Services (2008-2011).

N/A

Mr. Hamman is an “interested” person of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, by virtue of his ownership and controlling interest in the Advisor.

Board Standing Committee. The Board has established the following standing committee:

Audit Committee. The Board has a standing Audit Committee that is composed of each of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: (i) recommending which firm to engage as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and whether to terminate this relationship; (ii) reviewing the independent registered public accounting firm’s compensation, the proposed scope and terms of its engagement, and the firm’s independence; (iii) serving as a channel of communication between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Board; (iv) reviewing the results of each external audit, including any qualifications in the independent registered public accounting firm’s opinion, any related management letter, management’s responses to recommendations made by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the audit, if any, reports submitted to the Committee by the Trust’s service providers that are material to the Trust as a whole, and management’s responses to any such reports; (v) reviewing the Trust’s audited financial statements and considering any significant disputes between the Trust’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm that arose in connection with the preparation of those financial statements; (vi) considering, in consultation with the independent registered public accounting firm and the Trust’s senior internal accounting executive, the independent registered public accounting firm’s report on the adequacy of the Trust’s internal financial controls; (vii) reviewing, in consultation with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, major changes regarding auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed when preparing the Trust’s financial statements; and (viii) other audit related matters. The Audit Committee also serves as the Trust’s Qualified Legal Compliance Committee, which provides a mechanism for reporting legal violations. The Audit Committee met 4 times during the most recently completed fiscal year.

Individual Trustee Qualifications. The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Trust and the Funds provided by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of his or her duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders. The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, as described below.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Hamman should serve as Trustee because of his extensive experience with mutual fund company business development, and the development of exchange-traded funds in particular, as well as his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry in general.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Piper/Bach should serve as Trustee because of her extensive experience in and knowledge of public company accounting and auditing, the financial services industry, and fiduciary and banking law.

The Board has concluded that Mr. McVay should serve as Trustee because of his extensive experience in providing investment advice and business consulting services to financial institutions, endowments, foundations, corporations and pension funds.

Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of each Fund and all series of the Trust as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act. As of [ ], 2018, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

Trustee Name	Fund Name	Dollar Range of Fund Shares	Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Interested Trustee
Noah Hamman	AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF	None	Over $100,000
	AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	None
Independent Trustees
Elizabeth Piper/Bach	AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF	None	$1-$10,000
	AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	None
William G. McVay	AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF	None	$10,001 - $50,000
	AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	None

Board Compensation. The following table sets forth the compensation that was paid to each Trustee by the Trust for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

Name of Trustee	Aggregate Compensation From Trust	Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Trust’s Expenses	Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement	Total Compensation from Fund Complex*
Interested Trustee
Noah Hamman	$0	N/A	N/A	$0
Independent Trustees
Elizabeth Piper/Bach	$40,000	N/A	N/A	$40,000
William G. McVay	$40,000	N/A	N/A	$40,000

*The Trust is the only registered investment company in the Fund Complex.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

Because each Fund is new, as of the date of this SAI, there were no owners of the Fund’s shares.

Codes of Ethics

The Board, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Advisor and Sub-Advisor each has adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These codes of ethics (each, a “Code of Ethics” and collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, directors, officers and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in private placements and are prohibited from investing in IPOs. Copies of the Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.

Proxy Voting

The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by each Fund to the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix A to this SAI. The Board will periodically review each Fund’s proxy voting record.

The Trust will annually disclose its complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. The Trust’s most recent Form N-PX will be available without charge, upon request by calling 877.843.3831 or by writing to the Trust at 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. The Trust’s Form N-PX will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The Advisor and the Advisory Agreement

The Advisor, a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), is located at 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. The Advisor is a Delaware limited liability company organized on October 12, 2006. The membership units are owned and controlled by Wilson Lane Group, LLC, which is controlled by Noah Hamman, Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor.

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Advisor serves as the investment advisor for the Trust and provides investment advice to the Funds and manages and/or oversees the day-to-day operations of the Funds, subject to the general supervision and oversight of the Board and the officers of the Trust. The Advisor, in addition to maintaining its overall responsibility to manage the Funds, oversees the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Fund by the Sub-Advisor, in accordance with the investment objectives, policies, and limitations of each Fund

The Advisor bears all costs associated with providing these advisory services and the expenses of the members of the Board who are affiliated with or interested persons of the Advisor. The Advisor, from its own resources, including profits from advisory fees received from the Funds, provided such fees are legitimate and not excessive, may make payments to broker-dealers and other financial institutions for their expenses in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, and otherwise currently pay all distribution costs for Fund shares. The Advisor may from time to time reimburse certain expenses of a Fund in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses as described in the Prospectus.

For its investment management services, the Advisor is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly at the annual rates listed below based on the average daily net assets of the Funds.

With respect to each Fund, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses in order to keep net expenses (excluding amounts payable pursuant to any plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1, interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (listed below) of each Fund’s average daily net assets for at least a year from the date of the applicable Prospectus. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated without payment of any penalty (i) by the Trust for any reason and at any time and (ii) by the Advisor, for any reason, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, such termination by the Advisor to be effective as of the close of business on the last day of the then-current one-year period. If at any point it becomes unnecessary for the Advisor to waive fees or make expense reimbursements, the Board may permit the Advisor to retain the difference between a Fund’s total annual operating expenses and the Fund’s Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit currently in effect, or, if lower, the expense limitation that was in effect at the time of the waiver and/or reimbursement, to recapture all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the immediately preceding three-year period.

Fund	Advisory Fee as a % of Average Daily Net Assets	Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF	[ ]%	[ ]%
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	[ ]%	[ ]%

Pursuant to a fund services agreement between the Trust and the Advisor, the Advisor seeks to enter into arrangements with broker-dealers and other intermediaries to (1) obtain information about the nature of shareholders who own shares of the Trust through the intermediary and (2) permit certain share transactions through the intermediary without the imposition of a sales, transaction, or trade charge. The Advisor is entitled to reimbursement of a portion of expenditures that it makes relating to shareholder services of up to the lesser of 50% of the expenditures made by the Advisor on behalf of a Fund or an annual fee of 0.03% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Advisor may hire one or more sub-advisors to oversee the day-to-day investment activities of a Fund. The sub-advisors are subject to oversight by the Advisor. The Advisor, pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC and subject to certain conditions, including Board approval, may, without shareholder approval, hire one or more new unaffiliated sub-advisors for a Fund, materially amend the terms of an agreement with an unaffiliated sub-advisor, or continue the employment of an unaffiliated sub-advisor after events that would otherwise cause an automatic termination of a sub-advisory agreement. Consequently, under the exemptive order, the Advisor has the right to hire, terminate, and replace a sub-advisor when the Board and the Advisor feel that a change would benefit a Fund. Within 90 days of retaining a new sub-advisor, shareholders of the Fund will receive notification of the change. This “manager of managers” arrangement enables the Funds to operate with greater efficiency and without incurring the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of sub-advisory agreements. The arrangement does not permit the Advisor’s investment advisory fee paid by a Fund to be increased or change the Advisor’s obligations under the Advisory Agreement, including the Advisor’s responsibility to monitor and oversee sub-advisory services furnished to the Fund, without shareholder approval.

The Sub-Advisor and the Sub-Advisory Agreement

Under a sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”), the Sub-Advisor listed below serves as the investment sub-advisor to each Fund, makes the investment decisions for the Fund, and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the investment program of the Fund, subject to the supervision and oversight of, and policies established by, the Advisor and the Board.

Sub-Advisory Fees Paid to the Sub-Advisor. For its services under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Advisor is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly by the Advisor, at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of its respective Fund as follows:

Fund	Sub-Advisor	Sub-Advisory Fee Rate
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF	Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC	[ ]%
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC	[ ]%

Control Persons of Sub-Advisor. Dorsey Wright is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nasdaq, Inc., a stock exchange and financial services firm.

Portfolio Manager

This section includes information about each Fund’s portfolio manager, including information about other accounts he manages, the dollar range of Fund shares he owns, and how he is compensated. The tables reflecting the dollar range of the portfolio manager’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of each Fund use dollar amount ranges established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act.

Portfolio Manager Compensation. The portfolio manager is compensated by the Sub-Advisor and does not receive any compensation directly from a Fund or the Advisor. The Sub-Advisor pays the portfolio manager a salary plus a discretionary bonus, which is based on the performance of the portfolio manager, Sub-Advisor and its parent company.

Fund Shares Owned by Portfolio Manager. As of the date of this SAI, the portfolio manager did not beneficially own any shares of either Fund.

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager. As of ________, 2018, the portfolio manager was responsible for the day-to-day management of other accounts as follows:

Name

Registered Investment
Companies

Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles

Other Accounts

Number
of
Accounts

Total
Assets
(in
millions)

Number
of
Accounts

Total Assets
(in millions)

Number of
Accounts

Total Assets
(in millions)

John G. Lewis

Conflicts of Interest

The portfolio manager’s management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Funds’ investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as a Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the portfolio manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Advisor and Sub-Advisor has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts the Advisor and Sub-Advisor manage are fairly and equitably allocated. Further, the Sub-Advisor’s authority to select and substitute underlying ETFs from a variety of affiliated and unaffiliated ETFs may create a conflict of interest because the Sub-Advisor typically receive fees from the affiliated funds.

Administration, Custody and Transfer Agency Agreements

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Administrator”) serves as administrator, custodian and transfer agent for the Funds. The principal address of the Administrator is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286. Under the Funds’ Administration and Accounting Agreement with the Trust, the Administrator provides necessary administrative and accounting services for the maintenance and operations of the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Administrator makes available the office space, equipment, personnel and facilities required to provide such services. Under the Funds’ Custodian Agreement with the Trust, the Administrator maintains in separate accounts cash, securities and other assets of the Trust and the Funds, keeps all necessary accounts and records, and provides other services. The Administrator is required, upon the order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by it and to make payments for securities purchased by the Funds. Pursuant to the Funds’ Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with the Trust, the Administrator acts as a transfer agent for the Funds’ authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest, and as dividend disbursing agent of the Funds.

In consideration for its administrative services, the Administrator is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.025% on the first $1 billion on the gross adjusted assets of each Fund and 0.02% on the gross adjusted assets of each Fund exceeding $1 billion.

Distribution

Distributor. Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of shares of the Funds. The principal address of the Distributor is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The Distributor has entered into an agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes shares of the Funds (the “Distribution Agreement”). The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Funds on a best effort basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Funds through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in each Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI. Shares amounting to less than a Creation Unit are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The Distributor, its affiliates and officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Funds. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Advisor, any Sub-Advisor, or any stock exchange.

The Distribution Agreement for the Funds provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment”, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

Distribution Plan. The Funds have adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution Plan”). Under the Distribution Plan, the Distributor, or designated service providers, may receive up to 0.25% of each Fund’s assets attributable to shares as compensation for distribution services. Distribution services may include, but are not limited to, (i) services in connection with distribution assistance, or (ii) payments to financial institutions and other financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers, mutual fund “supermarkets” and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries, as compensation for services or reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance.

No distribution fees are currently charged to the Funds; there are no plans to impose distribution fees, and no distribution fees will be charged for at least a year from the date of this SAI. However, in the event that distribution fees are charged in the future, because the Funds will pay these fees out of assets on an ongoing basis, over time distribution fees may cost you more than other types of sales charges and will increase the cost of your investment in a Fund.

Costs and Expenses. Each Fund bears all expenses of its operation other than those assumed by the Advisor, which are discussed in detail above under “The Advisor and the Advisory Agreement.”

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. The Advisor and Sub-Advisor (the “Advisor Entities”) may pay certain broker-dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Funds and other series of the Trust. The Advisor Entities make these payments from their own assets and not from the assets of the Funds. Although a portion of the Advisor Entities’ revenue comes directly or indirectly in part from fees paid by the Funds and other series of the Trust, these payments do not increase the price paid by investors for the purchase of shares of, or the cost of owning, the Funds or other series of the Trust. The Advisor Entities make payments for Intermediaries’ participation in activities that are designed to make registered representatives, other professionals and individual investors more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Funds, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems (“Education Costs”). The Advisor Entities also make payments to Intermediaries for certain printing, publishing and mailing costs associated with the Funds or materials relating to ETPs in general (“Publishing Costs”). In addition, the Advisor Entities make payments to Intermediaries that make shares of the Funds and certain other series of the Trust available to their clients, develop new products that feature the Advisor or otherwise promote the Funds and other series of the Trust. The Advisor Entities may also reimburse expenses or make payments from their own assets to Intermediaries or other persons in consideration of services or other activities that the Advisor Entities believe may benefit the Advisor’s business or facilitate investment in the Funds or other series of the Trust. Payments of the type described above are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments.

Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your salesperson or other investment professional may also be significant for your salesperson or other investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about which investment options it will recommend or make available to its clients or what services to provide for various products based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments may create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients and these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Funds and other series of the Trust over other investments. The same conflict of interest and financial incentive exist with respect to your salesperson or other investment professional if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.

The Advisor has contractual arrangements to make payments (in addition to payments for Education Costs or Publishing Costs) to one Intermediary, Raymond James Financial Services (“RJFS”). Pursuant to this special, long-term and significant arrangement (the “Marketing Program”), RJFS and certain of its affiliates have agreed, among other things, to actively promote the Funds and other series of the Trust to customers and investment professionals and in advertising campaigns as the preferred ETF, to offer certain of the Funds and certain other series of the Trust in certain RJFS platforms and investment programs, in some cases at a reduced commission rate or commission free, and to provide marketing data to the Advisor. The Advisor has agreed to facilitate the Marketing Program by, among other things, making certain payments to RJFS for marketing and implementing certain brokerage and investment programs. Upon termination of the arrangement, the Advisor will make additional payments to RJFS based upon a number of criteria, including the overall success of the Marketing Program and the level of services provided by RJFS during the wind-down period.

In addition, as of November 1, 2014, the Advisor is participating in a program offered by RJFS that will provide the Advisor with information about shareholder ownership of the Funds and assist with developing opportunities to provide shareholders with lower transaction costs. The Funds have agreed to reimburse the Advisor for a portion of its payments to participate in the program.

Any additions, modifications, or deletions to Intermediaries listed above that have occurred since the date of this SAI are not included in the list. Further, the Advisor Entities make Education Costs and Publishing Costs payments to other Intermediaries that are not listed above. The Advisor Entities may determine to make such payments based on any number of metrics. For example, the Advisor Entities may make payments at year-end or other intervals in a fixed amount, an amount based upon an Intermediary’s services at defined levels or an amount based on the Intermediary’s net sales of one or more series of the Trust in a year or other period, any of which arrangements may include an agreed-upon minimum or maximum payment, or any combination of the foregoing. As of the date of this SAI, the Advisor anticipates that the payments paid by the Advisor Entities in connection with the Funds and other series of the Trust will be immaterial to the Advisor Entities in the aggregate for the next year. Please contact your salesperson or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by the Advisor Entities to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of the Funds and/or other series of the Trust.

BOOK-ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information.”

Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depository for a Fund’s shares. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities’ certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the NYSE and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of a Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participants a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of a Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost. The DTC Participants’ rules and policies are made publicly available through its website at www.dtcc.com.

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

Creation

The Trust issues and sells shares of a Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, at their NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received in proper form.

A “Business Day” with respect to a Fund is any day on which the Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday), Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF generally consists of an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities – the “Deposit Securities” – per each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s portfolio and an amount of cash – the Cash Component – computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities), the Cash Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash from the Fund in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities.

The Administrator, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) (discussed below), makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Units of a Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Advisor or Sub-Advisor to the Fund with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash – i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount – to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (discussed below), or which may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting. The Trust also reserves the right to offer an “all cash” option for creations of Creation Units for the Funds.

In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Administrator, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day, the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund.

Cash Purchase. Creation Units of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF are sold only for cash (“Cash Purchase Amount”). Creation Units are sold at the NAV per share next computed, plus a transaction fee, as described below. The Trust reserves the right to offer an in-kind option for creations of Creation Unit for the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Units. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create a Creation Unit of a Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book-Entry Only System”) and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Trust, the Distributor and the Administrator with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement with the Funds. All shares of the Funds, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit size aggregations of at least 25,000 shares. All orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than the close of the regular trading session on the Exchange (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) (“Closing Time”), in each case on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below (see “Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process” and “Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process”). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.

Orders to create Creation Units of a Fund shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.

Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process, including those placing order for Creation Units of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, all purchases of which will be effected through a transfer of cash directly through DTC, should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effecting such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component or the Cash Purchase Amount, in the case of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF.

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

Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process (For AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF). Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor and the Administrator. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. A Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Trust by no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Administrator through the Federal Reserve wire system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Administrator no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Administrator does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the particular Fund. The delivery of Creation Units of the Fund so created will occur no later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

Creation Units may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of the Cash Component plus 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”). The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to Closing Time on such date and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Administrator by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by Closing Time or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the investor shall be liable to the Trust for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor or in the event a mark to market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Administrator or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Units of a Fund so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of a Fund if (a) the order is not in proper form, (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund, (c) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated through the facilities of the Exchange for that date by the Administrator, as described above, (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities or Cash Purchase Amount would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund, (e) the acceptance of the Deposit Securities or Cash Purchase Amount would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful, (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit or Cash Purchase Amount would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Advisor, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners, or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Advisor make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Advisor, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Administrator and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits or Cash Purchase Amounts nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation Transaction Fee. To compensate the Trust for transfer and other transaction costs involved in creation transactions through the Clearing Process, investors will be required to pay a minimum creation transaction fee, assessed per transaction, as follows:

Fund	Creation Transaction Fee*
ALL FUNDS	$500

* To the extent a Creation Unit consists of more than 100 securities, an additional Creation Transaction Fee may be charged to Authorized Participants to the next highest $500 increment at the following rates: (i) $5 per book-entry security settled via the NSCC’s CNS and (ii) $15 per security for “in-kind” settlements settled outside the NSCC, and all physical settlements, including options, futures and other derivatives.

Each Fund, subject to approval by the Board, may adjust the fee from time to time based upon actual experience. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a creation of a Creation Unit may be charged a fee for such services.

Redemption

Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund through the Administrator and only on a Business Day. The Trust will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial Owners must accumulate enough shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.

With respect to the Funds, the Administrator, through the NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities which are applicable to creations of Creation Units.

Cash Redemption Amount. For the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF, unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Fund Securities – as announced by the Administrator on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form – plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed, as next determined after receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee described below in the section entitled “Redemption Transaction Fee.” In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.

The redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF will consist solely of cash in an amount equal to the NAV of the shares being redeemed, as next determined after receipt of a request in proper form less a redemption transaction fee described below in the section entitled “Redemption Transaction Fee.” The Trust reserves the right to offer an in-kind option for redemptions of Creation Units for the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF.

Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Administrator not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by a Fund after the Closing Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the third (3rd) NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Administrator on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Administrator not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or proceeded by the requisite number of shares of a Fund and/or the Cash Redemption Amount specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Administrator no later than 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, Eastern Time, on the next Business Day following such Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”); and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

After the Administrator has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Administrator will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities, which are expected to be delivered within three business days, and/or the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant, on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner, by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Administrator.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Administrator according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Administrator. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Administrator by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of shares of a Fund are delivered to the custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Administrator on such Transmittal Date. If, however, a redemption order is submitted to the Administrator by a DTC Participant not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, but either (1) the requisite number of shares of a Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time as described above on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date or (2) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be computed on the Business Day that such order is deemed received by the Administrator, i.e., the Business Day on which the shares of the Fund are delivered through DTC to the Administrator by the DTC Cut-Off-Time on such Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash which the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its shares based on the NAV of shares of the Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities which differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in NAV.

Redemptions of shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that a Fund could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

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

Redemption Transaction Fee. To compensate the Trust for transfer and other transaction costs involved in redemption transactions through the Clearing Process, investors will be required to pay a minimum redemption transaction fee, assessed per transaction as follows:

Fund	Redemption Transaction Fee*
ALL FUNDS	$500

* To the extent a Creation Unit consists of more than 100 securities, an additional Redemption Transaction Fee may be charged to Authorized Participants to the next highest $500 increment at the following rates: (i) $5 per book-entry security settled via the NSCC’s CNS and (ii) $15 per security for “in-kind” settlements settled outside the NSCC, and all physical settlements, including options, futures and other derivatives.

Each Fund, subject to approval by the Board, may adjust the fee from time to time based upon actual experience. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a redemption of a Creation Unit may be charged a fee for such services.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Calculating Net Asset Value.”

The NAV per share of a Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of shares of the Fund outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including without limitation, the management, administration and distribution fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV per share. The NAV per share for the Fund is calculated by the Administrator and determined as of the regularly scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open.

In computing each Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s securities holdings are valued based on their last readily available market price. Price information on listed securities, including ETFs in which the Fund invests, is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or determined to not represent the current fair value are valued based on fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Sub-Advisor in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND TAXES

Dividends and Distributions

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectuses entitled “Shareholder Information.”

General Policies. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by the Funds. Distributions of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if any, generally are also declared and paid once a year. A Fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis in order to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.

Dividends and other distributions on shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from a Fund.

The Funds may make additional distributions to the extent necessary (i) to distribute all ordinary taxable income of a Fund, plus any net capital gains, and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends for a Fund if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

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

Federal Income Taxes

The following is a summary of certain additional U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that supplements the summaries in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a comprehensive explanation of the federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment of a Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectuses is not intended to be a substitute for careful tax planning.

The following general discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the maters addressed herein. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the provisions of tax law described in this SAI in light of the particular tax situations of the shareholders and regarding specific questions as to federal, state, or local taxes.

Regulated Investment Company (RIC) Status

Each Fund will seek to qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code. Provided that for each tax year a Fund: (i) meets the requirements to be treated as a RIC (as discussed below), and (ii) distributes at least an amount equal to the sum of 90% of the Fund’s net investment income for such year (including, for this purpose, the excess of net realized short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income (the “Distribution Requirement”), the Fund itself will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent the Fund’s net investment income and the Fund’s net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed to the Fund’s shareholders.

One of several requirements for RIC qualification is that the Fund must receive at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income each year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, foreign currencies and net income from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (the “90% Test”). A second requirement for qualification as a RIC is that the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year: (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with these other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets are invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Asset Test”).

If a Fund fails to satisfy the 90% Test or the Asset Test, the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the Asset Test. In order to qualify for relief provisions for a failure to meet the Asset Test, the Fund may be required to dispose of certain assets. If a Fund fails to qualify for treatment as a RIC for any year, and the relief provisions are not available, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In such case, its shareholders would be taxed as if they received ordinary dividends, although the dividends could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders and the dividends may be eligible for the lower tax rates available to non-corporate shareholders on qualified dividend income. To re-qualify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, a Fund would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and to distribute any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. If a Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, it would generally be required to pay a Fund-level tax on certain net built-in gains recognized with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within five years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of a Fund for treatment as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders. If a Fund determines that it will not qualify for treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund will establish procedures to reflect the anticipated tax liability in the Fund’s NAV.

A Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. A “qualified late year loss” may include a net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or certain other late-year losses.

The treatment of capital loss carryovers for the Funds is similar to the rules that apply to capital loss carryovers of individuals, which provide that such losses are carried over indefinitely. If a Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year beginning after December 22, 2010 (a “Post-2010 Loss”), the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. Unused capital losses that are carried forward into tax years subsequent to the year of their realization are called “capital loss carryforwards”. A Fund’s unused capital loss carryforwards that arose in taxable years that began on or before December 22, 2010 (“Pre-2011 Losses”) are available to be applied against future capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund prior to the expiration of those capital loss carryforwards, generally eight years after the year in which they arose. A Fund’s Post-2010 Losses must be fully utilized before the Fund will be permitted to utilize carryforwards of Pre-2011 Losses. In addition, the carryover of capital losses may be limited under the general loss limitation rules if a Fund experiences an ownership change as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which generally requires a Fund to distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company taxable income and the excess of its exempt interest income (but does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gain), each Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for the year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (the excess of short- and long-term capital gains over short- and long-term capital losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (including any retained amount from the prior calendar year on which a Fund paid no federal income tax). Each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions, or deemed distributions, to avoid imposition of the excise tax, but can make no assurances that all such tax liability will be eliminated. The Funds may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate Fund investments in order to make sufficient distributions to avoid federal excise tax liability at a time when the investment adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so, and liquidation of investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of the Funds to satisfy the requirement for qualification as a RIC.

Fund Distributions

The Fund receives income generally in the form of dividends and interest on investments. This income, plus net short-term capital gains, if any, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, constitutes the Fund’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all its net investment income and net realized capital gains to shareholders, at least annually. Any distributions by the Fund from such income will be taxable to you as ordinary income or at the lower capital gains rates that apply to individuals receiving qualified dividend income, whether you take them in cash or in additional shares. Since the income of certain Funds is derived primarily from investments other than the stock of U.S. corporations, such Funds do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to qualify to be reported as qualified dividend income and distributions by such Funds will generally not be eligible for the reduced tax rates, or in the case or corporate shareholders the dividends received deduction, applicable to qualified dividend income.

Distributions by a Fund are currently eligible for the reduced maximum tax rate to individuals of 20% (lower rates apply to individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that a Fund receives qualified dividend income on the securities it holds and a Fund reports the distributions as qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that: (i) the shareholder has not held the shares on which the dividend was paid for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the shares become “ex-dividend” (which is the day on which declared distributions (dividends or capital gains) are deducted from a Fund’s assets before it calculates the net asset value) with respect to such dividend, (ii) a Fund has not satisfied similar holding period requirements with respect to the securities it holds that paid the dividends distributed to the shareholder), (iii) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, or (iv) the shareholder elects to treat such dividend as investment income under section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, if you lend your shares in a Fund, such as pursuant to a securities lending arrangement, you may lose the ability to treat dividends (paid while the shares are held by the borrower) as qualified dividend income. Distributions that a Fund receives from an ETP or an underlying fund taxable as a RIC or a REIT will be treated as qualified dividend income only to the extent so reported by such ETP, underlying fund or REIT.

Distributions by the Fund of its net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions consisting of the Fund’s net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains for individual shareholders currently set at a maximum rate of 20% regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Fund.

In the case of corporate shareholders, the Fund’s distributions (other than capital gain distributions) generally qualify for the dividends-received deduction to the extent such distributions are so reported and do not exceed the gross amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for the year. Generally, and subject to certain limitations (including certain holding period limitations), a dividend will be treated as a qualifying dividend if it has been received from a domestic corporation. All such qualifying dividends (including the deducted portion) must be included in your alternative minimum taxable income calculation.

Each Fund’s shareholders will be notified annually by the Fund as to the federal tax status of all distributions made by the Fund. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes.

A taxable shareholder may wish to avoid investing in a Fund shortly before a dividend or other distribution, because the distribution will generally be taxable even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of the shareholder’s investment.

Shareholders who have not held Fund shares for a full year should be aware that a Fund may report and distribute, as ordinary dividends or capital gain dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the percentage of the Fund’s ordinary income or net capital gain, respectively, actually earned during the period of investment in the Fund.

To the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by such Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders.

If a Fund’s distributions for a taxable year exceed its current and accumulated earnings and profits, all or a portion of the distributions made for the taxable year may be re-characterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in the applicable Fund’s shares and generally result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold. After a shareholder’s basis in a Fund’s shares has been reduced to zero, distributions by that Fund in excess of earnings and profits will be treated as gain from the sale of the shareholder’s shares.

Dividends declared to shareholders of record in October, November or December and actually paid in January of the following year will be treated as having been received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared.

Medicare Tax

U.S. individuals with adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) exceeding certain threshold amounts ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases) are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes taxable interest, dividends, and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains realized on the sale of Shares of the Fund). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts.

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares

Sales, exchanges, and redemptions of Fund shares are generally taxable transactions for federal income tax purposes. In general, if you hold your shares as a capital asset, gain or loss realized will be capital in nature and will be classified as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months and otherwise will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss.

All or a portion of any loss realized upon the sale or redemption of Fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that substantially identical shares in the Fund are purchased (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to the tax basis in the newly purchased shares. In addition, any loss realized by a shareholder on the disposition of shares held for six months or less is treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains to the shareholder with respect to such shares (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains).

Cost Basis Reporting

The cost basis of shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for the shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased your shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.

Foreign Taxes

A Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income it may earn from investing in foreign securities. Any such taxes may reduce the return on such investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. A Fund’s investments in certain foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the Fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the Fund’s distributions. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s assets at taxable year-end is represented by debt and equity securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders who are U.S. citizens, resident aliens or U.S. corporations to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their U.S. income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Internal Revenue Code. If at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of a taxable year consists of interests in RICs (including ETPs that are RICs), the Fund may elect to permit shareholders who are U.S. citizens, resident aliens or U.S. corporations to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their U.S. federal income tax returns for their pro rata portion of (1) any qualified taxes paid by those other RICs and passed through to the Fund for that taxable year, and (2) any qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund itself for that taxable year. No reduction for such taxes will be permitted to individuals in computing their alternative minimum tax liability. In the event a Fund makes an election described in this paragraph, each such shareholder will be required to include in gross income its pro rata share of such taxes. Certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code may prevent shareholders from receiving a full foreign tax credit or deduction for their allocable amount of such taxes. If a Fund makes the election, such Fund (or its administrative agent) will report annually to its shareholders the respective amounts per share of the Fund’s income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions.

Investment in Certain ETPs and Certain Direct Fund Investments

Certain Funds may invest in ETPs that are taxable as RICs under the Internal Revenue Code. Any income a Fund receives from such ETPs should be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Test. Certain Funds may also invest in one or more ETPs that are not taxable as RICs under the Internal Revenue Code and that may generate non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Test. Similarly, a Fund may make certain direct investments that may produce non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Test. Each Fund’s Sub-Advisor and Advisor anticipate monitoring investments that may produce non-qualifying income to ensure that the Fund satisfies the 90% Test. Nevertheless, non-qualifying income of a Fund may be more than anticipated, a Fund may be unable to generate qualifying income at levels sufficient to ensure it satisfies the 90% Test, or a Fund might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it derives for a taxable year until after year-end. In any such case, a Fund could fail the 90% Test and, if the relief provisions discussed above are unavailable, fail to qualify as a RIC.

Certain Funds may invest in ETPs that are structured in a manner that causes income, gains, losses, credits and deductions of the ETPs to be taken into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes by those Funds whether or not any distributions are made from the ETPs to those Funds. Thus, a Fund may be required to take into account income or gains in a taxable year without receiving any cash and may have to sell assets to distribute such income or gains. Those sales will generally result in additional taxable gain or loss and may occur at a time when the Fund’s Sub-Advisor or Advisor would not otherwise have chosen to sell such securities.

Options, Swaps and Other Complex Securities

The Funds may invest in complex securities such as equity options, index options, repurchase agreements, foreign currency contracts, hedges and swaps, transactions treated as straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and futures contracts. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect a Fund’s ability to qualify as a RIC, affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or long-term or short-term capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund and/or defer a Fund’s ability to recognize losses. In turn, those rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed by a Fund.

Certain derivative investment by the Funds, such as exchange-traded products and over-the-counter derivatives may not produce qualifying income for purposes of the "90% Test" described above, which must be met in order for a Fund to maintain its status as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the determination of the value and the identity of the issuer of such derivative investments are often unclear for purposes of the “Asset Test” described above. The Funds intend to carefully monitor such investments to ensure that any non-qualifying income does not exceed permissible limits and to ensure that they are adequately diversified under the Asset Test. The Funds, however, may not be able to accurately predict the non-qualifying income from these investments and there are no assurances that the IRS will agree with the Funds’ determination of the “Asset Test” with respect to such derivatives.

With respect to any investments in STRIPS, Treasury Receipts, other zero coupon, payment-in-kind, and similar securities which are sold at original issue discount and thus do not make periodic cash interest payments, a Fund will generally be required to include as part of its current income the imputed interest on such obligations even though the Fund has not received any interest payments on such obligations during that period.

Because each Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income to its shareholders, a Fund may have to sell Fund securities to distribute such imputed income which may occur at a time when the Adviser would not have chosen to sell such securities and which may result in taxable gain or loss and may affect the amount and timing of distributions from the Fund.

Any market discount recognized on a bond is taxable as ordinary income. A market discount bond is a bond acquired in the secondary market at a price below redemption value or adjusted issue price if issued with original issue discount. Absent an election by a Fund to include the market discount in income as it accrues, gain on the Fund’s disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount.

The Funds may be required for federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market and recognize as income and loss for each taxable year their net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts and options as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Options on “broad based” securities indices are classified as “non-equity options” under the Internal Revenue Code. Gains and losses resulting from the expiration, exercise, or closing of such non-equity options, as well as gains and losses resulting from futures contract transactions, will be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss (hereinafter, “blended gain or loss”). In addition, any non-equity option and futures contract held by a Fund on the last day of a fiscal year will be treated as sold for market value on that date, and gain or loss recognized as a result of such deemed sale will be blended gain or loss. A Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. These provisions may also require the Funds to mark-to-market certain types of positions in their portfolios (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause a Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and for avoiding the excise tax discussed above. Accordingly, in order to avoid certain income and excise taxes, a Fund may be required to liquidate as investments at a time when the investment advisor might not otherwise have chosen to do so.

In general, for purposes of the 90% Test described above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by a Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (generally, a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, (ii) that derives at least 90% of its income from the passive income sources specified in Internal Revenue Code section 7704(d), and (iii) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (i) of the prior paragraph) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Internal Revenue Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

A Fund may invest in certain MLPs which may be treated as “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Income from qualified publicly traded partnerships is qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test, but a Fund’s investment in one or more of such “qualified publicly traded partnerships” is limited under the Asset Test to no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets. The Funds will monitor their investments in such qualified publicly traded partnerships in order to ensure compliance with the Qualifying Income and Asset Tests. MLPs and other partnerships that the Funds may invest in will deliver Form K-1s to the Funds to report their share of income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the MLP or other partnership. These Form K-1s may be delayed and may not be received until after the time that a Fund issues its tax reporting statements. As a result, a Fund may at times find it necessary to reclassify the amount and character of its distributions to you after it issues you your tax reporting statement.

A Fund may invest in REITs. Investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, a Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in a Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if a Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to such Fund’s shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends paid by a REIT, other than capital gain distributions, will be taxable as ordinary income up to the amount of the REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Capital gain dividends paid by a REIT to a Fund will be treated as long-term capital gains by the Fund and, in turn, may be distributed by the Fund to its shareholders as a capital gain distribution. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends received deduction. If a REIT is operated in a manner such that it fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the REIT would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

REITs in which a Fund invests often do not provide complete and final tax information to the Funds until after the time that the Funds issue a tax reporting statement. As a result, a Fund may at times find it necessary to reclassify the amount and character of its distributions to you after it issues your tax reporting statement. When such reclassification is necessary, a Fund (or its administrative agent) will send you a corrected, final Form 1099-DIV to reflect the reclassified information. If you receive a corrected Form 1099-DIV, use the information on this corrected form, and not the information on the previously issued tax reporting statement, in completing your tax returns.

Any transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts will be subject to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by a Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), may accelerate recognition of income by a Fund and may defer Fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to a Fund’s shareholders. These provisions also may require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to facilitate satisfaction of the distribution requirements for avoiding the income and excise taxes.

The U.S. Treasury Department has authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains from the 90% Test described above if such gains are not directly related to a Fund’s business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities). Accordingly, regulations may be issued in the future that could treat some or all of a Fund’s non-U.S. currency gains as non-qualifying income, thereby potentially jeopardizing the Fund’s status as a RIC for all years to which the regulations are applicable.

If a Fund owns shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to as “passive foreign investment companies” or “PFICs,” the Fund will generally be subject to one or more of the following special tax regimes: (i) the Fund may be liable for U.S. federal income tax, and an additional interest charge, on a portion of any “excess distribution” from such foreign entity or any gain from the disposition of such shares, even if the entire distribution or gain is paid out by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders, (ii) if the Fund were able and elected to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF,” the Fund would be required each year to include in income, and distribute to shareholders in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above, the Fund’s pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the passive foreign investment company, whether or not such earnings or gains are distributed to the Fund, or (iii) the Fund may be entitled to mark-to-market annually shares of the PFIC, whether or not any distributions are made to the Fund, and in such event would be required to distribute to shareholders any such mark-to-market gains in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above. A Fund may have to distribute to its shareholders certain “phantom” income and gains such Fund accrues with respect to its investment in a PFIC in order to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and to avoid imposition of the excise tax. Such Fund intends to make the appropriate tax elections, if possible, and take any additional steps that are necessary to mitigate the effect of these rules.

Short Sales

In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when a Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale by a Fund is generally considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by a Fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, the gains on short sales are generally treated as short-term capital gains. These rules may also affect the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by a Fund. Moreover, a Fund’s loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by the Fund for more than one year. In general, a Fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into.

Backup Withholding

A Fund (or financial intermediaries, such as brokers, through which shareholders own Fund shares) generally is required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and the sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding.

Foreign Shareholders

Any non-U.S. investors in the Funds may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are encouraged to consult their tax advisors prior to investing in the Funds. Foreign shareholders (i.e., nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate) on distributions derived from taxable ordinary income. A Fund may, under certain circumstances, report all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend,” which would generally be exempt from this 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met. Short-term capital gain dividends received by a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year are not exempt from this 30% withholding tax. Gains realized by foreign shareholders from the sale or other disposition of shares of a Fund generally are not subject to U.S. taxation, unless the recipient is an individual who is physically present in the U.S. for 183 days or more per year. Foreign shareholders who fail to provide an applicable IRS form may be subject to backup withholding on certain payments from a Fund. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that are subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described in this paragraph. Different tax consequences may result if the foreign shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States. In addition, the tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty may be different than those described above.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund shares comply with IRS requirements that generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions payable to such entities and may apply to redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities after December 31, 2018. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of the agreement.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person may be subject to foreign, state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal income tax consequences referred to above. If a shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the shareholder in the United States.

Taxes on Creation and Redemptions of Creation Units

A person who purchases a Creation Unit by exchanging securities in-kind generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (a) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time and any net cash received, and (b) the sum of the purchaser’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any net cash paid for the Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (x) the sum of the redeemer’s basis in the Creation Units and any net cash paid, and (y) the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received and any net cash received. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units may not be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” by an Authorized Participant that does not mark-to-market its holdings, or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses. In some circumstances, a redemption of Creation Units may potentially cause amounts received by the shareholder in the redemption to be treated as dividend income rather than as a payment in exchange for Creation Units. Any loss upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the person redeeming the Creation Units of long-term capital gain with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to that person as undistributed capital gains). Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

Each Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. Each Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If a Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Creation Units so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

A Fund may include cash when paying the redemption price for Creation Units in addition to, or in place of, the delivery of a basket of securities. A Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize investment income and/or capital gains or losses that it might not have recognized if it had completely satisfied the redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may be less tax efficient if it includes such a cash payment than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Other Tax Considerations

Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k) plans, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Under current law, a RIC generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders with respect to the RIC’s investments. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue of an investment in a Fund where, for example, (i) the Fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), (ii) the Fund invests in a REIT that: (a) is a taxable mortgage pool (“TMP”), (b) has a TMP subsidiary, or (c) invests in a residual interest of a REMIC, or (iii) shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisors. There are no restrictions preventing ETFs from holding investments in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs, and a Fund may do so. The IRS has issued guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding these issues.

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder in any single taxable year (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC, such as each Fund, are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

A Fund may be subject to tax or taxes in certain states where the Fund does business. Furthermore, in those states which have income tax laws, the tax treatment of a Fund and of Fund shareholders with respect to distributions by the Fund may differ from federal tax treatment.

The Fund’s shares held in a tax qualified retirement account will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gains distributions from the Fund until a shareholder begins receiving payments from their retirement account. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund and regarding specific questions as to foreign, federal, state, or local taxes.

OTHER INFORMATION

Portfolio Holdings

The Board has approved portfolio holdings disclosure policies that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure to shareholders and third-parties of information regarding the portfolio investments held by the Funds. These policies and procedures, as described below, are designed to ensure that disclosure of portfolio holdings is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, and address conflicts of interest between the interests of Fund shareholders and those of the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, Distributor, or any affiliated person of the Funds, Advisor, Sub-Advisor, or Distributor.

Each Business Day, Fund portfolio holdings information will be provided to the Distributor or other agent for dissemination through the facilities of the NSCC and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants, and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Fund in the secondary market. This information typically reflects each Fund’s anticipated holdings on the following Business Day. Daily access to information concerning each Fund’s portfolio holdings also is permitted (i) to certain personnel of those service providers who are involved in portfolio management and providing administrative, operational, risk management, or other support to portfolio management, including affiliated broker-dealers and/or Authorized Participants and (ii) to other personnel of the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, and other service providers, such as the Administrator and fund accountant, who deal directly with, or assist in, functions related to investment management, administration, custody and fund accounting, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with each Fund and/or the terms of the Fund’s current registration statement.

From time to time, information concerning Fund portfolio holdings, other than portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, may also be provided to other entities that provide additional services to the Funds, including, among others, rating or ranking organizations, in the ordinary course of business, no earlier than one Business Day following the date of the information. Portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process may be provided to other entities that provide additional services to the Funds in the ordinary course of business after it has been disseminated to the NSCC.

The Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, or a compliance manager designated by the Chief Compliance Officer, may also grant exceptions to permit additional disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings information at differing times and with different lag times (the period from the date of the information to the date the information is made available), if any, in instances where a Fund has legitimate business purposes for doing so, it is in the best interests of shareholders, and the recipients are subject to a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the nonpublic information and are required to execute an agreement to that effect. The Board will be informed of any such disclosures at its next regularly scheduled meeting or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter. In no event shall the Funds, Advisor, Sub-Advisor, or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about Fund portfolio holdings.

The Board exercises continuing oversight of the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings by (1) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures, the Codes of Ethics, and the protection of non-public information policies and procedures (collectively, the “Portfolio Holdings Governing Policies”) by the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer and the Funds, (2) considering reports and recommendations by the Chief Compliance Officer concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act) that may arise in connection with any Portfolio Holdings Governing Policies, and (3) considering whether to approve or ratify any amendment to any Portfolio Holdings Governing Policies. The Board and the Funds reserve the right to amend the Portfolio Holdings Governing Policies and Procedures at any time and from time to time without prior notice in their sole discretion. For purposes of the Portfolio Holdings Governing Policies, the term “portfolio holdings” means the equity and debt securities (e.g., stocks and bonds) held by a Fund and does not mean the cash investments, derivatives, and other investment positions (collectively, other investment positions) held by the Fund, which are not disclosed.

In addition to the permitted disclosures described above, the Funds must disclose their complete holdings quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q. These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Voting Rights

Each share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shareholders receive one vote for every full Fund share owned. Each Fund will vote separately on matters relating solely to that Fund. All shares of the Funds are freely transferable.

As a Delaware statutory trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act. However, a meeting may be called by the Board on the written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust entitled to vote. If a meeting is requested by shareholders, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders who requested the meeting. Shareholder inquiries can be made by calling 877.843.3831 or by writing to the Trust at 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

Shareholder Inquiries

Shareholders may visit the Trust’s website at www.advisorshares.com or call 877.843.3831 to obtain information on account statements, procedures, and other related information.

COUNSEL

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004, serves as counsel to the Trust.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

[ ], located at [ ], serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Funds.

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as custodian for the Trust and the Funds under a custody agreement between the Trust and the Custodian. Pursuant to the agreement, the Bank of New York Mellon holds the portfolio securities of the Funds and maintains all necessary related accounts and records.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of the date of this SAI, the Funds have not yet commenced operations and therefore, do not have any financial statements. A Fund’s financial statements will be available after the Fund has completed its first fiscal year of operations.

APPENDIX A

Dorsey, Wright & Associates LLC

PROXY VOTING AND SOLICITATION

PROXY VOTING

If a client account is subject to the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), decisions on voting of proxies for the securities in the portfolio will be made by Dorsey, Wright unless specifically reserved to the trustee of the client's account or a named fiduciary of the client's account.

If the account is a discretionary non-ERISA account, decisions on voting of proxies will be made by Dorsey, Wright unless the client otherwise specifically directs.

Harold B. Parker is the designated person responsible for monitoring corporate actions, making voting decisions, and for ensuring that proxies are submitted timely.

Sara F. Giegerich will periodically monitor the voting of the proxies and supervise the designated person.

The designated person should vote proxies in the best economic interest of the client. However, the designated person can consider other factors by agreement with the client or to comply with statutory requirements.

Due to the nature of Dorsey Wright’s business, it is unlikely that it will have material conflicts of interest when voting client proxies. However conflicts could arise from time to time. For example, Dorsey Wright may own shares of a company that purchases research services from Dorsey, Wright.

Dorsey Wright has a duty to vote in the best interest of the client, and not in the interest of the firm. If a conflict arises Dorsey Wright can resolve the conflict including but not limited to:

Documenting that votes were cast in the interest of the client

For more material conflicts; obtaining the client's informed consent to vote a proxy in a specific manner

When seeking a client's consent when there is a conflict, Dorsey Wright must provide the client with sufficient information regarding the matter and the nature of the conflict to enable the client to make an informed decision.

There may be times when refraining from voting a proxy is in the client's best interest, such as when the cost of voting exceeds the expected benefit to the client. An example might be in casting a vote on a foreign security that may involve additional costs such as hiring an interpreter.

Dorsey, Wright will make the following client disclosure in Form ADV Part 2:

How clients can obtain information from Dorsey Wright on how their securities were voted.

Description of Dorsey Wright’s proxy voting policies. The description will be a concise summary of the policies stated herein.

Disclosure that a copy of Dorsey Wright’s complete policy on voting proxies is available upon request.

If a client requests a copy of our complete proxy voting policy, we must supply it.

Proxy voting records that we must retain include, but are not limited to:

· Proxy voting policies contained herein

A-1

Issuer's proxy statement (a sample) received regarding client securities

Copies of actual votes casted on behalf of clients

Records of written client requests for proxy voting information

Written responses (if applicable) to client requests

Research used in making the voting decision

Any documents we prepare that are material to making a voting decision

Any documents we prepare to memorialize the basis for a voting decision

Records of all proxy votes will be retained for a 5-year period. For the first 2 years these records must be retained at the Pasadena, CA office; the remaining 3 years, these records may be moved off site to storage.

PROXY SOLICITATION

Dorsey, Wright shall only furnish proxy voting advice where there is an existing business relationship and shall not solicit proxies from non-clients.

When providing proxy voting advice to clients, Dorsey Wright shall abide by the following conditions:

Dorsey, Wright will disclose any significant relationship with the issuer, its affiliates, or a security holder proponent of the matter on which proxy voting advice is given, as well as any material interest of the firm in the matter;

Dorsey Wright shall receive no special commission or remuneration for furnishing the voting advice from any person other than the security holder recipient thereof; and

The voting advice will not be furnished on behalf of any person soliciting proxies, or on behalf of a participant in an election contest subject to SEC Rule 14a-11.

Dorsey, Wright shall not communicate with the press concerning a proxy.

Deviations from these policies may require Dorsey, Wright to comply with SEC Proxy Registration Rules.

A-2

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28.

Exhibits

(a)(1)

Certificate of Trust dated July 30, 2007, as filed with the state of Delaware on August 1, 2007, for AdvisorShares Trust (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) via EDGAR Accession No. 0001104659-09-017027 on March 12, 2009.

(a)(2)

Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated July 30, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001104659-09-037448 on June 9, 2009.

	(b)	Registrant’s By-Laws dated July 30, 2007, as amended November 13, 2013, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-13-065833 on December 5, 2013.

	(c)	Not applicable.

	(d)(1)	Interim Investment Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between the Registrant and AdvisorShares Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(2)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and AdvisorShares Investments, LLC, relating to the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(d)(3)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(4)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Peritus I Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(5)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Ranger Alternative Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(6)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Madrona Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(7)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and American Retirement Planners II, Inc., doing business as American Wealth Management, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(8)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Wilshire Associates Incorporated is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(9)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(10)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(11)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Treesdale Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(12)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(13)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Pacific Life Fund Advisors LLC, doing business as Pacific Asset Management, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(14)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(15)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(16)

Interim Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Sabretooth Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(d)(17)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC, relating to the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(e)(1)

ETF Distribution Agreement dated May 31, 2017 between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003336 on June 23, 2017.

(e)(2)

First Amendment and revised Exhibit A, as of June 23, 2017, to the ETF Distribution Agreement dated May 31, 2017 between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003336 on June 23, 2017.

(e)(3)

Second Amendment and revised Exhibit A, as of October 20, 2017, to the ETF Distribution Agreement dated May 31, 2017 between the Registrant and Foreside Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-006725 on November 14, 2017.

(e)(4)

Third Amendment and revised Exhibit A to the ETF Distribution Agreement dated May 31, 2017 between the Registrant and Foreside Services, LLC, reflecting the addition of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(e)(5)

ETF Distribution Agreement dated June 25, 2009 between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-013601 on March 16, 2010.

(e)(6)

Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001104659-09-052948 on September 1, 2009.

(f)

Not applicable.

(g)(1)

Custody Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-013601 on March 16, 2010.

(g)(2)

Schedule II, as amended June 23, 2017, to the Custody Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003949 on July 31, 2017.

(g)(3)

Revised Schedule II to the Custody Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, reflecting the addition of the AdvisorShares Vice ETF, AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(g)(4)

Exchange Traded Fund Services Fee Schedule for Fund Custody, Fund Accounting, Fund Administration and Transfer Agency Services dated February 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-049117 on September 13, 2010.

(h)(1)

Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-013601 on March 16, 2010.

(h)(2)

Amendment, dated June 1, 2014, to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-14-053413 on August 29, 2014.

(h)(3)

Exhibit A, as amended June 23, 2017, to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003949 on July 31, 2017.

(h)(4)

Revised Exhibit A to the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, reflecting the addition of the AdvisorShares Vice ETF, AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(h)(5)

Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-013601 on March 16, 2010.

(h)(6)

Appendix I, as amended June 23, 2017, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003949 on July 31, 2017.

(h)(7)

Revised Appendix I to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 16, 2009 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, reflecting the addition of the AdvisorShares Vice ETF, AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(h)(8)

(h)(9)

Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between the Registrant and AdvisorShares Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-005962 on October 27, 2017.

(h)(10)

Schedule A, as revised November 21, 2017, to the Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between the Registrant and AdvisorShares Investments, LLC is filed herewith.

(h)(11)

Revised Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between the Registrant and AdvisorShares Investments, LLC, reflecting the addition of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(h)(12)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated May 10, 2010 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Peritus I Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-026211 on May 11, 2010.

(h)(13)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 15, 2010 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Ranger Alternative Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-050506 on September 22, 2010.

(h)(14)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated December 22, 2010 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Madrona Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-069019 on December 30, 2010.

(h)(15)

Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement dated November 1, 2015 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and American Retirement Planners II, Inc., doing business as American Wealth Management, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-076949 on January 26, 2016.

(h)(16)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated June 7, 2016 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Wilshire Associates Incorporated is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-121820 on August 29, 2016.

(h)(17)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated March 1, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-004835 on August 29, 2017.

(h)(18)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated January 11, 2013 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Treesdale Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-13-004364 on January 29, 2013.

(h)(19)

Schedule A, as revised August 29, 2013, to the Expense Limitation Agreement dated January 11, 2013 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Treesdale Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-13-049217 on September 4, 2013.

(h)(20)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated July 31, 2013 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(25) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-13-045270 on August 13, 2013.

(h)(21)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated June 25, 2014 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Pacific Asset Management is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-14-039608 on June 26, 2014.

(h)(22)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated March 9, 2016 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(26) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-093761 on April 11, 2016.

(h)(23)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated March 10, 2016 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-107552 on June 8, 2016.

(h)(24)

Expense Limitation Agreement dated May 23, 2017 between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Sabretooth Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003336 on June 23, 2017.

(h)(25)

Expense Limitation Agreement between AdvisorShares Investments, LLC and Dorsey Wright & Associates, LLC to be filed by amendment.

(i)(1)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to each series of the Trust (except for the AdvisorShares Cornerstone Small Cap ETF, AdvisorShares KIM Korea Equity ETF, AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF, AdvisorShares New Tech and Media ETF, and AdvisorShares Vice ETF), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-15-061249 on October 28, 2015.

(i)(2)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the AdvisorShares Cornerstone Small Cap ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-093761 on April 11, 2016.

(i)(3)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the AdvisorShares KIM Korea Equity ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-107552 on June 8, 2016.

(i)(4)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-123945 on September 14, 2016.

(i)(5)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the AdvisorShares New Tech and Media ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003336 on June 23, 2017.

(i)(6)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the AdvisorShares Vice ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-006725 on November 14, 2017.

(i)(7)

Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(j)

Not applicable.

(k)

Not applicable.

(l)

Not applicable.

(m)(1)

Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001104659-09-052948 on September 1, 2009.

(m)(2)

Revised Schedule A, as last revised October 20, 2017, to the Distribution Plan dated June 2, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-006725 on November 14, 2017.

(m)(3)

Revised Schedule A to the Distribution Plan dated June 2, 2009, reflecting the addition of the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF, to be filed by amendment.

(n)

Not applicable.

(o)

Not applicable.

(p)(1)

Code of Ethics of the Registrant dated May 24, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-004835 on August 29, 2017.

(p)(2)

Code of Ethics of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC dated January 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-004835 on August 29, 2017.

(p)(3)

Code of Ethics, dated May 1, 2009, of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (including Fund Services, LLC) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-10-056114 on October 28, 2010.

(p)(4)

Code of Ethics of Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-121820 on August 29, 2016.

(p)(5)

Code of Ethics of Peritus I Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-121820 on August 29, 2016.

(p)(6)

Code of Ethics of Ranger Alternative Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-121820 on August 29, 2016.

(p)(7)

Code of Ethics, dated December 13, 2013, of Madrona Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-14-010380 on February 18, 2014.

(p)(8)

Code of Ethics of American Retirement Planners II, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-11-014960 on March 15, 2011.

(p)(9)

Code of Ethics of Wilshire Associates Incorporated is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-121820 on August 29, 2016.

(p)(10)

Code of Ethics, dated January 19, 2017, of Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003949 on July 31, 2017.

(p)(11)

Amended and Restated Code of Ethics, as of October 1, 2017, of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., parent company of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC, is filed herewith.

(p)(12)

Code of Ethics of Treesdale Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(21) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-14-010380 on February 18, 2014.

(p)(13)

Code of Ethics of Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-13-035024 on June 14, 2013.

(p)(14)

Code of Ethics, effective April 1, 2017, of Pacific Asset Management is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003949 on July 31, 2017.

(p)(15)

Code of Ethics of Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC is filed herewith.

(p)(16)

Code of Ethics of Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-16-107552 on June 8, 2016.

(p)(17)

Code of Ethics of Sabretooth Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001615774-17-003336 on June 23, 2017.

(q)

Powers of Attorney dated June 2013 for Messrs. Noah Hamman and Dan Ahrens and May 2013 for Mr. William G. McVay and Madame Elizabeth Piper/Bach are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-157876 and 811-22110), as filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0001144204-13-035024 on June 14, 2013.

Item 29.

Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Fund

Not Applicable.

Item 30.

Indemnification

AdvisorShares Trust (the “Trust” or the “Registrant”) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is operated pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated as of July 30, 2007, as amended (the “Declaration of Trust”), that permits the Registrant to indemnify its trustees and officers under certain circumstances. Such indemnification, however, is subject to the limitations imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides that officers and trustees of the Trust shall be indemnified by the Trust against liabilities and expenses of defense in proceedings against them by reason of the fact that they each serve as an officer or trustee of the Trust or as an officer or trustee of another entity at the request of the entity.

(a)

Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below:

(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee, or agent of the Trust (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series (out of assets belonging to that Series) to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof; provided that the transfer agent of the Trust or any Series shall not be considered an agent for these purposes unless expressly deemed to be such by the Trustees in a resolution referring to Article IX of the Declaration of Trust.

(ii) as used herein the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, while in office or thereafter, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties, and other liabilities.

(b)

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or

(ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office:

(A) by the court or other body approving the settlement;

(B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who neither are Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or

(C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); provided, however, that any Shareholder, by appropriate legal proceedings, may challenge any such determination by the Trustees or by independent counsel.

(c)

The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

(d)

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit, or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of Section 9.02 of the Declaration of Trust may be paid by the Trust or Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or Series if it ultimately is determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under Section 9.02 of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that either (a) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily-available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry or investigation), that there is a reason to believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled to indemnification under Section 9.02 of the Declaration of Trust.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31.

Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

Any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of the Adviser and each sub-advisor is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:

AdvisorShares Investments LLC

AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for each series of the Trust. The principal address of the Adviser is 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. The Adviser is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of the Adviser is or has been engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC

Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC (“Dorsey”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF, [AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Micro-Cap ETF and AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF.] The principal address of Dorsey is 1011 Boulder Springs Drive, Suite 150, Richmond, Virginia 23225. Dorsey is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of Dorsey are or have been engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Peritus I Asset Management, LLC

Peritus I Asset Management, LLC (“Peritus”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Peritus High Yield ETF. The principal address of Peritus is 1216 State Street, 4th Floor, Santa Barbara, California 93101. Peritus is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, the following directors, officers or partners of Peritus are or have been engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Name and Position

with Peritus

Name of Other Company

Connection with Other Company

David J. Desmond, COO, CCO

American Medical File, Inc.

Interim President, Board Member

Ronald Heller, CEO

American Medical File, Inc.

Board Member

Ranger Alternative Management, L.P.

Ranger Alternative Management L.P. (“Ranger”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Ranger Equity Bear ETF. The principal address of Ranger is 2828 N. Harwood Street, Suite 1900, Dallas, Texas 75201. Ranger is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, the following directors, officers or partners of Ranger are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Name and Position with Ranger	Name of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
John Del Vecchio	Parabolix Research Incorporated	President
John Del Vecchio	Index Deletion Strategies, LLC	Managing Member
Brad Lamensdorf	BHL Advisors, LLC	Managing Member & Portfolio Manager
Brad Lamensdorf	LMTR, LLC	Principal

Madrona Funds, LLC

Madrona Funds, LLC (“Madrona”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Madrona Domestic ETF, AdvisorShares Madrona International ETF and AdvisorShares Madrona Global Bond ETF. The principal address of Madrona is 2911 Bond Street, Suite 200, Everett, Washington 98201. Madrona is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, the following directors, officers or partners of Madrona are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Name and Position with Madrona	Name of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
Brian K. Evans, Investment Manager and Managing Member	Bauer Evans, Inc. P.S.	Owner and Director
	Madrona Financial Services, LLC	Owner and Director
	Advisory Fusion, LLC	Owner and Director
Robert W. Bauer, Investment Manager and Member	Bauer Evans, Inc. P.S.	Employee
Robert W. Bauer, Investment Manager and Member	Madrona Financial Services, LLC	Employee
Kristi R. Henderson, Investment Manager and Member	Bauer Evans, Inc. P.S.	Employee
Kristi R. Henderson, Investment Manager and Member	Madrona Financial Services, LLC	Employee

American Retirement Planners II, Inc.

American Retirement Planners II, Inc. (doing business as “American Wealth Management”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Meidell Tactical Advantage ETF. The principal address of American Wealth Management is 570 Hammill Lane, Reno, Nevada, 89511. American Wealth Management is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, the following directors, officers or partners of American Wealth Management are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Name and Position with American Wealth Management	Name of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
Laif Meidell, President	Nevada-Area Council BSA	Board Member
Laif Meidell, President	Foothill Securities, Inc.	Board Member
Patricia Meidell, Secretary	Quail Village II Association	Secretary
Patricia Meidell, Secretary	Renown Foundation	Board Member

Wilshire Associates Incorporated

Wilshire Associated Incorporated (“Wilshire”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Wilshire Buyback ETF. The principal address of Wilshire is 1299 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401. Wilshire is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of Wilshire are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC

Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC (“Partnervest”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF. The principal address of Partnervest is 1216 State Street 3rd Floor, Santa Barbara, California, 93101. Partnervest is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of Partnervest are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Newfleet Asset Management, LLC

Newfleet Asset Management, LLC (“Newfleet”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF. The principal address of Newfleet is 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. Newfleet is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of Newfleet is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years (June 30, 2016 and 2017), engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, see Item 7 of Part 1A and Item 10 of Part 2A of Newfleet’s current Form ADV (SEC File No. 801-51559) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and incorporated herein by reference. Information about Newfleet also may be found under the headings “Management of the Fund” in the Newfleet Multi-Sector Income ETF’s Prospectus and “Services of the Adviser and Sub-adviser” and “Management of the Trust” in the Newfleet Multi-Income Sector ETF’s Statement of Additional Information.

Treesdale Partners, LLC

Treesdale Partners, LLC (“Treesdale”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Gartman Gold/Yen ETF, AdvisorShares Gartman Gold/Euro ETF, and AdvisorShares Treesdale Rising Rates ETF. The principal address of Treesdale is 1325 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2302, New York, New York 10019. Treesdale is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of Treesdale are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co.

Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co. (“Sage Advisory Services”) serves as investment sub-advisor for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Sage Core Reserves ETF. The principal address of Sage Advisory Services is 5900 Southwest Parkway, Building I, Austin, Texas 78735. Sage Advisory Services is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of Sage Advisory Services are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Pacific Asset Management

Pacific Asset Management (“Pacific”) serves as investment sub-adviser for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Pacific Asset Enhanced Floating Rate ETF. The principal address of Pacific is 700 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. Pacific is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers of partners of Pacific are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner of trustee.

Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC

Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC (“Cornerstone”) serves as investment sub-adviser for the Trust’s AdvisorShares Cornerstone Small Cap ETF. The principal address of Cornerstone is 3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 900, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. Cornerstone is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of Cornerstone are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd.

Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. (“KIM”) serves as investment sub-adviser for the Trust’s AdvisorShares KIM Korea Equity ETF. The principal address of KIM is 88, Uisadang-Daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-745, Korea. KIM is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, none of the directors, officers or partners of KIM are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Sabretooth Advisors, LLC

Sabretooth Advisors, LLC (“Sabretooth”) serves as investment sub-adviser for the Trust’s AdvisorShares New Tech and Media ETF. The principal address of Sabretooth is 2600 Philmont Avenue, Suite 215, Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania 19006. Sabretooth is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, the following directors, officers or partners of Sabretooth Advisors, LLC are or have been engaged in the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, as indicated below, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

Name and Position with Sabretooth	Name of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
Scott Freeze, President/CIO	Street One Financial	President
	Precision Securities, LLC	Registered Rep
	5/12 Technologies	President

Name and Position with Sabretooth	Name of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
Dave Chojnacki, Portfolio Manager	Street One Technical	President
Shawn Turner, COO	Precision Securities, LLC	President/CCO
Doug Livingston, CFO	Precision Securities, LLC	Co-CCO
	Boursa Investments	CFO/CCO
	Velocity Capital	CFO/CCO
Simon Librati, CMO	212 Funds	General Partner
	Fusion Trading Solutions Inc.	Manager
	Fusion Miami, LLC	Manager

Item 32.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC

Item 32(a)

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

ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund

Absolute Shares Trust

Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust

AdvisorShares Trust

AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds

American Century ETF Trust

ARK ETF Trust

Avenue Mutual Funds Trust

BP Capital TwinLine Energy Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios

10.

BP Capital TwinLine MLP Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios

11.

Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

12.

Bridgeway Funds, Inc.

13.

Brinker Capital Destinations Trust

14.

Calvert Ultra-Short Duration Income NextShares, Series of Calvert Management Series

15.

Center Coast MLP & Infrastructure Fund

16.

Center Coast MLP Focus Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

17.

Context Capital Funds

18.

CornerCap Group of Funds

19.

Davis Fundamental ETF Trust

20.

Direxion Shares ETF Trust

21.

Eaton Vance NextShares Trust

22.

Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II

23.

EIP Investment Trust

24.

Elkhorn ETF Trust

25.

EntrepreneurShares Series Trust

26.

Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund

27.

Exchange Listed Funds Trust (f/k/a Exchange Traded Concepts Trust II)

28.

FEG Absolute Access Fund I LLC

29.

Fiera Capital Series Trust

30.

FlexShares Trust

31.

Forum Funds

32.

Forum Funds II

33.

FQF Trust

34.

Friess Small Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series

35.

GraniteShares ETF Trust

36.

Guinness Atkinson Funds

37.

Horizons ETF Trust I (f/k/a Recon Capital Series Trust)

38.

Infinity Core Alternative Fund

39.

Innovator IBD® 50 ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust

40.

Innovator IBD® ETF Leaders ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust

41.

Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC

42.

Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC

43.

John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

44.

Manor Investment Funds

45.

Miller/Howard Funds Trust

46.

Miller/Howard High Income Equity Fund

47.

Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

48.

MProved Systematic Long-Short Fund, Series Portfolios Trust

49.

MProved Systematic Merger Arbitrage Fund, Series Portfolios Trust

50.

MProved Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund, Series Portfolios Trust

51.

NYSE® Pickens Oil Response™ ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions

52.

OSI ETF Trust

53.

Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund

54.

Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC

55.

PENN Capital Funds Trust

56.

Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers

57.

Pine Grove Alternative Institutional Fund

58.

Plan Investment Fund, Inc.

59.

PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers

60.

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions

61.

Quaker Investment Trust

62.

Ranger Funds Investment Trust

63.

Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds

64.

RMB Investors Trust (f/k/a Burnham Investors Trust)

65.

Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

66.

Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

67.

Salient MF Trust

68.

SharesPost 100 Fund

69.

Sound Shore Fund, Inc.

70.

Steben Alternative Investment Funds

71.

Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund

72.

Strategy Shares

73.

The 504 Fund (f/k/a The Pennant 504 Fund)

74.

The Chartwell Funds

75.

The Community Development Fund

76.

The Relative Value Fund

77.

Third Avenue Trust

78.

Third Avenue Variable Series Trust

79.

TIFF Investment Program

80.

Transamerica ETF Trust

81.

U.S. Global Investors Funds

82.

VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

83.

VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

84.

VictoryShares Emerging Market High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

85.

VictoryShares Emerging Market Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

86.

VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

87.

VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

88.

VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

89.

VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

90.

VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

91.

VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

92.

VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

93.

VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

94.

VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

95.

VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

96.

Vivaldi Opportunities Fund

97.

West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund)

98.

Wintergreen Fund, Inc.

	99.	WisdomTree Trust
	100.	WST Investment Trust

Item 32(b)

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

Name	Address	Position with Underwriter	Position with Registrant

Richard J. Berthy	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101	President, Treasurer and Manager	None

Mark A. Fairbanks	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101	Vice President	None

Jennifer K. DiValerio	899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312	Vice President	None

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

Jennifer E. Hoopes	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101	Secretary	None

Item 32(c)

Not applicable.

Item 33.

Location of Accounts and Records

State the name and address of each person maintaining principal possession of each account, book or other document required to be maintained by section 31(a) of the 1940 Act Section 15 U.S.C. 80a-30(a) and the rules under that section.

All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the following offices:

(a)	Registrant:
	c/o AdvisorShares Investments, LLC
	4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150
	Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(b)	Adviser:
	AdvisorShares Investments, LLC
	4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 150
	Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(c)	Sub-Advisers:
	Dorsey, Wright & Associates, LLC
	1001 Boulder Springs Drive, Suite 150
	Richmond, Virginia 23225

	Peritus I Asset Management, LLC
	1216 State Street, 4th Floor
	Santa Barbara, California 93101

	Ranger Alternative Management L.P.
	2828 N. Harwood Street, Suite 1900
	Dallas, Texas 75201

	Madrona Funds, LLC
	2911 Bond Street, Suite 105
	Everett, Washington 98201

	American Retirement Planners, Inc.
	d/b/a American Wealth Management
	570 Hammill Lane
	Reno, Nevada 89511

	Wilshire Associates Incorporated
	1299 Ocean Avenue
	Santa Monica, California 90401

	Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC
	1216 State Street 3rd Floor
	Santa Barbara, California, 93101

	Newfleet Asset Management, LLC
	100 Pearl Street
	Hartford, Connecticut 06106

	Treesdale Partners, LLC
	1325 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2302
	New York, New York 10019

	Sage Advisory Services, Ltd. Co.
	5900 Southwest Parkway, Building I
	Austin, Texas 78735

	Pacific Asset Management
	700 Newport Center Drive
	Newport Beach, California 92660

	Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC
	3438 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 900
	Atlanta, Georgia 30326

	Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd.
	88, Uisadang-Daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu
	Seoul, 150-745, Korea

	Sabretooth Advisors, LLC
	2600 Philmont Avenue, Suite 215
	Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania 19006

(d)	Principal Underwriter:
	Foreside Fund Services, LLC
	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
	Portland, Maine 04101

(e)	Custodian and Administrator:
	The Bank of New York Mellon
	101 Barclay Street
	New York, New York 10286

Item 34.

Management Services

Not Applicable.

Item 35.

Undertakings

Not Applicable.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bethesda, State of Maryland on the 26^th day of March 2018.

	AdvisorShares Trust

	/s/ Noah Hamman
	Noah Hamman
	President

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacity and on the date indicated.

Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Noah Hamman	Trustee and President	March 26, 2018
Noah Hamman

*	Trustee	March 26, 2018
Elizabeth Piper/Bach

*	Trustee	March 26, 2018
William G. McVay

*	Treasurer	March 26, 2018
Dan Ahrens

/s/ Noah Hamman
* Noah Hamman, Power of Attorney

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number		Exhibit

EX-99.H.10		Schedule A, as revised November 21, 2017, to the Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 8, 2017 between the Registrant and AdvisorShares Investments, LLC

EX-99.P.11		Amended and Restated Code of Ethics, as of October 1, 2017, of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., parent company of Newfleet Asset Management, LLC

EX-99.P.15		Code of Ethics of Cornerstone Investment Partners, LLC