485BPOS 1 d805333d485bpos.htm ALPS ETF TRUST ALPS ETF Trust

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2015

Securities Act File No. 333-148826

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175

UNITED STATES

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. 242

   x            

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

   x            

 

 

Amendment No. 243

   x            

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

ALPS ETF TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(303) 623-2577

Registrant’s Telephone Number

David T. Buhler, Esq.

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Stuart M. Strauss, Esq.

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

x

Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

¨

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨

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

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

 

 


[ALPS® LOGO]

ALPS ETF TRUST

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF (NYSE ARCA: IEQL)

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (NYSE ARCA: EEQL)

PROSPECTUS

April 23, 2015

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTIONS

  

ALPS MSCI EAFE EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHTED ETF

     1   

ALPS MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHTED ETF

     7   

INTRODUCTION—ALPS ETF TRUST

     13   

TAX-ADVANTAGED PRODUCT STRUCTURE

     13   

ALPS MSCI EAFE EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHTED ETF

     14   

ALPS MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHTED ETF

     14   

SECONDARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

     19   

ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS

     20   

INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

     21   

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     22   

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

     22   

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

     25   

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

     25   

INDEX PROVIDER

     26   

DISCLAIMERS

     26   

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

     27   

OTHER INFORMATION

     29   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     30   

FOR MORE INFORMATION

     30   


SUMMARY SECTION

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF (the “Fund”)

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted Index (ticker symbol MXEAESW) (the “Underlying Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Shares”). Investors purchasing or selling Shares in the secondary market may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker. These costs are not included in the expense example below.

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

 

Management fees

     0.30

Other expenses(1)

     0.00

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     0.30

(1)“Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year and are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same each year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

One Year      

   Three Years

$    31

   $    97

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, may affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, there is no portfolio turnover to report.

 

1


Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index represents an alternative weighting scheme to its market-cap weighted parent index, the MSCI EAFE Index (the “Parent Index”), which is designed to measure international equity performance. The Underlying Index includes the same large-and mid-cap constituents as the Parent Index but applies an equal sector weighting across the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”®) sectors (“Sectors”) at each semi-annual index review date. The Underlying Index includes stocks tied to Europe, Australasia and the Far East and, as of March 19, 2015, consisted of stocks of 899 issuers tied to the following 21 developed market countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Parent Index and Underlying Index are compiled by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI” or the “Index Provider”).

Equal weighting is a method of weighting the Sectors that comprise the Parent Index whereby approximately the same exposure is provided to all Sectors represented by the constituent securities in the Parent Index. The Sectors are: the consumer discretionary sector, consumer staples sector, energy sector, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, materials sector, telecommunication services sector and utilities sector. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on a semi-annual basis in May and November, coinciding with the semi-annual index reviews of the Parent Index. At each semi-annual index review, all Sectors in the Underlying Index are weighted equally. Within each Sector, the securities are weighted relative to their free float adjusted market capitalization, which is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding. Between rebalancing periods, Sector weights will fluctuate according to the underlying constituents’ free float adjusted market cap weights.

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index (or depositary receipts based on such securities). Under normal conditions, the Fund generally will seek to “replicate” the Underlying Index by investing in all of the securities that comprise the Underlying Index in proportion to their weightings in the Underlying Index; however, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Underlying Index in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Fund may purchase a sample of the securities in the Underlying Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking performance which corresponds to the performance of the Underlying Index.

Principal Investment Risks

Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause you to lose money.

Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

Equity Risk. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk, which is the risk that the value of the securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held

 

2


by the Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common stock is subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while broad market measures of common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.

Foreign Investment Risk. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors. The Fund will not enter into transactions to hedge against declines in the value of the Fund’s assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. In addition, the Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities.

United Kingdom Investment Risk. To the extent the Underlying Index is more heavily weighted in stocks tied to the United Kingdom, the Fund may be subject to risks related to investing in the United Kingdom. Investments in British issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security and economic risk specific to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in Europe, and the United States and other European countries are substantial trading partners of the United Kingdom. As a result, the British economy may be impacted by changes to the economic condition of the United States and other European countries. The British economy, along with certain other European Union economies, experienced a significant economic slowdown during the recent financial crisis; certain British financial institutions suffered significant losses, were severely under-capitalized and required government intervention to survive.

Japan Investment Risk. To the extent the Underlying Index is more heavily weighted in stocks tied to Japan, the Fund may be subject to risks related to investing in Japan. The Japanese economy may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability, which could have a negative impact on Japanese securities. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low and it may remain low in the future. In addition, Japan is subject to the risk of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons and tsunamis.

Concentration Risk. The Fund seeks to track the Underlying Index, which itself may have concentration in certain regions, economies, countries, markets, industries or Sectors. Underperformance or increased risk in such concentrated areas may result in underperformance or increased risk in the Fund.

Liquidity Risk. It may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) believes it is desirable to do so. The Fund’s investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities.

 

3


Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in securities of mid-capitalization companies are subject to the risks of common stocks. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally have a limited track record. Smaller companies often have narrower markets, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

Non-Correlation Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Underlying Index. In addition, the performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary due to asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions. Tax withholdings imposed by foreign countries may also contribute to differences between the Fund’s return and the return of the Underlying Index.

Due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed domestically or by certain countries in which securities in the Underlying Index trade, the Fund may not be able to invest in all securities included in the Underlying Index. The Fund may exclude certain securities included in the Underlying Index that are traded in certain countries due to issues such as trading restrictions, cost or liquidity constraints. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate from the Underlying Index.

The Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and expenses. If the Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index, its return may not correlate as well with the return on the Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.

To the extent the Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”) based on fair value prices and the value of the Underlying Index is based on securities closing prices on local foreign markets, (i.e. the value of the Underlying Index is not based on fair value prices) or the Fund otherwise calculates its NAV based on prices that differ from those used in calculating the Underlying Index, the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index may be adversely affected.

Issuer Specific Changes. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.

Underlying Sector Risk. The Fund will be exposed to the additional risks associated with its investments in companies of each Sector of the Underlying Index. For more on these risks, see “Risks of Underlying Sectors” in this Prospectus.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for Shares on the NYSE Arca. The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of the Underlying Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time.

 

4


Replication Management Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index.

 

5


Fund Performance

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations. When the Fund has completed a full calendar year of investment operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns (before and after taxes) compared to the Underlying Index and a benchmark index selected for the Fund.

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Michael Akins, Senior Vice President, Director of Index Management & Product Oversight of ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Ryan Mischker, Manager of Index Management, are responsible for the day to day management of the Fund. Mr. Akins and Mr. Mischker have each served in such capacity since the Fund’s inception.

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

The Trust will issue and redeem Shares at NAV only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit” or multiples thereof. A Creation Unit consists of 100,000 Shares. Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities in the Underlying Index and/or cash.

Individual Shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) under the ticker symbol IEQL and because Shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

 

6


SUMMARY SECTION

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (the “Fund”)

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted Index (ticker symbol MXEFESW) (the “Underlying Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Shares”). Investors purchasing or selling Shares in the secondary market may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker. These costs are not included in the expense example below.

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

 

Management fees

     0.40

Other expenses(1)

     0.00

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     0.40

(1)“Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year and are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same each year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

One Year      

   Three Years  

$    41

   $     128   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, may affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, there is no portfolio turnover to report.

 

7


Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index represents an alternative weighting scheme to its market-cap weighted parent index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “Parent Index”), which is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The Underlying Index includes the same large- and mid-cap constituents as the Parent Index but applies an equal sector weighting across the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”®) sectors (“Sectors”) at each semi-annual index review date. As of March 19, 2015, the Underlying Index consisted of stocks of 818 issuers tied to the following 23 emerging market countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Parent Index and Underlying Index are compiled by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI” or the “Index Provider”).

Equal weighting is a method of weighting the Sectors that comprise the Parent Index whereby approximately the same exposure is provided to all Sectors represented by the constituent securities in the Parent Index. These Sectors are: the consumer discretionary sector, consumer staples sector, energy sector, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, materials sector, telecommunication services sector and utilities sector. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on a semi-annual basis in May and November, coinciding with the semi-annual index reviews of the Parent Index. At each semi-annual index review, all Sectors in the Underlying Index are weighted equally. Within each Sector, the securities are weighted relative to their free float adjusted market capitalization, which is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding. Between rebalancing periods, Sector weights will fluctuate according to the underlying constituents’ free float adjusted market cap weights.

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index (or depositary receipts based on such securities). Under normal conditions, the Fund generally will seek to “replicate” the Underlying Index by investing in all of the securities that comprise the Underlying Index in proportion to their weightings in the Underlying Index; however, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Underlying Index in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Fund may purchase a sample of the securities in the Underlying Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking performance which corresponds to the performance of the Underlying Index.

Principal Investment Risks

Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause you to lose money.

Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

Equity Risk. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk, which is the risk that the value of the securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the

 

8


stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held by the Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common stock is subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while broad market measures of common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.

Foreign Investment Risk. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors. The Fund will not enter into transactions to hedge against declines in the value of the Fund’s assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. In addition, the Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities.

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in securities and instruments that are economically tied to emerging market countries. Emerging market countries are countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations. Emerging market countries can include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most countries located in Western Europe. Investing in foreign countries, particularly emerging market countries, entails the risk that news and events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times. To the extent a substantial portion of the Underlying Index consists of securities from underling issuers located in particular geographic areas, natural disasters, such as volcano eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, epidemics, or other such events, could have significant impact on the performance and/or risk of the Fund.

China Investment Risk. To the extent the Underlying Index is more heavily weighted in stocks tied to China, the Fund may be subject to risks related to investing in China. Investment in securities of Chinese issuers involves risks not typically associated with investments in securities of issuers in more developed countries that may negatively affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Such investment subjects the Fund to a considerable degree of economic, political and social instability risk. Among other things, disparities of wealth and the pace of economic liberalization may lead to social turmoil, violence and labor unrest. A greater risk of social unrest and conflicts with other countries may lead to currency fluctuations, currency convertibility restrictions, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. In addition, sudden and significant investment losses could arise from unanticipated political or social developments. The risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested is greater than in many developed markets due to the extensive involvement of the Chinese government in economic regulation and intervention.

 

9


South Korea Investment Risk. To the extent the Underlying Index is more heavily weighted in stocks tied to South Korea, the Fund may be subject to risks related to investing in South Korea. Investment in securities of South Korean issuers involves risks not typically associated with investments in securities of issuers in more developed countries that may negatively affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Such investment subjects the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security and economic risk specific to South Korea. Among other things, substantial political tensions exist between North Korea and South Korea and these political tensions have recently escalated. Either the threat of an outbreak of hostilities or the outright outbreak of hostilities between the two nations would likely adversely impact the South Korean economy. In addition, due mainly to a rapidly aging population and structural problems, South Korea’s economic growth potential has recently been on a decline.

Concentration Risk. The Fund seeks to track the Underlying Index, which itself may have concentration in certain regions, economies, countries, markets, industries or Sectors. Underperformance or increased risk in such concentrated areas may result in underperformance or increased risk in the Fund.

Liquidity Risk. It may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) believes it is desirable to do so. The Fund’s investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities.

Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in securities of mid-capitalization companies are subject to the risks of common stocks. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally have a limited track record. Smaller companies often have narrower markets, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

Non-Correlation Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Underlying Index. In addition, the performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary due to asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions. Tax withholdings imposed by foreign countries may also contribute to differences between the Fund’s return and the return of the Underlying Index.

Due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed domestically or by certain countries in which securities in the Underlying Index trade, the Fund may not be able to invest in all securities included in the Underlying Index. The Fund may exclude certain securities included in the Underlying Index that are traded in certain countries due to issues such as trading restrictions, cost or liquidity constraints. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate from the Underlying Index.

The Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and expenses. If the Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index, its return may not correlate as well with the return on the Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.

 

10


To the extent the Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”) based on fair value prices and the value of the Underlying Index is based on securities closing prices on local foreign markets, (i.e. the value of the Underlying Index is not based on fair value prices) or the Fund otherwise calculates its NAV based on prices that differ from those used in calculating the Underlying Index, the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index may be adversely affected.

Issuer Specific Changes. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.

Underlying Sector Risk. The Fund will be exposed to the additional risks associated with its investments in companies of each Sector of the Underlying Index. For more on these risks, see “Risks of Underlying Sectors” in this Prospectus.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for Shares on the NYSE Arca. The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of the Underlying Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time.

Replication Management Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index.

 

11


Fund Performance

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations. When the Fund has completed a full calendar year of investment operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns (before and after taxes) compared to the Underlying Index and a benchmark index selected for the Fund.

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

Michael Akins, Senior Vice President, Director of Index Management & Product Oversight of ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Ryan Mischker, Manager of Index Management, are responsible for the day to day management of the Fund. Mr. Akins and Mr. Mischker have each served in such capacity since the Fund’s inception.

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

The Trust will issue and redeem Shares at NAV only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit” or multiples thereof. A Creation Unit consists of 50,000 Shares. Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities in the Underlying Index and/or cash.

Individual Shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) under the ticker symbol EEQL and because Shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

 

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INTRODUCTION—ALPS ETF TRUST

The ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment company currently consisting of twenty-two separate exchange-traded funds. This prospectus relates to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF.

The Fund’s shares (the “Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca. The Fund’s Shares will trade at market prices that may differ to some degree from the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Shares. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund will issue and redeem Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in large specified blocks of 50,000 Shares, with respect to ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF and 100,000 Shares, with respect to ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF, each of which is called a “Creation Unit.” Creation Units will be issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

TAX-ADVANTAGED PRODUCT STRUCTURE

Unlike interests in many conventional mutual funds, the Shares are traded throughout the day on a national securities exchange, whereas mutual fund interests are typically only bought and sold at closing NAVs. The Shares have been designed to be tradable in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis, and to be created and redeemed principally in-kind in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. These arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from adverse effects on the Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash creation and redemption transactions. In a conventional mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the mutual fund’s need to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas the in-kind redemption mechanism utilized by most exchange-traded funds, including the Fund, generally will not lead to a tax event for the Fund or its ongoing shareholders.

 

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ALPS MSCI EAFE EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHTED ETF

ALPS MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHTED ETF

Investment Objectives

The ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted Index. The ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted Index (each index, an “Underlying Index”). Each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Each Fund has adopted a policy that requires the Fund to provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice prior to any material change in the Fund’s investment objective.

Additional Information about Principal Investment Strategies

The Board of Trustees of the Trust may change a Fund’s investment strategy and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated.

Underlying Index Descriptions

MSCI Inc. (“MSCI” or the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”). The Index Provider has entered into a license agreement with the Adviser to use the Underlying Index (the “License Agreement”). Each Underlying Index is disseminated publicly through sources such as Reuters and Bloomberg.

MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted Index

The MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted Index was created by the Index Provider to provide an alternative weighting scheme to its market-cap weighted parent index, the MSCI EAFE Index (the “Parent Index”), which is designed to measure international equity performance. The Underlying Index includes the same large- and mid-cap constituents as the Parent Index but applies an equal Sector weighting across the GICS Sectors at each semi-annual index review date. The Underlying Index includes stocks tied to Europe, Australasia and the Far East and, as of March 19, 2015, consisted of stocks tied to the following 21 developed market countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted Index

The MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted Index was created by the Index Provider to provide an alternative weighting scheme to its market-cap weighted parent index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “Parent Index”), which is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The Underlying Index includes the same large- and mid-cap constituents as the Parent Index but applies an equal Sector weighting across the GICS Sectors at each semi-annual index review date. As of March 19, 2015, the Underlying Index consisted of stocks tied to the following 23 emerging market countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

 

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Underlying Index Construction

Each Underlying Index includes the same large- and mid-cap constituents as its respective Parent Index but applies an equal Sector weighting across the Sectors at each semi-annual index review date. The Sectors are: the consumer discretionary sector, consumer staples sector, energy sector, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, materials sector, telecommunication services sector and utilities sector. Sectors may be added or deleted without advance notice.

Each Underlying Index is rebalanced on a semi-annual basis in May and November, coinciding with the semi-annual index reviews of each Parent Index. At each semi-annual index review, all Sectors in each Underlying Index are weighted equally. Within each Sector, the securities are weighted relative to their free float adjusted market capitalization, which is calculated by taking the security’s price and multiplying it by the number of shares readily available in the market rather than the total number of shares outstanding. Between rebalancing periods, Sector weights will fluctuate according to the underlying constituents’ free float adjusted market cap weights.

Changes to a Parent Index are simultaneously reflected in the corresponding Underlying Index. Early inclusions of new securities to a Parent Index, such as initial public offerings (“IPOs”), will be simultaneously added to the corresponding Underlying Index with a constraint factor reflecting a weight that the security would have had as a result of an equal Sector weighted index rebalancing at the time of IPO inclusion. A constraint factor is defined as the security’s weight in the Underlying Index at the time of the rebalancing divided by its weight in the Parent Index. The weights of the constituent securities are then normalized to bring the total weight of the Underlying Index to 100%.

Additions and deletions due to corporate events are aimed at minimizing turnover in the Underlying Indexes. A security added to a Parent Index following a corporate event (e.g. merger, acquisition, spin-off) will also be added to the corresponding Underlying Index with an estimated capped weight. If an Underlying Index constituent acquires or merges with another Underlying Index constituent, the surviving constituent is maintained in the Underlying Index with a constraint factor calculated as the weighted average of the two constituents’ constraint factors before the corporate event. If a spun off security of an Underlying Index constituent is added to the Parent Index, it will be added to the Underlying Index with the same constraint factor as its parent security.

A constituent deleted from a Parent Index following a corporate event will be simultaneously deleted from the corresponding Underlying Index.

The construction methodology for each Underlying Index may change without advance notice.

Parent Index Construction

Selection Criteria. With respect to each Parent Index, the Index Provider’s index construction process involves: (i) defining the equity universe; (ii) determining the market investable equity universe for each market; (iii) determining market capitalization size segments for each market; and (iv) applying final size segment investability requirements.

Defining the Equity Universe. The Index Provider begins with securities listed in the relevant countries. For the MSCI EAFE Index, this consists of developed countries but excludes the United States and Canada. For the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, this consists of emerging market countries but excludes frontier market countries. All listed equity securities and listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives, limited partnerships and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) in some countries are also eligible for inclusion. Each company and its securities are classified in only one country.

 

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Determining the Market Investable Equity Universe for Each Market. The equity universe in any market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe of that market. Some investability requirements are applied at the individual security level and some at the overall company level, represented by the aggregation of individual securities of the company. As a result, the inclusion or exclusion of one security does not imply the automatic inclusion or exclusion of other securities of the same company.

Weighting. Each Parent Index is free float weighted, i.e., companies are included in the Parent Index at the value of their free public float (free float multiplied by security price).

Regional Weights. Market capitalization weighting, combined with a consistent target of approximately 99% of free float-adjusted market capitalization, helps ensure that each country’s weight approximates its weight in the total universe of developed and emerging markets, as applicable. A market is equivalent to a single country except for developed Europe, where all markets are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes.

Free Float. The Index Provider defines the free float of a security as the proportion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. In practice, limitations on free float available to international investors include: (i) strategic and other shareholdings not considered part of available free float; and (ii) limits on share ownership for foreigners.

Under the Index Provider’s free float-adjustment methodology, a constituent’s inclusion factor is equal to its estimated free float rounded-up to the closest 5% for constituents with free float equal to or exceeding 15%. For example, a constituent security with a free float of 23.2% will be included in the index at 25% of its market capitalization. For securities with a free float of less than 15%, the estimated free float is adjusted to the nearest 1%.

Changes to the Parent Indexes. The Index Provider maintains the Parent Indexes with the objective of reflecting, on a timely basis, the evolution of the underlying equity markets. In maintaining the Parent Indexes, emphasis is also placed on continuity, replicability and minimizing turnover in Parent Indexes. Maintaining the Parent Indexes involves many aspects, including (i) additions to, and deletions from, the Parent Indexes; (ii) changes in number of shares; and (iii) changes in inclusion factors as a result of updated free float estimates.

Index maintenance can be described by three broad categories of changes:

 

 

Semi-Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”), conducted on a fixed semi-annual timetable that systematically reassess the various dimensions of the equity universe for the applicable market;

 

 

Quarterly Index Reviews (“QIRs”), aimed at promptly reflecting other significant market events; and

 

 

Ongoing event-related changes, such as mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, reorganizations and other similar corporate events, which generally are implemented in the Parent Indexes as they occur.

The Index Provider conducts SAIRs generally as of the close of the last business day of May and November. During the SAIRs, the Index Provider updates the investable equity universe and reassesses

 

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size segmentation investability requirements. The Index Provider also conducts QIRs generally as of the close of the last business day of February and August. During the QIRs, the Index Provider reflects changes in the Parent Index that were not captured at the time of their actual occurrence, but are significant enough to be included before the next SAIR. The results of the SAIR and QIR are generally announced at least ten business days in advance of implementation.

The construction methodology for each Parent Index may change without advance notice.

Additional Information Regarding the GICS Sectors

GICS was developed by the Index Provider in collaboration with S&P Dow Jones Indexes. The ten Sectors are further divided into 24 industry groups, which are in turn divided into 67 industries, which are further subdivided into 156 sub-industries. A company may only be classified under one sub-industry. As a general rule, a company is classified in the sub-industry whose definition most closely describes the business activities that generate more than 60% of the company’s revenues. The primary source of this information is a company’s annual reports and accounts. Other sources include brokers’ reports and other published literature. A company’s sub-industry classification is reviewed when a significant corporate restructuring occurs or when a new annual report is available.

Risks of Underlying Sectors

Each Sector of each Underlying Index presents additional risks associated with investments in companies in the Sector, and the Funds are subject to these risks as well. Additional underlying Sector specific risks include:

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. Companies engaged in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to fluctuations in supply and demand. These companies may also be adversely affected by changes in consumer spending as a result of world events, political and economic conditions, commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources and labor relations.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. Companies in the consumer staples sector are subject to government regulation affecting their products which may negatively impact such companies’ performance. For instance, government regulations may affect the permissibility of using various food additives and production methods of companies that make food products, which could affect company profitability. Tobacco companies may be adversely affected by the adoption of proposed legislation and/or by litigation. Also, the success of food, beverage, household and personal products companies may be strongly affected by consumer interest, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting supply and demand, including performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence and spending.

Energy Sector Risk. Companies in the energy sector develop and produce oil, gas and consumable fuels and provide drilling and other energy resources production and distribution related services. Stock prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand, exploration and production spending, world events and economic conditions, swift price and supply fluctuations, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Weak demand for energy companies’ products or services or for energy products and services in general, as well as negative developments in these other areas, including natural disasters or terrorist attacks, would adversely impact the energy sector.

 

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Financials Sector Risk. Financial services companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, the interest rates and fees they can charge, the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds, and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, the deterioration of the credit markets since 2007 generally has caused an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Adverse economic, business or political developments affecting real estate could have a major effect on the value of real estate securities (which include REITs). Declining real estate values could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.

Health Care Sector Risk. Companies in the health care sector are subject to extensive government regulation and their profitability can be significantly affected by restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure (including price discounting), limited product lines and an increased emphasis on the delivery of healthcare through outpatient services. Companies in the health care sector are heavily dependent on obtaining and defending patents, which may be time consuming and costly, and the expiration of patents may also adversely affect the profitability of the companies. Health care companies are also subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. In addition, their products can become obsolete due to industry innovation, change in technologies or other market developments. Many new products in the health care sector require significant research and development and may be subject to regulatory approvals, all of which may be time consuming and costly with no guarantee that any product will come to market.

Industrials Sector Risk. Stock prices for the types of companies included in the industrials sector are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrials sector products in general. Government regulation, world events and economic conditions, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Aerospace and defense companies, a component of the industrials sector, can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely to a significant extent on U.S. and foreign government demand for their products and services. Thus, the financial condition of, and investor interest in, aerospace and defense companies are heavily influenced by governmental defense spending policies which are typically under pressure from efforts to control the U.S. (and other) government budgets. Transportation stocks, a component of the industrials sector, are cyclical and have occasional sharp price movements which may result from changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor agreement and insurance costs.

Information Technology Sector Risk. Market or economic factors impacting information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology advances could have a major effect on the value of stocks in the information technology sector. The value of stocks of technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability. Additionally, companies in the information technology sector may face dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel.

 

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Materials Sector Risk. The materials sector includes companies from the following industries: chemicals; metals & mining; paper & forest products; containers & packaging; and construction materials. Many companies in the materials sector are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, the exchange value of the dollar, import controls, worldwide competition, environmental policies and consumer demand. At times, worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liability for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, technical progress, labor relations, and government regulations.

Telecommunication Services Sector Risk. The telecommunications industry is subject to extensive government regulation. The costs of complying with governmental regulations, delays or failure to receive required regulatory approvals or the enactment of new adverse regulatory requirements may adversely affect the business of the telecommunications companies. The telecommunications industry can also be significantly affected by intense competition, including competition with alternative technologies such as wireless communications, product compatibility, consumer preferences, rapid product obsolescence and research and development of new products. Technological innovations may make the products and services of telecommunications companies obsolete. Other risks include uncertainties resulting from such companies’ diversification into new domestic and international businesses, as well as agreements by any such companies linking future rate increases to inflation or other factors not directly related to the actual operating profits of the enterprise.

Utilities Sector Risk. Stock prices for companies in the utilities sector are affected by supply and demand, operating costs, governmental regulation, environmental factors, liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, and rate caps or rate changes. Although rate changes of a utility usually fluctuate in approximate correlation with financing costs due to political and regulatory factors, rate changes ordinarily occur only following a delay after the changes in financing costs. This factor will tend to favorably affect a regulated utility company’s earnings and dividends in times of decreasing costs, but conversely, will tend to adversely affect earnings and dividends when costs are rising. The value of regulated utility equity securities may tend to have an inverse relationship to the movement of interest rates. Certain utility companies have experienced full or partial deregulation in recent years. These utility companies are frequently more similar to industrial companies in that they are subject to greater competition and have been permitted by regulators to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business. These opportunities may permit certain utility companies to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return. Some companies, however, may be forced to defend their core business and may be less profitable. In addition, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, government intervention or other factors may render a utility company’s equipment unusable or obsolete and negatively impact profitability.

SECONDARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

As a principal investment strategy, each Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in component securities that comprise its Underlying Index (or depository receipts based on such securities). As a non-principal investment strategy, each Fund may invest its remaining assets in money market instruments, including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index), forward foreign currency exchange contracts and in swaps, options

 

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and futures contracts. Swaps, options and futures contracts (and convertible securities and structured notes) may be used by a Fund in seeking performance that corresponds to its Underlying Index, and in managing cash flows. A Fund will not invest in money market instruments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential stock market declines generally, or declines in its Underlying Index specifically. The Adviser anticipates that it may take approximately three business days (i.e., each day the NYSE is open) for additions and deletions to an Underlying Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of a Fund.

Each Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its total assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, a Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent. This collateral is marked to market on a daily basis.

The investment objective and policies described herein constitute non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without shareholder approval. Certain other fundamental policies of the Funds are set forth in the Statement of Additional Information under “Investment Restrictions.”

ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS

In addition to the risks described previously, there are certain other risks related to investing in the Funds.

Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NYSE Arca, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the NYSE Arca “Circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to a Fund’s NAV, disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund’s NAV. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses.

Securities Lending. Although a Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In addition, a Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.

These risks are described further in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc. acts as each Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an advisory agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser, located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203, is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. As of December 31, 2014, the Adviser provided supervisory and management services on approximately $15.3 billion in assets through closed-end funds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of each Fund’s assets and administers the affairs of each Fund to the extent requested by the Board of Trustees.

Pursuant to each Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser a unitary fee for the services and facilities it provides payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below: From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 

Fund

   Advisory Fee  

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

     0.30

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

     0.40

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

The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of a Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for the Fund.

Approval of Advisory Agreement

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement will be available in each Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ending May 31, 2015.

Portfolio Management

Michael Akins, Senior Vice President, Director of Index Management & Product Oversight, and Ryan Mischker, manager of Index Management of ALPS Advisors, Inc. are the Portfolio Managers of the Funds and are also responsible for the refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Mr. Akins has been Portfolio Manager for the Funds since their inception in April 2015. Prior to joining ALPS Advisors, Mr. Akins served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for ALPS Fund Services. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Akins was AVP and Compliance Officer for UMB Financial Corporation and prior to UMB, he was an Account Manager at State Street Corporation. Mr. Akins has over 10 years financial services experience, is an Honor Graduate from the Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management School and graduated from Briar Cliff University with a B.A. in Business Administration.

 

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Mr. Mischker has been Portfolio Manager for the Funds since their inception in April 2015. Prior to joining ALPS Advisors, Mr. Mischker served as Compliance Manager of ALPS Fund Services, where he was primarily responsible for managing all post-trade monitoring for IRS, SEC and Prospectus/Statement of Additional Information investment guidelines and restrictions. Mr. Mischker has over 13 years financial services experience and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.S. in Finance and B.A. in Economics.

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation structure, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities of each Fund.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Book Entry

Shares are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares of each Fund and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes (except for tax purposes).

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

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

Pricing Fund Shares

The trading price of a Fund’s shares on the NYSE Arca may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors.

The NYSE Arca intends to disseminate the approximate value of Shares of each 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, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and the Funds do not make any warranty as to their accuracy.

The NAV per Share for each Fund is determined once daily as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, each day the NYSE is open for trading. NAV per Share is determined by dividing the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses), by the total number of shares outstanding.

Equity securities are valued at the last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE Arca on the day the securities are being valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Equity

 

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securities that are traded in over-the-counter markets are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE Arca on the day the securities are valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices for such securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality, and type. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, including restricted securities, are valued by a method that the Trustees believe accurately reflects fair value. Securities will be valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, such as when a security’s value or meaningful portion of a Fund’s portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event. Such events may include a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, a trading halt in a security, an unscheduled early market close or a substantial fluctuation in domestic and foreign markets that has occurred between the close of the principal exchange and the NYSE Arca. In such a case, the value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair market value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset’s sale.

Trading in securities on many foreign securities exchanges and over the counter markets is normally completed before the close of business on each U.S. business day. In addition, securities trading on a particular country or countries may not take place on all U.S. business days or may take place on days that are not U.S. business days. Changes in valuations on certain securities may occur at times or on days on which a Fund’s NAV is not calculated and on which the Fund does not effect sales, redemptions and exchanges of its shares.

Creation Units

Investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units (large specified blocks of 50,000 Shares), with respect to ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF and 100,000 Shares, with respect to ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF directly with a Fund must have entered into an authorized participant agreement (such investors being “Authorized Participants” or “APs”) with the Distributor and the transfer agent, or purchase through a dealer that has entered into such an agreement. Set forth below is a brief description of the procedures applicable to purchase and redemption of Creation Units. For more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

How to Buy Shares

In order to purchase Creation Units of a Fund, an investor must generally deposit a designated portfolio of equity securities included in its Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”) and generally make a small cash payment referred to as the “Cash Component.” For those APs that are not eligible for trading a Deposit Security, custom orders are available. The list of the names and the numbers of shares of the Deposit Securities is made available by the Funds’ custodian through the facilities of the NSCC, immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca. The Cash Component represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities. In the case of custom orders, cash-in-lieu may be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Securities that the AP may not be eligible to trade.

Orders must be placed in proper form by or through a participant of the DTC (“DTC Participant”) that has entered into an agreement with the Trust, the Distributor and the transfer agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. All standard orders must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units of Shares of a Fund and must be received by the Distributor in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) (“Closing Time”) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of

 

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Additional Information, the order must be received by the Distributor no later than one hour prior to Closing Time in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. A custom order may be placed by an AP in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such AP or the investor for which it is acting or any other relevant reason. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

A fixed creation transaction fee (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. An additional variable charge for cash creations or partial cash creations may also be imposed to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with buying the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per Share times the number of Shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any transfer taxes.

The standard creation transaction fee for each Fund is:

 

Fund

   Standard Creation
Transaction Fee
 

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

   $ 9,000   

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

   $ 15,000   

Shares of a Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities on deposit with the Trust. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Legal Restrictions on Transactions in Certain Stocks

An investor subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit may, at a Fund’s discretion, be permitted to deposit an equivalent amount of cash in substitution for any stock which would otherwise be included in the Deposit Securities applicable to the purchase of a Creation Unit. For more details, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Redemption of Shares

Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV and only on a day the NYSE Arca is open for business. The Funds’ custodian makes available immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca, through the facilities of the NSCC, the list of the names and the numbers of shares of a Fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable that day to redemption requests in proper form (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities, which are applicable to purchases of Creation Units. Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for a Fund, the redemption proceeds consist of the Fund Securities, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of Shares being redeemed as next determined after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes. Should the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of Shares being redeemed, a compensating cash payment to the Fund equal to the differential, plus the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes will be required to be arranged for, by or on behalf of the redeeming shareholder. For more details, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

An order to redeem Creation Units of the Fund may only be effected by or through an AP. An order to redeem must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units and must be received by the transfer agent in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.

 

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A fixed redemption transaction fee (the “Redemption Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions or partial cash redemptions may also be imposed to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. A Fund reserves the right to effect redemptions in cash. A shareholder may request a cash redemption in lieu of securities, however, a Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

The standard redemption transaction fee for each Fund is:

 

Fund

   Standard Redemption
Transaction Fee
 

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

   $ 9,000   

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

   $ 15,000   

Distributions

Dividends and Capital Gains. Fund shareholders are entitled to their share of a Fund’s income and net realized gains on its investments. Each Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

Each Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and may earn interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” Each Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

Income dividends, if any, are distributed to shareholders semi-annually. Net capital gains are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to improve Underlying Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code. Some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital (which is a return of the shareholder’s investment in a Fund). Fund shareholders will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution that represents a return of capital.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through which the Shares were purchased makes such option available.

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

The Funds impose no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions. The Board of Trustees evaluated the risks of market timing activities by a Fund’s shareholders when they determined that no restriction or policy was necessary. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, the Funds issue and redeem their shares at NAV for a basket of securities intended to mirror a Fund’s portfolio, plus a small amount of cash, and a Fund’s Shares may be purchased and sold on the exchange at prevailing market prices. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by a Fund’s shareholders or (b) any attempts to market time a Fund by its shareholders would result in negative impact to the Fund or its shareholders.

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

ALPS Fund Services, Inc. is the administrator of the Funds.

The Bank of New York Mellon is the custodian, fund accounting agent and transfer agent for the Funds.

Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Funds.

 

25


Deloitte & Touche LLP 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.

INDEX PROVIDER

MSCI is the Index Provider for the Funds. MSCI is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally. MSCI products and services include indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools. MSCI is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their respective affiliates.

The Adviser pays licensing fees to MSCI from the Adviser’s management fees or other resources.

DISCLAIMERS

THESE FUNDS ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, COMPILING, COMPUTING OR CREATING ANY MSCI INDEX (COLLECTIVELY, THE “MSCI PARTIES”). THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY THE ADVISER. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FUNDS GENERALLY OR IN THESE FUNDS PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THESE FUNDS OR THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THESE FUNDS TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY OR THE CONSIDERATION INTO WHICH THESE FUNDS ARE REDEEMABLE. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THESE FUNDS.

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES THAT MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ISSUER OF THE FUND, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES

 

26


MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND THE MSCI PARITES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

No purchaser, seller or holder of this security, product or fund, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote this security without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.

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

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

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

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

 

   

Your Fund makes distributions,

   

You sell your Shares listed on the NYSE Arca, and

   

You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

Taxes on Distributions

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid semi-annually. A Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund. Dividends paid out of a Fund’s income and net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the Shares.

The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by a Fund to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and the shareholder.

 

27


An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Shares, and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, or if you are a foreign entity, a Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) 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. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax.

Dividends, interest and gains received by a Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders of a Fund may, subject to certain limitations, be entitled to claim a credit or a deduction with respect to foreign taxes if a Fund is eligible to and elects to pass through these taxes to them. If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable year consists of foreign stock or securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal tax), subject to certain limitations, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes.

A Fund generally would be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number (generally your social security number) or otherwise provide proof of an applicable exemption from backup withholding. The backup withholding rate for an individual is 28%.

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Shares Sales

Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

An AP who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently

 

28


under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.

If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many and at what price you purchased or sold Shares.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions, and sales of Fund Shares. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Fund Shares under all applicable tax laws.

OTHER INFORMATION

For purposes of the 1940 Act, each Fund is treated as a registered investment company. Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of a Fund. The SEC has issued an exemptive order to the Trust permitting registered investment companies to invest in exchange-traded funds offered by the Trust beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such registered investment companies enter into an agreement with the Trust.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

Each Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed each day on its website at www.alpsfunds.com. A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.

Premium/Discount Information

Information regarding how often the Shares of a Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of each Fund during the past calendar year will be available at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

29


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Funds have not yet commenced operations and therefore do not have a financial history.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Existing Shareholders or Prospective Investors

 

   

Call your financial professional

   

www.alpsfunds.com

Dealers

 

   

www.alpsfunds.com

   

Distributor Telephone: 866-759-5679

 

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

  

Transfer Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

New York, New York 10286

Distributor

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

555 17th Street

Suite 3600

Denver, Colorado 80202

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

New York, New York 10286

  

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

  

 

30


  [ALPS® LOGO]

A Statement of Additional Information dated April 23, 2015, which contains more details about the Funds, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus, which means that it is legally part of this Prospectus.

You will find additional information about each Fund in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available. The annual report will explain the market conditions and investment strategies affecting a Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

You can ask questions or obtain a free copy of a Fund’s shareholder reports or the Statement of Additional Information by calling 866-759-5679. Free copies of a Fund’s shareholder reports and the Statement of Additional Information are available from our website at www.alpsfunds.com.

Each Fund sends only one report to a household if more than one account has the same address. Contact the transfer agent if you do not want this policy to apply to you.

Information about each Fund, including its reports and the Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with the SEC. It can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202.551.5850. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, 100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549.

PROSPECTUS

Distributor

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

April 23, 2015

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175.

 

31


Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175

ALPS ETF Trust

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF (NYSE ARCA: IEQL)

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (NYSE ARCA: EEQL)

Statement of Additional Information

Dated April 23, 2015

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated April 23, 2015 for the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF, each a series of the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), as it may be revised from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust’s distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”), or by calling toll free 866-759-5679.


Table of Contents

 

      Page  
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS      3   
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING      3   
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES      4   
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS      5   
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS      6   
MANAGEMENT      15   
LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLAIMERS      27   
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS      29   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST      29   
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS      32   
TAXES      48   
FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS      51   
DETERMINATION OF NAV      51   
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS      52   
INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE      52   
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION      52   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      53   
APPENDIX A PROXY VOTING POLICY, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES      A-1   


GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 13, 2007 and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust currently consists of twenty-two investment portfolios. This SAI relates to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund is an exchange-traded fund (commonly referred to as an “ETF”). ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly-traded securities. Similar to shares of an index mutual fund, each share of a Fund represents a partial ownership in an underlying portfolio of securities intended to track a market index.

The ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted Index. ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted Index (each, an “Underlying Index”). The shares of the Funds are referred to herein as “Shares” or “Fund Shares.”

The 1940 Act classifies management investment companies as either diversified or non-diversified. Each Fund is classified as “diversified.” Each Fund is managed by ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors” or the “Adviser”).

Each Fund will offer and issue Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation”), generally in exchange for a basket of securities included in the Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”). Each Fund’s Shares are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) under the trading symbol under the trading symbols set out on the front cover. Fund Shares will trade on the NYSE Arca at market prices that may be below, at or above NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 Shares, with respect to ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF and 100,000 Shares, with respect to ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

The Trust reserves the right to offer a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of Fund Shares. Fund Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” section. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

There can be no assurance that the requirements of the NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Fund will continue to be met. The NYSE Arca may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of a Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of a Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (ii) the value of a Fund’s Underlying Index is no longer calculated or available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the NYSE Arca, makes further dealings on the NYSE Arca inadvisable. The NYSE Arca will remove the Shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of such Fund.

 

3


As in the case of other stocks traded on the NYSE Arca, broker’s commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the 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 the Fund.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES

Investment Objective

Each Fund seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its Underlying Index. Each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) without shareholder approval. Each Fund has adopted a policy that requires the Fund to provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice prior to any material change in the Fund’s investment objective.

Investment Restrictions

The investment restrictions designated as “fundamental” in the following have been adopted by each Fund as fundamental policies.

With respect to each Fund’s fundamental investment restriction 7, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.

As a matter of fundamental policy, each Fund (except as otherwise noted below) may not:

(1) Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries, except to the extent that the Underlying Index that the Fund replicates concentrates in an industry or group of industries. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

(2) Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for leverage or the purchase of investments) up to 10% of its total assets and (ii) make other investments or engage in other transactions permissible under the 1940 Act that may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), less the Fund’s liabilities (other than borrowings).

(3) Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.

(4) Make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under the Fund’s investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of portfolio securities may be made by the Fund if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.

 

4


(5) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund (i) from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or other derivative instruments, or (ii) from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).

(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).

(7) Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Except for restriction (2), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase in percentage resulting from a change in market value of the investment or the total assets, or the sale of a security out of the portfolio, will not constitute a violation of that restriction.

The foregoing fundamental investment policies cannot be changed as to a Fund without approval by holders of a “majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares.” As defined in the 1940 Act, this means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s Shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s Shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s Shares, whichever is less.

In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, each Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed at any time by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Each Fund may not:

(1) Sell securities short, unless the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.

(2) Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.

(3) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act.

(4) Invest in direct interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs or leases; however, the Fund may invest in the securities of issuers that engage in these activities.

(5) Invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.

The investment objective of each Fund is a non-fundamental policy that can be changed by the Board of Trustees without approval by shareholders.

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Funds is contained in the Funds’ Prospectus under the headings “Principal Investment Risks,” “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” and “Additional Risk Considerations.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Funds’ Prospectus.

 

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GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS

Investment in the Funds should be made with an understanding that the value of the portfolio of securities held by a Fund may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of common stocks generally and other factors.

The Funds are not actively managed by traditional methods and therefore the adverse financial condition of any one issuer will not result in the elimination of its securities from the portfolio securities held by a Fund unless the securities of such issuer are removed from its Underlying Index.

An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.

An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding that the Fund will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of its Underlying Index because the total return generated by its portfolio securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of such securities and other Fund expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of its Underlying Index. It is also possible that for short periods of time, a Fund may not fully replicate the performance of its Underlying Index due to the temporary unavailability of certain Underlying Index securities in the secondary market or due to other extraordinary circumstances. Such events are unlikely to continue for an extended period of time because a Fund is required to correct such imbalances by means of adjusting the composition of its portfolio securities.

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

Loans of Portfolio Securities. A Fund may lend its investment securities to approved borrowers. Any gain or loss on the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. These loans cannot exceed 33 1/3% of a Fund’s total assets.

Approved borrowers are brokers, dealers, domestic and foreign banks, or other financial institutions that meet credit or other requirements as established by, and subject to the review of, the Trust’s Board, so long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or interpretations of the SEC, which require that (a) the

 

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borrowers pledge and maintain with a Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government having a value at all times of not less than 102% of the value of the securities loaned (on a “mark-to-market” basis); (b) the loan be made subject to termination by the Fund at any time; and (c) a Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan. From time to time, a Fund may return a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral received from securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party that is unaffiliated with the Fund and that is acting as a finder.

Senior Securities. In general, a Fund may not issue any class of senior security, except within the limitations of the 1940 Act. These limitations allow a Fund to (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% (the “Asset Coverage Requirement”) for all Fund borrowings, and (ii) engage in trading practices which could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including but not limited to options, futures, forward contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the Fund earmarks or segregates liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations.

Repurchase Agreements. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which are agreements pursuant to which securities are acquired by the Fund from a third party with the understanding that they will be repurchased by the seller at a fixed price on an agreed date. These agreements may be made with respect to any of the portfolio securities in which a Fund is authorized to invest. Repurchase agreements may be characterized as loans secured by the underlying securities. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with (i) member banks of the Federal Reserve System having total assets in excess of $500 million and (ii) securities dealers (“Qualified Institutions”). The Adviser will monitor the continued creditworthiness of Qualified Institutions.

The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities under a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, a Fund will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could involve costs or delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, a Fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible that a Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying securities. To minimize this risk, the securities underlying the repurchase agreement will be held by the custodian at all times in an amount at least equal to the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the seller fails to repurchase the securities, a Fund may suffer a loss to the extent proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.

The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest. The collateral is marked-to-market daily.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally, the effect of such transactions 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 in many cases a Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if a Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of return on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and each Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to such Fund. The use of reverse

 

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repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of a Fund’s assets. The custodian bank will maintain a separate account for a Fund with securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered loans.

Money Market Instruments. A Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity. The instruments in which a Fund may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (iv) repurchase agreements; and (v) money market mutual funds. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

Investment Companies. A Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds). Under the 1940 Act, a Fund’s investment in investment companies is limited to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets of investment companies in the aggregate.

Illiquid Securities. A Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets.

Currency Transactions. The Funds do not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of a Fund’s assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. A Fund may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with its distributions to shareholders, but may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.

A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.

Derivatives. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, and related indexes. The various derivative instruments that a Fund may use are described in more detail under “Futures and Options,” “Restrictions on the Use of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts,” “Swap Agreements,” “Risks of Currency Transactions,” “Risks of Futures and Options Transactions” and “Risks of Swap Agreements” in this Statement of Additional Information. A Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for risk management purposes or as part of its investment strategies.

A Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks including liquidity risk, market risk, credit risk, default risk, counterparty risk and

 

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management risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate exactly with the change in the value of the underlying asset, rate or index. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial.

Participation in the options or futures markets, as well as the use of various swap instruments and forward contracts, involves investment risks and transaction costs to which a Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. Risks inherent in the use of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forwards and swaps include: (i) imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities being hedged; (ii) the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select non-derivative portfolio securities; (iii) the potential absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time; (iv) the possible need to defer closing out certain positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; (v) for swaps, additional credit risk and the risk of counterparty default and the risk of failing to correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the company on which the swap is based and (vi) the possible inability of a Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for a Fund to sell the security at a disadvantageous time, due to the requirement that a Fund maintain “cover” or collateral securities in connection with the use of certain derivatives.

A Fund could lose the entire amount it invests in futures. The loss from investing in other derivatives is potentially unlimited. There also is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for futures contracts and options in which a Fund may invest. A Fund limits its investment in futures contracts so that the notional value (meaning the stated contract value) of the futures contracts does not exceed the net assets of the Fund.

Furthermore, regulatory requirements for a Fund to set aside assets to meet its obligations with respect to derivatives may result in a Fund being unable to purchase or sell securities when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or in a Fund needing to sell securities at a disadvantageous time. A Fund may also be unable to close out its derivatives positions when desired. Investments in derivatives can cause a Fund to be more volatile and can result in significant losses.

Because the markets for certain derivative instruments (including markets located in foreign countries) are relatively new and still developing, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. Upon the expiration of a particular contract, the Adviser may wish to retain a Fund’s position in the derivative instrument by entering into a similar contract, but may be unable to do so if the counterparty to the original contract is unwilling to enter into the new contract and no other suitable counterparty can be found. There is no assurance that a Fund will engage in derivatives transactions at any time or from time to time. A Fund’s ability to use derivatives may also be limited by certain regulatory and tax considerations.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and the various exchanges have established limits referred to as “speculative position limits” on the maximum net long or net short positions that any person may hold or control in a particular futures contract. Trading limits are imposed on the number of contracts that any person may trade on a particular trading day. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose sanctions or restrictions. The Funds believe that these trading and positions limits will not have an adverse impact on a Fund’s strategies for hedging its positions. The CFTC has proposed but not implemented speculative position limits on swap transactions.

 

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There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in a Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the United States is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. The effect of any future regulatory change on a Fund is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse.

In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law by President Obama on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act will change the way in which the U.S. financial system is supervised and regulated. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new legislative framework for OTC derivatives, including financial instruments, such as swaps, in which a Fund may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and in some instances already and in the future will require clearing and exchange trading of many OTC derivatives transactions.

Provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act include new registration, recordkeeping, capital and margin requirements for “swap dealers” and “major swap participants” as determined by the Dodd-Frank Act and applicable regulations; and the forced use of clearinghouse mechanisms for many OTC derivative transactions. The CFTC, SEC and other federal regulators have been tasked with developing the rules and regulations enacting the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Although many rules and regulations have been implemented, it is not possible at this time to gauge the exact nature and scope of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on a Fund, but it is expected that swap dealers, major market participants and swap counterparties, including the Funds, will experience new and/or additional regulations, requirements, compliance burdens and associated costs. The new law and the rules to be promulgated may negatively impact a Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective either through limits or requirements imposed on it or upon its counterparties. In particular, new position limits imposed on a Fund or its counterparties may impact a Fund’s ability to invest in a manner that efficiently meets its investment objective, and new requirements, including capital and mandatory clearing, may increase the cost of a Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors.

Futures and Options. A Fund may utilize exchange-traded futures and options contracts.

Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.

Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

 

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After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin will be required. Conversely, a change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, a Fund would expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold,” or “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.

A Fund may use exchange-traded futures and options, together with positions in cash and money market instruments, to simulate full investment in its Underlying Index. Under such circumstances, the Adviser may seek to utilize other instruments that it believes to be correlated to the Underlying Index components or a subset of the components.

An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of purchase, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of a Fund. The potential for loss related to writing call options on equity securities or indices is unlimited. The potential for loss related to writing put options is limited only by the aggregate strike price of the put option less the premium received.

A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange as a hedge against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.

Restrictions on the Use of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Pursuant to a claim for exemption filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) on behalf of the Funds, neither a Fund nor the Trust is deemed to be a “commodity pool” or “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”), respectively, under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), and they are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA. The Adviser is not deemed to be a “commodity trading advisor” with respect to its services as an investment adviser to a Fund. In February 2012, however, the CFTC adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject the adviser of an investment company to registration with the CFTC as a CPO if the investment company is unable to comply with certain trading and marketing limitations. With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the amended regulations in order to claim an exemption from being considered a “commodity pool” or CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such

 

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instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of a Fund’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser were required to register as a CPO with respect to a Fund, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.

Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party (the “Counterparty”) based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the Counterparty agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, a Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Trust’s custodian bank.

The use of interest rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.

The use of swap agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the Counterparty under a swap agreement defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, a Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays.

Risks of Currency Transactions. Foreign exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which foreign exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Foreign exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If a Fund utilizes foreign exchange transactions at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions, trends or correlations incorrectly, foreign exchange transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of the Fund’s return with the performance of its Underlying Index and may lower the Fund’s return. A Fund could experience losses if the value of its currency forwards, options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. In addition, a Fund could incur transactions costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.

Risks of Futures and Options Transactions. There are several risks accompanying the utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. First, while each Fund plans to utilize futures contracts only if an active market exists for such contracts, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for the contract at a specified time.

Furthermore, because, by definition, futures contracts project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation, market circumstances may result in a discrepancy between the price of the stock index future and the movement in the Underlying Index. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such

 

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situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, a Fund may be required to deliver the instruments underlying futures contracts it has sold.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Funds do not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Funds, however, intend to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit their risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investment in stocks.

Utilization of futures and options on futures by a Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to the Underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from the Underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option; however, this risk is substantially minimized because (a) of the regulatory requirement that the broker has to “segregate” customer funds from its corporate funds, and (b) in the case of regulated exchanges in the United States, the clearing corporation stands behind the broker to make good losses in such a situation. The purchase of put or call options could be based upon predictions by the Adviser as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect and a part or all of the premium paid therefore could be lost.

Because the futures market imposes less burdensome margin requirements than the securities market, an increased amount of participation by speculators in the futures market could result in price fluctuations. Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount by which the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting a Fund to substantial losses. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.

Although Funds intend to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

Risks of Swap Agreements. The risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. Swap agreements are also subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default were to occur, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect a Fund’s rights as a creditor — (e.g., the Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it contractually is entitled to receive). The Funds, however, intend to utilize swaps in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investments in stocks.

 

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Exchange Listing and Trading. There can be no assurance that the requirements of NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of each Fund will continue to be met. NYSE Arca may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of each Fund from listing under the conditions set forth under “Exchange Listing and Trading” hereof.

Each Fund’s continued listing on the Exchange or another stock exchange or market system is a condition of the exemptive relief the Funds obtained from the SEC to operate as ETFs. A Fund’s failure to be so listed would result in the termination of the Fund.

As in the case of other stocks traded on NYSE Arca, broker’s commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the 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.

Equity Securities. The value of equity securities fluctuates in response to general market and economic conditions (market risk) and in response to the fortunes of individual companies (company risk). Therefore, the value of an investment in each Fund that holds equity securities may decrease. The market as a whole can decline for many reasons, including adverse political or economic developments here or abroad, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling. Also, certain unanticipated events, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, and other geopolitical events, can have a dramatic adverse effect on stock markets. Changes in the financial condition of a company or other issuer, changes in specific market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions that affect a particular type of investment or issuer, and changes in general market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions can adversely affect the price of equity securities. These developments and changes can affect a single issuer, issuers within a broad market sector, industry or geographic region, or the market in general.

Non-U.S. Securities. Each Fund’s return and net asset value may be significantly affected by political or economic conditions and regulatory requirements in a particular country. Non-U.S. markets, economies and political systems may be less stable than U.S. markets, and changes in exchange rates of foreign currencies can affect the value of each Fund’s foreign assets. Non-U.S. laws and accounting standards typically are not as comprehensive as they are in the U.S. and there may be less public information available about foreign companies. Non-U.S. securities markets may be less liquid and have fewer transactions than U.S. securities markets. Additionally, international markets may experience delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures for a Fund’s portfolio securities. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and could be subject to extended settlement periods or restrictions affecting the prompt return of capital to the U.S.

Non-U.S. equity securities can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or regulatory conditions in foreign countries. Less information may be available about foreign companies than about domestic companies, and foreign companies generally may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies.

Cybersecurity. In connection with the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, each Fund is susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks due to the possibility of cyber-attacks or other incidents. Cyber incidents may result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code, gaining unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices that are used to service a Fund’s operations through hacking or other means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks (which can make a website unavailable) on a Fund’s website. In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on a Fund’s systems.

Cyber security failures or breaches by a Fund’s third party service providers (including, but not limited to, the adviser, distributor, custodian, transfer agent, and financial intermediaries) may cause disruptions and impact the service providers’ and a Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the mutual funds to process transactions, inability to calculate a Fund’s net asset value, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund or its third party service providers.

A Fund may incur substantial costs to prevent or address cyber incidents in the future. In addition, there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, a Fund cannot directly control any cyber security plans and systems put in place by third party service providers. Cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Trustees and Officers

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

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

Independent Trustees

 

Name,

Address &

Year of

Birth*

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

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

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

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustees

Mary K. Anstine,  1940    Trustee    Since
March 2008
   Ms. Anstine was President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, and former Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following; AV Hunter Trust; Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the    44    Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (9 funds); Financial Investors Trust (32 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Westcore Trust (12 funds).

 

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               Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee.          
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976    Trustee    Since March 2008    Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company, from 1998 to June 2007.    44    Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (9 funds); Financial Investors Trust (32 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

 

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Rick A. Pederson,  1952    Trustee    Since March 2008    Mr. Pederson is President, Foundation Properties, Inc. (a real estate investment management company), 1994 - present; Advisory Board Member, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Advisor, Pauls Corporation (real estate investment management and development), 2008 - present; Chairman, Ross Consulting Group (real estate consulting services) 1983 - 2013; Advisory Board, Neenan Company (construction services) 2002 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 - present; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 - present; Board Member,    23    Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Westcore Trust (12 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund)

 

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               Professional Pediatric Health Care, Inc. (a Denver-based home nursing firm) 2014 - present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization); Director, Biennial of the Americas (not-for-profit-organization).          

 

*

The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

**

This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.

*** 

The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.

Interested Trustee

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth of
Interested Trustee*
   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  

Term of
Office

and

Length
of Time
Served**

  

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

  

Number

of

Portfolios

in Fund
Complex
Overseen

by
Trustees***

  

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustees

Thomas A. Carter, 1966    Trustee and President    Since March 2008    Mr. Carter joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) in 1994 and is currently President and Director of ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”) and ALPS Portfolio Solutions    32    Mr. Carter is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (9 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund)

 

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         Distributor, Inc. (“APSD”) and Executive Vice President and Director of ALPS and ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“AHI”) and ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”). Because of his position with AHI, ALPS, ADI, APSD and AAI, Mr. Carter is deemed an affiliate of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.      

 

*

The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

**

This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.

*** 

The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

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Officers

 

Name, Address and Year
of
Birth of Officer*
   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
   Length of
Time
Served**
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past
5 Years
Melanie Zimdars,
1976
   Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”)    Since December 2009    Ms. Zimdars currently serves as a Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS in September 2009, Ms. Zimdars served as Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary for the Wasatch Funds from February 2007 to December 2008. Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Zimdars is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Ms. Zimdars is also the CCO of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund, Broadview Funds Trust, BLDRS Index Funds Trust and PowerShares QQQ Trust.
Patrick D. Buchanan, 1972    Treasurer    Since June 2012    Mr. Buchanan is Vice President of AAI. Mr. Buchanan joined ALPS in 2007 and because of his position with AAI, he is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Mr. Buchanan is also Treasurer of the ALPS Variable Insurance Trust and Principal Real Estate Income Fund.

William Parmentier,

1952

   Vice President    Since March 2008    Mr. Parmentier is Chief Investment Officer, AAI (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberty All-Star Funds (since April 1999); Senior Vice President (2005-2006), Banc of America Investment Advisors, Inc. Because of his position with AAI, Mr. Parmentier is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.

 

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David T. Buhler,

1971

   Secretary    Since March 2015    Mr. Buhler joined ALPS in June 2010. He is currently Vice President and Senior Associate Counsel of ALPS, AAI, ADI and APSD. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Buhler served as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Founders Asset Management LLC from 2006 to 2009. Because of his position with ALPS, Mr. Buhler is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Mr. Buhler is also the Secretary of Financial Investors Trust, ALPS Variable Investment Trust and Westcore Trust.

Jennifer A. Craig,

1973

   Assistant Secretary    Since October 2013    Ms. Craig joined ALPS in 2007 and is currently Assistant Vice-President and Paralegal Manager of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Craig was Legal Manager at Janus Capital Management LLC and served as Assistant Secretary of Janus Investment Fund, Janus Adviser Series and Janus Aspen Series. Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Craig is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.

 

*   The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

** This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected.

Additional Information About the Trustees’ Qualifications and Experience

The following is a brief discussion of the specific education, experience, qualifications, or skills that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each person identified below should serve as a Trustee for the Trust.

Mary K. Anstine

Ms. Anstine has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. Currently retired, Ms. Anstine has over 30 years of financial services experience. Most recently, she was President and CEO of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado from 1994 through 2004. From 1964 to 1994, Ms. Anstine held positions leading up to Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank. She was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on her business and financial services experience.

Jeremy W. Deems

Mr. Deems has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. In 2007, Mr. Deems co-founded Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser, for which he currently serves as Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to co-founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was

 

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CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, investment advisor to the Forward Funds, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company, from 1998 to June 2007. Mr. Deems received a B.S. and a MBA in finance from Saint Mary’s College of California and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services, accounting and investment management experience.

Rick A. Pederson

Mr. Pederson has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. He currently serves as President of Foundation Properties, Inc., a real estate investment manager, and is an Advisory Board Member at Bow River Capital Partners, a private equity investment management firm. Mr. Pederson is also Advisor of the Pauls Corporation, a real estate investment management and development company, an Advisory Board member at Neenan Co., a construction services company, a Board Member of Prosci Inc., a private business services company, a Board Member of Citywide Banks, a community bank, a Board Member of Professional Pediatric Health Care, Inc., a home nursing firm, and a Director of two not-for-profit organizations, the National Western Stock Show and Biennial of the Americas. He has previously served as Chairman of Ross Consulting Group, a real estate consulting service. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business and financial services experience.

Thomas A. Carter

Mr. Carter has been an Interested Trustee and Chairman of the Trust since March 25, 2008. Mr. Carter joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Funds’ administrator, in 1994 and currently serves as President of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., the Funds’ principal underwriter, and ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Funds’ investment adviser. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, accounting, financial services and investment management experience.

Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for oversight of the Funds rests with the Trustees. The Trust has engaged the Adviser to manage the Funds on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in the operations of the Funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Trust’s charter. The Board is currently composed of four members, three of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board meets at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed Thomas A. Carter, an Interested Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman and may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined not to appoint a lead independent trustee. The Board reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate given

 

22


the Trust’s characteristics and circumstances. These include the Trust’s multiple series of fund shares, each fund’s single portfolio of assets, each fund’s net assets and the services provided by the funds’ service providers.

Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Funds, the Board, directly or through either Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, Fund management, the Adviser, the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, the Funds’ legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds regarding risks faced by the Funds. The Board, with the assistance of Fund management and the Adviser, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of each Fund’s performance. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing of each Fund’s compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Funds and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board’s periodic review of each Fund’s advisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of these service providers’ operations and the functions for which they are responsible.

None of the Independent Trustees own securities in the Adviser or the Distributor, nor do they own securities in any entity directly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee which considers such matters pertaining to the Trust’s books of account, financial records, internal accounting controls and changes in accounting principles or practices as the Trustees may from time to time determine. The Audit Committee also considers the engagement and compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm (“Firm”) and ensures receipt from the Firm of a formal written statement delineating relationships between the Firm and the Trust, consistent with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526. The Audit Committee also meets privately with the representatives of the Firm to review the scope and results of audits and other duties as set forth in the Audit Committee’s Charter. The Audit Committee members, each of whom are Independent Trustees are: Ms. Anstine and Messrs. Deems (Chairman) and Pederson. The Audit Committee met twice during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets periodically to advise and assist the Board in selecting nominees to serve as trustees of the Trust. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy in this regard. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also advises and assists the Board in establishing, implementing and executing policies, procedures and practices that assure orderly and effective governance of the Trust and effective and efficient management of all business and financial affairs of the Trust. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are currently: Ms. Anstine (Chairman) and Messrs. Deems and Pederson. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board met once during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014.

Shareholder Nominations. The Board will consider shareholder nominees for Trustees. All nominees must possess the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience for serving on the Board. In particular, the Board and its Independent Trustees will consider each nominee’s integrity, educational, professional background, understanding of the Trust’s business on a technical level and commitment to devote the time and attention necessary to fulfill a Trustee’s duties. All shareholders who wish to recommend nominees for consideration as Trustees shall submit the names and qualifications of the candidates to the Secretary of the Trust by writing to: ALPS ETF Trust, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado, 80203.

 

23


As of December 31, 2014, the dollar range of equity securities in each Fund beneficially owned by the Interested Trustee were as follows:

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in

ALPS MSCI EAFE

Equal Sector

Weighted ETF

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities

in ALPS MSCI
Emerging Markets

Equal Sector

Weighted ETF

  

Aggregate Dollar Range

of Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen By
Trustee in  Family of
Investment Companies

Thomas A. Carter

   None    None    $50,001-$100,000

As of December 31, 2014, the dollar range of equity securities in each Fund beneficially owned by Independent Trustees were as follows:

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in

ALPS MSCI EAFE

Equal Sector
Weighted ETF

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities

in ALPS MSCI
Emerging Markets

Equal Sector

Weighted ETF

  

Aggregate Dollar Range

of Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen By
Trustee in  Family of
Investment Companies

Mark K. Anstine

   None    None    None

Jeremy W. Deems

   None    None    None

Rick Pederson

   None    None    None

Remuneration of Trustees and Officers.

Each Independent Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014:

 

     Aggregate
Compensation
From the Trust
    

Pension Or
Retirement

Benefits Accrued
As Part of Portfolio
Expenses

     Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
     Aggregate Compensation
From The Trust And
Fund Complex Paid To
Trustees(1)
 

Mary K. Anstine,

Trustee

     $39,500         $0         $0         $115,000   

Jeremy W. Deems,

Trustee

     $39,500         $0         $0         $115,000   

Rick A. Pederson,

Trustee

     $35,750         $0         $0         $60,750   

 

(1)

The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

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Officers who are employed by the Adviser receive no compensation or expense reimbursements from the Trust.

Adviser. The Funds are managed by the Adviser. The Adviser, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“ALPS Holdings”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of each Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. The Adviser’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. The Adviser is an affiliate of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., who serves as the Funds’ administrator, and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., who serves as Distributor to the Funds.

Located in Denver, Colorado, ALPS Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc., was founded in 2005 and assumed the business of ALPS Financial Services, which was founded in 1985 as a provider of fund administration and fund distribution services. Since then, ALPS Holdings has added additional services, including fund accounting, transfer agency, shareholder services, active distribution, legal, tax and compliance services. As of December 31, 2014, ALPS Advisors, Inc. manages over $15.3 billion in assets.

Investment Advisory Agreement. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, the Adviser is responsible for all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund’s business.

The Funds’ unitary advisory fees as a percentage of net assets are:

 

Fund

   Advisory Fee  

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

     0.30

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

     0.40

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund in connection with the performance of the Investment Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder. The initial term of the Investment Advisory Agreement is two years and continues thereafter only if approved annually by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically upon assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty as to a Fund by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of the holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities on 60 days written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 60 days written notice to the Fund.

 

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ALPS Advisors, Inc. is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager; Compensation of the Portfolio Managers.

Information regarding the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers as of December 31, 2014, is set forth below:

 

     

Accounts Managed

   Accounts With Respect to Which
the Advisory Fee is based  on the
Performance of the Account

Name of Portfolio

Manager

  

Category of Account

   Number of
Accounts in
Category
   Total Assets in
Accounts in
Category
   Number of
Accounts in
Category
   Total Assets in
Accounts in
Category

Michael Akins

   Registered Investment Companies    18    $11.38 billion    0    N/A
  

Other Pooled investment

vehicles

   0    N/A    0    N/A
  

Other Accounts

   0    N/A    0    N/A

Ryan Mischker*

   Registered Investment Companies    0    N/A    0    N/A
  

Other Pooled investment

vehicles

   0    N/A    0    N/A
  

Other Accounts

   0    N/A    0    N/A

*  Mr. Mischker’s Other Accounts Managed information is as of March 11, 2015.

Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure Disclosure.

The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund. Michael Akins, who is responsible for the day-to day management of each Fund is paid a base salary, and bonus compensation based on revenue generated on the index management portion of the Adviser’s fee. Michael Akins also receives additional compensation based on the assets under management of each Fund. Ryan Mischker, who is also responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund is paid a base salary, plus a discretionary bonus. The bonus for Mr. Mischker is determined by the business unit’s revenue and profitability as well as the individual’s contribution to the business unit. The bonus for Mr. Akins and Mr. Mischker is discretionary and is not based specifically on portfolio performance.

Securities Ownership of the Portfolio Manager. Because each Fund is newly organized, the portfolio managers do not own shares of either Fund.

Administrator. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS Fund Services”) serves as the Trust’s administrator. Pursuant to an administration agreement, ALPS Fund Services provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and accounting services to the Trust. For the services, ALPS Fund Services receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee. ALPS Fund Services is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

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Custodian and Transfer Agent. The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY”) also serves as custodian for the Funds pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. As custodian, BNY holds each Fund’s assets, calculates the NAV of Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. BNY also serves as transfer agent of the Funds pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. As compensation for the foregoing services, BNY receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee.

Distributor. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is the distributor of each Fund’s Shares. Its principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Fund Shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale by each Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the Prospectus and below under the heading “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units.”

Aggregations. Fund Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

The Distribution Agreement for the Funds provides that it may be terminated as to a Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days written notice by the Trust to the Distributor (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 Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in “Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations” below) and DTC Participants of the Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”) (as defined in “DTC Acts as Securities Depository” below).

Index Provider. MSCI Inc. is the index provider for the Funds. MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally. MSCI Inc. products and services include indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools. MSCI Inc. has entered into an index licensing agreement with the Adviser to allow the Adviser’s use of each Underlying Index for the operation of the Funds. The Adviser pays licensing fees to MSCI Inc. from the Adviser’s management fees or other resources.

MSCI Inc. uses rules-based methodologies (each, an “Index Methodology”) to construct and maintain each Underlying Index. A Fund’s Underlying Index and the Index Methodology, including a list of the component securities of the Underlying Index, can be found on the Fund’s website at www.alpsfunds.com.

LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLAIMERS

The information contained herein regarding the Underlying Index was provided by the Index Provider.

 

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THESE FUNDS ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI INC. (“MSCI”), ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, COMPILING, COMPUTING OR CREATING ANY MSCI INDEX (COLLECTIVELY, THE “MSCI PARTIES”). THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY THE ADVISER. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FUNDS GENERALLY OR IN THESE FUNDS PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THESE FUNDS OR THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THESE FUNDS TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY OR THE CONSIDERATION INTO WHICH THESE FUNDS ARE REDEEMABLE. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THESE FUNDS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THESE FUNDS.

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES THAT MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ISSUER OF THE FUND, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND THE MSCI PARITES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

No purchaser, seller or holder of this security, product or fund, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote this security without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.

 

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

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions that are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers. The sale of Fund Shares by a broker-dealer is not a factor in the selection of broker-dealers.

In seeking to implement the Trust’s policies, the Adviser effects transactions with those brokers and dealers that the Adviser believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of providing efficient executions. The Adviser and its affiliates do not currently participate in soft dollar transactions.

The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of a Fund for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities by a Fund and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities may be allocated among the Fund, the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Fund is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to a Fund. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 13, 2007.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or more series or “funds.” The Trust currently is comprised of twenty-two funds. The Board of Trustees of the Trust has the right to establish additional series in the future, to determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges thereof and to modify such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges without shareholder approval.

Each Share issued by a Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Fund. 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 with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation.

 

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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. Shares of all funds, including a Fund, of the Trust vote together as a single class except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, or if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund, and, if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, the shares of that fund will vote separately on such matter.

The Declaration of Trust may, except in limited circumstances, be amended or supplemented by the Trustees without shareholder vote. The holders of Fund shares are required to disclose information on direct or indirect ownership of Fund shares as may be required to comply with various laws applicable to a Fund, and ownership of Fund shares may be disclosed by a Fund if so required by law or regulation.

The Trust is not required and does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders owning more than 51% of the outstanding shares of the Trust have the right to call a special meeting to remove one or more Trustees or for any other purpose.

The Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of Shares held by DTC Participants (as defined below).

Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Control Persons. As of the date of this SAI, no entity owns of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund.

Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Book Entry.”

DTC Acts as Securities Depository for Fund Shares. Shares of a Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee 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 Arca 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 and sale 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

 

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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 Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Fund distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Fund Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit 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.

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

The Trust is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for each Fund also will be available at no charge upon request by calling 866-759-5679 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Fund’s Form N-PX will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Trust will also disclose a complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-CSR after its second and fourth quarters. Form N-Q and Form N-CSR for each Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Each Fund’s Form N-Q and Form N-CSR may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-5850. Each Fund’s Form N-Q and Form N-CSR will be available without charge, upon request, by calling 866-759-5679 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

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Portfolio Holdings Policy. The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. The Funds and their service providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in a Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of a Fund. The Trust’s policy is implemented and overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds, subject to the oversight of the Board. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Board. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. Each Fund’s complete portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day such Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the NYSE Arca via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of a Fund. The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.

Codes of Ethics. Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics for the Trust and approved Codes of Ethics adopted by the Adviser and the Distributor (collectively the “Codes”). The Codes are intended to ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from the person’s employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of interest are avoided.

The Codes apply to the personal investing activities of Trustees and officers of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor (“Access Persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by Access Persons. Under the Codes, Access Persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The Codes permit personnel subject to the Codes to invest in securities subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. The Codes are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public.

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

Creation. The Trust issues and sells Shares of the Funds only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.

A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Deposit of Securities and Deposit or Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities — the “Deposit Securities” — per each Creation Unit Aggregation constituting a substantial replication of the securities included in the Underlying Index (“Fund Securities”) 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 Aggregation of a Fund.

 

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The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the Balancing Amount. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the “Deposit Amount” - an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the creator will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the creator will receive the Cash Component.

The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) (discussed below), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the NYSE Arca (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 a Fund.

Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations 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 a Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within a Fund from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of a Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component stocks of the Underlying Index. 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 that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC, or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. Brokerage commissions incurred in connection with the acquisition of Deposit Securities not eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC and hence not eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (discussed below) will be at the expense of a Fund and will affect the value of all Shares; but the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, may adjust the transaction fee within the parameters described above to protect ongoing shareholders. The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the Underlying Index or resulting from certain corporate actions.

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

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of a Fund, an entity must be a DTC Participant (see the Book Entry Only System section) that has executed an agreement with the Distributor, with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below). A DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement is referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All Fund Shares, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

 

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All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the NYSE (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of a Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. In the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, 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 the “Placement of Creation Orders” section below). 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.

All orders from investors who are not Authorized Participants to create Creation Unit Aggregations 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, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those persons placing orders should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

With respect to investments in non-U.S. securities, the Custodian shall cause the sub-custodian of a Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the securities included in the designated Fund Deposit (or the cash value of all or part of such securities, in the case of a permitted or required cash purchase or “cash in lieu” amount), with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust. Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local sub-custodian(s). Orders to purchase Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the Distributor from an Authorized Participant on its own or another investor’s behalf by the closing time of the regular trading session on the NYSE Arca on the relevant Business Day. However, when a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement date.

The Authorized Participant must also make available no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Trust, immediately-available or same-day funds estimated by the Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fee. Any excess funds will be returned following settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit Aggregation.

Placement of Creation Orders. Fund Deposits must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement pre-approved by the Adviser and the Distributor. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to

 

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ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of a Fund 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 amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations 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 Custodian does not receive both the required 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 canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current Deposit Securities and Cash Component. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations 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.

Additional transaction fees may be imposed in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. (See Creation Transaction Fee section below).

Creation Unit Aggregations 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 Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) 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 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such date, and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by 4:00 p.m. 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 canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to a Fund 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 marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and a Fund for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee, as described below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

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

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

Creation Transaction Fee. Investors will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee payable regardless of the number of creations made each day.

The following table sets forth each Fund’s standard creation transaction fee:

 

Fund

   Standard
Creation
Transaction Fee
 

ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

   $ 9,000   

ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

   $ 15,000   

In the case of cash creations or where the Trust permits or requires an Authorized Participant to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant may be assessed an additional variable charge to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with purchasing the applicable securities. The Trust may adjust these fees from time to time based upon actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Investment Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. The Investment Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the creation securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.

Redemption of Fund Shares in Creation Units Aggregations. Fund Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at its NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. A Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Unit Aggregations. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation 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 Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.

 

36


An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request thereby represents to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) the Shares to be redeemed have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification with respect to a redemption request from a Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in a Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form and may be rejected by the Trust.

With respect to a Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the NYSE Arca (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.

Unless cash redemptions (or partial cash redemptions) are available or specified for a Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation generally consist of Fund Securities - as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form - plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee as listed below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the difference is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.

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

Redemption Transaction Fee. A redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Fund. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available or specified) for a Fund may be imposed to compensate the Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process, a Fund expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities that will not be delivered as part of an in-kind redemption order (“Market Sales”). In such cases where a Fund makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities were sold by the Fund and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and taxes. To the extent applicable, brokerage commissions incurred in connection with a Fund’s sale of portfolio securities will be at the expense of a Fund and will affect the value of all Shares of such Fund; but the Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the redemption securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Redemption Amount to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors who

 

37


use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The standard redemption transaction fees for a Fund otherwise are the same as the standard creation fees set forth above. In no event will the redemption transaction fee exceed 2% of the amount redeemed. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.

Placement of Redemption Orders. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Shares of a Fund, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time (for the Fund Shares), on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”) and 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for any Cash Component, if any owed to a Fund; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any owed to the redeeming Beneficial Owner 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 Trust. However, due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three Business Days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. In such cases, the local market settlement procedures will not commence until the end of the local holiday periods. See below for a list of the local holidays in the foreign countries relevant to a Fund. In addition, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of shares of a Fund, a redeeming Beneficial Owner, or Authorized Participant action on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under Determination of NAV computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Transfer Agent by a DTC Participant not later than 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 the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (i) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (ii) 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/received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. the following 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 Fund 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 that a Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge

 

38


for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset a Fund’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 that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Component, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and a Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

Because the portfolio securities of a Fund may trade on the relevant exchange(s) on days that the NYSE Arca is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for a Fund, shareholders may not be able to redeem their shares of a Fund, or to purchase and sell shares of a Fund on the NYSE Arca, on days when the NAV of a Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

Regular Holidays. A Fund generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis of “T” plus three Business Days (i.e., days on which the national securities exchange is open). A Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis other than T plus three or T plus two in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement period.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to a Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for a Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.

 

39


The dates in calendar year 2015 in which the regular holidays affecting the relevant securities markets of the below listed countries are as follows:

 

2015

 

Australia                        

January 1

  

April 18

  

May 19

  

August 13

  

December 25

January 27

  

April 21

  

June 2

  

September 29

  

December 26

March 3

  

April 25

  

June 9

  

October 6

  

March 10

  

May 5

  

August 4

  

November 4

  
Austria                        

January 1

  

May 1

  

August 15

  

December 24

  

January 6

  

May 14

  

October 26

  

December 25

  

April 3

  

May 25

  

November 1

  

December 26

  

April 6

  

June 4

  

December 8

  

December 31

  
Belgium                        

January 1

  

May 14

  

August 15

     

April 5

  

May 24

  

November 1

     

April 6

  

May 25

  

November 11

     

May 1

  

July 21

  

December 25

     
Brazil                        

January 1

  

April 3

  

June 4

  

November 15

  

February 16

  

April 5

  

September 7

  

December 24

  

February 17

  

April 21

  

October 12

  

December 25

  

February 18

  

May 1

  

November 2

  

December 31

  
Chile                        

January 1

  

June 29

  

December 8

     

April 3

  

July 16

  

December 25

     

May 1

  

September 18

  

December 31

     

May 21

  

October 12

        
China                        

January 1

  

February 23

  

September 27

  

October 7

  

January 2

  

February 24

  

October 1

  

December 25

  

February 18

  

April 6

  

October 2

     

February 19

  

May 1

  

October 5

     

February 20

  

June 20

  

October 6

     
Colombia                        

January 1

  

April 3

  

June 15

  

August 17

  

December 8

January 12

  

May 1

  

June 29

  

October 12

  

December 25

March 23

  

May 18

  

July 20

  

November 2

  

December 31

April 2

  

June 8

  

August 7

  

November 16

  
Czech Republic                        

January 1

  

July 6

  

December 24

     

April 6

  

September 28

  

December 25

     

May 1

  

October 28

        

May 8

  

November 17

        

 

40


Denmark                  

January 1

  

May 1

  

December 24

  

April 2

  

May 14

  

December 25

  

April 3

  

May 25

  

December 26

  

April 6

  

June 5

  

December 31

  
Egypt                  

January 1

  

July 1

  

September 25

  

January 7

  

July 20

  

October 6

  

April 13

  

July 23

  

October 15

  

May 1

  

September 24

  

December 24

  

*     The Egyptian market is closed every Friday.

  
Finland                  

January 1

  

May 1

  

December 25

  

January 6

  

May 14

     

April 3

  

June 19

     

April 6

  

December 24

     
France                  

January 1

  

May 8

  

November 11

  

April 3

  

May 14

  

December 25

  

April 6

  

May 25

     

May 1

  

July 14

     
Germany                  

January 1

  

May 1

  

December 25

  

January 6

  

May 14

     

April 3

  

May 25

     

April 6

  

June 4

     
Greece                  

January 1

  

April 3

  

June 1

  

January 6

  

April 6

  

October 28

  

February 23

  

April 13

  

December 25

  

March 25

  

May 1

     
Hong Kong                  

January 1

  

April 6

  

September 28

  

December 26

February 19

  

May 1

  

October 1

  

February 20

  

May 25

  

October 21

  

April 3

  

July 1

  

December 25

  
Hungary                  

January 1

  

May 25

  

December 25

  

April 6

  

August 20

     

May 1

  

October 23

     

 

41


India                        
January 1   

April 2

  

July 17

  

October 15

  

December 25

January 26   

April 3

  

August 15

  

October 22

  
February 17   

May 1

  

September 17

  

November 11

  
March 6   

May 25

  

October 2

  

November 25

  
Indonesia                        
January 1   

May 14

  

October 15

     
February 19   

May 15

  

December 24

     
April 3   

August 17

  

December 25

     
May 1   

September 24

        
Ireland                        
January 1   

April 24

  

October 26

     
March 17   

May 4

  

December 24

     
April 3   

June 1

  

December 25

     
April 6   

August 3

  

December 29

     
Israel                        
March 5   

April 23

  

September 23

     
April 10   

May 7

  

September 28

     
April 15   

September 14

  

October 5

     
April 22   

September 15

  

December 7

     

*     The Israeli market is closed every Friday.

     
Italy                        
January 1   

May 1

  

December 25

     
January 6   

June 2

  

December 31

     
April 3   

June 29

        
April 6   

December 8

        
Japan                        
January 1   

April 29

  

July 20

  

October 12

  

December 31

January 2   

May 4

  

September 21

  

November 3

  
January 12   

May 5

  

September 22

  

November 23

  
February 11   

May 6

  

September 23

  

December 23

  
Malaysia                        
January 1   

June 1

  

October 13

     
January 3   

June 6

  

November 11

     
February 1   

July 18

  

December 25

     
February 19   

August 31

        
May 1   

September 23

        
Mexico                        
January 1   

March 16

  

May 5

  

November 20

  
January 6   

April 2

  

September 16

  

December 25

  
February 2   

April 3

  

November 2

     
February 5   

May 1

  

November 16

     
Netherlands                        
January 1   

April 27

  

May 14

     
April 3   

April 30

  

May 25

     
April 6   

May 5

  

December 25

     

 

42


New Zealand                        
January 1   

April 6

  

December 25

     
January 2   

April 27

  

December 28

     
February 6   

June 1

        
April 3   

October 26

        
Norway                        
January 1   

May 1

  

December 25

     
April 2   

May 14

  

December 31

     
April 3   

May 25

        
April 6   

December 24

        
Peru                        
January 1   

June 29

  

December 25

     
April 2   

July 28

  

December 31

     
April 3   

October 8

        
May 1   

December 8

        
Philippines                        
January 1   

April 3

  

August 21

  

November 30

  

December 31

February 19   

April 9

  

August 31

  

December 24

  
February 25   

May 1

  

September 24

  

December 25

  
April 2   

June 12

  

November 2

  

December 30

  
Poland                        
January 1   

May 1

        
January 6   

June 4

        
April 3   

November 11

        
April 6   

December 25

        
Portugal                        
January 1   

June 1

  

December 1

     
February 17   

June 4

  

December 8

     
April 3   

June 10

  

December 24

     
May 1   

October 5

  

December 25

     
Qatar                        
February 10   

September 21

  

December 18

     
July 20   

September 22

  

December 24

     
July 21   

September 23

        
July 22   

October 15

        

*     The Qatari market is closed every Friday

     
Russia                        
January 1   

January 7

  

May 1

  

December 30

  
January 2   

January 8

  

May 11

  

December 31

  
January 5   

February 23

  

June 12

     
January 6   

March 9

  

November 4

     

 

43


Singapore                        
January 1   

May 1

  

December 25

     
February 19   

August 10

  

December 31

     
February 20   

November 11

        
April 3   

December 24

        
South Africa                        
January 1   

May 1

  

December 16

     
April 3   

June 16

  

December 25

     
April 6   

August 10

        
April 27   

September 24

        
South Korea                        
January 1   

May 5

  

October 3

     
February 19   

May 25

  

December 25

     
March 1   

August 15

        
May 1   

September 27

        
Spain                        
January 1   

April 3

  

May 25

  

December 25

  
January 6   

April 6

  

June 4

     
March 19   

May 1

  

October 12

     
April 2   

May 14

  

December 8

     
Sweden                        
January 1   

April 6

  

June 19

  

December 31

  
January 5   

April 30

  

October 30

     
January 6   

May 1

  

December 24

     
April 3   

May 14

  

December 25

     
Switzerland                        
January 1   

May 25

        
January 2   

August 1

        
April 3   

December 24

        
April 6   

December 25

        
May 14   

December 26

        
Taiwan                        
January 1   

February 28

  

September 27

     
February 19   

April 5

  

October 10

     
February 20   

May 1

        
February 23   

June 20

        
Thailand                        
January 1   

April 13

  

May 5

  

December 4

  

December 31

February 19   

April 14

  

July 1

  

December 10

  
February 20   

April 15

  

August 12

  

December 24

  
April 6   

May 1

  

October 23

  

December 25

  

 

44


Turkey                  
January 1   

July 20

  

September 25

  
April 23   

September 23

  

October 29

  
May 1   

October 3

  

October 29

  
May 19   

September 24

     
United Arab Emirates                  
January 1   

September 24

  

December 2

  
May 15   

September 25

  

December 3

  
July 20   

October 15

  

December 24

  

*     The United Arab Emirates market is closed every Friday.

  
United Kingdom                  
January 1   

April 3

  

May 25

  

December 25

January 2   

April 6

  

August 3

  

December 28

January 6   

May 4

  

August 31

  

Redemption. The longest redemption cycle for a Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycles among the countries whose stocks comprise the Fund. In the calendar year 2015, the dates of the regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycle* for a Fund are as follows:

SETTLEMENT PERIODS GREATER THAN SEVEN DAYS FOR YEAR 2015

     Beginning of
Settlement
Period
   End of
Settlement
Period
   Number of
Days in
Settlement
Period
 

China

   02/13/15    02/25/15      12   
   02/16/15    02/26/15      10   
   02/17/15    02/27/15      10   
   09/28/15    10/08/15      10   
   09/29/15    10/09/15      10   
   09/30/15    10/12/15      12   

Denmark

   3/30/2015    4/7/2015      8   
   3/31/2015    4/8/2015      8   
   4/1/2015    4/9/2015      8   

Japan

   12/26/14    01/05/15      10   
   12/29/14    01/06/15      8   
   12/30/14    01/07/15      8   
   04/28/15    05/07/15      9   
   04/30/15    05/08/15      8   
   05/01/15    05/11/15      10   
   09/16/15    09/24/15      8   
   09/17/15    09/25/15      8   
   09/18/15    09/28/15      11   

Norway

   3/30/2015    4/7/2015      8   
   3/31/2015    4/8/2015      8   
   4/1/2015    4/9/2015      8   

Philippines

   12/22/2014    1/2/2015      11   
   12/23/2014    1/4/2015      12   
   12/23/2014    1/5/2015      13   
   12/28/2014    1/5/2015      8   
   12/29/2014    1/6/2015      8   

 

45


Qatar

   7/15/2015    7/23/2015      8   
   7/16/2015    7/26/2015      10   
   7/19/2015    7/27/2015      8   
   9/16/2015    9/24/2015      8   
   9/17/2015    9/27/2015      10   
   9/20/2015    9/28/2015      8   

Russia

   12/24/2014    1/9/2015      16   
   12/26/2014    1/12/2015      17   
   12/29/2014    1/13/2015      15   
   12/24/2015    1/11/2016      18   
   12/28/2015    1/15/2016      15   
   12/29/2015    1/18/2015      18   

South Africa

   12/23/2014    1/2/2015      10   
   12/24/2014    1/5/2015      12   
   12/29/2014    1/6/2015      8   
   12/30/2014    1/7/2015      8   
   12/31/2014    1/8/2015      8   
   3/27/2015    4/7/2015      11   
   3/30/2015    4/8/2015      9   
   3/31/2015    4/9/2015      9   
   4/1/2015    4/10/2015      9   
   4/2/2015    4/13/2015      11   
   4/20/2015    4/28/2015      8   
   4/21/2015    4/29/2015      8   
   4/22/2015    4/30/2015      8   
   4/23/2015    5/1/2015      8   
   4/23/2015    5/4/2015      11   
   4/24/2015    5/5/2015      11   
   4/28/2015    5/6/2015      8   
   4/29/2015    5/7/2015      8   
   4/30/2015    5/8/2015      8   
   6/9/2015    6/17/2015      8   
   6/10/2015    6/18/2015      8   
   6/11/2015    6/19/2015      8   
   6/12/2015    6/22/2015      10   
   6/15/2015    6/23/2015      8   
   8/3/2015    8/11/2015      8   
   8/4/2015    8/12/2015      8   
   8/5/2015    8/13/2015      8   
   8/6/2015    8/14/2015      8   
   8/7/2015    8/17/2015      10   
   9/17/2015    9/25/2015      8   
   9/18/2015    9/28/2015      10   
   9/21/2015    9/29/2015      8   
   9/22/2015    9/30/2015      8   
   9/23/2015    10/1/2015      8   
   12/9/2015    12/17/2015      8   
   12/10/2015    12/18/2015      8   
   12/11/2015    12/21/2015      10   

 

46


   12/14/2015    12/22/2015      8   
   12/15/2015    12/23/2015      8   
   12/18/2015    12/28/2015      10   
   12/21/2015    12/29/2015      8   
   12/22/2015    12/30/2015      8   
   12/23/2015    12/31/2015      8   
   12/24/2015    1/4/2016      11   
   12/28/2015    1/5/2016      8   
   12/29/2015    1/6/2016      8   
   12/30/2015    1/7/2016      8   
   12/31/2015    1/8/2016      8   

Spain

   3/30/2015    4/7/2015      8   
   3/31/2015    4/8/2015      8   
   4/1/2015    4/9/2015      8   

Switzerland

   12/23/2014    1/5/2015      13   
   12/29/2014    1/7/2015      9   
   12/30/2014    1/8/2015      9   
   12/30/2015    1/7/2016      8   

Taiwan

   02/16/15    02/24/15      8   
   02/17/15    02/25/15      8   

Thailand

   04/08/15    04/16/15      8   
   04/09/15    04/17/15      8   
   04/10/15    04/20/15      10   

 

*

These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible.

 

47


TAXES

Each Fund intends to qualify for and to elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, a company must annually distribute at least 90% of its net investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements relating to the nature of its income and the diversification of its assets. If a Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. A Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein and in the Prospectus.

A Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) plus 98.2% of its net capital gains (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for twelve months ended October 31 of such year. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.

As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of each Fund has the right to reject an order to purchase Shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the 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 Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

A Fund may make investments that are subject to special federal income tax rules, such as investments in repurchase agreements, money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes, and non-U.S. corporations classified as “passive foreign investment companies” (discussed below). Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the timing of income or gain, the treatment of income as capital or ordinary and the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term. The application of these special rules would therefore also affect the character of distributions made by a Fund. A Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of its investments earlier than anticipated in order to meet its distribution requirements.

A Fund may invest in stocks of foreign companies that may be classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, a Fund intends to mark-to-market these securities under certain provisions of the Code and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of the Fund’s fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that a Fund is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. In addition, if a Fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income tax and interest on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders.

 

48


Under Section 988 of the Code, special rules are provided for certain transactions in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer’s functional currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from forward contracts, from futures contracts that are not “regulated futures contracts,” and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss under Section 988 of the Internal Revenue Code. Also, certain foreign exchange gains or losses derived with respect to foreign fixed income securities are also subject to Section 988 treatment. In general, therefore, Section 988 gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund’s net capital gain.

Distributions from a Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, and distributions of income from securities lending, are taxable as ordinary income.

Legislation passed by Congress requires reporting of adjusted cost basis information for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired after January 1, 2012, to the Internal Revenue Service and to taxpayers. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of a Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service will be taxable dividends to Shareholders acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long shareholders have held the Shares.

Dividends declared by each Fund in October, November or December and paid to shareholders of record of such months during the following January may be treated as having been received by such shareholders in the year the distributions were declared.

The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by a Fund to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and the shareholder. Each Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends received deduction. In addition, each Fund will report the amount of dividends to non-corporate shareholders eligible for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains.

The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of a Fund may be disallowed if other substantially identical Shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date on which the Shares are disposed. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six (6) months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders (including undistributed capital gain included in income). Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to state and local taxes.

 

49


If, for any calendar year, the total distributions made exceed a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will, for federal income tax purposes, be treated as a tax free return of capital to each shareholder up to the amount of the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale of shares. The amount treated as a tax free return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her shares, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale of his or her shares.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

Distributions of ordinary income paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities that are not effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. However, shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will generally not be subject to U.S. withholding or income tax on gains realized on the sale of Shares or on dividends from capital gains unless (i) such gain or capital gain dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. or (ii) in the case of a non-corporate shareholder, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or capital gain dividend and certain other conditions are met. Gains on the sale of Shares and dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.

For distributions with respect to taxable years of RICs beginning before January 1, 2015 (if not extended further by Congress), a RIC is not required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions to foreign shareholders that are properly designated by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” provided that the income would not be subject to federal income tax if earned directly by the foreign shareholder. There can be no assurance as to whether or not legislation will be enacted to extend this exemption. Additionally, even if such legislation is enacted, a Fund may withhold tax on these distributions regardless of the fact that it may not be required to do so. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax and the potential application of the U.S. estate tax.

Effective July 1, 2014, the withholding of U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) is required with respect to payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to enable the applicable withholding agent to determine whether withholding is required.

Some shareholders may be subject to a withholding tax on distributions of ordinary income, capital gains and any cash received on redemption of Creation Units (“backup withholding”). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with a Fund or who, to a Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.

 

50


The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under federal, state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, possibly retroactively.

FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS

A Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark to market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. 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.

In order for a Fund to continue to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a RIC, at least 90% of its gross income for a taxable year must be derived from qualifying income, i.e., dividends, interest, income derived from loans or securities, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or of foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in securities (including net income derived from an interest in certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships”). It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale or other disposition of securities or derived with respect to a Fund’s business of investing in securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement.

Each Fund distributes to shareholders at least annually any net capital gains which have been recognized for federal income tax purposes, including unrealized gains at the end of the Fund’s fiscal year on futures or options transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions of capital gains realized on a Fund’s other investments and shareholders are advised on the nature of the distributions.

DETERMINATION OF NAV

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “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 and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV per Share is calculated by the Custodian and determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open.

In computing a Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s securities holdings traded on a national securities exchange are valued based on their last sale price. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Securities regularly traded in an OTC market are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market or in the case of the NASDAQ, at the NASDAQ official closing price. Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued based on fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.

 

51


DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

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

General Policies. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid semi-annually. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of a Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

Dividends and other distributions on Fund 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 the Fund.

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 a Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.

INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE

The approximate value of a Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value (“IIV”), is disseminated by the Exchange every 15 seconds during hours of trading on the Exchange. The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV will be calculated by an independent third party calculator and may not be calculated in the exact same manner as NAV, which is computed daily.

The Exchange calculates the IIV during hours of trading on the Exchange by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in the Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owing to the Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Fund’s website. In determining the estimated value for each of the component securities, the IIV will use last sale, market prices or other methods that would be considered appropriate for pricing equity securities held by registered investment companies. Although each Fund provides the independent third party calculator with information to calculate the IIV, the Fund is not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and is not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Funds make no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Counsel. Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10036, is counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 555 17th Street, Suite 3600, Denver, Colorado 80202, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. They audit the Funds’ financial statements and perform other related audit services.

 

52


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of the date of this SAI, the Funds have not commenced investment operations. When available, you can obtain copies of a Fund’s Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report at no charge by writing or telephoning the Fund at the address or number on the front page of this SAI.

 

53


APPENDIX A

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures and Guidelines

 

1. POLICY STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND

Overview

An investment adviser that exercises voting authority over clients’ proxies must adopt written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that those proxies are voted in the best economic interests of clients. An adviser’s policies and procedures must address how the adviser resolves material conflicts of interest between its interests and those of its clients. An investment adviser must comply with certain record keeping and disclosure requirements with respect to its proxy voting responsibilities. In addition, an investment adviser to ERISA accounts has an affirmative obligation to vote proxies for an ERISA account, unless the client expressly retains proxy voting authority.

Policy Summary

With all advisory clients of AAI currently being investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, any assignment of voting authority over the Funds’ voting securities is typically delegated to AAI as the Funds’ investment adviser, or the Funds’ sub-adviser by the respective Funds’ Board of Trustees/Directors. If the Funds’ day-to-day investment decisions are performed by the Funds’ investment sub-adviser(s), Funds’ Board of Trustees/Directors may elect to delegate the responsibility of voting proxies to such sub-adviser to be voted in accordance to the sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. For securities in the portfolio of a Fund that is managed by more than one sub-adviser, each sub-adviser shall make voting decisions pursuant to their own proxy voting policies and procedures, as adopted in conformance with the Advisers Act for their respective portions of the Fund’s portfolio, unless directed otherwise.

ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”) has adopted and implemented the following policies and procedures, which it believes are reasonably designed to: (1) ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interest of clients and (2) address material conflicts of interest that may arise. AAI will provide clients with a copy of its policies and procedures, as they may be updated from time to time, upon request. Information regarding AAI’s proxy voting decisions is confidential. Therefore, the information may be shared on a need to know basis only, including within AAI. Advisory clients may obtain information on how their proxies were voted by AAI. However, AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records to third parties; the investment company clients’ proxy records will be disclosed to shareholders by publicly-available annual filings of each investment company’s proxy voting record for 12-month periods ending June 30th.

POLICY

All proxies regarding client securities for which AAI has authority to vote will, unless AAI determines in accordance with policies stated below to refrain from voting, be voted in a manner considered by AAI to be in the best interest of AAI’s clients. The best interest of clients is defined for this purpose as the interest of enhancing or protecting the economic value of client accounts, considered as a group rather than individually, as AAI determines in its sole and absolute discretion. There may also be instances where a fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F), and by law, the fund may be required to vote proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the acquired fund (i.e., “echo vote”). In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, AAI will vote as the client clearly instructs, provided AAI receives such instructions in time to act accordingly.

 

A-1


AAI endeavors to vote, in accordance with this Policy, all proxies of which it becomes aware, subject to the following general exceptions (unless otherwise agreed) when AAI expects to routinely refrain from voting:

 

  i. Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where the security has been loaned from the Client’s account and subsequently, AAI determines that the type of proxy issue is not material to shareholders. AAI will utilize the below considerations to determine if a security then on loan should be recalled for voting purposes. Decisions will generally be made on a case-by-case basis depending on whether, in AAI’s judgment,:

 

    the matter to be voted on has critical significance to the potential value of the security in question;
    the security represents a significant holding and whether the security is considered a long-term holding; and
    AAI believes it can recall the security in time to cast the vote.

 

  ii. Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where AAI deems the costs to the Client and/or the administrative inconvenience of voting the security outweigh the benefit of doing so (e.g., international issuers which impose share blocking restrictions).

AAI seeks to avoid the occurrence of actual or apparent material conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process by voting in accordance with predetermined voting guidelines and observing other procedures that are intended to guard against and manage conflicts of interest (refer to Section III, Conflicts of Interest below).

 

2. PROCEDURES AND CONTROLS

AAI has adopted the following proxy voting procedures and controls for any client securities which AAI has authority to vote on. Where proxy voting is delegated to the sub-adviser, the sub-adviser will adopt proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

I. PROXY COMMITTEE

AAI has established a Proxy Committee whose standing members include Chief Compliance Officer, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Vice President, and Senior Vice President and Director of Index Management & Product Oversight. These members participate as voting authorities on the Committee. Each standing member may designate a senior portfolio manager or a senior analyst officer to act as a substitute in a given matter on their behalf. Additionally, the Proxy Committee regularly involves other associates (e.g., Fund CCO or Legal representative) who participate as needed to enable effective execution of the Committee’s responsibilities.

The Proxy Committee’s functions include, in part,

(a) direction of the vote on proposals where there has been a recommendation to the Proxy Committee not to vote according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines (stated in Appendix A) or on proposals which require special, individual consideration in accordance with Section III.C;

(b) review periodically this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure to ensure consistency with internal policies, client disclosures and regulatory requirements;

(c) development and modification of Voting Procedures, as stated in Section VI, as it deems appropriate or necessary.

II. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

For purposes of this policy, a material conflict of interest is a relationship or activity engaged in by AAI, an AAI affiliate, or an AAI associate that creates an incentive (or appearance thereof) to favor the interests of AAI, the

 

A-2


affiliate, or associate, rather than the clients’ interests. For example, AAI may have a conflict of interest if either AAI has a significant business relationship with a company that is soliciting a proxy, or if an AAI associate involved in the proxy voting decision-making process has a significant personal or family relationship with the particular company. A conflict of interest is considered to be “material” to the extent that a reasonable person could expect the conflict to influence AAI’s decision on the particular vote at issue. In all cases where there is deemed to be a material conflict of interest, AAI will seek to resolve it in the clients’ best interests.

AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”) or another independent third party. In providing proxy voting services to AAI, ISS provides vote recommendations on a pre-determined policy. Generally, AAI will vote proxies based on ISS’ pre-determined voting policy. In doing so, AAI demonstrates that its vote would not be a product of a conflict of interest as AAI would have little or no discretion on how the proxy was voted.

AAI has undertaken a review of ISS’ conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.

 

III. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

A. AAI’s Proxy Voting Guidelines – General Practices.

The Proxy Committee has adopted the guidelines for voting proxies specified in Appendix A of this policy. AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor to implement its proxy voting process as AAI’s proxy voting agent. In general, whenever a vote is solicited, ISS or another independent third party will execute the vote according to AAI’s Voting Guidelines.

B. Ability to Vote Proxies Other than as Provided by Voting Guidelines.

A portfolio manager or other party involved with a client’s account may conclude that the best interest of the firm’s client, as defined above, requires that a proxy be voted in a manner that differs from the predetermined proxy Voting Guidelines. In this situation, he or she will request that the Proxy Committee consider voting the proxy other than according to such Guidelines. If any person, group, or entity requests the Proxy Committee (or any of its members) vote a proxy other than according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines, that person will furnish to the Proxy Committee a written explanation of the reasons for the request and a description of the person’s, group’s, or entity’s relationship, if any, with the parties proposing and/or opposing the matter’s adoption. The Proxy Committee may consider the matter including any potential conflicts of interest. A research analyst or portfolio manager must disclose in in writing any inappropriate attempt to influence their recommendation or any other personal interest that they have with the issuer (see Conflicts of Interest Disclosure and Certification Form - Appendix B to this policy).

C. Other Proxy Proposals

For the following categories of proposals either the Proxy Committee will determine how proxies related to all such proposals will be voted, or the proxies will be voted in accordance with ISS’ or an individual client’s guidelines.

1. New Proposals. For each new type of proposal that is expected to be proposed to shareholders of multiple companies, the Proxy Committee will develop a Voting Guideline which will be incorporated into this Policy.

2. Accounts Adhering to Taft Hartley Principles. All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Taft Hartley Guidelines developed by ISS.

3. Accounts Adhering to Socially Responsible Principles. All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Socially Responsible Guidelines developed by ISS or as specified by the client.

 

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4. Proxies of International Issuers which Block Securities Sales between the Time a Shareholder submits a Proxy and the Vote. In general, AAI will refrain from voting such securities. However, in the exceptional circumstances that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to vote such proxies, all proposals for these securities will be voted only on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee and to the extent practicable in accordance with the Voting Guidelines set forth in this Policy.

5. Proxies of Investment Company Shares. Proposals on issues other than those provided in Section III.B will be voted on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee.

6. Executive/Director Compensation. Except as provided in Section III.B, proposals relating to compensation of any executive or director will be voted as recommended by ISS or as otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee.

7. Preemptive Rights. Proposals to create or eliminate shareholder preemptive rights. In evaluating these proposals the Proxy Committee will consider the size of the company and the nature of its shareholder base.

IV. VOTING PROCEDURES

The Proxy Committee has developed the following procedures to aid the voting of proxies according to the Voting Guidelines. The Proxy Committee may revise these procedures from time to time, as it deems necessary or appropriate to affect the purposes of this Policy.

 

  1. AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor, to implement its proxy voting process as AAI’s proxy voting agent. This retention is subject to AAI continuously assessing the vendor’s independence from AAI and its affiliates, and the vendor’s ability to perform its responsibilities (and, especially, its responsibility to vote client proxies in accordance with AAI’s proxy voting guidelines) free of any actual, potential or apparent material conflicts of interests that may arise between the interests of the vendor, its affiliates, the vendor’s other clients and the owners, officers or employees of any such firm, on the one hand, and AAI’s clients, on the other hand. As means of performing this assessment, AAI will require various reports and notices from the vendor, as well as periodic audits of the vendor’s voting record and other due diligence.

 

  2. ISS will provide proxy analysis and record keeping services in addition to voting proxies on behalf of AAI in accordance with this Policy.

 

  3. On a daily basis, AAI or designee will send to ISS a holdings file detailing each equity holding held in all accounts over which AAI has voting authority.

 

  4. AAI will complete a Vote Authorization Registration with ISS for any new client which will describe how ballots will be executed on behalf of the client. In addition, AAI will complete and provide the client’s custodian bank with a Letter of Authorization. The letter will serve as notice that AAI has retained ISS to act as the voting agent for the securities held in the client’s account and will instruct the custodian bank to forward all ballots, meeting notices, and other proxy materials to ISS.

 

  5. ISS will receive proxy material information from Proxy Edge or the custodian bank for the account. This will include issues to be voted upon, together with a breakdown of holdings for AAI accounts. ISS will then reconcile information it receives from Proxy Edge and custodian banks. Any discrepancies will be promptly noted and resolved by ISS, with notice to AAI.

 

  6. Whenever a vote is solicited, ISS will execute the vote according to AAI’s Voting Guidelines which will be delivered by AAI to ISS as set forth in Appendix A and anytime there is a material change to these guidelines.

 

  ¡ 

If ISS is unsure how to vote a particular proxy, ISS will issue a request for voting instructions to AAI

 

A-4


  over a secure website. AAI personnel will check this website regularly. The request will be accompanied by a recommended vote. The recommended vote will be based upon ISS’ understanding of the Voting Guidelines previously delivered to ISS. AAI will promptly provide ISS with any amendments or modifications to the Voting Guidelines if necessary. AAI will return a final instruction to vote to ISS, which ISS will record with Proxy Edge or the custodian bank as our agent.

 

  7. Each time that ISS sends AAI a request to vote, the request will be accompanied by the recommended vote determined in accordance with AAI’s Voting Guidelines. ISS will vote as indicated in the request unless the client has reserved discretion, the Proxy Committee determines that the best interest of clients requires another vote, or the proposal is a matter as to which the Proxy Committee affords special, individual consideration under Section III.B. In such situations, ISS will vote based on the direction of the client or the Proxy Committee, as the case may be. The interests of AAI’s Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible clients may impact a proposal that normally should be voted in a certain way. ISS will inform AAI of all proposals having impact on its Taft Hartley and or Socially Responsible clients. The Proxy Voting Committee will be consulted before a vote is placed in cases where Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible issues are presented.

 

  8. ISS will have procedures in place to ensure that a vote is cast on every security holding maintained by AAI on which a vote is solicited unless otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee. On a yearly basis, or as required by our clients AAI will receive a report from ISS detailing AAI’s voting for the previous period.

V. SECURITIES LENDING

Each Fund advised by AAI, where authorized by its respective Board, may engage in securities lending transactions, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and limitations. The Adviser will be required to monitor for scheduled or anticipated proxy votes relating to securities on loan and determine whether the securities should be recalled from loan on the relevant record date. AAI has retained ISS to provide notifications relating to portfolio securities on loan, and AAI will make the determination whether or not to recall a particular security in order to cast the vote. There may be situations where the Adviser may not be able to recall the security in time to cast the vote.

VI. SUPERVISION

Managers and supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that their associates understand and follow this policy and any applicable procedures adopted by the business group to implement the policy. The Proxy Committee has ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this Policy.

VII. ESCALATION

With the exception of conflicts of interest-related matters, issues arising under this policy should be escalated to AAI’s CCO, or designee. Issues involving potential or actual conflicts of interest should be promptly communicated to Compliance or Legal. Compliance will notify the Fund Chief Compliance Officer(s), if a material conflict of interest has arisen that deems the attention of the respective Fund Board(s).

VIII. MONITORING

AAI’s Compliance Department is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the proxy voting process. The Compliance Department’s monitoring will take into account the following elements: (1) periodic review of ISS votes to ensure that ISS is accurately voting consistent with AAI’s Proxy Guidelines; and (2) review of fund’s N-PX report to ensure that it’s filed in a timely and accurate manner. Additionally, AAI will review ISS’ conflicts of interest policies.

AAI’s Compliance Committee monitors proxy matters for its clients including monitoring material conflicts of interest identified.

 

A-5


IX. AVAILABILITY OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND VOTING RECORD

A summary disclosure regarding the provisions of this Policy is available in AAI’s Form ADV. Upon receipt of a Client’s request for more information, AAI will provide to the Client a copy of this Policy and/or how AAI voted proxies for the Client pursuant to this Policy for up to a one-year period. It is AAI’s policy not to disclose how it voted a client’s proxy to third parties.

With respect to its investment company clients, AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records; rather, ALPS will disclose such information by publicly available annual filings. AAI will create and maintain records of each investment company’s proxy record for 12-month periods ended June 30th. AAI will compile the following information for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting during the period covered by the annual report and which the company was entitled to vote:

 

    The name of the issuer of the security;

 

    The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (is symbol is available through reasonably practicable means);

 

    The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number for the portfolio security (if number is available through reasonably practicable means);

 

    The shareholder meeting date;

 

    A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

    Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

 

    Whether the company cast its vote on the matter;

 

    How the company cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding the election of directors); and

 

    Whether the company cast its vote for or against management.

X. OTHER RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS

Business groups and support partners are responsible for maintaining all records necessary to evidence compliance with this policy. The records must be properly maintained and readily accessible in order to evidence compliance with this policy.

These records include:

 

    Proxy Committee Meeting Minutes and Other Materials (routine oversight matters are discussed within AAI’s Compliance Committee meetings and will be documented within the Compliance Committee’s materials);
    Analysis and Supporting Materials of Investment Management Personnel Concerning Proxy Decisions and Recommendations;
    Conflicts of Interest Review Documentation, including Conflicts of Interest Forms; and
    Client Communications Regarding Proxy Matters.

Records should be retained for a period of not less than six years. Records must be retained in an appropriate office of AAI for the first three years.

Dated: November 29, 2006

Last Amended: December 19, 2014

 

A-6


Appendix A

Summary of Proxy Voting Guidelines

AAI has adopted Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.’s (“ISS”) standard benchmark policy which allows ISS to apply the most appropriate underlying guideline for each respective ballot. ISS has created multiple guidelines to cover various markets, including, but not limited to: U.S., Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, Africa and Australia. AAI retains the right to override any of ISS’ guidelines on a case-by-case basis. A concise summary of ISS’ current Proxy Voting Guidelines can be found at http://www.issgovernance.com/policy.

 

A-7


Appendix B

Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form

ALPS ADVISORS, INC.

PROXY VOTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM

 

1. Company name:                                                                                                                                
2. Date of Meeting:                                                                                                                              
3. Referral Item(s):                                                                                                                                

4. Description of AAI’s Business Relationship with Issuer of Proxy which may give rise to a conflict of

interest:                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                               
5.   Describe procedures used to address any conflict of interest:                                                      
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                               

Compliance will consider information about AAI’s significant business relationships, as well as other relevant information. The information considered by Compliance may include information regarding: (1) AAI client and other business relationships; (2) any relevant personal conflicts; and (3) communications between investment professionals and parties outside the AAI investment division regarding the proxy matter. Compliance will consult with relevant experts, including legal counsel, as necessary.

If Compliance determines that it reasonably believes (1) AAI has a material conflict of interest, or (2) certain individuals should be recused from participating in the proxy vote at issue, Compliance will inform the Chair of the Proxy Committee. Where a material conflict of interest is determined to have arisen in the proxy voting process, AAI’s policy is to invoke one or more of the following conflict management procedures:

 

  a. Causing the proxies to be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party (which generally will be AAI’s proxy voting agent);
  b. Causing the proxies to be delegated to a qualified, independent third party, which may include AAI’s proxy voting agent.
  c. In unusual cases, with the Client’s consent and upon ample notice, forwarding the proxies to AAI’s clients so that they may vote the proxies directly.

Affiliate Investment Companies and Public Companies

AAI considers (1) proxies solicited by open-end and closed-end investment companies for which AAI or an affiliate serves as an investment adviser or principal underwriter to present a material conflict of interest for AAI. Consequently, the proxies of such affiliates will be voted following one of the conflict management procedures discussed above.

Management of Conflicts of Interest – Additional Procedures

AAI has various compliance policies and procedures in place in order to address any material conflicts of interest that might arise in this context.

 

B-1


a. AAI’s Code of Ethics affirmatively requires that associates of AAI act in a manner whereby no actual or apparent conflict of interest may be seen as arising between the associate’s interests and those of AAI’s Clients.

 

b. By assuming his or her responsibilities pursuant to this Policy, each member of the Proxy Committee (including the chairperson) and any AAI or ALPS associate advising or acting under the supervision or oversight of the Proxy Committee undertakes:

 

    To disclose in writing to AAI’s Chief Compliance Officer any actual or apparent personal material conflicts of interest which he or she may have (e.g., by way of substantial ownership of securities, relationships with nominees for directorship, members of an issuer’s or dissident’s management or otherwise) in determining whether or how AAI will vote proxies. Additionally, each member must disclose any direct, indirect or perceived influence or attempt to influence such action which the member or associate views as being inconsistent with the purpose or provisions of this Policy or the Code of Ethics of AAI or ALPS. In the event any member of the Proxy Committee has a conflict of interest regarding a given matter, he or she will abstain from participating in the Committee’s determination of whether and/or how to vote in the matter; and

 

    To refrain from taking into consideration, in the decision as to whether or how AAI will vote proxies the existence of any current or prospective material business relationship between AAI, ALPS or any of their affiliates, on one hand, and any party (or its affiliates) that is soliciting or is otherwise interested in the proxies to be voted, on the other hand.

 

c. In certain circumstances, AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”) or another independent third party. AAI has undertaken a review of ISS’ conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.

6. Describe any contacts from parties outside AAI (other than routine communications from proxy solicitors) with respect to the referral item not otherwise reported in an investment professional’s recommendation:

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned personnel of AAI certifies that, to the best of his/her knowledge, any recommendation of an investment professional provided under circumstances where a conflict of interest exists was made solely on the investment merits and without regard to any other consideration.

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

B-2


Item 28.

  

Exhibits

    
   (a)    (1)   Certificate of Trust of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(1)
      (2)   Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(2)
   (b)      By-Laws of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(2)
   (c)      Provisions of instruments defining rights of security holders are contained in Articles 4 and 7 of the Declaration of Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of this filing).
   (d)    (1)   Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF.(13)
      (2)   Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(13)
      (3)   Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to Global Commodity Equity ETF (f/k/a Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund).(13)
      (4)   Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(13)
      (5)   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
      (6)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
      (7)   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(12)


    (8)    Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Rich Investment Solutions, LLC with respect to the U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(12)
    (9)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(9)
    (10)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF and VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF.(11)
    (11)    Form of Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (12)    Form of Amendment to Sub-Advisory Agreement between ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Rich Investment Solutions LLC, with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (13)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)
    (14)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
    (15)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
    (16)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio.(19)
    (17)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(20)


     (18)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(22)
     (19)    Form of Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(22)
     (20)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
     (21)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)
     (22)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
     (23)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
     (24)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).
     (25)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
     (26)    Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Rich Investment Solutions LLC, with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
     (27)    Fee Waiver Letter Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (26).
     (28)    Fee Waiver Letter Agreement between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (26).


     (29)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and the ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  (e)    (1)    Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.(13)
     (2)    Form of Authorized Participant Agreement.(13)
     (3)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
     (4)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
     (5)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
     (6)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio and ALPS Emerging Sector Dogs ETF.(19)
     (7)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(22)
     (8)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
     (9)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)


    (10)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
    (11)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).
    (12)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (13)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  (f)      None.
  (g)   (1)    Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
    (2)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
    (3)    Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
    (4)    Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the Global Commodity Equity ETF (f/k/a Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund).(5)
    (5)    Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Global Commodity Equity ETF (f/k/a Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund).(5)


    (6)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(6)
    (7)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(6)
    (8)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(9)
    (9)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(9)
    (10)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(10).
    (11)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(10)
    (12)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)
    (13)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)


    (14)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
    (15)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
    (16)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
    (17)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
    (18)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
    (19)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
    (20)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio and ALPS Emerging Sector Dogs ETF.(19)
    (21)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio and ALPS Emerging Sector Dogs ETF.(19)
    (22)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(22)
    (23)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(22)


    (24)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
    (25)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
    (26)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)
    (27)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)
    (28)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
    (29)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
    (30)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).
    (31)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).
    (32)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).


    (33)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (34)    Form of Master Custodian Agreement with respect to the ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  (h)   (1)    Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.(4)
    (2)    Form of Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
    (3)    Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Global Commodity Equity ETF (f/k/a Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund).(5)
    (4)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(6)
    (5)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
    (6)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(12)
    (7)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(9)
    (8)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF and VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF.(11)


    (9)    Form of Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (10)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)
    (11)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services with respect to ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
    (12)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
    (13)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio.(19)
    (14)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(20)
    (15)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(22)
    (16)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
    (17)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)
    (18)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
    (19)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith)


    (20)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).
    (21)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (22)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (23)    Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
    (24)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
    (25)    Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the Global Commodity Equity ETF(f/k/a Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund).(5)
    (26)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(6)
    (27)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(9)
    (28)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(10)


    (29)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)
    (30)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
    (31)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
    (32)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
    (33)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio and ALPS Emerging Sector Dogs ETF.(19)
    (34)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(22)
    (35)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
    (36)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)
    (37)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).


    (38)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).
    (39)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (40)    Form of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with respect to the ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    (41)    Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
    (42)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
    (43)    Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the Global Commodity Equity ETF (f/k/a Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund.(5)
    (44)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(6)
    (45)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(9)
    (46)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund. (10)
    (47)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)


    (48)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(16)
    (49)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(17)
    (50)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF.(18)
    (51)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Workplace Equality Portfolio and ALPS Emerging Sector Dogs ETF.(19)
    (52)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners ETF.(21)
    (53)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF.(23)
    (54)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.(24)
    (55)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith).
    (56)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (25).


     (57)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS Enhanced Put Write Strategy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
     (58)    Form of Fund Accounting and Services Agreement with respect to ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
     (56)    Form of Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF.(15)
  (i)    (1)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Global Commodity Equity ETF, U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund, Janus Velocity Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF (formerly known as VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF), Janus Velocity Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF (formerly known as VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF), Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Workplace Equality Portfolio, ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (26).
     (2)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF (filed herewith)
     (3)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to ALPS Sector Leaders ETF and ALPS Sector Low Volatility ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  (j)    (1)    Consent of independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Global Commodity Equity ETF, U.S. Equity High Volatility


        Put Write Index Fund, Janus Velocity Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF (formerly known as VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF), Janus Velocity Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF (formerly known as VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF), Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Workplace Equality Portfolio, and ALPS Stoxx Europe 600 ETF (26).
  (k)       Not applicable.
  (l)       Not applicable.
  (m)       Not applicable.
  (n)       Not applicable.
  (p)    (1)    Code of Ethics for the Trust.(2)
     (2)    Code of Ethics for ALPS Holdings, Inc. (includes ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., each a subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc.) revised as of December 19, 2014 (26)
     (3)    Amended Code of Ethics for Riverfront Investment Group, LLC.(23)
     (4)    Code of Ethics for Rich Investment Solutions, LLC.(13)
  (q)       Powers of Attorney for Mary K. Anstine, Jeremy W. Deems, and Rick A. Pederson.(25)

 

(1) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 23, 2008.
(2) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on May 1, 2008.
(3) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 13, 2009.


(4)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on April 29, 2009.

(5)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on December 15, 2009.

(6)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on August 10, 2010.

(7)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on April 29, 2011.

(8)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 29, 2012.

(9)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on June 26, 2012.

(10)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on December 14, 2012.

(11)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 22, 2013.

(12)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 22, 2013.

(13)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 29, 2013.

(14)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on April 16, 2013.

(15)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 165 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on May 24, 2013.

(16)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 169 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on June 25, 2013.

(17)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on September 27, 2013.

(18)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on October 30, 2013.


(19)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 31, 2014.

(20)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on February 12, 2014.

(21)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 28, 2014.

(22)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 204 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on June 30, 2014.

(23)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 211 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on October 10, 2014.

(24)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on December 29, 2014.

(25)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 227 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 13, 2015.

(26)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 234 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 30, 2015.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

Reference is made to Article Eight of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust which is incorporated by reference herein:

The Registrant (also, the “Trust”) is organized as a Delaware business trust is operated pursuant to a Declaration of Trust, dated September 13, 2007 (the “Declaration of Trust”), that permits the Registrant to indemnify every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust 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 such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. This indemnification is subject to the following conditions:


No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(a) For any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising out of a final adjudication by the court of other body before which the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;

(b) With respect to any matter as to which the Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

(c) In the event of a settlement of other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8.5.2) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of this office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by : (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.5) acting on the matter); or (ii) a writer opinion of independent legal counsel.

The rights of indemnification under the Declaration of Trust may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, and shall be severable, shall not 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 in the Declaration of Trust shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust, provided that either: Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of this office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by : (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.5) acting on the matter (provided that a majority of Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or (ii) a written opinion of independent legal counsel.

(a) Such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or


(b) A majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to the facts available upon a full trial), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

As used in Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) A “Disinterested Trustee” is one (i) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustees, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (ii) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending;

(b) “Claim,” “action,” “suite” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and

(c) “Liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.


Item 31.         Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers

ALPS ADVISORS, INC.

Name*    Position with ALPS
Advisors, Inc.
   Other Business
Connections
   Type of Business
Edmund J. Burke    Director    President and Director, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and Director, Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Thomas A. Carter    President, Director    See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI    Fund Servicing
Jeremy O. May    Executive Vice President, Director    President and Director, ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Distributors, Inc., Executive Vice President and Director, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and Director, and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Bradley J. Swenson    Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    Senior Vice President CCO, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Robert J. Szydlowski    Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer    Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Eric T. Parsons    Vice President, Controller, Assistant Treasurer    Vice President, Corporate Controller, ALPS Holdings, Inc., Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Controller, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing


Patrick Buchanan    Vice President, Advisory Operations    See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI    Fund Servicing
Randall D. Young    Secretary    Secretary, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Gregg Wm. Givens    Vice President, Treasurer Assistant Secretary    Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, ALPS Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. , Assistant Treasurer, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Jeremy Held    Senior Vice President, Director of Research    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
William R. Parmentier, Jr.    Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Michael Akins    Senior Vice President, Index Management    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Aisha J. Hunt    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Troy A. Duran    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of ALPS Holdings, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Erin D. Nelson    Vice President, Attorney    Vice President, Attorney of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Mark T. Haley    Vice President    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Wyck Brown    Senior Vice President    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Dennis P. Emmanuel    Director of ETF and Closed-End Strategy    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Hilary Quinn    Vice President    Vice President, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing


Jennifer Craig    Assistant Vice President    Assistant Vice President, ALPS Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing

* The principal business address for each of the ALPS Advisors, Inc. representatives is: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado, 80203.

RIVERFRONT INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

Name*   

Position with
RiverFront

Investments LLC

  

Other Business

Connections

  

Type of

Business

Paul Michael Jones, CFA    Chairman, Chief Investment Officer    None    N/A
Rod Smyth    Chief Investment Strategist    Virginia Retirement System (VRS) – Chairman, Investment Advisory Committee    Financial Services
Doug Sandler, CFA    Chief Equity Officer    None    N/A
Peter J. Quinn, Jr    President & Chief Operating Officer    None    N/A
Karrie Southall, CIPM    Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Operations & Trading    None    N/A
Timothy Anderson, CFA    Chief Fixed Income Officer    None    N/A
Samuel Turner, CMT    Director of US Equity    None    N/A
Paul Louie    Director of US Equity    None    N/A
Adam Grossman, CFA    Director of Tactical Strategies    None    N/A
William Ryder, CFA, CMT    Director of Quantitative Strategy    None    N/A
Chris Konstantinos, CFA    Director of International Portfolio Management    None    N/A
Kevin Nicholson    Director of Portfolio Risk Strategy    None    N/A
Deva Meenakshisundaram, FRM    Director of Asset Allocation Research    None    N/A

* The principal business address for each of the RiverFront representatives is: 1214 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219.


RICH INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC

 

Name*   

Position with Rich
Investment

Solutions, LLC

   Other Business
Connections
   Type of Business
Kevin Rich    President and Chief Compliance Officer    None    Investment Advisory
Jeff Klearman    Chief Investment Officer    None    Investment Advisory

*The principal business address for Rich Investment Solutions, LLC is 845 Third Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

Item 32.         Principal Underwriters.

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Financial Investors Trust, and Select Sector SPDRs Trust.

(b) To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., are as follows:

 

Name*    Position with Underwriter    Positions with Fund
Edmund J. Burke    Director    See Trustee and Officer Table in SAI
Jeremy O. May    Director    None
Thomas A. Carter    President, Director    None
Bradley J. Swenson    Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None
Robert J. Szydlowski    Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer    None
Aisha J. Hunt    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary    None
Gregg Wm. Givens**    Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary    None
Eric T. Parsons    Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer    None
Randall D. Young**    Secretary    None


Douglas W. Fleming**    Assistant Treasurer    None
Steven Price    Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer    None
Daniel Dolan    Senior Vice President    None
Erin D. Nelson    Vice President, Attorney    None
Liza Orr    Vice President, Attorney    None
Terence Digan    Vice President    None
Troy A. Duran    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer    None
James Stegall    Vice President    None
Gary Ross    Senior Vice President    None
Kevin Ireland    Senior Vice President    None
Mark Kiniry    Senior Vice President    None
Tison Cory    Vice President, Intermediary Operations    None
Hilary Quinn    Vice President    None
Jennifer Craig    Assistant Vice President    Assistant Secretary

* Except as otherwise noted, the principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

** The principal business address for Messrs. Givens, Young and Fleming is 333 W. 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

(c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained at the following offices: (1) ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203; (2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203; (3) The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286; (4) RiverFront Investments, LLC, 9011 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23236; and (5) Rich Investment Solutions, LLC, 845 Third Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

 

Item 34. Management Services

Not applicable.


Item 35. Undertakings.

Not applicable.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirement for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of New York and state of New York on the 23rd day of April, 2015.

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

By:

 

  /s/ Thomas A. Carter

 

  Thomas A. Carter

 

  President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

  Signatures

  

  Title

     Date

  /s/ Mary K. Anstine

   Trustee    April 23, 2015

  Mary K. Anstine*

     

  /s/ Jeremy W. Deems

   Trustee    April 23, 2015

  Jeremy W. Deems*

     

  /s/ Rick A. Pederson

   Trustee    April 23, 2015

  Rick A. Pederson*

     

  /s/ Thomas A. Carter

   Trustee and President    April 23, 2015

  Thomas A. Carter

     

  /s/ Patrick D. Buchanan

   Treasurer    April 23, 2015

  Patrick D. Buchanan

     

*Signature affixed by David T. Buhler pursuant to a power of attorney dated March 9, 2015.


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

         

Exhibits

(d)

   (22)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(d)

   (23)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(e)

   (10)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(g)

   (28)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(g)

   (29)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(h)

   (18)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(h)

   (19)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(h)

   (37)    Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(h)

   (55)    Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and the Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF

(i)

   (2)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to ALPS MSCI EAFE Equal Sector Weighted ETF and ALPS MSCI Emerging Markets Equal Sector Weighted ETF