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ALPS DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ETF

ALPS ETF TRUST

NYSE ARCA Ticker: DTEC

Summary Prospectus March 31, 2022

 

Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at https://www.alpsfunds.com/products/etf/DTEC. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 866.759.5679, by sending an e-mail request to info@alpsfunds.com, or by contacting your financial intermediary. The Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, each dated March 31, 2022, along with the Fund’s most recent annual report dated November 30, 2021 are incorporated by reference into this summary prospectus and may be obtained, free of charge, at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The Fund seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index (ticker symbol IDTEC) (the “Underlying Index”).

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

 

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

 

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

   

Management Fees

0.50%

Other Expenses

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

0.50%

 

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 hold or redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same each year.

 

 

One
Year

Three
Years

Five
Years

Ten
Years

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

$51

$160

$280

$628

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

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 utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by Indxx, LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is designed to identify the companies using disruptive technologies in each of ten thematic areas: Healthcare Innovation, Internet of Things, Clean Energy and Smart Grid, Cloud Computing, Data and Analytics, FinTech, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, 3D Printing, and Mobile Payments (each a “Theme” and together, the “Themes”). Companies using disruptive technologies are those that are entering traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, seek to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market-leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share.

 

The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including foreign and emerging markets companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s Index Universe, a company’s stock must be traded on one or more major global securities exchanges, have a minimum market capitalization of at least $500 million, and have a six month minimum average daily trading volume of $2 million, and the company must derive a minimum of 50% of its revenue from a single Theme. All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe.

 

From the Index Universe, the Underlying Index methodology selects ten stocks in each Theme according to proprietary quantitative and qualitative factors. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Index’s portfolio are equally weighted.

 

The Underlying Index is reconstituted annually on the third Friday of September and rebalanced quarterly. The Index Provider will review the Themes every three years for inclusion in the Index Methodology based on a proprietary, rules-based research process. The particular Themes, as well as the number of Themes, included in the Index Methodology are subject to change in the Index Provider’s discretion based on such review.

 

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise 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.

 

 

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ALPS DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ETF

 

 

Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The values of equity securities, such as common stocks and preferred stock, may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political and social conditions, inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics.

 

Disruptive Technology Risk. Companies that the Index Provider believes are developing disruptive technologies may not in fact do so or may not be able to capitalize on those technologies. Companies that develop disruptive technologies may face political, legal or regulatory challenges. Such companies may also be exposed to risks applicable to industries or sectors other than the disruptive technology Theme for which they are chosen and may underperform relative to other companies that are also focused on a particular Theme.

 

Micro-Capitalization Company Risk. Micro-cap stocks involve substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses), and their share prices tend to be more volatile. The shares of micro-cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.

 

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have a more limited track record, narrower markets, less liquidity, 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.

 

Large Capitalization Company Risk. The large capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology Risk. The Index Provider uses certain quantitative and qualitative methodologies to help assess the criteria of issuers to be included in the Underlying Index, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser can offer assurances that the quantitative and qualitative methodologies will provide an accurate assessment of included issuers.

 

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.

 

Risks Related to Investing in the Information Technology Sector. Companies in the information technology sector are subject to rapid changes in technology product cycles; rapid product obsolescence; government regulation; and increased competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology tend to be more volatile than the overall market and also are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. In addition, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel.

 

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, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. For example, the rights and remedies associated with investments in foreign securities may be different than investments in domestic securities. 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.

 

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in securities and instruments that are economically tied to emerging market countries. Emerging markets countries may have relatively unstable governments; may present heightened risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership, less liquidity and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets; and may have economies based on only a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.

 

Growth Investment Risk. Growth stocks tend to be more volatile than certain other types of stocks and their prices usually fluctuate more dramatically than the overall stock market. A stock with growth characteristics can have sharp price declines due to decreases in current or expected earnings.

 

Non-Correlation Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons, including operating expenses incurred by the Fund not applicable to the Underlying Index, costs in buying and selling securities, asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies. Tax withholdings imposed by foreign countries may also contribute to differences between the Fund’s return and the return of the Underlying Index.

 

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Issuer-Specific Risk. 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.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“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 the Shares on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV.

 

Index 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.

 

FUND PERFORMANCE

 

The following bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for certain time periods compare with the average annual returns of the Underlying Index and of another benchmark of market performance. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses. Updated performance information is available online at www.alpsfunds.com or by calling 866.759.5679.

 

Annual Total Returns (calendar year ended 12/31)

 

Highest Quarterly Return

29.91%

(June 30, 2020)

Lowest Quarterly Return

-18.42%

(December 31, 2018)

 

The after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and may differ from those shown below. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended December 31, 2021

 

 

1 Year

Since
Inception
(December
28, 2017)

Return Before Taxes

5.05%

18.22%

Return After Taxes on Distributions

4.99%

18.12%

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

3.04%

14.61%

Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

5.39%

18.55%

Morningstar Global Markets Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

17.80%

11.65%

 

*

Index performance shown in the table is the net total return. The net total return is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Ryan Mischker, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management & Research of ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Andrew Hicks, Senior Vice President, Director of ETF Portfolio Management & Research of ALPS Advisors, Inc., are responsible for the day to day management of the Fund. Messrs. Mischker and Hicks have each served in such capacity since the Fund’s inception in December 2017.

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

 

Individual Shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker or dealer at a market price. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol DTEC and because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than NAV (i.e., a premium) or less than NAV (i.e., a discount).

 

An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares of the Fund (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (ask) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market (the “bid/ask spread”).

 

Recent information, including information about the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and the bid/ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

 

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ALPS DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ETF

 

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

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

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or other related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Shares or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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