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AdvisorShares Vice ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares Vice ETF
ADVISORSHARES VICE ETF NASDAQ Ticker: ACT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AdvisorShares Vice 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)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
AdvisorShares Vice ETF (Prospectus Summary)
AdvisorShares Vice ETF
AdvisorShares Vice ETF
MANAGEMENT FEES 0.60%
DISTRIBUTION (12b-1) FEES none
OTHER EXPENSES 0.83%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES 1.43%
FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT (0.44%) [1],[2]
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT 0.99%
[1] 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 0.99% 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. If it becomes unnecessary for the Advisor to waive fees or reimburse expenses, the Trust's Board of Trustees may permit the Advisor to retain the difference between the 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 within three years of the date they were waived or reimbursed.
[2] The amount of fee waiver/expense reimbursement has been restated to reflect the current expense limit of 0.99%. Prior to November 1, 2019, the expense limit was 0.75% and the amount waived/reimbursed for the most recent fiscal year was 0.68%.
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:

Expense Example
1 YEAR
3 YEARS
5 YEARS
10 YEARS
AdvisorShares Vice ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares Vice ETF | AdvisorShares Vice ETF | USD ($) 101 409 740 1,675
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. During the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 76% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund ("ETF") that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of companies that derive at least 50% of their net revenue from tobacco and alcoholic beverages and companies that derive at least 50% of their net revenue from the marijuana and hemp industry or have at least 50% of their company assets dedicated to lawful research and development of cannabis or cannabinoid-related products.

 

The Fund will invest primarily in U.S. exchange listed equity securities, including common and preferred stock and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). ADRs are securities traded on a local stock exchange that represent interests in securities issued by a foreign publicly listed company. The investment strategy typically identifies a wide variety of large- and mid-capitalization stocks, as well as numerous small- and micro-cap stocks.

 

The Fund will concentrate at least 25% of its investments in the food, beverage & tobacco industry group within the consumer staples sector. As of June 30, 2019, a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio was comprised of companies in the agricultural products sub-industry within the consumer staples sector, although this may change from time to time. In addition to its investment in securities of companies that derive a significant portion of their assets or revenue from tobacco and alcoholic beverages, the marijuana and hemp industry, and cannabis or cannabinoid-related products, the Fund also will seek to invest in equity securities of companies that, in the opinion of the Advisor, may have current or future revenues from cannabis-related business.

 

Cannabis stocks may be categorized among a wide variety of industries including agriculture, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, real estate, retail, and finance. The types of companies that may engage in cannabis-related business include companies that conduct medical research, produce drug products, manufacture hemp products, or engage in agricultural activities, real estate activities, or financial services activities. The terms "marijuana" and "cannabis" are used interchangeably. Hemp refers to the industrial/commercial use of the cannabis stalk and seed for textiles, foods, papers, body care products, detergents, plastics and building materials. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds secreted by cannabis plants. Cannabinoids can also be synthetically produced chemical compounds and used in lawful research and development of prescription drugs or other products utilizing cannabinoids as an active ingredient. The Advisor believes that continued legislative changes and social acceptance of cannabis in its various formats could lead to significant growth in cannabis-related public corporations. Companies involved in cannabis-related business could also benefit from significant merger and acquisition activity as the cannabis market matures. The Fund will only invest in companies that engage in cannabis-related business that is permitted by national and local laws.

 

The Advisor may use a variety of methods for security selection and will seek to focus on firms that are fundamentally sound and have shown consistency in their financial results and earnings quality. As the Fund primarily focuses on certain industries, the Advisor intends to select companies with strong operating histories and dominant positions in their respective markets. The Advisor will utilize numerous outside analyst ratings and stock selection rating tools. In addition, the Advisor may invest the Fund's assets in lesser-known companies that the Advisor believes have a unique opportunity for growth. At times, the Advisor may aim to buy certain out-of-favor stocks believed to be at prices below their intrinsic value, as measured by the Advisor or outside analysts. The Fund may sell a security when the Advisor believes that the security is overvalued or better investment opportunities are available, or to limit position size within the Fund's portfolio.

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.

 

Cannabis-Related Company Risk.  Cannabis-related companies are subject to various laws and regulations that may differ at the state/local and federal level.  These laws and regulations may significantly affect a cannabis-related company's ability to secure financing, impact the market for marijuana industry sales and services, and set limitations on marijuana use, production, transportation, and storage. In addition to regulatory action, litigation initiated by private citizens or companies could have a negative impact on the financial and/or operational status of cannabis-related companies. Cannabis-related companies may also be required to secure permits and authorizations from government agencies to cultivate or research marijuana.  In addition, cannabis-related companies are subject to the risks associated with the agricultural, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.

 

U.S. Regulation of Marijuana. Although the medical use of marijuana is legal in more than half of the states as well as the District of Columbia and non-medical use of marijuana is legal in eight states and the District of Columbia, the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal under U.S. federal law.  In addition, pronouncements from the current Administration suggest the Department of Justice ("DOJ") may push back against states where marijuana use and possession is legal, step up the enforcement of federal marijuana laws and the prosecution of nonviolent federal drug crimes and, in the event the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment is not renewed by Congress, begin using federal funds to prevent states from implementing laws that authorize medical marijuana use, possession, distribution, and cultivation. Such actions by the DOJ could produce a chilling effect on the industry's growth and discourage banks from expanding their services to cannabis-related companies where such services are currently limited. This conflict between the regulation of marijuana under federal and state law creates volatility and risk for all cannabis-related companies.  In particular, the stepped up enforcement of marijuana laws by the federal government would adversely affect the value of the Fund's U.S. investments. Because marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, no drug product containing cannabis or cannabis extracts has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") or obtained registrations for commercial production from the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), and there is no guarantee that such products will ever be legally produced or sold in the U.S. Cannabis-related companies in the U.S. that engage in medical or pharmaceutical research or the production and distribution of controlled substances such as marijuana must be registered with the DEA to perform such activities and have the security, control, recordkeeping, reporting and inventory mechanisms required by the DEA to prevent drug loss and diversion. With respect to cannabis-related companies and vendors servicing such companies, the Fund will not invest in companies that grow, sell, distribute, transport, or handle cannabis unless they are registered with the DEA or otherwise in compliance with U.S. federal regulations, thus allowing them to legally handle the product, nor will the Fund invest in vendors principally established and operating to provide products and services to cannabis-related companies.

 

Non-U.S. Regulation of Marijuana. Laws and regulations related to the possession, use (medical or recreational), sale, transport and cultivation of marijuana vary throughout the world, and the Fund will only invest in non-U.S. cannabis-related companies if such companies are operating legally in the relevant jurisdiction. These laws and regulations are subject to change and may have a significant impact on the operations of a cannabis-related company.  Such operations may be legal under current law, but may be illegal in the future if the applicable law changes to prohibit marijuana-related activities vital to the company's business.

 

Consumer Staples Sector Risk: Consumer staples companies are subject to government regulation affecting their products which may negatively impact such companies' performance. Also, the success of food, beverage, household and personal product companies may be strongly affected by consumer interest, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting supply and demand, including performance of the overall domestic and global economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence and spending.

 

Agriculture Products Sub-Industry Risk: Economic forces, including forces affecting agricultural markets, as well as government policies and regulations affecting agriculture companies, could adversely impact the Fund's investments. Agricultural and livestock production and trade flows are significantly affected by government policies and regulations. In addition, companies in the agriculture products sub-industry must comply with a broad range of environmental laws and regulations. Additional or more stringent environmental laws and regulations may be enacted in the future and such changes could have a material adverse effect on the business of such companies. In addition, agriculture companies may be significantly affected by adverse weather, pollution and/or disease which could limit or halt production.

 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco Industry Group Risk: Companies in the food, beverage and tobacco industry are very competitive and subject to a number of risks. Demographic and product trends, changing consumer preferences, nutritional and health-related concerns, competitive pricing, marketing campaigns, environmental factors, adverse changes in general economic conditions, government regulation, food inspection and processing control, consumer boycotts, risks of product tampering, product liability claims, and the availability and expense of liability insurance can affect the demand for, and success of, such companies' products in the marketplace. Such companies also face risks associated with changing market prices as a result of, among other things, changes in government support and trading policies and agricultural conditions influencing the growth and harvest seasons. Tobacco companies in particular may be adversely affected by the adoption of proposed legislation and/or by litigation.

 

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.

 

ETF Market Risk. In stressed market conditions, the market for ETF shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the ETF's underlying portfolio holdings. This adverse effect on liquidity for the ETF's shares in turn can lead to differences between the market price of the ETF's shares and the underlying value of those shares.

 

Growth Investing Risk.  Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since those companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their businesses, they may lack the dividends of value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. The prices of growth stocks are based largely on projections of the issuer's future earnings and revenues. If a company's earnings or revenues fall short of expectations, its stock price may fall dramatically.

 

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.

 

Management Risk. The 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 Advisor's judgment about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these factors 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.

 

Mid-Capitalization Risk. Mid-cap companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-cap companies to have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, and to depend on a few key employees. Returns on investments in stocks of mid-cap companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of large-cap companies or the equity market as a whole.

 

Small-Capitalization Risk. Security prices of small-cap companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies and, therefore, the Fund's share price may be more volatile than those of funds that invest a larger percentage of their assets in securities issued by larger-cap companies. These risks are even greater for micro-cap companies.

 

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.

 

Value Investing Risk. Because the Fund may utilize a value style of investing, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor results relative to other funds, even in a rising market, if the Advisor's assessment of a company's value or prospects for exceeding earnings expectations or market conditions is incorrect.

FUND PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table that follow show how the Fund has performed on a calendar year basis and provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table also shows how the Fund's performance compares to the S&P 500 Index, which is a broad-based, unmanaged measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average of 500 widely held common stocks. Both the bar chart and the table assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. 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.

Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart

The Fund's year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2019 was 9.86%.

 

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

    Return   Quarter/Year
Highest Return   5.41%   3Q/2018
Lowest Return   -18.88%   4Q/2018
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
Average Annual Total Returns - AdvisorShares Vice ETF (Prospectus Summary) - AdvisorShares Vice ETF
Label
1 Year
Since Inception
Inception Date
AdvisorShares Vice ETF Return Before Taxes Based on NAV (16.31%) (11.72%) Dec. 11, 2017
AdvisorShares Vice ETF | Return After Taxes on Distributions Return After Taxes on Distributions (16.65%) (12.13%) Dec. 11, 2017
AdvisorShares Vice ETF | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (9.42%) (8.96%) Dec. 11, 2017
S&P 500 Index S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) (4.38%) (3.77%) Dec. 11, 2017

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares may exceed other average annual total returns due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.