N-CSRS 1 fp0078300_ncsrs.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number:

811-22175

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Brendan Hamill, Esq., Secretary

ALPS ETF Trust

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

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

 

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

 

Date of reporting period: December 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022

 

 

Item 1.Report to Stockholders.

 

(a)

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview  
Alerian MLP ETF 1
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 4
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 7
Financial Statements  
Alerian MLP ETF  
Schedule of Investments 8
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 9
Statement of Operations 10
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 11
Financial Highlights 12
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
Schedule of Investments 13
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 15
Statement of Operations 16
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 17
Financial Highlights 18
Notes to Financial Statements 19
Additional Information 30
Liquidity Risk Management Program 32

 

alpsfunds.com

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

 

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

 

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

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

 

 

During the six-month period from December 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, the Fund delivered a total return of 32.49% (32.25% NAV). This compares to the Fund’s Underlying Index which increased 27.99% on a price-return basis and 32.73% on a total-return basis.

 

During the period, Hess Midstream LP (HESM) was added to the Underlying Index during a quarterly rebalancing. Enable Midstream Partners (ENBL) and Phillips 66 Partners (PSXP) were removed from the Underlying Index in relation to their acquisition by another entity. There were no changes to the Underlying Index methodology during the period.

 

Distribution trends for AMZI constituents remain positive with many MLPs raising their payouts as they return excess cash flow to investors. Comparing the first quarter of 2022 with the first quarter of 2021, approximately 80% of the Underlying Index by weighting grew their distributions based on weightings as of May 6, 2022. Approximately 16% of the Underlying Index maintained their payouts. The first quarter of 2022 marked the third straight quarter of no distribution cuts among AMZI constituents.

 

Strong performance has complemented positive distribution trends in the space. Energy has been a bright spot in a challenging equity market as oil and natural gas prices have reached multi-year highs. The global reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further tightened the oil market, with benchmark oil prices in the US up 73.27% from November 30, 2021 to May 31, 2022. US natural gas prices are also up 78.34% over that same period. The fee-based nature of energy infrastructure businesses limits the direct upside from higher commodity prices, but the positive shift in energy sentiment has benefitted the space. Additionally, higher prices incentivize growing oil and natural gas production from the US, which also benefits AMZI constituents as it creates more volumes to transport and process.

 

In addition to the macro tailwinds from a stronger energy environment, MLPs are also benefitting from company-level improvements. Namely, AMZI constituents are generating significant free cash flow. This excess cash flow is supporting distribution increases and equity repurchases. As of May 13, 2022, over 73% of the AMZI by weighting had a buyback program in place. Combined, AMZI constituents spent over $200 million on equity repurchases in the first quarter of 2022.

 

Looking ahead, energy infrastructure MLPs may benefit from continued strength in energy markets and may provide more defensive exposure should a pullback occur due to broader headwinds for the global economy. AMZI constituents remain well-positioned for today’s inflationary environment given their real asset exposure and contracts that typically include annual adjustments for inflation.

 

1 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Since Inception^
Alerian MLP ETF – NAV 32.25% 27.51% 0.86% 1.26% 2.41%
Alerian MLP ETF – Market Price* 32.49% 27.48% 0.87% 1.27% 2.43%
Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index 32.73% 28.55% 1.67% 2.59% 4.43%
Alerian MLP Total Return Index 32.43% 27.52% 2.62% 2.60% 4.26%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Energy Transfer LP 10.84%
Western Midstream Partners LP 10.50%
Enterprise Products Partners LP 10.29%
Magellan Midstream Partners LP 9.93%
Plains All American Pipeline LP 9.74%
MPLX LP 9.29%
EnLink Midstream LLC 8.16%
DCP Midstream LP 7.20%
Cheniere Energy Partners LP 4.81%
Crestwood Equity Partners LP 4.62%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 85.38%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

3 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

 

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

 

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

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

 

 

During the six-month period from December 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, the Fund delivered a total return of 28.37% (28.33% NAV). This compares to the Fund’s Underlying Index which increased 25.03% on a price-return basis and 28.79% on a total-return basis.

 

During the period, DT Midstream (DTM) was added to the Underlying Index and PBF Logistics LP (PBFX) was removed from the Underlying Index during quarterly rebalancings. BP Midstream Partners LP (BPMP), Enable Midstream Partners (ENBL), Oasis Midstream Partners (OMP), and Phillips 66 Partners (PSXP) were also removed from the Underlying Index in relation to their acquisition by another entity. There were no changes to the Underlying Index methodology during the period.

 

Dividend trends for AMEI constituents remain positive with many companies raising their payouts as they return excess cash flow to investors. Comparing the first quarter of 2022 with the first quarter of 2021, approximately 77% of the Underlying Index by weighting grew their dividends based on weightings from the end of April 2022. Approximately 21% of the Underlying Index maintained their payouts (2% of the Underlying Index does not pay a dividend and the one constituent that cut had a weight of 0.5%). The first quarter of 2022 marked the third straight quarter of no dividend cuts among AMEI constituents.

 

Strong performance has complemented positive dividend trends in the space. Energy has been a bright spot in a challenging equity market as oil and natural gas prices have reached multi-year highs. The global reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further tightened the oil market, with benchmark oil prices in the US up 73.27% from November 30, 2021 to May 31, 2022. US natural gas prices are also up 78.34% over that same period. The fee-based nature of energy infrastructure businesses limits the direct upside from higher commodity prices, but the positive shift in energy sentiment has benefitted the space. Additionally, higher prices incentivize growing oil and natural gas production from the US and Canada, which also benefits AMEI constituents as it creates more volumes to transport and process.

 

In addition to the macro tailwinds from a stronger energy environment, energy infrastructure companies are also benefitting from company-level improvements. Namely, AMEI constituents are generating significant free cash flow. This excess cash flow is supporting dividend increases and buyback activity. As of May 13, 2022, 72% of the AMEI by weighting had a buyback program in place. Combined, AMEI constituents spent $370 million on buybacks in the first quarter of 2022.

 

Looking ahead, energy infrastructure may benefit from continued strength in energy markets and may provide more defensive exposure should a pullback occur due to broader headwinds for the global economy. AMEI constituents remain well-positioned for today’s inflationary environment given their real asset exposure and contracts that typically include annual adjustments for inflation.

 

4 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF - NAV 28.33% 29.74% 6.33% 3.74%
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF - Market Price* 28.37% 29.79% 6.33% 3.76%
Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index 28.79% 30.80% 7.28% 4.65%
Alerian MLP Total Return Index 32.43% 27.52% 2.62% -0.53%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index is comprised of 30 equity securities of issuers headquartered or incorporated in the United States and Canada that engage in the transportation, storage, and processing of energy commodities. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Enbridge, Inc. 9.84%
Enterprise Products Partners LP 8.28%
TC Energy Corp. 7.11%
Energy Transfer LP 6.42%
The Williams Cos., Inc. 5.63%
Pembina Pipeline Corp. 5.19%
Kinder Morgan, Inc. 4.92%
Cheniere Energy, Inc. 4.89%
Targa Resources Corp. 4.85%
Plains GP Holdings LP, Class A 4.73%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 61.86%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

6 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  Beginning Account Value Ending Account Value Expense

Expenses Paid

 During Period

  12/1/21 5/31/22 Ratio(a) 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b)
Alerian MLP ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $1,322.50 0.85% $4.92
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,020.69 0.85% $4.28
         
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $1,283.30 0.35% $1.99
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,023.19 0.35% $1.77

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (100.03%)        
Gathering + Processing (32.84%)        
Crestwood Equity Partners LP(a)   10,929,214  $318,477,296 
DCP Midstream LP(a)   13,821,844    496,342,418 
EnLink Midstream LLC(a)   49,363,360    562,742,304 
Hess Midstream LP   4,974,410    162,116,022 
Western Midstream Partners LP(a)   26,193,606    724,253,206 
Total Gathering + Processing        2,263,931,246 
           
Liquefaction (4.81%)          
Cheniere Energy Partners LP   6,166,638    331,580,125 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (21.13%)          
Energy Transfer LP   64,099,296    747,397,791 
Enterprise Products Partners LP   25,875,657    709,510,515 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas        1,456,908,306 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (41.25%)          
Genesis Energy LP(a)   16,621,970    203,452,913 
Holly Energy Partners LP(a)   6,971,450    132,457,550 
Magellan Midstream Partners LP(a)   13,243,776    684,703,219 
MPLX LP   19,437,222    640,456,465 
NuStar Energy LP(a)   15,179,220    243,626,481 
Plains All American Pipeline LP(a)   59,005,821    672,076,301 
Shell Midstream Partners LP   18,915,818    267,469,667 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum        2,844,242,596 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $3,939,942,985)        6,896,662,273 

  

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.01%)            

State Street Institutional 
Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

   0.75%   490,936    490,936 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $490,936)             490,936 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.04%)               
(Cost $3,940,433,921)            $6,897,153,209 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.04%)            (3,087,962)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $6,894,065,247 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $2,859,021,521 
Investments in affiliates, at value   4,038,131,688 
Receivable for investments sold   1,448 
Receivable for shares sold   50,396,258 
Deferred tax asset (Note 2)   (a)
Income tax receivable   1,229,058 
Franchise tax receivable   394,417 
Total Assets   6,949,174,390 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   50,398,882 
Payable to adviser   4,710,261 
Total Liabilities   55,109,143 
NET ASSETS  $6,894,065,247 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $8,559,589,927 
Distributable earnings   (1,665,524,680)
NET ASSETS  $6,894,065,247 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $1,639,717,256 
INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES, AT COST   2,300,716,665 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $6,894,065,247 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   171,232,420 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $40.26 

 

(a)Net Deferred Tax Asset of $104,186,106 is offset 100% by Valuation Allowance.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Distributions from master limited partnerships  $227,228,768 
Less return of capital distributions   (227,228,768)
Total Investment Income    
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fee   25,489,241 
Total Expenses   25,489,241 
NET INVESTMENT LOSS, BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (25,489,241)
Current income tax benefit/(expense)    
NET INVESTMENT LOSS   (25,489,241)
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments, before income taxes   80,609,405 
Net realized loss on affiliated investments, before income taxes   (93,531,033)
Current income tax benefit/(expense)    
Net realized loss   (12,921,628)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, before income taxes   617,472,714 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on affiliated investments, before income taxes   1,029,035,909 
Current income tax benefit/(expense)    
Net change in unrealized appreciation   1,646,508,623 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS   1,633,586,995 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $1,608,097,754 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Six
Months Ended
May 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the
Year Ended
November 30, 2021
 
 
 
 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment loss  $(25,489,241)  $(43,507,191)
Net realized loss   (12,921,628)   (451,685,458)
Net change in unrealized appreciation   1,646,508,623    1,975,726,648 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   1,608,097,754    1,480,533,999 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From tax return of capital   (243,051,185)   (444,037,776)
Total distributions   (243,051,185)   (444,037,776)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   1,510,267,631    1,051,399,959 
Cost of shares redeemed   (961,424,243)   (987,858,170)
Net increase from share transactions   548,843,388    63,541,789 
           
Net increase in net assets   1,913,889,957    1,100,038,012 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   4,980,175,290    3,880,137,278 
End of period  $6,894,065,247   $4,980,175,290 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   157,457,420    155,057,420 
Shares sold   40,425,000    33,250,000 
Shares redeemed   (26,650,000)   (30,850,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   171,232,420    157,457,420 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020 (a)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 (a)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 (a)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 (a) 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $31.63   $25.02   $39.15   $47.75   $51.85   $61.55 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment loss(b)   (0.15)   (0.27)   (0.24)   (0.35)   (0.45)   (1.10)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   10.22    9.68    (10.73)   (4.35)   0.40    (4.30)
Total from investment operations   10.07    9.41    (10.97)   (4.70)   (0.05)   (5.40)
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net realized gains                   (4.05)    
From tax return of capital   (1.44)   (2.80)   (3.16)   (3.90)       (4.30)
Total distributions   (1.44)   (2.80)   (3.16)   (3.90)   (4.05)   (4.30)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   8.63    6.61    (14.13)   (8.60)   (4.10)   (9.70)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $40.26   $31.63   $25.02   $39.15   $47.75   $51.85 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   32.25%   37.97%   (28.36)%   (10.79)%   (0.55)%   (9.27)%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $6,894,065   $4,980,175   $3,880,137   $7,249,005   $8,699,748   $9,405,284 
                               
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:                              
Expenses (excluding net current and deferred tax expenses/benefits and franchise tax expense)   0.85%(d)   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%
Expenses (including net current and deferred tax expenses/benefits)(e)   0.85%(d)   0.87%   0.90%   0.87%   0.85%   0.41%
Expenses (including current and deferred tax expenses/benefits)(f)   0.85%(d)   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   1.81%
Net investment loss (excluding deferred tax expenses/benefits and franchise tax expense)   (0.85)%(d)   (0.85)%   (0.85)%   (0.77)%   (0.85)%   (0.85)%
Net investment income/(loss)(including deferred tax expenses/benefits)(f)   (0.85)%(d)   (0.85)%   (0.85)%   (0.77)%   (0.85)%   (1.81)%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(g)   17%   20%   23%   34%   26%   23%

  

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

12 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description   Shares    Value 
CANADIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES (28.99%)        
Gathering + Processing (4.51%)          
Keyera Corp.   194,833   $5,192,569 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas          
(7.10%)          
TC Energy Corp.   141,077    8,165,591 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum          
(15.00%)          
Enbridge, Inc.   244,737    11,305,675 
Pembina Pipeline Corp.   147,748    5,957,345 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum        17,263,020 
           
Storage (2.38%)          
Gibson Energy, Inc.   129,092    2,734,217 
           
TOTAL CANADIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES          
(Cost $26,714,424)        33,355,397 

 

Security Description   Shares    Value 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (0.29%)          
Exchange Traded Fund (0.29%)          
Energy Select Sector SPDR          
Fund   3,800    331,360 
           
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND          
(Cost $331,388)        331,360 

 

Security Description   Shares    Value 
U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES (28.76%)          
Gathering + Processing (10.21%)          
Kinetik Holdings, Inc.   10,362    870,823 
ONEOK, Inc.   80,518    5,302,110 
Targa Resources Corp.   77,405    5,574,708 
Total Gathering + Processing        11,747,641 
           
Liquefaction (6.43%)          
Cheniere Energy, Inc.   41,040    5,613,041 
Tellurian, Inc.(a)   374,559    1,786,646 
Total Liquefaction        7,399,687 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas          
(11.90%)          
DT Midstream, Inc.   85,648    4,976,149 
Equitrans Midstream Corp.   388,980    3,061,272 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   287,236    5,655,677 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural          
Gas        13,693,098 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Storage (0.22%)        
Macquarie Infrastructure          
Holdings LLC   65,220   $249,141 
           
TOTAL U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES          
(Cost $27,062,215)        33,089,567 

 

         
Security Description  Shares   Value 
U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MLPS (25.95%)        
Gathering + Processing (6.72%)          
Crestwood Equity Partners LP   22,786    663,984 
Hess Midstream LP, Class A   28,806    938,787 
MPLX LP   114,143    3,761,012 
Rattler Midstream LP   33,354    570,020 
Western Midstream Partners
LP
 
 
 
 
 
64,768
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,790,835
 
 
Total Gathering + Processing        7,724,638 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas          
(14.68%)          
Energy Transfer LP   632,767    7,378,063 
Enterprise Products Partners
LP
 
 
 
 
 
346,844
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,510,463
 
 
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural          
Gas        16,888,526 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum          
(4.55%)          
Genesis Energy LP   34,704    424,777 
Holly Energy Partners LP   14,411    273,809 
Magellan Midstream Partners
LP
 
 
 
 
 
65,727
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,398,086
 
 
NGL Energy Partners LP(a)   39,592    74,037 
NuStar Energy LP   31,688    508,592 
Shell Midstream Partners LP   39,513    558,714 
Total Pipeline Transportation |          
Petroleum        5,238,015 
           
TOTAL U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MLPS          
(Cost $27,431,911)        29,851,179 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
U.S. GENERAL PARTNERS (15.86%)        
Gathering + Processing (11.14%)          
Antero Midstream Corp.   283,733    3,081,340 
EnLink Midstream LLC   285,939    3,259,705 
The Williams Cos., Inc.   174,651    6,472,566 
Total Gathering + Processing        12,813,611 
           
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum          
(4.72%)          
Plains GP Holdings LP, Class A   454,042    5,430,342 
           
TOTAL U.S. GENERAL PARTNERS          
(Cost $14,488,222)        18,243,953 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

13 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.01%)             
Money Market Fund               
State Street Institutional 
Treasury Plus Money Market Fund
   0.75%   11,090   $11,090 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $11,090)             11,090 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.86%)               
(Cost $96,039,250)            $114,882,546 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF  LIABILITIES (0.14%)             158,442 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $115,040,988 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

14 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $114,882,546 
Receivable for investments sold   853,174 
Receivable for shares sold   1,743,047 
Dividends receivable   173,525 
Total Assets   117,652,292 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   2,580,223 
Payable to adviser   31,081 
Total Liabilities   2,611,304 
NET ASSETS  $115,040,988 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $105,025,867 
Distributable earnings   10,015,121 
NET ASSETS  $115,040,988 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $96,039,250 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $115,040,988 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   4,950,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $23.24 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

     
INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends*  $2,426,458 
Securities lending income   717 
Total Investment Income   2,427,175 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   146,283 
Total Expenses   146,283 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   2,280,892 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized loss on investments(a)   (2,808,640)
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (8,560)
Net realized loss   (2,817,200)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments   21,082,116 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   6,482 
Net change in unrealized appreciation   21,088,598 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES   18,271,398 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $20,552,290 
* Net of foreign tax withholding.  $110,323 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six
Months Ended
May 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
    
For the
Year Ended
November 30, 2021
 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $2,280,892   $3,334,283 
Net realized loss   (2,817,200)   (5,679,007)
Net change in unrealized appreciation   21,088,598    18,196,470 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   20,552,290    15,851,746 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From distributable earnings   (2,389,869)   (2,301,342)
From tax return of capital       (2,346,411)
Total distributions   (2,389,869)   (4,647,753)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   37,391,721    22,119,720 
Cost of shares redeemed       (10,825,316)
Net increase from share transactions   37,391,721    11,294,404 
Net increase in net assets   55,554,142    22,498,397 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   59,486,846    36,988,449 
End of year  $115,040,988   $59,486,846 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   3,200,000    2,550,000 
Shares sold   1,750,000    1,250,000 
Shares redeemed       (600,000)
Shares outstanding, end of year   4,950,000    3,200,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the
Six Months
Ended
May 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
    
For the Year
Ended
November 30,
2021
    
For the Year
Ended
November 30,
2020
    
For the Year
Ended
November 30,
2019
    
For the Year
Ended
November 30,
2018
    
For the Year
Ended
November 30,
2017
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF
PERIOD
  $18.59   $14.51   $19.19   $20.34   $22.30   $22.95 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.58    1.08    0.90    0.88    0.85    0.79 
Net realized and unrealized
gain/(loss) on investments
   4.63    4.49    (4.50)   (0.64)   (2.23)   (0.72)
Total from investment operations   5.21    5.57    (3.60)   0.24    (1.38)   0.07 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.56)   (0.74)   (0.45)   (0.50)   (0.47)   (0.47)
Tax return of capital       (0.75)   (0.63)   (0.89)   (0.11)   (0.25)
Total distributions   (0.56)   (1.49)   (1.08)   (1.39)   (0.58)   (0.72)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET                              
ASSET VALUE   4.65    4.08    (4.68)   (1.15)   (1.96)   (0.65)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $23.24   $18.59   $14.51   $19.19   $20.34   $22.30 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   28.33%   38.93%   (18.82)%   1.09%   (6.27)%   0.21%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $115,041   $59,487   $36,988   $51,809   $41,699   $42,370 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.35%(c)   0.51%(d)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   5.46%(c)   5.84%   5.91%   4.23%   3.86%   3.39%
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(e)   17%   34%   34%   26%   73%   37%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

18 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consisted of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

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

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“the NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”), in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. On October, 1, 2021, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF reduced its Creation Unit size from 50,000 to 25,000 shares.

 

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

 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

 

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

 

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

 

19 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

20 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

Alerian MLP ETF

  

 
Investments in Securities at Value
 
 
Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
 
 
 
 
Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 
 
 
 
Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Master Limited Partnerships*  $6,896,662,273   $   $   $6,896,662,273 
Short Term Investments   490,936            490,936 
Total  $6,897,153,209   $   $   $6,897,153,209 

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  

 

 
Investments in Securities at Value
  Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
   Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
    
Total
 
Canadian Energy Infrastructure Companies*  $33,355,397   $   $   $33,355,397 
Exchange Traded Fund   331,360            331,360 
U.S. Energy Infrastructure Companies*   33,089,567            33,089,567 
U.S. Energy Infrastructure MLPs*   29,851,179            29,851,179 
U.S. General Partners*   18,243,953            18,243,953 
Short Term Investments   11,090            11,090 
Total  $114,882,546   $   $   $114,882,546 

 

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

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C. Foreign Currency Translation

 

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

 

D. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

 

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

 

E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

21 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

F. Federal Income Taxation and Tax Basis Information

 

Alerian MLP ETF

 

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

 

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

 

Cash distributions from MLPs to the Fund that exceed the Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income are considered a tax deferred return of capital that will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of any taxable gain (or decrease the amount of any tax loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities. The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate the deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the Fund’s NAV. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions related to the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.

 

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

  

Alerian MLP ETFPeriod ended May 31, 2022 
   Current   Deferred   Total 
Federal  $   $336,931,898   $336,931,898 
State       26,739,479    26,739,479 
Valuation Allowance       (363,671,377)   (363,671,377)
Total tax expense/(benefit)  $   $   $ 

 

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

 

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

  

 
Alerian MLP ETF
   
As of May 31, 2022
   As of
November 30, 2021
 
Deferred tax assets:          
Capital loss carryforward  $645,273,175   $555,109,326 
Net operating loss carryforward   90,316,699    145,850,354 
Income recognized from MLP investments   1,534,568,898    1,474,568,495 
Other deferred tax assets   7,564,837    9,517,179 
Valuation allowance   (104,186,106)   (467,857,482)
Less Deferred tax liabilities:          
Net unrealized gain on investment securities   (2,173,537,503)   (1,717,187,872)
Net Deferred Tax Asset/(Liability)  $   $ 

 

22 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

The capital loss carryforward is available to offset future taxable income. The capital loss can be carried forward for 5 years and, accordingly, would begin to expire as of November 30, 2022. The Fund has net capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  Period-Ended  Amount  Expiration
Federal   11/30/2018   $20,624,857    11/30/2022 
Federal   11/30/2019    757,980,977    11/30/2024 
Federal   11/30/2020    1,033,570,048    11/30/2025 
Federal   11/30/2021    694,189,757    11/30/2026 
Federal   11/30/2022    334,991,513    11/30/2027 
Total       $2,841,357,152      

 

The net operating loss carryforward is available to offset future taxable income. The Fund has net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  Period-Ended  Amount  Expiration
Federal   11/30/2017   $206,248,369    11/30/2037 
Federal   11/30/2021    110,440,700    Indefinite 
Total       $316,689,069      

 

The Fund also has state tax net operating loss carryforwards of various amounts per state. The Deferred Tax Assets associated with these state tax net operating losses are as follows:

 

Alerian MLP ETF  Period-Ended  Amount  Expiration
State   11/30/2016   $376,110   Varies by State
State   11/30/2017    7,472,303   Varies by State
State   11/30/2018    2,553,292   Varies by State
State   11/30/2019    2,244,759   Varies by State
State   11/30/2020    8,558,965   Varies by State
State   11/30/2021    2,606,566   Varies by State
Total       $23,811,995    

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

23 | May 31, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

Alerian MLP ETF  As of May 31, 2022
Income tax expense at statutory rate  $337,700,528 
State income taxes (net of federal benefit)   27,499,018 
Permanent differences, net   (1,528,170)
Valuation allowance   (363,671,376)
Net income tax expense  $ 

 

The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Fund had no penalties or interest.

 

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

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

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

 

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

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2021, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

   Short-Term  Long-Term
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  $309,653   $3,183,203 

 

24 | May 31, 2022

 
 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

As of May 31, 2022, the costs of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   
Alerian MLP ETF
  Alerian Energy Infrastructure
ETF
 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes $3,976,138,949  $95,031,836 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) $3,811,261,451  $23,175,542 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)  (890,247,191)  (3,324,832)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) $2,921,014,260  $19,850,710 

 

The difference between cost amounts for financial statement purposes is due primarily to the recognition of pass-through income from a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships and wash sales. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

As of May 31, 2022, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF did not have any securities on loan. Income earned for lending on portfolio securities during the period totaled $717.

 

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

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

 

Fund   Advisory Fee
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 0.35%  

 

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

 

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

 

25 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

4.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund Purchases  Sales 
Alerian MLP ETF $1,001,029,318  $2,001,681,582 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  14,216,872   14,403,966 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund Purchases  Sales 
Alerian MLP ETF $1,509,167,090  $ 
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  37,387,709    

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF had no in-kind net realized gain or loss.

 

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

 

5.  MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

 

 

MLPs are publicly traded partnerships engaged in, among other things, the transportation, storage and processing of minerals and natural resources, and are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By confining their operations to these specific activities, their interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level taxation. To qualify as a MLP and to not be taxed as a corporation, a partnership must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include, among other things, natural resource-based activities such as the processing, transportation and storage of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP, or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners typically own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management.

 

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

 

26 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

6.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

7.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The Funds engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the six months ended May 31, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.

 

Transactions related to cross trades during the six months ended May 31, 2022, were as follows:

 

Fund Purchase cost paid  Sale proceeds received  Realized gain/(loss) on sales 
Alerian MLP ETF $172,271  $1,586,203  $(131,624)
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  540,408   687,965   (66,363)

 

8.  AFFILIATED COMPANIES

 

 

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

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Alerian MLP ETF held shares in the following affiliates, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Security Name  

Share Balance

as of May 31,

2022

   

Market Value as

of November 30,

2021

    Purchases    

Purchases

In-Kind

    Sales    

Market Value as

of May 31, 2022

    Dividends*     Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss)    

Realized

Gain/(Loss)

 
Crestwood Equity Partners LP     10,929,214     $ 191,619,639     $ 82,786,218     $ 63,432,622     $ (43,135,455 )   $ 318,477,296     $     $ 38,067,099     $ (2,244,248 )
DCP Midstream LP     13,821,844       305,805,520       39,534,116       99,299,018       (66,061,775 )     496,342,418             131,931,057       (4,072,097 )
EnLink Midstream LLC     49,363,360       279,392,241       36,782,859       101,710,250       (80,241,684 )     562,742,304             238,875,846       (3,311,030 )
Genesis Energy LP     16,621,970       142,731,294       16,796,620       44,883,823       (30,936,797 )     203,452,913             48,956,008       (14,324,485 )
Holly Energy Partners LP     6,971,450       99,394,845       10,321,832       28,635,489       (19,919,549 )     132,457,550             19,777,636       (1,192,393 )
Magellan Midstream Partners LP     13,243,776       495,004,139       78,673,735       145,072,807       (98,689,914 )     684,703,219             92,240,610       (2,093,774 )
NuStar Energy LP     15,179,220       179,635,876       21,169,493       55,820,025       (36,899,935 )     243,626,481             46,948,362       (11,545,293 )
Plains All American Pipeline LP     59,005,821       497,343,940       49,234,566       151,820,469       (133,897,653 )     672,076,301             175,671,667       (45,657,227 )

Western Midstream Partners LP

    26,193,606       489,748,659       47,715,285       158,315,176       (177,901,235 )     724,253,206             236,567,624       (9,090,486 )
                                            $ 4,038,131,688     $     $ 1,029,035,909     $ (93,531,033 )

 

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

 

27 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds  

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

9.  MARKET RISK

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

28 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The report of Deloitte on the Funds’ financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Funds’ fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Funds and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Funds for such year or period. During the Funds’ fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During each Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Funds, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Funds, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Funds’ Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Funds approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for each Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Funds’ former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

Effective July 1, 2022, the unitary fee of the Alerian MLP ETF will be subject to the following breakpoints:

 

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

 

29 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

30 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds 

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

(Applicable to the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF only)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

31 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Alerian Exchange Traded Funds

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

32 | May 31, 2022

   

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 3
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 5
Statement of Operations 6
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 7
Financial Highlights 8
Notes to Financial Statements 9
Additional Information 15
Liquidity Risk Management Program 16

 

alpsfunds.com

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

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

 

Fund Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Active REIT ETF - NAV -4.02% 4.16% 13.35%
ALPS Active REIT ETF - Market Price* -2.75% 5.72% 14.66%
S&P United States REIT Index -6.33% 3.91% 13.02%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on February 25, 2021, with the first day of trading on the exchange of February 26, 2021.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The Fund is new with limited operating history.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Equity Residential 7.13%
Realty Income Corp. 5.29%
Ventas, Inc. 5.20%
Public Storage 5.17%
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 4.96%
Duke Realty Corp. 4.56%
VICI Properties, Inc. 4.16%
Simon Property Group, Inc. 3.93%
Invitation Homes, Inc. 3.93%
Welltower, Inc. 3.69%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 48.02%

 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Specialized REITs 22.09%
Residential REITs 20.76%
Retail REITs 15.67%
Industrial REITs 15.10%
Health Care REITs 11.11%
Office REITs 6.36%
Hotel & Resort REITs 4.23%
Diversified REITs 1.90%
Money Market Fund 2.78%
Total 100.00%

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  Beginning Account Value 12/1/21 Ending Account Value 5/31/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b)
ALPS Active REIT ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $959.80 0.68% $3.32
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.54 0.68% $3.43

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

3 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (97.21%)          
Diversified REITs (1.90%)          
WP Carey, Inc.   4,412   $371,226 
           
Health Care REITs (11.10%)          
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.   14,546    433,034 
Ventas, Inc.   17,956    1,018,823 
Welltower, Inc.   8,117    723,144 
Total Health Care REITs        2,175,001 
           
Hotel & Resort REITs (4.23%)          
RLJ Lodging Trust   27,680    371,742 
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.(a)   38,200    457,254 
Total Hotel & Resort REITs        828,996 
           
Industrial REITs (15.11%)          
Duke Realty Corp.   16,895    892,563 
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.   7,395    393,044 
Prologis, Inc.   4,153    529,424 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   11,261    719,240 
Terreno Realty Corp.   6,986    424,120 
Total Industrial REITs        2,958,391 
           
Office REITs (6.36%)          
Cousins Properties, Inc.   9,694    334,928 
Highwoods Properties, Inc.   7,221    283,713 
Kilroy Realty Corp.   6,798    412,639 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A   14,508    213,848 
Total Office REITs        1,245,128 
           
Residential REITs (20.76%)          
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   4,672    971,589 
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.   7,654    579,408 
Equity Residential   18,179    1,396,692 
Invitation Homes, Inc.   20,383    768,847 
Sun Communities, Inc.   2,135    350,418 
Total Residential REITs        4,066,954 
           
Retail REITs (15.67%)          
National Retail Properties, Inc.   5,572    246,840 
Realty Income Corp.   15,159    1,034,146 
Regency Centers Corp.   8,999    613,822 
Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.   22,395    404,678 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Retail REITs (continued)          
Simon Property Group, Inc.   6,709   $769,187 
Total Retail REITs        3,068,673 
           
Specialized REITs (22.08%)          
Crown Castle International Corp.   2,649    502,383 
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.   4,970    693,762 
Equinix, Inc.   878    603,265 
National Storage Affiliates Trust   13,364    700,942 
Public Storage   3,064    1,013,081 
VICI Properties, Inc.   26,381    813,854 
Total Specialized REITs        4,327,287 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $18,612,798)        19,041,656 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (2.78%)               
Money Market Fund               
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund   0.75%   543,902    543,902 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $543,902)             543,902 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.99%)               
(Cost $19,156,700)            $19,585,558 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.01%)             2,407 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $19,587,965 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $19,585,558 
Dividends receivable   13,147 
Total Assets   19,598,705 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   10,740 
Total Liabilities   10,740 
NET ASSETS  $19,587,965 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $18,454,027 
Total distributable earnings   1,133,938 
NET ASSETS  $19,587,965 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $19,156,700 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $19,587,965 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   715,002 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $27.40 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

     
INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends  $302,491 
Securities Lending Income   30 
Total Investment Income   302,521 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   72,799 
Total Expenses   72,799 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   229,722 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   700,360 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (1,663,893)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (963,533)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(733,811)

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Period February 25, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income  $229,722   $238,110 
Net realized gain   700,360    718,062 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   (1,663,893)   2,092,751 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (733,811)   3,048,923 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (908,637)   (277,240)
Total distributions   (908,637)   (277,240)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   4,216,102    21,611,468 
Cost of shares redeemed   (7,223,560)   (145,280)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (3,007,458)   21,466,188 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (4,649,906)   24,237,871 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   24,237,871     
End of period  $19,587,965   $24,237,871 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   820,002     
Shares sold   145,000    825,002 
Shares redeemed   (250,000)   (5,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   715,002    820,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

7 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Period February 25, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $29.56   $24.62 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income(a)   0.31    0.37 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (1.38)   5.01 
Total from investment operations   (1.07)   5.38 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From net investment income   (0.26)   (0.38)
From net realized gains   (0.83)   (0.06)
Total distributions   (1.09)   (0.44)
           
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (2.16)   4.94 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $27.40   $29.56 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (4.02)%   22.01%
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:          
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $19,588   $24,238 
           
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.68%(c)   0.68%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.15%(c)   1.69%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   62%   92%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements

May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consists of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Active REIT ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return through dividends and capital appreciation. The Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.

 

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

 

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

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

9 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The following is a summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $19,041,656   $     –   $     –   $19,041,656 
Short Term Investments   543,902            543,902 
Total  $19,585,558   $   $   $19,585,558 

 

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

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

10 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

The tax character of the distributions paid during the period starting with the commencement of operations and ending November 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021               
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $277,240   $     –   $   – 

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Active REIT ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $1,188,187 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (780,997)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $407,190 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $19,178,368 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022. 

 

F. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

G. Income Taxes

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

 

11 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

As of and during the period ended May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

H. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. As of May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

12 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund   Purchases    Sales 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $13,065,028   $13,749,604 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund   Purchases    Sales 
ALPS Active REIT ETF  $4,067,735   $7,055,867 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the ALPS Active REIT ETF had in-kind net realized gain of $68,703.

 

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

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

13 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. The report of Deloitte on the Fund’s financial statements as of and for the period ended November 30, 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Fund’s period ended November 30, 2021 and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Fund and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Fund for such period. During the Fund’s fiscal period ended November 30, 2021 there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

During the Fund’s fiscal period ended November 30, 2021 and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Fund, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Fund, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Fund’s Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Fund’s former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

14 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

15 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Active REIT ETF

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

16 | May 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 3
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 5
Statement of Operations 6
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 7
Financial Highlights 8
Notes to Financial Statements 9
Additional Information 15
Liquidity Risk Management Program 16

 

alpsfunds.com

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF - NAV -0.03% 5.19% 12.42% 13.22% 13.91%
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF - Market Price* -0.05% 5.22% 12.42% 13.22% 13.92%
NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Total Return Index 0.04% 5.32% 12.59% 13.45% 14.18%
S&P 500® Total Return Index -8.85% -0.30% 13.38% 14.40% 14.82%

 

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

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following table shows the sector weights of both the Fund and the S&P 500® Total Return Index as of May 31, 2022:

 

Sector Weighting Comparison (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  EQL* S&P 500® +/-
Energy 11.1% 4.8% 6.3%
Utilities 9.9% 3.0% 6.9%
Consumer Staples 9.5% 6.5% 3.0%
Materials 9.4% 2.8% 6.6%
Healthcare 9.1% 14.4% -5.3%
Real Estate 8.8% 2.8% 6.0%
Industrials 8.7% 7.8% 0.9%
Financials 8.6% 11.2% -2.6%
Technology 8.6% 27.0% -18.5%
Communication Services 8.3% 8.8% -0.5%
Consumer Discretionary 8.0% 10.9% -2.9%
Total 100.0% 100.0%  

 

Source: S&P 500®

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   Beginning Account Value 12/1/21  Ending Account Value 5/31/22  Expense Ratio(a)  Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b)
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $999.70    0.15%  $0.75 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,024.18    0.15%  $0.76 

 

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

3 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (100.02%)          
Communication Services (8.32%)          
Communication Services Select          
Sector SPDR Fund   323,914   $19,493,144 
           
Consumer Discretionary (8.01%)          
Consumer Discretionary Select          
Sector SPDR Fund(a)   121,477    18,773,056 
           
Consumer Staples (9.47%)          
Consumer Staples Select          
Sector SPDR Fund(a)   297,896    22,184,315 
           
Energy (11.14%)          
Energy Select Sector SPDR          
Fund   299,145    26,085,444 
           
Financials (8.58%)          
Financial Select Sector SPDR          
Fund   566,703    20,100,955 
           
Healthcare (9.10%)          
Health Care Select Sector SPDR          
Fund(a)   161,287    21,326,980 
           
Industrials (8.69%)          
Industrial Select Sector SPDR          
Fund   214,931    20,353,966 
           
Materials (9.43%)          
Materials Select Sector SPDR          
Fund(a)   256,701    22,083,987 
           
Real Estate (8.83%)          
Real Estate Select Sector SPDR          
Fund(a)   467,887    20,689,963 
           
Technology (8.54%)          
Technology Select Sector SPDR          
Fund   142,479    20,011,176 
           
Utilities (9.90%)          
Utilities Select Sector SPDR          
Fund(a)   312,113    23,199,359 
           
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS          
(Cost $168,944,054)        234,302,345 

 

   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (11.88%)        
Investments Purchased with Collateral          
from Securities Loaned (11.88%)          
State Street Navigator
Securities Lending
Government Money
Market Portfolio, 0.80%
          
(Cost $27,818,903)   27,818,903    27,818,903 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $27,818,903)        27,818,903 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (111.90%)          
(Cost $196,762,957)       $262,121,248 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-11.90%)       (27,858,732)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%       $234,262,516 

 

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

The total market value of securities on loan is $53,519,462.

  

Common Abbreviations:

 

 

SPDR® - Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $262,121,248 
Dividends receivable   8,606 
Total Assets   262,129,854 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   30,788 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   27,818,903 
Payable to custodian for overdraft   17,647 
Total Liabilities   27,849,691 
NET ASSETS  $234,280,163 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $168,095,922 
Total distributable earnings   66,166,594 
NET ASSETS  $234,262,516 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $196,762,957 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $234,262,516 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   2,275,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $102.97 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends  $2,105,981 
Securities Lending Income   43,451 
Total Investment Income   2,149,432 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   410,509 
Total Expenses before waiver/reimbursement   410,509 
Less fee waiver/reimbursement by investment adviser   (240,222)
Net Expenses   170,287 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   1,979,145 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   4,473,519 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (6,614,699)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (2,141,180)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(162,035)

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

6 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $1,979,145   $3,568,055 
Net realized gain   4,473,519    7,438,861 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   (6,614,699)   32,612,619 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (162,035)   43,619,535 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (2,073,340)   (3,568,055)
From tax return of capital   -    (37,609)
Total distributions   (2,073,340)   (3,605,664)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   36,677,467    27,797,544 
Cost of shares redeemed   (8,076,000)   (24,055,755)
Net increase from capital share transactions   28,601,467    3,741,789 
Net increase in net assets   26,366,092    43,755,660 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   207,896,424    164,140,764 
End of period  $234,262,516   $207,896,424 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   2,000,000    1,950,000 
Shares sold   350,000    250,000 
Shares redeemed   (75,000)   (200,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   2,275,000    2,000,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

7 | May 31, 2022

   

 

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

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $103.95   $84.17   $78.33   $70.34   $69.28   $59.74 
                               
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.94    1.76    1.91    1.53    1.50    1.37 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (0.92)   19.82    5.84    8.03    1.02    10.03 
Total from investment operations   0.02    21.58    7.75    9.56    2.52    11.40 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (1.00)   (1.78)   (1.90)   (1.57)   (1.46)   (1.86)
From tax return of capital   -    (0.02)   (0.01)   -    -    - 
Total distributions   (1.00)   (1.80)   (1.91)   (1.57)   (1.46)   (1.86)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (0.98)   19.78    5.84    7.99    1.06    9.54 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $102.97   $103.95   $84.17   $78.33   $70.34   $69.28 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (0.03)%   25.89%   10.37%   13.86%   3.66%   19.46%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $234,263   $207,896   $164,141   $168,407   $154,742   $166,284 
                               
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS                              
Ratio of expenses excluding
waiver/reimbursement to average
net assets
   0.37%(c)   0.37%   0.37%   0.37%   0.37%   0.37%
Ratio of expenses including
waiver/reimbursement to average
net assets
   0.15%(c)   0.15%   0.15%   0.15%   0.15%   0.15%
Ratio of net investment income
excluding waiver/reimbursement to
average net assets
   1.57%(c)   1.59%   2.31%   1.89%   1.92%   1.92%
Ratio of net investment income
including waiver/reimbursement to
average net assets
   1.78%(c)   1.81%   2.53%   2.11%   2.14%   2.14%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   11%   8%   11%   4%   14%   5%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

8 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consists of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. On October 1, 2021, the Fund reduced its Creation Unit size from 50,000 to 25,000 shares.

 

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

 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

9 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Level 1- Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2 - Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3- Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Exchange Traded Funds*  $234,302,345   $-   $-   $234,302,345 
Short Term Investments   27,818,903    -    -    27,818,903 
Total  $262,121,248   $-   $-   $262,121,248 

 

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

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

10 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2021, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $-   $3,424,546 

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $68,546,742 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (3,384,653)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $65,162,089 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $196,959,159 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

F. Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

  

11 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of May 31, 2022:

 

   Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $53,519,462   $27,818,903   $28,244,398   $56,063,301 

 

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

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $27,818,903   $-   $-   $-   $27,818,903 
Total Borrowings                       27,818,903 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)             $27,818,903 

 

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

12 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

4.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022 the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $12,971,348   $13,015,875 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  $36,677,282   $8,076,035 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF had in-kind net realized gain of $4,006,444.

 

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

 

5.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

6.  MARKET RISK

 

 

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

 

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

 

13 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

7.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. The report of Deloitte on the Fund’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Fund and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Fund for such year or period. During the Fund’s fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During the Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Fund, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Fund, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Fund’s Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Fund’s former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

14 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

LICENSING AGREEMENT

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

15 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

16 | May 31, 2022

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 3
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 5
Statement of Operations 6
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 7
Financial Highlights 8
Notes to Financial Statements 9
Additional Information 14
Liquidity Risk Management Program 15

 

alpsfunds.com

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

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

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months Since Inception^
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF - NAV -1.28% -4.86%
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF – Market Price* -1.32% -4.82%
Russell 1000® Value Total Return Index 1.51% 2.10%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on July 15, 2021, with the first day of trading on the exchange of July 16, 2021.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The Fund is new with limited operating history.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Enterprise Products Partners LP 2.70%
Raytheon Technologies Corp. 2.67%
Kellogg Co. 2.62%
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A 2.59%
GSK PLC, ADR 2.58%
Plains All American Pipeline LP 2.57%
AT&T, Inc. 2.56%
Lam Research Corp. 2.54%
CarMax, Inc. 2.51%
Becton Dickinson and Co. 2.47%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 25.81%

 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Information Technology 16.94%
Health Care 14.97%
Communication Services 12.64%
Consumer Staples 11.77%
Financials 10.77%
Industrials 10.51%
Consumer Discretionary 7.24%
Materials 5.85%
Energy 5.27%
Real Estate 2.14%
Money Market Fund 1.90%
Total Investments 100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   Beginning Account Value 12/1/21   Ending Account Value 5/31/22   Expense Ratio(a)   Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b) 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $987.20    0.55%  $2.72 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.19    0.55%  $2.77 

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

3 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (92.66%)          
Communication Services (12.61%)          
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   68   $154,716 
AT&T, Inc.   8,358    177,942 
Comcast Corp., Class A   2,866    126,906 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   704    136,323 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   2,943    150,946 
Warner Bros Discovery, Inc.(a)   7,179    132,453 
Total Communication Services        879,286 
           
Consumer Discretionary (7.23%)          
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   70    168,293 
CarMax, Inc.(a)   1,760    174,715 
Nordstrom, Inc.   6,095    161,091 
Total Consumer Discretionary        504,099 
           
Consumer Staples (11.75%)          
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, ADR   2,385    135,230 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   4,887    160,733 
Constellation Brands, Inc.,          
Class A   733    179,929 
Kellogg Co.   2,618    182,579 
Kraft Heinz Co.   4,250    160,778 
Total Consumer Staples        819,249 
           
Financials (10.75%)          
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.   3,359    156,563 
BlackRock, Inc.   217    145,190 
T Rowe Price Group, Inc.   1,077    136,876 
Wells Fargo & Co.   3,684    168,617 
Western Union Co.   7,826    141,964 
Total Financials        749,210 
           
Health Care (14.94%)          
Becton Dickinson and Co.   673    172,153 
Biogen, Inc.(a)   670    134,000 
CVS Health Corp.   1,487    143,867 
GSK PLC, ADR   4,093    179,683 
Medtronic PLC   1,299    130,095 
Merck & Co., Inc.   1,567    144,211 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.   1,143    137,400 
Total Health Care        1,041,409 
           
Industrials (10.50%)          
3M Co.   818    122,119 
Boeing Co.(a)   1,121    147,299 
Emerson Electric Co.   1,692    150,013 
General Electric Co.   1,616    126,517 
Raytheon Technologies Corp.   1,952    185,674 
Total Industrials        731,622 
           
Information Technology (16.90%)          
Adobe, Inc.(a)   327    136,189 
ASML Holding NV   242    139,462 
Equifax, Inc.   740    149,909 
Intel Corp.   2,931    130,195 
Lam Research Corp.   340    176,810 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)          
Microsoft Corp.   589   $160,132 
Salesforce, Inc.(a)   915    146,620 
ServiceNow, Inc.(a)   297    138,839 
Total Information Technology        1,178,156 
           
Materials (5.84%)          
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.   637    156,804 
Compass Minerals          
International, Inc.   2,421    108,776 
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.   2,084    141,399 
Total Materials        406,979 
           
Real Estate (2.14%)          
Simon Property Group, Inc.   1,299    148,930 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $7,118,195)        6,458,940 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (5.27%)        
Energy (5.27%)          
Enterprise Products Partners LP   6,852    187,882 
Plains All American Pipeline LP   15,728    179,142 
Total Energy        367,024 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $330,986)        367,024 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.90%)               
Money Market Fund               

State Street Institutional

Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

   0.75%   132,463    132,463 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $132,463)             132,463 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.83%)               
(Cost $7,581,644)            $6,958,427 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.17%)             11,812 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $6,970,239 

 

(a)Non - income producing security.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

  

 

4 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $6,958,427 
Foreign tax reclaims   194 
Dividends receivable   14,803 
Total Assets   6,973,424 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   3,185 
Total Liabilities   3,185 
NET ASSETS  $6,970,239 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $7,407,542 
Total distributable earnings   (437,303)
NET ASSETS  $6,970,239 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $7,581,644 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $6,970,239 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   300,002 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $23.23 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)  

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends*  $75,855 
Securities Lending Income   34 
Total Investment Income   75,889 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   16,953 
Net Expenses   16,953 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   58,936 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments(a)   140,322 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (312,279)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (171,957)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(113,021)
*Net of foreign tax withholding.  $346 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Period July 15, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $58,936   $50,743 
Net realized gain   140,322    60,733 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (312,279)   (310,938)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (113,021)   (199,462)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (93,741)   (17,283)
Total distributions   (93,741)   (17,283)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   2,412,118    6,232,629 
Cost of shares redeemed   (614,779)   (636,222)
Net increase from capital share transactions   1,797,339    5,596,407 
Net increase in net assets   1,590,577    5,379,662 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   5,379,662     
End of period  $6,970,239   $5,379,662 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   225,002     
Shares sold   100,000    250,002 
Shares redeemed   (25,000)   (25,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   300,002    225,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7 | May 31, 2022

 

 

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

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Period July 15, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $23.91   $24.88 
           
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income(a)   0.23    0.22 
Net realized and unrealized loss   (0.51)   (1.12)
Total from investment operations   (0.28)   (0.90)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From net investment income   (0.19)   (0.07)
From net realized gains   (0.21)    
Total distributions   (0.40)   (0.07)
           
NET (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (0.68)   (0.97)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $23.23   $23.91 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (1.28)%   (3.63)%
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:          
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $6,970   $5,380 
           
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.55%(c)   0.55%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.91%(c)   2.28%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   23%   10%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1.  ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consisted of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF (the “Fund”). The Fund seeks long-term total return from a combination of income and capital gains. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares (prior to October 1, 2021 in blocks of 50,000 Shares), each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

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

 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

9 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Level 1-Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2-Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3-Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $6,458,940   $   $   $6,458,940 
Master Limited Partnerships*   367,024            367,024 
Short Term Investments   132,463            132,463 
Total  $6,958,427   $   $   $6,958,427 

 

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

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

10 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $224,383 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (829,139)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $(604,756)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $7,563,183 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from investments in partnerships. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

F. Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

11 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations. As of May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

 

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $1,364,530   $1,385,877 

 

For the year ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  $2,367,523   $610,899 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, Fund had in-kind net realized gains of $87,413.

 

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

 

5.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

12 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

6.  MARKET RISK

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. The report of Deloitte on the Fund’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal period ended November 30, 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Fund and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Fund for such period. During the Fund’s fiscal period ended November 30, 2021, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During the Fund’s fiscal period ended November 30, 2021, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Fund, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Fund, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Fund’s Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Fund’s former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

13 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

14 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Hillman Active Value ETF  
Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

15 | May 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 3
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 6
Statement of Operations 7
Statement of Changes in Net Assets 8
Financial Highlights 9
Notes to Financial Statements 10
Additional Information 15
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements 16

 

alpsfunds.com

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

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

 

Fund Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  Since Inception^
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF - NAV 2.92%
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF - Market* 3.20%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond 1-15 Year Blend Index 2.44%

 

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

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on May 19, 2022, with the first day of trading on the exchange of May 20, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

The Fund is new with limited operating history.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey   3.81%
New York State Dormitory Authority   3.69%
City of San Antonio TX Electric & Gas Systems Revenue   3.67%
Illinois State Toll Highway Authority   3.57%
State of Ohio   3.51%
City of Houston TX Airport System Revenue   3.45%
Brazosport Independent School District   3.43%
Virginia College Building Authority   3.43%
Ohio Housing Finance Agency   3.35%
South Dakota Housing Development Authority   3.35%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   35.26%

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Revenue Bonds   64.48%
General Obligation Bonds   21.13%
Money Market Fund   14.39%
Total   100.00%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   Beginning Account Value 12/1/21   Ending Account Value 5/31/22   Expense Ratio(a)   Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b) 
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF                
Actual(c)  $1,000.00   $1,029.20    0.50%  $0.18 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.44    0.50%  $2.52 

 

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

(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.
(c)ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF commenced operations on May 19, 2022. Actual expenses on this Fund are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value of the period, multiplied by the number of days since the Fund launched (13) divided by 365.

 

3 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Schedule of Investments   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
MUNICIPAL BONDS (101.85%)        
General Obligation Bonds (25.15%)        
Brazosport Independent School        
District        
5.00%, 02/15/2026  $1,000,000   $1,101,980 
Chino Valley Unified School          
District          
0.00%, 08/01/2035(a)   95,000    57,000 
County of King WA          
5.00%, 01/01/2034   500,000    570,235 
County of Montgomery MD          
0.62%, 11/01/2037(b)   1,000,000    1,000,000 
Deschutes & Jefferson Counties          
School District No 2J Redmond          
0.00%, 06/15/2028(a)   1,250,000    1,056,350 
Harlandale Independent School          
District          
5.00%, 02/15/2027   660,000    740,441 
Long Beach Community College          
District          
0.00%, 06/01/2030(a)   1,000,000    778,210 
Northside Independent School          
District          
2.00%, 06/01/2052(b)   140,000    136,237 
Rowland Unified School District          
0.00%, 08/01/2033(a)   1,000,000    607,480 
San Diego Unified School District          
0.00%, 07/01/2034(a)   100,000    63,250 
San Mateo County Community          
College District          
0.00%, 09/01/2035(a)   110,000    71,898 
State of Connecticut          
5.00%, 04/15/2029   530,000    610,809 
Total General Obligation Bonds        6,793,890 
           
Revenue Bonds (76.70%)          
Anaheim Public Financing          
Authority          
0.00%, 09/01/2030(a)   250,000    194,235 
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital          
Authority          
4.00%, 01/15/2037   500,000    509,075 
0.62%, 01/15/2038(b)   900,000    900,000 
City of Houston TX Airport System          
Revenue          
5.00%, 07/01/2028   1,000,000    1,109,740 
City of San Antonio TX Electric &          
Gas Systems Revenue          
5.00%, 02/01/2031   1,000,000    1,178,580 
Development Authority of Burke          
County          
1.50%, 01/01/2040(b)   175,000    170,665 
1.70%, 12/01/2049(b)   650,000    629,597 
E-470 Public Highway Authority          
0.00%, 09/01/2024(a)   1,000,000    949,570 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Revenue Bonds (continued)        
Illinois Finance Authority        
5.00%, 08/15/2035  $210,000   $238,287 
0.60%, 08/15/2049(b)   1,000,000    1,000,000 
Illinois State Toll Highway          
Authority          
5.00%, 01/01/2029   1,000,000    1,148,530 
Kentucky Public Energy Authority          
4.00%, 12/01/2049(b)   110,000    113,010 
Massachusetts Housing Finance          
Agency          
4.15%, 12/01/2037(c)   250,000    255,158 
Metropolitan Washington          
Airports Authority Aviation          
Revenue          
5.00%, 10/01/2028(c)   500,000    557,110 
New Jersey Transportation Trust          
Fund Authority          
0.00%, 12/15/2031(a)   1,375,000    998,553 
New York State Dormitory          
Authority          
5.00%, 03/15/2031   1,000,000    1,186,269 
North Dakota Housing Finance          
Agency          
4.25%, 01/01/2049   500,000    514,305 
3.00%, 01/01/2052   1,000,000    991,490 
Ohio Air Quality Development          
Authority          
4.25%, 11/01/2039(b)   500,000    520,735 
Ohio Housing Finance Agency          
5.00%, 03/01/2052(c)   1,000,000    1,076,880 
Port Authority of New York &          
New Jersey          
5.00%, 11/01/2030   1,100,000    1,224,905 
Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement          
Authority          
5.00%, 06/01/2026   65,000    70,328 
Salt Verde Financial Corp.          
5.00%, 12/01/2032   675,000    754,198 
South Dakota Housing          
Development Authority          
5.00%, 05/01/2053(c)   1,000,000    1,075,890 
State of Ohio          
5.00%, 01/01/2028   1,000,000    1,127,320 
Tennessee Housing Development          
Agency          
5.00%, 01/01/2053(c)   1,000,000    1,074,960 
Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition and Supply Corp. I          
6.25%, 12/15/2026   50,000    53,844 
Virginia College Building Authority          
5.00%, 02/01/2026   1,000,000    1,101,049 
Total Revenue Bonds        20,724,283 
           
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS          
(Cost $26,895,099)        27,518,173 

 

4 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Schedule of Investments   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (17.13%)            
Money Market Fund            
State Street Institutional US            
Government Money Market Fund   0.75%   4,626,811   $4,626,811 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $4,626,811)             4,626,811 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (118.98%)               
(Cost $31,521,910)            $32,144,984 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-18.98%)             (5,127,360)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $27,017,624 

 

(a)Zero coupon bond.

(b)Floating or variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically on specific dates. The rate shown represents the coupon or interest rate as of May 31, 2022. Security description includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.
(c)Represents a security purchased on a when-issued basis.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

5 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $32,144,984 
Receivable for investments sold   578,597 
Interest receivable   194,706 
Total Assets   32,918,287 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable for investments purchased   5,896,794 
Payable to adviser   3,869 
Total Liabilities   5,900,663 
NET ASSETS  $27,017,624 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $26,368,582 
Total distributable earnings   649,042 
NET ASSETS  $27,017,624 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $31,521,910 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $27,017,624 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   1,050,002 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $25.73 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Period Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)(a)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Interest  $14,842 
Total Investment Income   14,842 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   3,869 
Net Expenses   3,869 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   10,973 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):     
Net realized gain on investments   14,995 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments   623,074 
Total net change in unrealized appreciation   623,074 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS   638,069 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $649,042 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Period May 19, 2022 (Commencement of Operations) to May 31, 2022 (Unaudited) 
OPERATIONS:    
Net investment income  $10,973 
Net realized gain   14,995 
Net change in unrealized appreciation   623,074 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   649,042 
      
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:     
Proceeds from sale of shares   26,368,582 
Net increase from capital share transactions   26,368,582 
Net increase in net assets   27,017,624 
      
NET ASSETS:     
Beginning of period    
End of period  $27,017,624 
      
OTHER INFORMATION:     
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:     
Beginning shares    
Shares sold   1,050,002 
Shares outstanding, end of period   1,050,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Period May 19, 2022 (Commencement of Operations) to May 31, 2022 (Unaudited) 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $25.00 
      
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:     
Net investment income(a)   0.01 
Net realized and unrealized gain   0.72 
Total from investment operations   0.73 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSET VALUE   0.73 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $25.73 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   2.92%
      
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:     
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $27,018 
      
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS     
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.41%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   13%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consists of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to protect investor’s capital and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

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

 

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

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

10 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements

May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Level 1 –

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

Level 2 –

Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 –

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

 

The following is a summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Municipal Bonds*  $   $27,518,173   $   $27,518,173 
Short Term Investments   4,626,811            4,626,811 
Total  $4,626,811   $27,518,173   $   $32,144,984 

 

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

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the period ended May 31, 2022.

 

11 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $623,074 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)    
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $623,074 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $31,521,910 

 

Certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

G. Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the period ended May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

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

 

12 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the period starting with the commencement of operations and ending May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF  $8,663,897   $3,569,545 

 

For the period starting with the commencement of operations and ending May 31, 2022, there were no in-kind transactions or realized gain/(losses) on in-kind transactions.

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

13 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Fund’s Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the engagement of BBD, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022.

 

14 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS


 

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

 

15 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of
Investment Advisory Agreements
May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

On September 13, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board" or the "Trustees") met via video conference to discuss, among other things, the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), with respect to the ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (the “New Fund”) and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser" or “AAI”) and the Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Trust, with respect to the New Fund, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), and AAI, in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. On February 16, 2022, the Trustees met via video conference to discuss, among other things, the approval of certain revisions to the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the New Fund. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, considered the following factors with respect to the New Fund:

 

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

 

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

 

With respect to the costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Adviser, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the resources involved in managing New Fund as well as the fact that the Adviser agreed to pay all of New Fund’s expenses (except for 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 New Fund’s business) out of the unitary advisory fee. Based on their review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the expected profitability of New Fund to the Adviser was not unreasonable.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also reviewed comparative fee and expense data provided by FUSE regarding New Fund. The Trustees noted the proposed advisory fee for services to be provided to New Fund by the Adviser was 0.50% of New Fund’s average daily net assets. The Trustees also considered that the advisory fee with respect to New Fund was a unitary one and that, as set forth above, the Adviser had agreed to pay all of New Fund’s expenses (except for interest expenses, marketing fees, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of New Fund’s business) out of the unitary fee. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered that, taking into account the impact of New Fund’s unitary advisory fee, New Fund’s expense ratio was above the median of both of its FUSE gross advisory fees peer group and total net expenses peer group. The Board took into account, among other things, the Adviser’s representations that (i) most funds in the FUSE peer group are relatively new, with only three of the seven funds in the peer group displaying track records longer than one year, and (ii) BBH’s strategy has strong long-term performance. Based on the foregoing and the other information available to them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the advisory fees for New Fund were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services to be provided.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered other benefits that may be realized by the Adviser from its relationship with New Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account such benefits.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as New Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of New Fund investors. Because New Fund is newly organized, the Trustees reviewed New Fund’s proposed unitary advisory fee and anticipated expenses and determined to review economies of scale in the future when New Fund had attracted assets.

 

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

 

16 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF

 

Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

BBH Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

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

 

With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by BBH under the New Fund’s Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services to be provided under the New Fund’s Sub-Advisory Agreement, the proposed investment strategy, financial information regarding BBH, information describing BBH’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons who would be responsible for the day-to-day management of New Fund. Based upon their review, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that BBH was qualified to oversee the portfolio management of New Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to BBH is 0.25% of New Fund’s average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.50% with respect to New Fund. Based on the consideration of all factors deemed relevant by them, the Board, including the Independent Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fees to be received by BBH under the New Fund’s Sub-Advisory Agreement are reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services provided.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

17 | May 31, 2022

   

 

   

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview  
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 1
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 4
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 7
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 10
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 13
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments  
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 14
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 16
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 18
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 20
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 22
Statements of Operations 23
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 24
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 25
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 26
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 27
Financial Highlights 28
Notes to Financial Statements 32
Additional Information 40
Liquidity Risk Management Program 44

 

alpsfunds.com

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Clean Energy ETF (the “Fund” or “ACES”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index (ticker symbol NACEX) (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by CIBC National Trust Company, which is designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology.

 

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by CIBC National Trust Company (the “Index Provider”), which is designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology. The clean energy sector is comprised of companies that provide the products and services that enable the evolution of a more sustainable energy sector. Clean energy business segments include, but are not limited to, the following activities: (i) renewable energy sources, including solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, biomass, biofuels, and tidal/wave energy, (ii) clean technologies, including electric vehicles, energy storage, lithium, fuel cell, smart grid, and energy efficiency technologies and (iii) other emerging clean energy activities and technologies. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. or Canadian companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index, a company’s stock must be traded on one or more major U.S. or Canadian securities exchanges, be based in the U.S. or in Canada, have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization and minimum average daily trading value thresholds established by the index rulebook of at least $300 million, and have a minimum median average daily trading liquidity of greater than $3 million over the last 60 trading days prior to the selection date, and the company must derive a majority of its value from clean energy business segments (as defined above). Such eligible companies shall be defined as the “Index Universe.” All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. The Underlying Index is reconstituted and rebalanced quarterly on the third Friday in March, June, September and December.

 

Fund Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 3 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Clean Energy ETF - NAV -27.87% -22.57% 26.84% 22.59%
ALPS Clean Energy ETF - Market Price* -27.94% -22.63% 26.87% 22.55%
S&P 1000® Total Return Index -6.73% -7.20% 13.27% 7.79%
CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index   -27.81% -22.41% 27.28% 23.26%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2018, with the first day of trading on the exchange of June 29, 2018.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index is an adjusted market cap weighted index designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. or Canadian based companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology. The clean energy sector is comprised of companies that provide the products and services which enable the evolution of a more sustainable energy sector. Clean energy business segments include but are not limited to: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, electric vehicles, LED, biomass, smart grid, energy efficiency and storage. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The S&P 1000® Total Return Index combines the S&P MidCap 400® and the S&P SmallCap 600® to form an investable benchmark for the mid- to small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

1 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Clean Energy ETF.

 

2 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Enphase Energy, Inc. 6.10%
Sunrun, Inc. 5.16%
First Solar, Inc. 5.08%
Livent Corp. 4.98%
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP 4.97%
Northland Power, Inc. 4.90%
Tesla, Inc. 4.68%
NextEra Energy Partners LP 4.63%
Lucid Group, Inc. 4.62%
Plug Power, Inc. 4.15%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 49.26%

 

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

 

 Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Clean Energy Segment Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

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

 

3 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (the “Fund” or “DTEC”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index (ticker symbol IDTEC) (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by Indxx, LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is designed to identify the companies using disruptive technologies in each of ten thematic areas: Healthcare Innovation, Internet of Things, Clean Energy and Smart Grid, Cloud Computing, Data and Analytics, FinTech, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, 3D Printing, and Mobile Payments (each a “Theme” and together, the “Themes”). Companies using disruptive technologies are those that are entering traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, seek to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market-leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including foreign and emerging markets companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s Index Universe, a company’s stock must be traded on one or more major global securities exchanges, have a minimum market capitalization of at least $500 million, and have a six month minimum average daily trading volume of $2 million, and the company must derive a minimum of 50% of its revenue from a single Theme. All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. From the Index Universe, the Underlying Index methodology selects ten stocks in each Theme according to proprietary quantitative and qualitative factors. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is reconstituted annually on the third Friday of September and rebalanced quarterly.

 

Fund Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 3 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF - NAV -24.11% -20.77% 9.14% 9.20%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF - Market Price* -24.19% -20.79% 9.14% 9.20%
Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index -23.91% -20.48% 9.52% 9.51%
Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index -9.38% -7.56% 11.31% 7.11%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on December 28, 2017, with the first day of trading on the exchange of December 29, 2017.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index (Ticker: IDTEC) is based around companies that enter traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, are likely to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

The Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index, measures the performance of the stocks located in the developed and emerging countries across the world. Stocks in the index are weighted by their float capital, which removes corporate cross ownership, government holdings and other locked-in shares.

 

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

 

4 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.

 

5 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Black Knight, Inc. 1.32%
Pagseguro Digital, Ltd., Class A 1.31%
AeroVironment, Inc. 1.31%
Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR 1.30%
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. 1.28%
VMware, Inc., Class A 1.24%
Mastercard, Inc., Class A 1.21%
PTC, Inc. 1.21%
Itron, Inc. 1.21%
FleetCor Technologies, Inc. 1.19%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 12.58%

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

  

Thematic Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

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

 

6 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF (the "Fund" or "JRNY") seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network Global Travel Index (ticker symbol TRAVEL) (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index uses a rules-based methodology developed by S-Network Global Indexes Inc. (the "Index Provider"), which is designed to identify exchange-traded stocks of companies that are materially engaged in the global travel industry, including four segments: Airlines & Airport Services; Hotels, Casinos, Cruise Lines; Booking & Rental Agencies; and Ancillary Beneficiaries. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including foreign and emerging markets companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index's Index Universe, a company's stock must be traded on one or more major global securities exchanges and is principally engaged in or derives significant revenue from each of the segments. In addition, a company's stock must have a minimum market capitalization of at least $100 million, a three-month minimum average daily trading volume of $1 million, and a minimum free float factor of 18%. All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. From the Index Universe, the Underlying Index methodology selects and weights twenty stocks in each segment, subject to a minimum of one constituent per geographic region (U.S. & Canada, Europe, Pacific (ex-Canada), and Emerging) and a 65% maximum weight per geographic region. The Underlying Index is rebalanced and reconstituted quarterly on the third Friday of the last month in each calendar quarter.

 

Fund Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months Since Inception^
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF - NAV -8.65% -13.53%
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF - Market Price* -8.39% -13.17%
S-Network Global Travel Net Total Return Index -8.36% -13.20%
Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index -9.38% -11.45%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.65%.

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on September 8, 2021, with the first day of trading on the exchange of September 9, 2021.
*Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

 

The Fund is new with limited operating history.

 

The S-Network Global Travel Net Total Return Index (Ticker: TRAVEL) is an Index of stocks listed on global recognized stock exchanges that are materially engaged in segments of the global travel industry, including Airlines & Airport Services; Hotels, Casinos, and Cruise Lines; Booking & Rental Agencies; and ancillary beneficiaries of global travel. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

The Morningstar® Global Markets Net Return Index, measures the performance of the stocks located in the developed and emerging countries across the world. Stocks in the index are weighted by their float capital, which removes corporate cross ownership, government holdings and other locked-in shares.

 

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

 

7 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF.

 

8 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Booking Holdings, Inc. 5.11%
Marriott International, Inc., Class A 4.90%
American Express Co. 4.62%
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE 4.61%
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. 4.58%
Cintas Corp. 4.38%
The Estee Lauder Company, Inc., Class A 4.31%
Walt Disney Co. 3.84%
Airbnb, Inc., Class A 3.70%
Shiseido Co., Ltd. 2.92%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 42.97%

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

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

 

9 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (the “Fund” or “SBIO”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the S-Network® Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index (or depositary receipts based on such securities).

 

The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is comprised of small- and mid-cap stocks of biotechnology companies that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") clinical trials. In a Phase II trial, the drug is administered to a group of 100-300 people to see if it is effective and to evaluate its safety. In a Phase III trial, the drug is given to a larger group, between 500-3,000 people, to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely. Stocks selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index must be listed on a U.S. stock exchange. Underlying Index constituents must have a market capitalization of no less than $200 million and no more than $5 billion. Stocks included in the Underlying Index must also sustain an average daily trading volume in excess of $1 million for the 90-day period preceding an Underlying Index reconstitution. Constituents must be able to sustain the monthly rates at which they use shareholder capital ("cash burn rates") for at least 24 months. The Underlying Index is reconstituted semi-annually on the third Fridays of June and December.

 

Fund Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF - NAV -40.13% -44.90% -7.33% 1.93% 1.20%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF - Market Price* -40.08% -44.90% -7.36% 1.93% 1.19%
S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index -40.01% -44.74% -7.07% 2.21% 1.52%
NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index -22.16% -21.52% 6.46% 5.04% 2.63%

 

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

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.844.234.5852.

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced investment operations on December 30, 2014.

 

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

 

NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index (Ticker: NBI) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of all the NASDAQ stocks in the biotechnology sector. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index (Ticker: PMBI) is designed to capture research and development opportunities in the biotechnology industry. PMBI consists of small-cap and mid-cap biotechnology stocks listed on U.S. stock exchanges that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III U.S. FDA clinical trials. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

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

 

Companies in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry may be subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Legislation introduced or considered by certain governments on such industries or on the healthcare sector cannot be predicted.

 

Companies in the pharmaceuticals industry are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. The profitability of some companies in the pharmaceuticals industry may be dependent on a relatively limited number of products. In addition, their products can become obsolete due to industry innovation, changes in technologies or other market developments. Many new products in the pharmaceuticals industry are subject to government approvals, regulation and reimbursement rates. The process of obtaining government approvals may be long and costly. Many companies in the pharmaceuticals industry are heavily dependent on patents and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

 

10 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The development of new drugs generally has a high failure rate, and such failures may negatively impact the stock price of the company developing the failed drug. Biotechnology companies may have persistent losses during a new product’s transition from development to production. In order to fund operations, biotechnology companies may require financing from the capital markets, which may not always be available on satisfactory terms or at all.

 

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

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is not affiliated with S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.

 

11 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top Ten Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5.33%
Alkermes PLC 5.00%
Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. 3.99%
Galapagos NV, Sponsored ADR 3.71%
Cytokinetics, Inc. 3.45%
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. 3.21%
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2.68%
Insmed, Inc. 2.31%
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. 2.20%
PTC Therapeutics, Inc. 2.16%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 34.04%

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

  

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

 

12 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  Beginning Account Value 12/1/21 Ending Account Value 5/31/22 Expense Ratio(a) Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b)
ALPS Clean Energy ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $721.30 0.55% $2.36
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.19 0.55% $2.77
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $758.90 0.50% $2.19
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.44 0.50% $2.52
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $913.50 0.65% $3.10
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.69 0.65% $3.28
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF        
Actual $1,000.00 $598.70 0.50% $1.99
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,022.44 0.50% $2.52

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

13 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

  

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (87.83%)        
Consumer Discretionary (14.15%)        
EVgo, Inc.(a)(b)   441,688   $4,231,371 
Lucid Group, Inc.(a)(b)   1,520,241    30,678,463 
Rivian Automotive, Inc.(a)   725,084    22,767,638 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   40,996    31,085,627 
Volta, Inc.(a)(b)   692,736    1,704,131 
Workhorse Group, Inc.(a)(b)   869,959    2,688,173 
XL Fleet Corp.(a)   737,978    892,953 
Total Consumer Discretionary        94,048,356 
           
Energy (5.84%)          
Aemetis, Inc.(a)(b)   182,404    1,479,296 
Archaea Energy, Inc., Class A(a)   345,443    6,888,134 
Green Plains, Inc.(a)   334,427    10,895,632 
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.(a)   318,977    19,556,479 
Total Energy        38,819,541 
           
Financials (3.11%)          
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable          
Infrastructure Capital, Inc.(b)   543,797    20,702,352 
           
Industrials (25.26%)          
Ameresco, Inc., Class A(a)   195,664    11,489,390 
American Superconductor          
Corp.(a)   165,615    884,384 
Array Technologies, Inc.(a)   900,399    9,976,421 
Ballard Power Systems, Inc.(a)(b)   1,537,130    11,174,935 
Blink Charging Co.(a)(b)   236,577    3,768,672 
ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   1,510,045    19,313,475 
Fluence Energy, Inc.(a)(b)   230,968    2,263,486 
Hyliion Holdings Corp.(a)(b)   804,220    2,919,319 
Hyzon Motors, Inc.(a)(b)   486,623    2,364,988 
Infrastructure and Energy          
Alternatives, Inc.(a)(b)   181,902    1,478,863 
Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.(a)(b)   734,991    5,990,177 
Lightning eMotors, Inc.(a)   282,696    1,133,611 
Lion Electric Co.(a)(b)   554,777    3,201,063 
Microvast Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   964,377    4,821,885 
Plug Power, Inc.(a)(b)   1,491,223    27,557,801 
Proterra, Inc.(a)(b)   1,322,313    8,528,919 
Shoals Technologies Group,          
Inc., Class A(a)   341,819    5,332,376 
Stem, Inc.(a)(b)   965,951    8,345,817 
Sunrun, Inc.(a)   1,311,168    34,247,708 
TPI Composites, Inc.(a)   231,779    3,196,232 
Total Industrials        167,989,522 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (14.87%)        
Enphase Energy, Inc.(a)  217,502   $40,496,698 
First Solar, Inc.(a)   478,263    33,770,151 
Itron, Inc.(a)   289,319    14,931,754 
SunPower Corp.(a)(b)   542,632    9,588,307 
Total Information Technology        98,786,910 
           
Materials (4.96%)          
Livent Corp.(a)   1,040,348    33,072,662 
           
Utilities (19.64%)          
Boralex, Inc., Class A(b)   658,527    20,101,773 
Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C   526,597    18,457,225 
Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc.(b)   994,455    13,412,976 
Northland Power, Inc.(b)   1,073,068    32,543,692 
Ormat Technologies, Inc.   291,912    24,508,932 
Sunnova Energy International, Inc.(a)(b)   600,147    12,002,940 
TransAlta Renewables, Inc.(b)   690,830    9,470,682 
Total Utilities        130,498,220 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $716,851,485)        583,917,563 
           
Security Description   Shares    Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (11.90%)          
Energy (2.31%)          
Enviva, Inc.   197,201    15,359,986 
           
Utilities (9.59%)          
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP   927,600    32,994,207 
NextEra Energy Partners LP   428,907    30,731,187 
Total Utilities        63,725,394 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $71,255,956)        79,085,380 

 

14 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (11.51%)            
Money Market Fund (0.17%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund            
(Cost $1,140,115)   0.75%   1,140,115   $1,140,115 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (11.34%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money Market               
Portfolio, 0.80%               
(Cost $75,385,575)        75,385,575    75,385,575 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $76,525,690)             76,525,690 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (111.24%)               
(Cost $864,633,131)            $739,528,633 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-11.24%)            (74,743,929)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $664,784,704 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $121,262,523.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (98.85%)        
Communication Services (0.61%)        
Netflix, Inc.(a)   4,636   $915,332 
           
Consumer Discretionary (4.03%)          
ADT, Inc.   220,599    1,650,081 
Garmin, Ltd.   14,872    1,570,781 
iRobot Corp.(a)   28,085    1,336,565 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   1,960    1,486,190 
Total Consumer Discretionary        6,043,617 
           
Financials (4.48%)          
American Express Co.   9,759    1,647,514 
Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR(b)   36,837    1,941,310 
Moody's Corp.   5,285    1,593,798 
S&P Global, Inc.   4,340    1,516,743 
Total Financials        6,699,365 
           
Health Care (10.88%)          
ABIOMED, Inc.(a)   5,432    1,432,418 
Align Technology, Inc.(a)   3,829    1,063,084 
Azenta, Inc.   20,414    1,564,529 
Boston Scientific Corp.(a)   39,557    1,622,233 
Cutera, Inc.(a)   38,104    1,714,298 
Dexcom, Inc.(a)   4,060    1,209,636 
DiaSorin SpA(c)   12,464    1,639,137 
Insulet Corp.(a)   7,056    1,506,315 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)   5,989    1,363,336 
ResMed, Inc.   6,830    1,389,632 
Smith & Nephew PLC,          
Sponsored ADR   53,614    1,754,786 
Total Health Care        16,259,404 
           
Industrials (15.90%)          
ABB, Ltd., Sponsored ADR   50,311    1,558,132 
AeroVironment, Inc.(a)   21,343    1,962,702 
Experian PLC   44,091    1,475,645 
FANUC Corp.   9,789    1,604,823 
Proto Labs, Inc.(a)   31,195    1,503,287 
RELX PLC, Sponsored ADR(c)   60,186    1,723,727 
Schneider Electric SE   10,749    1,489,067 
Sensata Technologies Holding PLC   31,219    1,499,449 
Siemens Gamesa Renewable          
Energy SA(a)   81,840    1,577,952 
Thomson Reuters Corp.   16,021    1,585,697 
TransUnion   17,236    1,496,257 
Verisk Analytics, Inc.   8,926    1,561,336 
Vestas Wind Systems A/S   53,558    1,368,425 
Wolters Kluwer NV   17,031    1,684,652 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Class H   1,073,800   $1,759,744 
Total Industrials        23,850,895 
           
Information Technology (60.81%)          
Adobe, Inc.(a)   3,779    1,573,878 
Adyen NV(a)(b)(d)   981    1,524,121 
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.(a)   25,129    1,588,907 
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.(a)   63,228    1,628,121 
ams-OSRAM AG(a)   125,142    1,531,659 
ANSYS, Inc.(a)   5,422    1,411,672 
Autodesk, Inc.(a)   8,260    1,716,015 
Avast PLC(b)   197,309    1,207,588 
Black Knight, Inc.(a)   28,980    1,968,032 
Block, Inc., Class A(a)   15,207    1,330,765 
Cerence, Inc.(a)(c)   51,740    1,643,262 
Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.(a)   11,647    1,456,807 
Cognex Corp.   25,133    1,216,940 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)   8,651    1,384,073 
Dassault Systemes SE   36,281    1,526,233 
Datadog, Inc., Class A(a)   11,859    1,131,230 
Dynatrace, Inc.(a)   40,250    1,516,218 
FARO Technologies, Inc.(a)   31,253    1,006,972 
Fidelity National Information          
Services, Inc.   18,373    1,919,978 
First Solar, Inc.(a)   21,652    1,528,848 
Fiserv, Inc.(a)   17,394    1,742,531 
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a)   7,141    1,776,752 
Fortinet, Inc.(a)   5,771    1,697,482 
Global Payments, Inc.   13,004    1,704,044 
GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.   17,200    1,426,931 
Intuit, Inc.   3,670    1,521,068 
Itron, Inc.(a)   35,009    1,806,814 
Keyence Corp.   3,546    1,421,044 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   5,074    1,815,832 
Materialise NV, ADR(a)(c)   85,381    1,249,124 
Nemetschek SE   20,709    1,477,547 
NortonLifeLock, Inc.   59,384    1,445,407 
Okta, Inc.(a)   9,909    822,942 
Omron Corp.   24,900    1,436,342 
Pagseguro Digital, Ltd., Class A(a)   128,048    1,966,817 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)   3,000    1,508,340 
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)   16,814    1,432,721 
PTC, Inc.(a)   15,537    1,810,527 
Qorvo, Inc.(a)   13,210    1,476,218 
Renishaw PLC   33,055    1,692,757 

 

16 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)        
Salesforce, Inc.(a)   8,280   $1,326,787 
SAP SE, Sponsored ADR   15,243    1,521,861 
ServiceNow, Inc.(a)   3,119    1,458,039 
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a)   11,786    1,757,999 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   12,517    1,362,726 
Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)   8,371    1,068,558 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a)   5,241    1,429,692 
Splunk, Inc.(a)   13,042    1,337,588 
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.   22,151    1,417,442 
StoneCo, Ltd., Class A(a)   173,850    1,745,454 
Stratasys, Ltd.(a)   69,373    1,383,298 
Temenos AG   18,221    1,769,670 
Trend Micro, Inc.   28,490    1,675,297 
Visa, Inc., Class A   8,357    1,773,105 
VMware, Inc., Class A   14,451    1,851,173 
Workday, Inc., Class A(a)   7,238    1,131,299 
Xero, Ltd.(a)   22,864    1,465,098 
Xinyi Solar Holdings, Ltd.   872,000    1,553,492 
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A(a)   15,941    1,712,860 
Zscaler, Inc.(a)   7,919    1,212,320 
Total Information Technology        90,996,317 
           
Real Estate (1.08%)          
Equinix, Inc.   2,351    1,615,349 
           
Utilities (1.06%)          
China Longyuan Power Group          
Corp., Ltd., Class H   737,000    1,583,472 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $169,687,987)        147,963,751 
           
Security Description   Shares    Value 
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (0.96%)          
Utilities (0.96%)          
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP   40,560    1,442,696 
           
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $1,140,531)        1,442,696 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.74%)            
Money Market Fund (0.13%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund            
(Cost $188,012)   0.75%   188,012   $188,012 
                
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral               
from Securities Loaned (0.61%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money Market               
Portfolio, 0.80%               
(Cost $919,800)        919,800    919,800 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $1,107,812)             1,107,812 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.55%)               
(Cost $171,936,330)            $150,514,259 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.55%)             (825,690)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $149,688,569 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of May 31, 2022, the market value of those securities was $4,673,019 representing 3.12% of net assets.
(c)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $2,586,449.
(d)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $1,524,121, representing 1.02% of net assets.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.94%)        
Communication Services (4.10%)        
TripAdvisor, Inc.(a)   916   $22,753 
Walt Disney Co.(a)   2,988    329,995 
Total Communication Services        352,748 
           
Consumer Discretionary (46.13%)          
Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)   2,631    318,009 
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)   196    439,739 
Boyd Gaming Corp.   898    52,775 
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.(a)   1,889    94,771 
Choice Hotels International, Inc.   419    53,586 
Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Class A   1,481    164,204 
Dufry AG(a)   584    24,122 
Expedia Group, Inc.(a)   1,281    165,672 
Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.   26,000    138,661 
Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.(a)   1,118    51,149 
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.   2,797    393,985 
Huazhu Group, Ltd., ADR   3,457    112,353 
Intercontinental Hotels Group(a)   501    31,136 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.(a)   2,702    95,813 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   619    396,855 
Marriott International, Inc., Class A   2,458    421,744 
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   526    77,701 
MGM Resorts International   3,234    113,093 
Moncler SpA   667    32,008 
Oriental Land Co., Ltd.   1,660    247,578 
Penn National Gaming, Inc.(a)   2,028    64,815 
Thule Group AB(b)(c)   605    20,245 
Tongcheng Travel Holdings, Ltd.(a)(c)   14,000    26,868 
Trainline PLC(a)(b)(c)   9,130    36,665 
Trip.com Group, Ltd., ADR   6,372    140,566 
TUI AG(a)   7,515    18,088 
Vail Resorts, Inc.   459    115,764 
WH Smith PLC(a)   1,196    24,023 
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   1,211    97,037 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,969,025 
           
Consumer Staples (10.69%)          
L'Oreal SA   694    244,784 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Consumer Staples (continued)        
Pilgrim's Pride Corp.(a)   974   $32,454 
Premium Brands Holdings Corp.   254    20,477 
Shiseido Co., Ltd.   5,970    251,627 
The Estee Lauder Company, Inc., Class A   1,457    371,025 
Total Consumer Staples        920,367 
           
Financials (4.62%)          
American Express Co.   2,354    397,402 
           
Industrials (29.43%)          
Aena SME SA(a)(b)(c)   348    53,107 
Air China, Ltd., Class H(a)   31,000    22,597 
Airbus SE   1,586    185,214 
Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a)   1,249    60,277 
American Airlines Group, Inc.(a)   4,670    83,453 
ANA Holdings, Inc.(a)   4,700    92,806 
Auckland International Airport, Ltd.(a)   4,539    22,123 
Avis Budget Group, Inc.(a)   274    52,137 
CAE, Inc.(a)   2,952    73,727 
China Airlines, Ltd.(a)   51,000    47,618 
China Southern Airlines Co., Ltd., Class H(a)(d)   38,000    20,968 
Cintas Corp.   947    377,219 
Dassault Aviation SA   156    26,411 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.(a)   5,445    227,002 
Deutsche Lufthansa AG(a)   2,954    21,647 
Elis SA   1,642    26,036 
Eva Airways Corp.(a)   36,000    42,295 
Flight Centre Travel Group, Ltd.(a)(d)   1,600    23,539 
Grupo Aeroportuario del
Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR
 
 
 
 
 
546
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82,107
 
 
Grupo Aeroportuario del
Sureste SAB de CV, ADR
 
 
 
 
 
140
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30,421
 
 
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a)   1,054    21,154 
International Consolidated
Airlines Group SA(a)(d)
 
 
 
 
 
12,865
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20,692
 
 
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.(a)   4,400    80,183 
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.(a)   2,390    56,118 
Localiza Rent a Car SA   4,834    58,506 
Lyft, Inc., Class A(a)   1,567    27,705 
Qantas Airways, Ltd.(a)   18,443    72,928 
Ryanair Holdings PLC(a)   1,520    23,294 
Sixt SE   159    21,422 
Southwest Airlines Co.(a)   5,441    249,523 
Uber Technologies, Inc.(a)   9,292    215,573 

 

18 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.(a)   2,416   $115,074 
Total Industrials        2,532,876 
           
Information Technology (1.73%)          
Amadeus IT Holding SA, Class A(a)   1,744    108,292 
Sabre Corp.(a)   2,384    17,904 
TravelSky Technology, Ltd., Class H   14,000    22,765 
Total Information Technology        148,961 
           
Real Estate (3.24%)          
Gaming and Leisure          
Properties, Inc.   3,168    148,325 
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   6,538    130,695 
Total Real Estate        279,020 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $9,712,091)        8,600,399 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.60%)            
Money Market Fund (0.04%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund            
(Cost $3,672)   0.75%   3,672    3,672 
                
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral               
from Securities Loaned (0.56%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money Market               
Portfolio, 0.80%               
(Cost $48,416)        48,416    48,416 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $52,088)             52,088 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.54%)               
(Cost $9,764,179)            $8,652,487 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.54%)             (46,553)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $8,605,934 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $110,017, representing 1.28% of net assets.
(c)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of May 31, 2022, the market value of those securities was $136,885 representing 1.59% of net assets.
(d)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $44,491.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

19 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (100.00%)        
Biotechnology (97.89%)        
89bio, Inc.(a)(b)   19,820   $59,658 
Aadi Bioscience, Inc.(a)(b)   20,219    325,728 
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   155,460    2,510,679 
ADC Therapeutics SA(a)   74,264    507,966 
Aeglea BioTherapeutics,
Inc.(a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
47,792
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
75,511
 
 
Affimed NV(a)   115,974    359,519 
Agenus, Inc.(a)   248,943    415,735 
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   52,902    1,030,002 
Akero Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   33,896    292,861 
Albireo Pharma, Inc.(a)   18,748    373,648 
Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   56,241    173,785 
Alector, Inc.(a)   79,369    703,209 
Alkermes PLC(a)   157,174    4,691,644 
Allakos, Inc.(a)   53,057    159,171 
Allovir, Inc.(a)(b)   63,264    244,832 
Alpine Immune Sciences,
Inc.(a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
28,284
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
263,041
 
 
Altimmune, Inc.(a)(b)   38,468    194,648 
ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   39,343    301,761 
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   271,084    2,065,660 
AnaptysBio, Inc.(a)(b)   26,792    508,780 
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.(a)(b)   73,741    671,781 
Annexon, Inc.(a)(b)   37,484    117,700 
Applied Molecular Transport,
Inc.(a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
37,426
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
123,880
 
 
Arbutus Biopharma Corp.(a)(b)   143,894    349,662 
Arcturus Therapeutics          
Holdings, Inc.(a)   25,527    507,477 
Arcus Biosciences, Inc.(a)(b)   68,801    1,303,779 
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)   48,777    1,018,464 
Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)   90,129    468,671 
Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   122,582    119,186 
Autolus Therapeutics PLC,          
ADR(a)(b)   88,007    241,139 
AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   33,273    135,421 
BELLUS Health, Inc.(a)   103,341    820,528 
Beyondspring, Inc.(a)(b)   38,226    52,370 
BioAtla, Inc.(a)   35,970    86,688 
Bioxcel Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   27,081    316,848 
Cardiff Oncology, Inc.(a)(b)   41,928    56,603 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.(a)
 
 
 
 
 
99,824
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
718,733
 
 
Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings,
Inc.(a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
143,286
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,744,063
 
 
Checkpoint Therapeutics,
Inc.(a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
81,098
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
115,159
 
 
ChemoCentryx, Inc.(a)   67,573    1,504,851 
Chinook Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   71,905    777,292 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Biotechnology (continued)        
Clene, Inc.(a)(b)   60,323   $131,504 
Cogent Biosciences, Inc.(a)   38,584    177,872 
Coherus Biosciences, Inc.(a)(b)   74,812    549,120 
Compass Pathways PLC, ADR(a)(b)   40,757    370,481 
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   45,980    770,165 
Cytokinetics, Inc.(a)(b)   81,204    3,240,040 
CytomX Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   63,306    101,923 
Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   59,972    373,026 
eFFECTOR Therapeutics,
Inc.(a)(b)
 
 
 
 
 
43,828
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94,668
 
 
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(a)   48,890    1,611,414 
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   19,879    793,768 
FibroGen, Inc.(a)   90,033    885,925 
Forma Therapeutics Holdings,
Inc.(a)
 
 
 
 
 
45,954
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
261,478
 
 
Fortress Biotech, Inc.(a)(b)   96,454    83,085 
Galapagos NV, Sponsored ADR(a)(b)   63,265    3,480,208 
Geron Corp.(a)(b)   313,390    432,478 
Gossamer Bio, Inc.(a)   74,040    521,982 
Gritstone bio, Inc.(a)(b)   70,385    142,178 
Imago Biosciences, Inc.(a)   32,462    524,586 
Immunic, Inc.(a)(b)   27,012    167,474 
Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR(a)   41,661    1,181,089 
ImmunoGen, Inc.(a)   213,491    781,377 
Immunovant, Inc.(a)   112,677    477,750 
Immutep, Ltd., ADR(a)(b)   83,927    249,263 
Impel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   22,298    153,633 
Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   87,022    58,514 
Inmune Bio, Inc.(a)(b)   17,301    119,377 
Innate Pharma SA, ADR(a)   79,097    210,398 
Insmed, Inc.(a)   115,112    2,166,408 
Instil Bio, Inc.(a)(b)   125,008    750,673 
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   28,742    520,230 
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   136,863    4,998,238 
Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)   152,150    1,027,013 
IVERIC bio, Inc.(a)   111,966    1,168,925 
Jounce Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   50,040    193,655 
KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   23,752    211,155 
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   28,855    3,010,154 
Keros Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   23,240    785,512 
Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.(a)   47,574    240,249 
Kodiak Sciences, Inc.(a)   50,281    364,034 

 

20 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Biotechnology (continued)        
Kronos Bio, Inc.(a)(b)   54,801   $203,860 
Krystal Biotech, Inc.(a)   24,410    1,437,261 
LianBio, ADR(a)(b)   103,820    295,887 
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   16,316    1,450,656 
Longeveron, Inc.(a)   18,512    151,243 
MacroGenics, Inc.(a)   59,362    205,986 
Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   56,924    66,032 
MannKind Corp.(a)(b)   243,763    1,018,929 
MEI Pharma, Inc.(a)   128,735    61,329 
Merus NV(a)   42,091    781,209 
MiMedx Group, Inc.(a)   108,770    425,291 
Myovant Sciences, Ltd.(a)(b)   90,899    942,623 
Organogenesis Holdings, Inc.(a)   124,656    699,320 
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.(a)   25,773    101,288 
PDS Biotechnology Corp.(a)   27,520    107,878 
Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc.(a)   44,029    365,441 
Prometheus Biosciences, Inc.(a)   37,824    985,693 
ProQR Therapeutics NV(a)   69,542    45,898 
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   46,871    410,590 
Prothena Corp. PLC(a)   45,193    1,230,605 
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   69,085    2,029,026 
Radius Health, Inc.(a)   45,872    290,370 
RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   28,631    421,448 
Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   163,595    1,001,201 
REGENXBIO, Inc.(a)   41,573    874,696 
Replimune Group, Inc.(a)   45,705    664,094 
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   166,206    300,833 
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   62,442    739,938 
SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   42,491    83,282 
Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   57,165    1,787,550 
Scholar Rock Holding Corp.(a)(b)   34,172    171,543 
Seres Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   89,084    276,160 
SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   47,772    904,802 
Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   36,161    437,910 
Surface Oncology, Inc.(a)   45,468    84,116 
Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   53,251    878,642 
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.(a)(b)   15,013    36,631 
Travere Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   61,466    1,432,772 
uniQure NV(a)   44,971    645,784 
Valneva SE, ADR(a)(b)   50,769    1,244,348 
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   54,116    531,960 
Vaxart, Inc.(a)   121,792    443,323 
Viking Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)   75,861    168,411 
VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   199,935    229,925 
XBiotech, Inc.   29,419    161,805 

 

Security Description   Shares   Value
Biotechnology (continued)     
Xencor, Inc.(a)    57,480$ 1,283,528
Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)    50,271   1,324,641
Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)    42,317   526,423
Total Biotechnology        91,851,336
          
Health Care Providers & Services (2.11%)
OPKO Health, Inc.(a)(b)    659,406   1,978,218
          
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS         
(Cost $175,640,320)        93,829,554

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (6.53%)            
Money Market Fund (0.02%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund            
(Cost $23,017)   0.75%   23,017    23,017 
                
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral               
from Securities Loaned (6.51%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money Market               
Portfolio, 0.80%               
(Cost $6,107,385)        6,107,385    6,107,385 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $6,130,402)             6,130,402 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (106.53%)               
(Cost $181,770,722)            $99,959,956 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-6.53%)             (6,129,874)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $93,830,082 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $12,117,651.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

    ALPS Clean Energy ETF     ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF     ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF     ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
ASSETS:                        
Investments, at value   $ 739,528,633     $ 150,514,259     $ 8,652,487     $ 99,959,956  
Cash                       9,543  
Foreign Currency, at value (Cost $37,873, $1,207, $266 and $–)     37,873       1,207       266        
Dividends receivable     912,546       155,078       6,027       9,591  
Receivable for investments sold     16,059,076                    
Total Assets     756,538,128       150,670,544       8,658,780       99,979,090  
                                 
LIABILITIES:                                
Payable to adviser     304,420       62,175       4,430       41,623  
Payable for capital shares redeemed     16,063,429                    
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned     75,385,575       919,800       48,416       6,107,385  
Total Liabilities     91,753,424       981,975       52,846       6,149,008  
NET ASSETS   $ 664,784,704     $ 149,688,569     $ 8,605,934     $ 93,830,082  
                                 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                                
Paid-in capital   $ 865,960,823     $ 163,321,583     $ 9,626,175     $ 269,175,409  
Total distributable earnings     (201,176,119 )     (13,633,014 )     (1,020,241 )     (175,345,327 )
NET ASSETS   $ 664,784,704     $ 149,688,569     $ 8,605,934     $ 93,830,082  
                                 
INVESTMENTS, AT COST   $ 864,633,131     $ 171,936,330     $ 9,764,179     $ 181,770,722  
                                 
PRICING OF SHARES                                
Net Assets   $ 664,784,704     $ 149,688,569     $ 8,605,934     $ 93,830,082  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)     12,500,002       4,100,002       400,002       3,650,000  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 53.18     $ 36.51     $ 21.51     $ 25.71  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Statements of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

    ALPS Clean Energy ETF     ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF     ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF     ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
INVESTMENT INCOME:                
Dividends*  $4,045,746   $612,510   $26,307   $28 
Securities Lending Income   1,823,858    6,876    135    81,784 
Total Investment Income   5,869,604    619,386    26,442    81,812 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser fees   2,096,670    479,009    24,559    350,433 
Total Expenses   2,096,670    479,009    24,559    350,433 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME/(LOSS)   3,772,934    140,377    1,883    (268,621)
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS                    
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(a)   (28,136,858)   12,517,207    109,180    (14,664,545)
Net realized gain/(loss) on foreign currency transactions   (52,109)   12,075    (164)    
Total net realized gain/(loss)   (28,188,967)   12,529,282    109,016    (14,664,545)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (257,690,863)   (66,614,674)   (736,503)   (55,114,354)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   4,073    (1,425)   (28)    
Total net change in unrealized depreciation   (257,686,790)   (66,616,099)   (736,531)   (55,114,354)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (285,875,757)   (54,086,817)   (627,515)   (69,778,899)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(282,102,823)  $(53,946,440)  $(625,632)  $(70,047,520)
*Net of foreign tax withholding.  $225,738   $44,131   $1,488   $ 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

23 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 
 
 
 
For the Six Months Ended
May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
For the
Year Ended November 30, 2021
 
 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $3,772,934   $2,492,485 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (28,188,967)   85,403,452 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (257,686,790)   (103,058,310)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (282,102,823)   (15,162,373)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (2,427,333)   (2,023,844)
From tax return of capital       (3,160,255)
Total distributions   (2,427,333)   (5,184,099)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   86,093,355    667,197,824 
Cost of shares redeemed   (151,545,454)   (241,541,495)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (65,452,099)   425,656,329 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (349,982,255)   405,309,857 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   1,014,766,959    609,457,102 
End of period  $664,784,704   $1,014,766,959 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   13,725,002    8,700,002 
Shares sold   1,475,000    8,400,000 
Shares redeemed   (2,700,000)   (3,375,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   12,500,002    13,725,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

  

For the Six Months Ended

May 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

  

For the Year Ended

November 30, 2021

 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $140,377   $676,422 
Net realized gain   12,529,282    14,565,809 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (66,616,099)   5,497,585 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (53,946,440)   20,739,816 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (621,903)   (633,863)
Total distributions   (621,903)   (633,863)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   14,781,794    100,271,458 
Cost of shares redeemed   (48,070,483)   (33,290,851)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (33,288,689)   66,980,607 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (87,857,032)   87,086,560 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   237,545,601    150,459,041 
End of period  $149,688,569   $237,545,601 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   4,925,002    3,500,002 
Shares sold   325,000    2,125,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,150,000)   (700,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   4,100,002    4,925,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

25 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

    For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)     For the Period September 8, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2021  
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 1,883     $ 12,482  
Net realized gain/(loss)     109,016       (19,713 )
Net change in unrealized depreciation     (736,531 )     (375,185 )
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations     (625,632 )     (382,416 )
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS:                
From distributable earnings     (12,194 )      
Total distributions     (12,194 )      
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:                
Proceeds from sale of shares     6,150,252       8,047,426  
Cost of shares redeemed     (4,571,502 )      
Net increase from capital share transactions     1,578,750       8,047,426  
Net increase in net assets     940,924       7,665,010  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     7,665,010        
End of period   $ 8,605,934     $ 7,665,010  
                 
OTHER INFORMATION:                
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:                
Beginning shares     325,002        
Shares sold     275,000       325,002  
Shares redeemed     (200,000 )      
Shares outstanding, end of period     400,002       325,002  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 For the Year Ended November 30, 2021  
 
 
 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment loss  $(268,621)  $(852,170)
Net realized gain/(loss)   (14,664,545)   46,250,415 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (55,114,354)   (77,077,650)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (70,047,520)   (31,679,405)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   7,287,789    97,970,744 
Cost of shares redeemed   (32,339,502)   (119,904,054)
Net decrease from capital share transactions   (25,051,713)   (21,933,310)
Net decrease in net assets   (95,099,233)   (53,612,715)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   188,929,315    242,542,030 
End of period  $93,830,082   $188,929,315 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   4,400,000    4,950,000 
Shares sold   200,000    1,800,000 
Shares redeemed   (950,000)   (2,350,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   3,650,000    4,400,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

27 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

    

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

    

For the Year Ended November 30, 2021

    

For the Year Ended November 30, 2020

    

For the Year Ended November 30, 2019

    

For the Period June 28, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018

 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $73.94   $70.05   $32.23   $25.03   $24.95 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                         
Net investment income (a)   0.28    0.20    0.25    0.32    0.09 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (20.86)   4.11    38.08    7.42    (0.01)
Total from investment operations   (20.58)   4.31    38.33    7.74    0.08 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.18)   (0.17)   (0.18)   (0.23)    
Tax return of capital       (0.25)   (0.33)   (0.31)    
Total distributions   (0.18)   (0.42)   (0.51)   (0.54)    
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (20.76)   3.89    37.82    7.20    0.08 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $53.18   $73.94   $70.05   $32.23   $25.03 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (27.87)%   6.16%   120.45%   31.28%   0.32%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $664,785   $1,014,767   $609,457   $106,359   $16,271 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.55%(c)   0.56%(d)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.99%(c)   0.26%   0.57%   1.10%   0.89%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   29%   39%   34%   15%   9%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
(d)Effective January 1, 2021, the Fund's Advisory Fee changed from 0.65% to 0.55%.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

  
For the
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
  
For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2021
  
For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2020
  
For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2019
   For the Period
December 28,
2017
(Commencement
of Operations) to
November 30, 2018
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $48.23   $42.99   $31.88   $26.21   $25.08 
                          
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:      
Net investment income (a)   0.03    0.15    0.25    0.14    0.13 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (11.63)   5.26    11.00    5.61    1.00(b)
Total from investment operations   (11.60)   5.41    11.25    5.75    1.13 
                          
DISTRIBUTIONS:                         
From net investment income   (0.12)   (0.17)   (0.14)   (0.08)    
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.17)   (0.14)   (0.08)    
                          
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (11.72)   5.24    11.11    5.67    1.13 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $36.51   $48.23   $42.99   $31.88   $26.21 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (24.11)%   12.60%   35.42%   22.04%   4.47%
                          
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                         
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $149,689   $237,546   $150,459   $74,910   $48,483 
                          
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%(d)   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%(d)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets  
 
 
 
 
0.15
 
%(d)
 
 
 
 
 
0.31
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.72
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.48
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.53
 
%(d)
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   16%   26%   38%   42%   33%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized loss on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain in the Statements of Operations for the period ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

29 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
   For the Period
September 8,
2021
(Commencement
of Operations) to
November 30, 2021
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $23.58   $24.91 
           
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:          
Net investment income (a)   0.01    0.05 
Net realized and unrealized loss   (2.05)   (1.38)
Total from investment operations   (2.04)   (1.33)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS:          
From net investment income   (0.03)    
Total distributions   (0.03)    
           
Net (decrease) in net asset value   (2.07)   (1.33)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $21.51   $23.58 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (8.65)%   (5.34)%
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:          
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $8,606   $7,665 
           
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.65%(c)   0.65%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.05%(c)   0.82%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   25%   19%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

30 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the
Six Months
Ended
May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
   For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2021
   For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2020
   For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2019
   For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2018
   For the Year
Ended
November 30, 2017
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $42.94   $49.00   $39.51   $33.59   $31.70   $24.16 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income/(loss) (a)   (0.07)   (0.18)   (0.13)   0.03    (0.10)   0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (17.16)   (5.88)   9.64    6.67    2.57(b)   7.36 
Total from investment operations   (17.23)   (6.06)   9.51    6.70    2.47    7.54 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income           (0.02)   (0.78)   (0.58)    
Total distributions           (0.02)   (0.78)   (0.58)    
                               
                              
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (17.23)   (6.06)   9.49    5.92    1.89    7.54 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $25.71   $42.94   $49.00   $39.51   $33.59   $31.70 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (40.13)%   (12.37)%   24.07%   20.99%   7.81%   31.21%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $93,830   $188,929   $242,542   $197,570   $221,694   $128,402 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net                              
assets   0.50%(d)   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%
Ratio of net investment                              
income/(loss) to average net                              
assets   (0.38)%(d)   (0.36)%   (0.33)%   0.09%   (0.27)%   0.66%
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   45%   81%   68%   88%   48%   43%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized loss on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain in the Statements of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

31 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1.ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consisted of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). ALPS Clean Energy ETF is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund. ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF have elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The investment objective of the ALPS Clean Energy ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Total Return Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the S-Network Global Travel Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index.

 

The shares of the ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. On October 1, 2021, ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF each reduced its Creation Unit size from 50,000 to 25,000 shares.

 

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

 

2.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

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

 

A.Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

32 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B.Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

33 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
   Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
    
Total
 
Common Stocks*  $583,917,563   $   $   $583,917,563 
Master Limited Partnerships*   79,085,380            79,085,380 
Short Term Investments   76,525,690            76,525,690 
Total  $739,528,633   $   $   $739,528,633 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  
 
Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
 
 
 
 
Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 
 
 
 
Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Common Stocks*  $147,963,751   $      –   $      –   $147,963,751 
Master Limited Partnerships*   1,442,696            1,442,696 
Short Term Investments   1,107,812            1,107,812 
Total  $150,514,259   $   $   $150,514,259 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  
 
Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
 
 
 
 
Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 
 
 
 
Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Common Stocks*  $8,600,399   $       –   $      –   $8,600,399 
Short Term Investments   52,088            52,088 
Total  $8,652,487   $   $   $8,652,487 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  
 
Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
 
 
 
 
Level 2 - Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 
 
 
 
Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Common Stocks*  $93,829,554   $        –   $       –   $93,829,554 
Short Term Investments   6,130,402            6,130,402 
Total  $99,959,956   $   $   $99,959,956 

 

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

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C.Foreign Investment Risk

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

 

Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.

 

34 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of the Fund, the value of the Funds’ securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Fund. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.

 

D.Foreign Currency Translation

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

 

E.Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

F.Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income for the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, if any, are declared and paid annually or as the Board may determine from time to time. Dividends from net investment income for ALPS Clean Energy ETF, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.

 

G.Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

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

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $2,023,844   $   $3,160,255 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   633,863         
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF            
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF            

 

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

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2021, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $47,831,913   $ 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   2,798,682    1,737,476 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   15,333     
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   44,254,973    32,473,807 

 

35 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The ALPS Medical Breakthrough ETF elects to defer to the year ending November 30, 2022, late year ordinary losses in the amount of $774,798.

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   ALPS Clean Energy ETF   ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $74,025,004   $12,819,020   $144,730   $6,767,703 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over                    
value)   (202,349,695)   (35,029,279)   (1,266,467)   (89,209,649 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $(128,324,691)  $(22,210,259)  $(1,121,737)  $(82,441,946 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $868,217,049   $172,742,806   $9,774,224   $182,401,902 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and investments in partnerships. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

H.Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

I.Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

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

 

36 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of each Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of May 31, 2022:

 

Fund   Market Value of Securities on Loan     Cash Collateral Received     Non-Cash Collateral Received     Total Collateral Received  
ALPS Clean Energy ETF   $ 121,262,523     $ 75,385,575     $ 52,333,546     $ 127,719,121  
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF     2,586,449       919,800       1,883,770       2,803,570  
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF     44,491       48,416             48,416  
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF     12,117,651       6,107,385       6,757,341       12,864,726  

 

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

 

The following tables reflect a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $75,385,575   $   $   $   $75,385,575 
Total Borrowings                       75,385,575 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)             $75,385,575 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $919,800   $   $   $   $919,800 
Total Borrowings                       919,800 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)             $919,800 

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $48,416   $   $   $   $48,416 
Total Borrowings                       48,416 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)             $48,416 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements 
Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $6,107,385   $   $   $   $6,107,385 
Total Borrowings                       6,107,385 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)             $6,107,385 

 

3.INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

37 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Advisory Fee
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 0.55%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 0.50%
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF 0.65%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 0.50%

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $227,565,502   $226,716,621 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   31,378,968    31,980,213 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   1,958,907    1,861,571 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   63,637,676    63,747,143 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $86,099,314   $151,620,937 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   14,720,020    48,006,103 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   5,986,686    4,512,152 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   7,288,883    32,332,607 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF  $42,583,011 
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   14,898,105 
ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF   230,239 
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   (5,725,325)

 

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

 

38 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

5.CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

6.MARKET RISK

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The report of Deloitte on the Funds' financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Funds' fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Funds and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Funds for such year or period. During the Funds' fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During each Fund's fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Funds, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Funds, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Funds' Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Funds approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for each Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Funds' former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

39 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

 

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

 

   Qualified Dividend Income   Dividend Received Deduction 
ALPS Clean Energy ETF   76.58%   15.40%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF   100.00%   100.00%
ALPS Global Travelers Beneficiaries ETF   77.73%   28.51%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   0.00%   0.00%

 

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

 

LICENSING AGREEMENT

 

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

CIBC NTC is the designer of the construction and methodology for the Underlying Index. “CIBC NTC” and “CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index” are service marks or trademarks of the Index Provider. CIBC NTC acts as brand licensor for the Underlying Index and is not responsible for the descriptions of the Fund that appear herein.

 

The Fund is not sponsored by CIBC NTC or any of its affiliates. CIBC NTC makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or commodities generally or in the Fund particularly. CIBC NTC does not guarantee the quality, accuracy or completeness of the Underlying Index or any Underlying Index data included herein or derived therefrom and assumes no liability in connection with their use. The Underlying Index is determined and composed without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. CIBC NTC has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser, the Fund or the shareholders of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. CIBC NTC is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the Fund.

 

CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. CIBC NTC makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Adviser, the Fund, Fund shareholders or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. CIBC NTC makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall CIBC NTC have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

All intellectual property rights in the Underlying Index vests in CIBC NTC.

 

40 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The Underlying Index is the property of CIBC NTC, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) to calculate and maintain the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is not sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices or its affiliates or its third party licensors (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices will not be liable for any errors or omissions in calculating the Underlying Index. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and the related stylized mark(s) are service marks of S&P Dow Jones Indices and have been licensed for use by CIBC NTC. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”), and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”).

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to CIBC NTC with respect to the Underlying Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and the provision of the calculation services related to the Underlying Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.

 

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

 

The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”). The Index Provider has entered into a license agreement with the Adviser (the “License Agreement”). The use of the Underlying Index by the Adviser and the Fund is subject to the terms of the License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions on the Fund’s ability to use the Underlying Index.

 

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

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF

“Indxx” is a service mark of Indxx, LLC (“Indxx” or the “Index Provider”) and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”).

 

The ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Indxx. Indxx makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF particularly. Indxx has no obligation to take the needs of ALPS Advisors, Inc. or the shareholders of ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Underlying Index. Indxx is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, amount or pricing of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF shares to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is to be converted into cash. Indxx has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.

 

INDXX MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX(ES), TRADING BASED ON THE INDEX(ES), OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCTS, OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. INDXX EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, INDXX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX(ES) OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY DATA SUPPLIED BY IT OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE FUNDS, ITS SHAREHOLDERS OR AFFILIATES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE DATA SUPPLIED BY INDXX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA SUPPLIED BY INDXX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL INDXX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

41 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF

S-Network and S-Network Global Travel Index are service marks of S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. ("S-Network") and have been licensed for use by the ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS”). The Fund is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network or its affiliates. S-Network makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the purchasers or owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S-Network's only relationship to the Fund is the licensing of the service marks and the Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by S-Network without regard to ALPS or the Fund. S-Network is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund issued by ALPS. S-Network has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

S-NETWORK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S-NETWORK GLOBAL TRAVEL INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND S-NETWORK SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. S-NETWORK MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S-NETWORK GLOBAL TRAVEL INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S-NETWORK MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE S-NETWORK GLOBAL TRAVEL INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, UNLESS ARISING AS A RESULT OF S-NETWORK'S (i) GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, (ii) BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS: OR (iii) INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS, S-NETWORK SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

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

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of the physical commodities market. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

42 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Standard & Poor’s Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s®, and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.

 

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

 

43 | May 31, 2022

   

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

44 | May 31, 2022

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 10
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments 11
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 17
Statements of Operations 18
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 19
Financial Highlights 23
Notes to Financial Statements 27
Additional Information 35
Liquidity Risk Management Program 37

 

alpsfunds.com 

 

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or “SDOG”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S&P 500® Total Return Index (“SPX”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S&P 500® Total Return Index which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV 13.00% 6.42% 9.78% 12.48%
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* 13.05% 6.38% 9.78% 12.48%
S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Total Return Index 13.30% 6.86% 10.26% 13.00%
S&P 500® Total Return Index -8.85% -0.30% 13.38% 14.05%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.40%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

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

 

^The Fund Commencement Date was June 29, 2012.

 

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

 

The S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Total Return Index is designed to serve as a fair, impartial and transparent measure of the performance of US large cap equities with above average dividend yields. The Underlying Index is a portfolio of fifty stocks derived from the S&P 500® Index. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is an index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping among other factors. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Valero Energy Corp. 2.74%
Amcor PLC 2.33%
AT&T, Inc. 2.32%
Philip Morris International, Inc. 2.32%
Williams Cos., Inc. 2.25%
PPL Corp. 2.23%
Lumen Technologies, Inc. 2.22%
International Paper Co. 2.22%
Exxon Mobil Corp. 2.19%
Amgen, Inc. 2.18%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 23.00%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change. 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Energy 11.24%
Materials 10.57%
Health Care 10.47%
Utilities 10.40%
Consumer Staples 10.27%
Communication Services 10.21%
Industrials 10.15%
Consumer Discretionary 9.38%
Information Technology 9.35%
Financials 7.87%
Money Market Fund 0.09%
Total 100.00%

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022 

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or “IDOG”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Developed Markets (ex NA) Index, a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks in international developed markets not located in the Americas (the “S-Net Developed Markets”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S-Net Developed Markets which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV 8.13% 1.38% 5.25% 5.41%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* 8.81% 1.81% 5.24% 5.44%
S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index 8.44% 2.43% 5.69% 5.84%
Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total Return Index -7.72% -11.33% 4.08% 5.31%

 

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

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

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

 

^The Fund Commencement Date was June 28, 2013.

 

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

 

The S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index is designed to serve as a fair, impartial and transparent measure of the performance of international large cap equities with above average dividend yields. The Underlying Index is a portfolio of fifty stocks derived from the S-Network International Developed Markets (ex-Americas) Index. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total Return Index measures the performance of companies in developed markets ex-North America. It covers approximately 97% of the full market capitalization in the Developed Markets ex-North America.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Repsol SA 2.42%
OMV AG 2.39%
Telefonica SA 2.38%
TotalEnergies SE 2.29%
Bayer AG 2.26%
BP PLC 2.22%
Imperial Brands PLC 2.16%
Telia Co. AB 2.15%
Naturgy Energy Group SA 2.13%
British American Tobacco PLC 2.10%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 22.50%

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Energy 11.57%
Communication Services 10.46%
Health Care 10.28%
Utilities 10.24%
Consumer Staples 10.20%
Information Technology 9.57%
Consumer Discretionary 9.50%
Financials 9.45%
Materials 9.36%
Industrials 9.08%
Money Market Fund 0.29%
Total 100.00%

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

4 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or “EDOG”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Emerging Markets Index, a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks domiciled in emerging markets (the “S-Network Emerging Markets”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S-Network® Emerging Markets which offer the highest dividend yields. Emerging market countries are countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV -4.15% -6.16% 2.63% 2.42%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* -3.39% -5.69% 2.73% 2.50%
S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index -3.77% -6.28% 3.38% 3.26%
Morningstar® Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index -8.54% -17.42% 4.66% 4.39%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.60%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.

 

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

 

^The Fund Commencement Date was March 28, 2014.

 

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

 

The S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index is a portfolio of stocks derived from a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks domiciled in emerging markets (the “S-Network Emerging Markets Index” “SNEMX”). The index methodology selects the five stocks in each of the GICS sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the universe which offer the highest dividend yields as of the last trading day of November. The fifty stocks that are selected for inclusion in the portfolio are equally weighted. The universe includes stocks whose domicile and primary exchange listings are in countries identified by the World Bank as Upper Middle Income (certain lower middle income countries are also included, as well as stocks traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange despite non-recognition by the World Bank). The selection criteria for the universe, in addition to the aforementioned country qualifications, also include requirements for sector inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, share price, average daily trading volume and other factors. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.

 

Morningstar® Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index measures the performance of emerging markets targeting the top 97% of stocks by market capitalization.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR 2.61%
CEZ AS 2.59%
China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Class H 2.44%
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A 2.37%
Engie Brasil Energia SA 2.33%
Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS 2.27%
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR 2.25%
El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de CV 2.16%
JBS SA 2.14%
Ternium SA, Sponsored ADR 2.14%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 23.30%

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Utilities 11.53%
Consumer Discretionary 10.34%
Energy 10.20%
Consumer Staples 10.17%
Industrials 10.00%
Materials 9.92%
Financials 9.77%
Communication Services 9.44%
Health Care 9.32%
Information Technology 9.13%
Money Market Fund 0.18%
Total 100.00%

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

6 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund” or "RDOG") seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).

 

The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Composite US REIT Index, a universe of mainly REITs listed in the United States (the “S-Net U.S. REIT” or "SNREIT"), on a segment-by-segment basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five REITs in each of the nine segments that make up the S-Net U.S. REIT which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Since Inception^
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV -5.08% 2.51% 5.27% 6.94% 3.50%
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price** -5.23% 2.51% 5.32% 6.90% 3.50%
S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Total Return Index -4.84% 2.98%
S-Network® Composite US REIT Index -5.03% 3.28% 8.41%
S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index/S&P United States REIT Index*** -4.84% 2.98% 6.22% 8.07% 6.49%

 

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

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. On January 2, 2020, the Fund changed its Underlying Index and principal investment strategies. Consequently, the Fund's total returns shown above for the periods prior to January 2, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the Fund, as it is currently managed. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

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

 

^The Fund Inception Date was May 7, 2008.

 

*Excludes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value and total return for shareholder transactions reported to the market may differ from the net asset value for financial reporting purposes.

 

**Market Price means the official closing price of a share or, if it more accurately reflects the market value of a share at the time as of which the Fund calculates current net asset value per share, the price that is the midpoint of the bid-ask spread as of that time. It does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. *** The performance shown reflects a combination of the Fund's Underlying Index, and for periods prior to January 2, 2020, the S&P United States REIT Index. Therefore, the historical returns shown for the periods prior to January 2, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the historical strategy of the Fund.

 

The S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Total Return Index, like the S-Net U.S. REIT from which components of the Underlying Index are selected, divides into nine segments, eight of which are based on Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) Sub-Industries (excluding Technology REITs involved in cell towers and/or data centers) and a separate Technology REIT segment based on the research of the Underlying Index provider, S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. (the “Index Provider”). The Underlying Index generally consists of 45 REITs on each annual reconstitution date. The Underlying Index’s REITs must be constituents of the S-Net U.S. REIT universe, which includes a universe of mainly REITs listed in the United States. The selection criteria for the universe also includes requirements for segment inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, share price, average daily trading volume and other factors. The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index commenced operations on October 29, 2019.

 

The S-Network® Composite US REIT Index (the “S-Net U.S. REIT” or “SNREIT”) is a benchmark index for the Real Estate Investment Trust component of the US stock market. The SNREIT provides the universe of stocks for RDOGX. The selection criteria for SNREIT include requirements for sector inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, minimum average daily trading volume, and other factors. All constituents of RDOGX must be constituents of SNREIT. The index commenced operations on February 12, 2016.

 

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

 

7 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

8 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

American Campus Communities, Inc. 2.99%
VICI Properties, Inc. 2.85%
Crown Castle International Corp. 2.74%
American Tower Corp. 2.73%
Agree Realty Corp. 2.72%
LTC Properties, Inc. 2.72%
Iron Mountain, Inc. 2.68%
WP Carey, Inc. 2.65%
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. 2.64%
Realty Income Corp. 2.62%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 27.35%

 

*% of Total Investments

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

REIT Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Health Care REITs 12.75%
Specialized REITs 12.67%
Retail REITs 12.39%
Diversified REITs 12.17%
Residential REITs 11.58%
Technology REITs 10.74%
Office REITs 10.51%
Industrial REITs 10.00%
Hotel & Resort REITs 6.79%
Money Market Fund 0.40%
Total 100.00%

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

9 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   Beginning Account Value 12/1/21   Ending Account Value 5/31/22   Expense Ratio(a)   Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b) 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF                
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,130.00    0.40%  $2.12 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.94    0.40%  $2.02 
                     
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,081.30    0.50%  $2.59 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.44    0.50%  $2.52 
                     
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $958.50    0.60%  $2.93 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.94    0.60%  $3.02 
                     
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $949.20    0.35%  $1.70 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.19    0.35%  $1.77 

 

(a)Annualized based on the Fund's most recent half-year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

10 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.49%)        
Communication Services (10.17%)        
AT&T, Inc.   1,424,923   $30,336,611 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   767,869    24,748,418 
Lumen Technologies, Inc.   2,371,872    29,031,713 
Omnicom Group, Inc.   332,260    24,789,919 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   476,343    24,431,632 
Total Communication Services        133,338,293 
           
Consumer Discretionary (9.34%)          
Best Buy Co., Inc.   267,838    21,978,786 
Hasbro, Inc.   292,925    26,290,019 
Newell Brands, Inc.   1,173,805    25,166,379 
VF Corp.   472,284    23,831,451 
Whirlpool Corp.   136,627    25,172,158 
Total Consumer Discretionary        122,438,793 
           
Consumer Staples (10.23%)          
Altria Group, Inc.   501,768    27,140,631 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   841,596    27,680,093 
Kraft Heinz Co.   677,999    25,648,702 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   285,072    30,288,900 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   532,582    23,343,069 
Total Consumer Staples        134,101,395 
           
Energy (11.18%)          
Exxon Mobil Corp.   298,323    28,639,008 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   1,399,539    27,556,923 
ONEOK, Inc.   382,431    25,183,081 
Valero Energy Corp.   276,354    35,815,479 
Williams Cos., Inc.   794,053    29,427,604 
Total Energy        146,622,095 
           
Financials (7.83%)          
Franklin Resources, Inc.   926,832    25,098,611 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.   1,716,311    23,822,397 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.   389,324    28,393,399 
Prudential Financial, Inc.   238,893    25,382,381 
Total Financials        102,696,788 
           
Health Care (10.43%)          
AbbVie, Inc.   169,988    25,051,132 
Amgen, Inc.   110,700    28,421,118 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   367,806    27,750,963 
Cardinal Health, Inc.   481,844    27,137,454 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   436,765    28,324,210 
Total Health Care        136,684,877 
           
Industrials (10.11%)          
3M Co.   179,719    26,830,250 
Cummins, Inc.   129,759    27,135,202 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.   122,951    25,876,267 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   57,595    25,348,135 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Snap-On, Inc.   123,153   $27,325,188 
Total Industrials        132,515,042 
           
Information Technology (9.31%)          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   461,951    20,810,893 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.   1,526,509    23,813,540 
Intel Corp.   552,686    24,550,312 
International Business Machines Corp.   204,334    28,369,733 
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC   290,108    24,563,444 
Total Information Technology        122,107,922 
           
Materials (10.53%)          
Amcor PLC   2,323,946    30,443,693 
International Paper Co.   597,048    28,926,976 
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A   244,890    27,978,682 
Newmont Mining Corp.   329,464    22,354,132 
The Dow Chemical Co.   415,869    28,270,775 
Total Materials        137,974,258 
           
Utilities (10.36%)          
Edison International   390,977    27,333,202 
FirstEnergy Corp.   576,106    24,749,514 
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.   343,467    26,670,212 
PPL Corp.   964,279    29,101,940 
Southern Co.   368,756    27,900,079 
Total Utilities        135,754,947 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $1,186,186,436)        1,304,234,410 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.09%)            
Money Market Fund            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund    0.75%   1,221,380    1,221,380 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $1,221,380)             1,221,380 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.58%)               
(Cost $1,187,407,816)            $1,305,455,790 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.42%)             5,545,657 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $1,311,001,447 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.14%)        
Australia (11.43%)        
Australia & New Zealand        
Banking Group, Ltd.   182,491   $3,279,348 
BHP Group, Ltd.   99,178    3,175,114 
Coles Group, Ltd.   275,314    3,463,554 
Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.   258,731    3,733,982 
Wesfarmers, Ltd.   95,866    3,246,582 
Westpac Banking Corp.   208,051    3,563,969 
Woodside Energy Group, Ltd.   17,452    372,726 
Total Australia        20,835,275 
           
Austria (2.38%)          
OMV AG   74,290    4,338,615 
           
Finland (1.88%)          
Nordea Bank Abp   336,277    3,416,504 
           
France (8.34%)          
Danone SA   62,040    3,645,180 
Orange SA   302,197    3,778,882 
Sanofi   34,005    3,627,969 
TotalEnergies SE   69,492    4,147,184 
Total France        15,199,215 
           
Germany (7.83%)          
BASF SE   58,840    3,239,867 
Bayer AG   57,227    4,090,407 
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG   43,733    3,785,539 
SAP SE   31,788    3,166,549 
Total Germany        14,282,362 
           
Hong Kong (1.93%)          
CITIC, Ltd.   3,137,000    3,521,889 
           
Italy (6.03%)          
Enel SpA   552,796    3,586,833 
Eni SpA   242,712    3,699,476 
Snam SpA   638,239    3,706,828 
Total Italy        10,993,137 
           
Japan (18.88%)          
Bridgestone Corp.(a)   96,000    3,790,485 
Canon, Inc.(a)   148,363    3,736,302 
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.   129,300    3,200,987 
Japan Tobacco, Inc.(a)   200,400    3,643,424 
Kyocera Corp.   64,900    3,663,559 
Marubeni Corp.   302,900    3,184,644 
Mitsubishi Corp.   97,000    3,340,203 
Sumitomo Corp.   206,300    2,964,656 
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   119,100    3,425,854 
Tokyo Electron, Ltd.   7,575    3,470,490 
Total Japan        34,420,604 
           
Norway (3.61%)          
DNB Bank ASA   161,322    3,272,861 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Norway (continued)        
Telenor ASA   238,751   $3,300,047 
Total Norway        6,572,908 
           
Spain (8.98%)          
Endesa SA   171,905    3,807,234 
Naturgy Energy Group SA(a)   128,075    3,869,103 
Repsol SA   272,306    4,383,545 
Telefonica SA   793,379    4,309,759 
Total Spain        16,369,641 
           
Sweden (7.69%)          
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B(a)   232,511    3,205,078 
Swedbank AB, Class A   238,056    3,596,697 
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B   409,193    3,318,059 
Telia Co. AB   952,578    3,903,580 
Total Sweden        14,023,414 
           
Switzerland (2.06%)          
Novartis AG   41,498    3,757,836 
           
United Kingdom (18.10%)          
Anglo American PLC   68,710    3,365,412 
BAE Systems PLC   361,622    3,444,930 
BP PLC   736,011    4,027,430 
British American Tobacco PLC   86,401    3,812,753 
GSK PLC   171,335    3,740,660 
Imperial Brands PLC   173,637    3,917,603 
Rio Tinto PLC   47,725    3,457,941 
SSE PLC   160,876    3,592,186 
Vodafone Group PLC   2,216,897    3,647,758 
Total United Kingdom        33,006,673 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $179,881,877)        180,738,073 

12 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (6.74%)            
Money Market Fund (0.29%)            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund            
(Cost $524,229)   0.75%   524,229   $524,229 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (6.45%)               
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 0.80%               
(Cost $11,767,319)        11,767,319    11,767,319 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $12,291,548)             12,291,548 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (105.88%)               
(Cost $192,173,425)            $193,029,621 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-5.88%)             (10,714,198)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $182,315,423 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $11,477,826.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

13 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.14%)        
Brazil (10.93%)        
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR(a)   69,170   $608,004 
Engie Brasil Energia SA   58,700    542,220 
JBS SA   66,500    498,133 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA   66,800    467,490 
Vibra Energia SA   108,600    444,221 
Total Brazil        2,560,068 
           
Chile (9.47%)          
Banco Santander Chile   8,959,200    448,107 
Cencosud SA   252,300    404,425 
Empresas CMPC SA   276,800    478,510 
Empresas COPEC SA   56,400    447,787 
Enel Chile SA, ADR(a)   320,848    439,562 
Total Chile        2,218,391 
           
China (10.60%)          
China Railway Signal & Communication Corp., Ltd., Class H(b)(c)   1,382,000    491,357 
China Shenhua Energy Co.,  Ltd., Class H   169,500    567,002 
Huadian Power International Corp., Ltd., Class H(a)   1,362,000    487,718 
Legend Holdings Corp., Class H(b)(c)   378,200    448,219 
Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Class H   791,000    487,873 
Total China        2,482,169 
           
Czech Republic (2.57%)          
CEZ AS   12,379    602,759 
           
Hungary (1.90%)          
Richter Gedeon Nyrt   22,698    444,328 
           
India (3.10%)          
Infosys, Ltd., Sponsored ADR   19,136    360,905 
Wipro, Ltd., ADR   61,066    365,175 
Total India        726,080 
           
Indonesia (3.97%)          
Gudang Garam Tbk PT   213,600    461,450 
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT   4,077,400    468,393 
Total Indonesia        929,843 
           
Luxembourg (2.12%)          
Ternium SA, Sponsored ADR(a)   11,320    497,740 
           
Malaysia (9.14%)          
Hartalega Holdings Bhd   449,600    431,271 
Malayan Banking Bhd   217,000    450,999 
RHB Bank Bhd   332,800    462,127 
Sime Darby Bhd   851,700    425,996 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Malaysia (continued)        
Top Glove Corp. Bhd   1,157,400   $370,072 
Total Malaysia        2,140,465 
           
Mexico (8.83%)          
El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de CV(d)   95,100    501,920 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR   2,406    522,800 
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A   355,600    550,551 
Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV   183,665    493,214 
Total Mexico        2,068,485 
           
Philippines (3.94%)          
Globe Telecom, Inc.   9,600    444,931 
PLDT, Inc.   13,170    477,652 
Total Philippines        922,583 
           
Poland (4.09%)          
LPP SA   200    480,647 
Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA   62,900    477,063 
Total Poland        957,710 
           
Russia (0.01%)          
Magnit PJSC, GDR(c)(e)   32,174    321 
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC, Sponsored ADR(e)   64,600    646 
Novolipetsk Steel PJSC, GDR(c)(e)   17,594    177 
Severstal PAO, GDR(c)(e)   23,283    233 
X5 Retail Group NV, GDR(c)(e)   17,785    178 
Total Russia        1,555 
           
South Africa (9.46%)          
African Rainbow Minerals, Ltd.   25,200    419,776 
Exxaro Resources, Ltd.   32,257    456,253 
Mr Price Group, Ltd.   34,100    452,283 
MultiChoice Group   54,876    469,316 
Vodacom Group, Ltd.   44,400    417,215 
Total South Africa        2,214,843 
           
Thailand (9.46%)          
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL   602,400    453,296 
BTS Group Holdings PCL   1,669,900    434,311 
Delta Electronics Thailand PCL   45,400    459,041 
PTT PCL   388,800    434,588 
TMBThanachart Bank PCL   11,701,300    434,268 
Total Thailand        2,215,504 
           
Turkey (9.55%)          
BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS   89,800    451,648 
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS   475,400    455,888 

14 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Turkey (continued)        
Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS   200,200   $417,407 
Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS   27,921    526,990 
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, ADR   128,570    385,710 
Total Turkey        2,237,643 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $24,944,790)        23,220,166 
           
RIGHTS (0.00%)          
Thailand (0.00%)          
TMBThanachart Bank PCL (Expiring 5/10/2025), Strike Price THB 0.95   116,013    1,085 
           
TOTAL RIGHTS          
(Cost $–)        1,085 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (3.92%)            
Money Market Fund (0.18%)            
State Street Institutional  Treasury Plus Money Market Fund               
(Cost $41,261)   0.75%   41,261    41,261 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral               
from Securities Loaned (3.74%)               
State Street Navigator
Securities Lending Government
Money Market

Portfolio, 0.80%
               
(Cost $876,302)        876,302    876,302 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $917,563)             917,563 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (103.06%)               
(Cost $25,862,353)            $24,138,814 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-3.06%)             (715,667)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $23,423,147 

 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $1,187,927.
(b)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $939,576, representing 4.01% of net assets.

 

(c)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of May 31, 2022, the market value of those securities was $940,484 representing 4.02% of net assets.
(d)Non-income producing security.
(e)As a result of the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value, these investments have been classified as Level 3 securities under the fair value hierarchy.

 

Currency Abbreviations:

THB - Thai Bhat

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

15 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.54%)        
Diversified REITs (12.17%)        
American Assets Trust, Inc.   17,577   $599,376 
Broadstone Net Lease, Inc.   30,180    638,307 
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.   25,795    590,190 
STORE Capital Corp.   21,753    600,165 
WP Carey, Inc.   8,024    675,139 
Total Diversified REITs        3,103,177 
           
Health Care REITs (12.73%)          
LTC Properties, Inc.   17,875    692,478 
Medical Properties Trust, Inc.   31,747    589,859 
National Health Investors, Inc.   11,142    659,049 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.   22,264    662,799 
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.   45,890    644,296 
Total Health Care REITs        3,248,481 
           
Hotel & Resort REITs (6.79%)          
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.   35,405    591,617 
RLJ Lodging Trust   48,135    646,453 
Service Properties Trust   78,020    493,867 
Total Hotel & Resort REITs        1,731,937 
           
Industrial REITs (10.00%)          
Duke Realty Corp.   11,930    630,262 
Industrial Logistics Properties Trust   29,098    444,036 
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.   3,427    455,962 
LXP Industrial Trust   41,545    480,260 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   16,189    539,094 
Total Industrial REITs        2,549,614 
           
Office REITs (10.50%)          
Brandywine Realty Trust   47,990    535,089 
Easterly Government Properties, Inc.   30,394    596,634 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A   38,223    563,407 
SL Green Realty Corp.   8,096    500,090 
Vornado Realty Trust   13,843    483,951 
Total Office REITs        2,679,171 
           
Residential REITs (11.58%)          
American Campus          
Communities, Inc.   11,731    762,514 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   2,652    551,510 
Centerspace   6,417    532,483 
Equity Residential   7,371    566,314 
UDR, Inc.   11,296    539,949 
Total Residential REITs        2,952,770 
           
Retail REITs (12.39%)          
Agree Realty Corp.   9,975    693,961 
National Retail Properties, Inc.   14,809    656,039 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Retail REITs (continued)        
Realty Income Corp.   9,787   $667,669 
Simon Property Group, Inc.   4,916    563,619 
Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.   13,771    578,244 
Total Retail REITs        3,159,532 
           
Specialized REITs (18.06%)          
American Tower Corp.   2,722    697,186 
EPR Properties   12,163    623,232 
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.   23,693    653,216 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.   14,378    673,178 
Iron Mountain, Inc.   12,665    682,643 
Uniti Group, Inc.   48,582    550,920 
VICI Properties, Inc.   23,581    727,474 
Total Specialized REITs        4,607,849 
           
Technology REITs (5.32%)          
Crown Castle International Corp.   3,688    699,429 
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.   4,713    657,888 
Total Technology REITs        1,357,317 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $26,606,821)        25,389,848 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.40%)            
Money Market Fund            
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund   0.75%   103,133    103,133 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $103,133)             103,133 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.94%)               
(Cost $26,709,954)            $25,492,981 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.06%)             16,410 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $25,509,391 

 

0

See Notes to Financial Statements.

16 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF 
ASSETS:                
Investments, at value  $1,305,455,790   $193,029,621   $24,138,814   $25,492,981 
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $–, $45,457, $13,577 and $–)       45,014    13,588     
Foreign tax reclaims       353,724    4,049    3,206 
Dividends receivable   5,978,443    727,497    154,556    20,639 
Total Assets   1,311,434,233    194,155,856    24,311,007    25,516,826 
                     
LIABILITIES:                    
Payable to adviser   432,786    73,114    11,558    7,435 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned       11,767,319    876,302     
Total Liabilities   432,786    11,840,433    887,860    7,435 
NET ASSETS  $1,311,001,447   $182,315,423   $23,423,147   $25,509,391 
                     
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                    
Paid-in capital  $1,387,560,971   $231,242,858   $32,905,986   $33,244,620 
Total Distributable earnings   (76,559,524)   (48,927,435)   (9,482,839)   (7,735,229)
NET ASSETS  $1,311,001,447   $182,315,423   $23,423,147   $25,509,391 
                     
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $1,187,407,816   $192,173,425   $25,862,353   $26,709,954 
                     
PRICING OF SHARES:                    
Net Assets  $1,311,001,447   $182,315,423   $23,423,147   $25,509,391 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   23,434,141    6,475,000    1,050,000    550,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $55.94   $28.16   $22.31   $46.38 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17 | May 31, 2022 

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Statements of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                
Dividends*  $25,754,571   $4,281,116   $598,016   $633,903 
Securities Lending Income   33    1,367    1,465    162 
Total Investment Income   25,754,604    4,282,483    599,481    634,065 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser fees   2,468,585    417,652    73,594    47,784 
Total Expenses   2,468,585    417,652    73,594    47,784 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   23,286,019    3,864,831    525,887    586,281 
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)                    
Net realized gain on investments(a)   84,412,912    2,699,310    674,075    2,957,111 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions       (84,463)   (4,321)    
Total net realized gain   84,412,912    2,614,847    669,754    2,957,111 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   39,862,256    6,282,416    (2,212,191)   (4,789,455)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies       (27,368)   3,290    (161)
Total net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   39,862,256    6,255,048    (2,208,901)   (4,789,616)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   124,275,168    8,869,895    (1,539,147)   (1,832,505)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $147,561,187   $12,734,726   $(1,013,260)  $(1,246,224)
*Net of foreign tax withholding:  $   $677,618   $62,141   $ 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $23,286,019   $39,668,912 
Net realized gain   84,412,912    20,856,818 
Net change in unrealized appreciation   39,862,256    133,811,971 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   147,561,187    194,337,701 
           
Net Equalization Credits/(Debits)   400,916    (376,556)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (23,881,226)   (41,129,463)
Total distributions   (23,881,226)   (41,129,463)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   71,355,477    42,671,156 
Cost of shares redeemed   (18,777,387)   (68,650,049)
Net income equalization (Note 2)   (400,916)   376,556 
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions   52,177,174    (25,602,337)
Net increase in net assets   176,258,051    127,229,345 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   1,134,743,396    1,007,514,051 
End of period  $1,311,001,447   $1,134,743,396 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   22,484,141    23,059,141 
Shares sold   1,300,000    800,000 
Shares redeemed   (350,000)   (1,375,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   23,434,141    22,484,141 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $3,864,831   $6,944,021 
Net realized gain/(loss)   2,614,847    (3,001,108)
Net change in unrealized appreciation   6,255,048    12,459,941 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   12,734,726    16,402,854 
           
Net Equalization Credits/(Debits)   172,626    (1,568,545)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (2,850,765)   (7,018,603)
From tax return of capital       (36,242)
Total distributions   (2,850,765)   (7,054,845)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   28,181,257    22,093,394 
Cost of shares redeemed   (13,238,416)   (20,383,668)
Net income equalization (Note 2)   (172,626)   1,568,545 
Net increase from share transactions   14,770,215    3,278,271 
Net increase in net assets   24,826,802    11,057,735 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   157,488,621    146,430,886 
End of period  $182,315,423   $157,488,621 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   5,950,000    5,900,000 
Shares sold   1,000,000    800,000 
Shares redeemed   (475,000)   (750,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   6,475,000    5,950,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $525,887   $1,061,607 
Net realized gain   669,754    998,537 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (2,208,901)   1,419,906 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,013,260)   3,480,050 
           
Net Equalization Credits       19,079 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (305,099)   (971,386)
Total distributions   (305,099)   (971,386)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares       1,275,304 
Net income equalization (Note 2)       (19,079)
Net increase from share transactions       1,256,225 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (1,318,359)   3,783,968 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   24,741,506    20,957,538 
End of period  $23,423,147   $24,741,506 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   1,050,000    1,000,000 
Shares sold       50,000 
Shares redeemed        
Shares outstanding, end of period   1,050,000    1,050,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $586,281   $770,660 
Net realized gain/(loss)   2,957,111    (1,539,997)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (4,789,616)   8,191,103 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,246,224)   7,421,766 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (611,532)   (874,838)
From tax return of capital       (444,426)
Total distributions   (611,532)   (1,319,264)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Cost of shares redeemed   (1,322,275)   (3,733,564)
Net decrease from share transactions   (1,322,275)   (3,733,564)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (3,180,031)   2,368,938 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   28,689,422    26,320,484 
End of period  $25,509,391   $28,689,422 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   575,000    650,000 
Shares sold        
Shares redeemed   (25,000)   (75,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   550,000    575,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $50.47   $43.69   $45.78   $44.26   $45.61   $42.29 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income (a)   1.02    1.75    1.70    1.71    1.54    1.40 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   5.51    6.84    (2.14)   1.34    (1.31)   3.39 
Total from investment operations   6.53    8.59    (0.44)   3.05    0.23    4.79 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (1.06)   (1.81)   (1.65)   (1.53)   (1.58)   (1.42)
Tax return of capital                       (0.05)
Total distributions   (1.06)   (1.81)   (1.65)   (1.53)   (1.58)   (1.47)
                               
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   5.47    6.78    (2.09)   1.52    (1.35)   3.32 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $55.94   $50.47   $43.69   $45.78   $44.26   $45.61 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   13.00%   19.77%   (0.27)%   7.26%   0.51%   11.59%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $1,311,001   $1,134,743   $1,007,514   $1,746,784   $2,166,709   $2,322,205 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.40%(c)   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   3.77%(c)   3.43%   4.27%   3.97%   3.40%   3.24%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   43%   54%   77%   55%   61%   48%
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(e)  $0.02   $(0.02)  $0.12   $0.06   $0.04   $0.03 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

23 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $26.47   $24.82   $26.88   $25.14   $28.27   $22.84 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.64    1.09    0.75    1.20    1.15    0.94 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   1.51    1.65    (1.66)   1.69    (3.19)   5.41 
Total from investment operations   2.15    2.74    (0.91)   2.89    (2.04)   6.35 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.46)   (1.08)   (1.11)   (1.15)   (1.09)   (0.92)
Tax return of capital       (0.01)   (0.04)            
Total distributions   (0.46)   (1.09)   (1.15)   (1.15)   (1.09)   (0.92)
                               
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   1.69    1.65    (2.06)   1.74    (3.13)   5.43 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $28.16   $26.47   $24.82   $26.88   $25.14   $28.27 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   8.13%   10.93%   (3.08)%   11.79%   (7.47)%   28.21%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $182,315   $157,489   $146,431   $221,741   $285,327   $349,184 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net  assets   0.50%(c)   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%
Ratio of net investment income to  average net assets   4.63%(c)   3.92%   3.22%   4.65%   4.16%   3.55%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   44%   61%   79%   58%   72%   37%
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(e)  $0.03   $(0.25)  $0.00(f)  $0.04   $0.05   $0.12 

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c)Annualized.
(d)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
(e)The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share.
(f)Less than $0.005.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $23.56   $20.96   $20.67   $21.33   $24.29   $21.17 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.50    1.04    0.56    0.89    0.91    0.80 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (1.46)   2.50    0.42    (0.33)   (3.02)   3.06 
Total from investment operations   (0.96)   3.54    0.98    0.56    (2.11)   3.86 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.29)   (0.94)   (0.69)   (1.22)   (0.85)   (0.74)
Total distributions   (0.29)   (0.94)   (0.69)   (1.22)   (0.85)   (0.74)
                               
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (1.25)   2.60    0.29    (0.66)   (2.96)   3.12 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $22.31   $23.56   $20.96   $20.67   $21.33   $24.29 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (4.15)%   16.81%   5.20%   2.67%   (8.76)%   18.37%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $23,423   $24,742   $20,958   $28,941   $35,201   $47,356 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.60%(c)   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   4.29%(c)   4.32%   2.92%   4.16%   3.88%   3.33%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   76%   84%   93%   83%   85%   42%
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(e)  $   $0.02   $0.02   $0.01   $0.10   $0.05 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

25 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020 (a)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $49.89   $40.49   $48.42   $44.18   $45.37   $41.31 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income (b)   1.06    1.21    1.29    1.19    1.17    0.75 
Net realized and unrealized  gain/(loss)   (3.48)   10.25    (7.26)   4.45    (0.53)   4.45 
Total from investment operations   (2.42)   11.46    (5.97)   5.64    0.64    5.20 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (1.09)   (1.36)   (1.57)   (1.40)   (1.83)   (1.14)
Tax return of capital       (0.70)   (0.39)            
Total distributions   (1.09)   (2.06)   (1.96)   (1.40)   (1.83)   (1.14)
                               
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value   (3.51)   9.40    (7.93)   4.24    (1.19)   4.06 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $46.38   $49.89   $40.49   $48.42   $44.18   $45.37 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (5.08)%   29.03%   (11.77)%   13.00%   1.47%   12.77%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $25,509   $28,689   $26,320   $53,265   $55,222   $68,050 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.35%(d)   0.35%   0.38%(e)   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   4.29%(d)   2.60%   3.26%   2.56%   2.67%   1.71%
Portfolio turnover rate(f)   60%   78%   148%   10%   14%   10%

 

(a)Prior to January 2, 2020, the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF was known as the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF.
(b)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Effective January 2, 2020 the Fund's Advisory Fee changed from 0.55% to 0.35%.
(f)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consisted of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The investment objective of the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index.

 

The shares of the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares (prior to October 1, 2021 in blocks of 50,000 Shares), each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

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

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

27 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

Level 2 Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $1,304,234,410   $   $   $1,304,234,410 
Short Term Investments   1,221,380            1,221,380 
Total  $1,305,455,790   $   $   $1,305,455,790 

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $180,738,073   $   $   $180,738,073 
Short Term Investments   12,291,548            12,291,548 
Total  $193,029,621   $   $   $193,029,621 

 

28 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*                
Russia  $   $   $1,555   $1,555 
Other*   23,218,611            23,218,611 
Rights and Warrants*       1,085        1,085 
Short Term Investments   917,563            917,563 
Total  $24,136,174   $1,085   $1,555   $24,138,814 

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $25,389,848   $   $   $25,389,848 
Short Term Investments   103,133            103,133 
Total  $25,492,981   $   $   $25,492,981 

 

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

 

The Funds, except for the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022. As of May 31, 2022, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF held securities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy valued at $1,555, which represents 0.1% of net assets.

 

C. Foreign Securities

The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.

 

Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of each Fund, the value of each Fund's securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Funds. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.

 

D. Foreign Currency Translation

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

 

E. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

29 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

G. Equalization

The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF utilize the accounting practice known as “Equalization” by which a portion of the proceeds from sales and costs of reacquiring the Funds’ shares, equivalent on a per share basis to the amount of distributable net investment income on the date of the transaction, is credited or charged to undistributed net investment income. As a result, undistributed net investment income per share is unaffected by sales or reacquisitions of the Funds’ shares. Amounts related to Equalization can be found on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

 

H. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

I. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

Fund  Ordinary Income   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021        
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $41,129,463   $ 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   7,018,603    36,242 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   971,386     
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   874,838    444,426 

 

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

 

30 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2021, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $   $278,703,992 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   4,432,773    48,112,299 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   439,844    8,114,494 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   6,887,991    2,417,872 

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows: 

 

   Gross Appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)   Gross Depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)   Cost of Investments for Income Tax Purposes 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $172,493,937   $(59,517,171)  $112,976,766   $1,192,479,024 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   14,459,685    (14,224,253)   235,432    192,794,189 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   2,606,285    (4,480,143)   (1,873,858)   26,012,672 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   1,672,063    (2,992,371)   (1,320,308)   26,813,289 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

J. Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Each Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

K. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

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

 

31 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of May 31, 2022:

 

Fund  Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $1,187,927   $876,302   $384,421   $1,260,723 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   11,477,826    11,767,319    24,202    11,791,521 

 

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

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of May 31, 2022:

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $11,767,319   $   $   $   $11,767,319 
Total Borrowings                       11,767,319 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                      $11,767,319 

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $876,302   $   $   $   $876,302 
Total Borrowings                       876,302 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)                      $876,302 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

Fund Advisory Fee
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.40%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.50%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.60%
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF 0.35%

 

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

 

32 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $524,572,481   $525,850,361 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   72,787,398    71,989,441 
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   18,687,900    18,598,538 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   16,301,560    16,387,346 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $71,344,674   $18,773,348 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   27,934,417    13,215,589 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF       1,322,194 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $2,960,315 
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   1,265,065 
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF   177,216 

 

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

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

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

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The ALPS Sector Dvidend Dogs ETF engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the six months ended May 31, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.

 

33 | May 31, 2022 

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Transactions related to cross trades during the six months ended May 31, 2022, were as follows:

 

   Purchase cost paid   Sale proceeds received   Realized gain/(loss) on sales 
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  $423,942   $686,814   $54,037 

 

7. MARKET RISK

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The report of Deloitte on the Funds’ financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Funds’ fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Funds and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Funds for such year or period. During the Funds’ fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During each Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Funds, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Funds, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Funds’ Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Funds approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for each Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Funds’ former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

34 | May 31, 2022 

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

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

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction 199A
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 97.81% 91.15% 0.00%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 73.67% 0.00% 0.00%
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF 0.47% 0.00% 70.35%

 

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

 

LICENSING AGREEMENTS

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.SM (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of the (i) SDOG, S-Network Sector Dividend DogsSM, (ii) IDOG, S-Network International Sector Dividend DogsSM, (iii) EDOG, S-Network Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs IndexSM, and (iv) RDOG, S-Network REIT Dividend Dogs IndexSM (each an “Underlying Index”) to track the performance of a market or sector. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

35 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of each Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in each Fund particularly or the ability of each Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Index Provider is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of each Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of each Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which each Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of each Fund.

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by the Index Provider.

 

The S&P 500® is the property of Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and has been licensed by S&P for use by S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. in connection with the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: SDOGX), the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: IDOGX), the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: EDOGX), and the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: RDOGX).

 

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

 

36 | May 31, 2022

 

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

37 | May 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Performance Overview 1
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 3
Schedule of Investments 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 9
Statement of Operations 10
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 11
Financial Highlights 12
Notes to Financial Statements 13
Additional Information 19
Liquidity Risk Management Program 21

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Performance Overview   May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund” or “BFOR”) seeks investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of high performing equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the equity securities which comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Underlying Index generally consists of 400 stocks. The Underlying Index’s stocks are constituents of the MarketGrader U.S. Coverage Universe. In compiling the Underlying Index, MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) selects the 400 stocks from the MarketGrader U.S. Coverage Universe by using a methodology that selects components based on the strength of their fundamentals in growth, value, profitability and cash flow and then screens such potential Underlying Index components for certain criteria regarding concentration, market capitalization, and liquidity. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is rebalanced by the Index Provider semiannually, on the third Friday of March and September each year.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
Barron’s 400SM ETF – NAV -8.41% -3.43% 9.71% 10.33%
Barron’s 400SM ETF – Market Price* -8.44% -3.47% 9.70% 10.33%
Barron’s 400 IndexSM -8.07% -2.79% 10.43% 11.07%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.65%

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on June 4, 2013.

 

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

 

The Barron’s 400 IndexSM, calculated by NYSE Arca or its affiliates, measures the performance of a diversified group of U.S. companies selected in part based on fundamentals-related rules-based criteria. The index includes companies that have scored highest according to fundamentals-related rankings calculated by MarketGrader Capital, LLC. Additional rules-based screening provides for sector and market cap diversification. The Underlying Index has been licensed by MarketGrader for use with the Barron’s 400SM ETF.

 

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

 

Funds that emphasize investments in small/mid cap companies will generally experience greater price volatility.

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Barron’s 400SM ETF on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 25,000 shares.

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

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

 

1 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

San Juan Basin Royalty Trust 0.52%
SandRidge Energy, Inc. 0.44%
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 0.41%
VAALCO Energy, Inc. 0.38%
Coterra Energy, Inc. 0.37%
Marathon Oil Corp. 0.37%
Devon Energy Corp. 0.36%
Civitas Resources, Inc. 0.35%
Golden Ocean Group, Ltd. 0.34%
Photronics, Inc. 0.34%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings 3.88%

 

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

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

Sector Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   Beginning Account Value 12/1/21   Ending Account Value 5/31/22   Expense Ratio(a)   Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b) 
Barron's 400 ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $915.90    0.65%  $3.10 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.69    0.65%  $3.28 

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

3 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (97.68%)        
Communication Services (1.92%)        
Activision Blizzard, Inc.   4,390   $341,893 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   137    311,708 
Entravision Communications          
Corp., Class A   56,080    293,298 
Fox Corp., Class A   8,839    313,873 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   10,015    322,783 
Omnicom Group, Inc.   4,316    322,017 
Paramount Global(b)   10,020    343,987 
World Wrestling
Entertainment, Inc., Class A(b)
   6,280    419,316 
Total Communication Services        2,668,875 
           
Consumer Discretionary (16.60%)          
Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc.(b)   9,744    326,521 
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.   19,310    233,844 
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.(a)   1,899    344,004 
AutoNation, Inc.(a)   3,024    361,549 
AutoZone, Inc.(a)   185    381,035 
Best Buy Co., Inc.   3,521    288,933 
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.(b)   21,646    275,987 
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.(a)   3,903    314,972 
Boyd Gaming Corp.   5,279    310,247 
Brunswick Corp.   3,966    298,362 
Buckle, Inc.   9,657    317,329 
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.   20,710    422,277 
Cavco Industries, Inc.(a)   1,260    279,922 
Children's Place, Inc.(a)   6,720    319,066 
Churchill Downs, Inc.   1,600    323,888 
Columbia Sportswear Co.   3,939    306,375 
Crocs, Inc.(a)   4,823    268,930 
Darden Restaurants, Inc.   2,815    351,875 
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.(b)   3,134    254,575 
Dillard's, Inc., Class A(b)   1,308    394,336 
Dollar General Corp.   1,640    361,358 
DR Horton, Inc.   4,336    325,850 
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.   13,360    310,754 
Etsy, Inc.(a)   2,790    226,325 
Five Below, Inc.(a)   2,266    295,917 
Harley-Davidson, Inc.(b)   9,250    325,415 
Home Depot, Inc.   1,060    320,915 
KB Home   9,490    327,310 
Lennar Corp., Class B   4,876    327,521 
Levi Strauss & Co.   18,865    342,588 
Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A   1,078    328,219 
LKQ Corp.   7,723    396,885 
Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A(a)   5,862    343,513 
MarineMax, Inc.(a)   7,776    322,004 
Marriott International, Inc., Class A   2,100    360,318 
MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)   13,289    310,963 
Mattel, Inc.(a)   15,400    386,848 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Consumer Discretionary (continued)        
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.(a)   4,112   $278,999 
Movado Group, Inc.   10,327    350,395 
Murphy USA, Inc.   1,865    464,609 
NVR, Inc.(a)   73    324,895 
OneWater Marine, Inc.   8,680    296,856 
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)   505    321,771 
Patrick Industries, Inc.   5,294    318,222 
Pool Corp.   775    308,931 
PulteGroup, Inc.   7,546    341,532 
Ralph Lauren Corp.   3,230    326,521 
Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc.   15,700    289,351 
Shoe Carnival, Inc.   11,180    304,767 
Signet Jewelers, Ltd.   4,804    286,318 
Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A(a)   9,392    370,045 
Skyline Champion Corp.(a)   5,296    281,376 
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.   22,352    346,009 
Steven Madden, Ltd.   9,065    337,037 
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.   4,998    339,314 
Tapestry, Inc.   10,035    346,208 
Target Corp.   1,620    262,246 
Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A(a)   11,460    331,996 
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.   11,078    292,127 
Tesla, Inc.(a)   430    326,052 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.   4,475    348,916 
Thor Industries, Inc.(b)   4,160    316,035 
Tilly's, Inc., Class A(b)   36,000    298,080 
TJX Cos., Inc.   5,695    362,031 
Tractor Supply Co.   1,540    288,534 
Ulta Beauty, Inc.(a)   942    398,560 
Vista Outdoor, Inc.(a)   9,708    374,146 
Whirlpool Corp.   1,845    339,923 
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.(b)   2,347    300,228 
Winnebago Industries, Inc.(b)   5,906    292,052 
Zumiez, Inc.(a)   8,484    278,360 
Total Consumer Discretionary        23,029,172 
           
Consumer Staples (4.22%)          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   4,215    382,806 
Bunge, Ltd.   3,251    384,658 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.   3,520    317,011 
Coca-Cola Co.   5,888    373,181 
Costco Wholesale Corp.   645    300,712 
Darling Ingredients, Inc.(a)   4,930    394,745 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A   1,348    343,268 
Hershey Co.   1,677    355,038 
Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A   3,875    345,107 
Inter Parfums, Inc.   4,252    313,798 
Kellogg Co.   5,690    396,821 
MGP Ingredients, Inc.   4,397    425,893 
Monster Beverage Corp.(a)   4,647    414,141 
Procter & Gamble Co.   2,341    346,187 
Sanderson Farms, Inc.   1,953    389,624 
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A   4,073    364,982 
Total Consumer Staples        5,847,972 

 

4 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Energy (11.58%)        
APA Corp.   9,570   $449,886 
Brigham Minerals, Inc., Class A   14,550    441,010 
California Resources Corp.   8,299    362,417 
Callon Petroleum Co.(a)   6,495    379,698 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.(b)   4,660    453,791 
Chevron Corp.   2,220    387,745 
Civitas Resources, Inc.   6,360    485,586 
ConocoPhillips   3,695    415,170 
Continental Resources, Inc.   6,180    420,673 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   14,970    513,920 
Denbury, Inc.(a)   5,090    372,283 
Devon Energy Corp.   6,635    496,961 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.   2,825    429,457 
EOG Resources, Inc.   3,066    419,919 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   4,560    437,760 
FLEX LNG, Ltd.(b)   16,865    452,319 
Halliburton Co.   10,115    409,658 
Hess Corp.   3,795    467,051 
Kimbell Royalty Partners LP   22,800    432,288 
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.(a)   5,165    434,738 
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A   16,312    450,374 
Marathon Oil Corp.   16,235    510,266 
Matador Resources Co.   6,920    421,428 
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.   2,506    397,777 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   6,450    447,050 
ONEOK, Inc.   5,473    360,397 
Ovintiv, Inc.   8,160    456,878 
PDC Energy, Inc.   5,400    427,356 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   1,540    428,028 
San Juan Basin Royalty Trust   56,370    726,609 
SandRidge Energy, Inc.(a)   26,070    614,470 
Targa Resources Corp.   5,410    389,628 
Texas Pacific Land Corp.   284    444,741 
VAALCO Energy, Inc.(b)   68,750    526,625 
Whiting Petroleum Corp.   4,434    392,232 
Williams Cos., Inc.   11,240    416,554 
Total Energy        16,072,743 
           
Financials (17.27%)          
Allegiance Bancshares, Inc.   7,824    314,916 
Ally Financial, Inc.   8,475    373,239 
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.   5,105    388,133 
American Express Co.   1,995    336,796 
American International Group, Inc.   6,005    352,373 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   1,250    345,337 
Ameris Bancorp   7,466    340,375 
Associated Banc-Corp   15,180    314,226 
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.   8,925    314,695 
Atlanticus Holdings Corp.(a)   7,217    280,813 
BancFirst Corp.   4,345    394,222 
Bank OZK   8,009    332,133 
Banner Corp.   5,835    339,072 
Blackstone, Inc.   3,180    374,572 
Byline Bancorp, Inc.   13,174    329,087 
Capital One Financial Corp.   2,609    333,587 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Financials (continued)        
Cathay General Bancorp   7,779   $319,795 
Central Pacific Financial Corp.   12,592    303,971 
Cincinnati Financial Corp.   2,685    343,304 
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.   13,844    572,850 
Cohen & Steers, Inc.   4,513    343,936 
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.   10,750    296,270 
Credit Acceptance Corp.(a)(b)   708    421,479 
Customers Bancorp, Inc.(a)   6,150    253,995 
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.   10,370    326,033 
Eagle Bancorp, Inc.   5,985    296,617 
East West Bancorp, Inc.   4,600    338,284 
Enova International, Inc.(a)   9,940    313,905 
Enterprise Financial Services Corp.   7,110    329,264 
Evercore, Inc., Class A   3,106    354,705 
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   842    321,459 
FB Financial Corp.   7,641    321,075 
Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A   7,260    307,098 
Fifth Third Bancorp   7,660    302,034 
First BanCorp   27,299    407,574 
First Foundation, Inc.   13,645    307,695 
Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.   8,001    308,279 
Flushing Financial Corp.   15,120    349,272 
Franklin Resources, Inc.   13,025    352,717 
Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A   4,690    326,189 
Hanmi Financial Corp.   14,160    330,494 
HomeStreet, Inc.   6,860    276,527 
Horizon Bancorp, Inc.   17,545    315,284 
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.   3,571    306,892 
Independent Bank Corp.   14,958    296,318 
International Bancshares Corp.   8,235    345,294 
KeyCorp   14,712    293,652 
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.   1,610    354,007 
Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.   19,950    309,624 
Live Oak Bancshares, Inc.   6,331    254,253 
Merchants Bancorp   12,507    318,803 
Mr Cooper Group, Inc.(a)   7,425    321,948 
OFG Bancorp   12,945    366,861 
Old Republic International Corp.   13,740    328,661 
Origin Bancorp, Inc.   7,965    311,272 
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.   9,546    310,818 
Piper Sandler Cos.   2,810    370,330 
Popular, Inc.   4,345    355,030 
Premier Financial Corp.   10,950    297,511 
Regional Management Corp.   7,793    370,791 
Regions Financial Corp.   15,410    340,407 
SEI Investments Co.   6,070    354,670 
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.   3,879    323,353 
Signature Bank/New York NY   1,195    258,443 
SLM Corp.   20,015    392,094 
Stifel Financial Corp.   5,350    343,309 
Synovus Financial Corp.   7,282    310,577 
Towne Bank   11,325    333,861 
US Bancorp   6,465    343,098 
Western Alliance Bancorp   4,214    342,893 

 

5 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Financials (continued)        
WSFS Financial Corp.   6,925   $296,251 
Zions Bancorp NA   5,377    306,704 
Total Financials        23,961,406 
           
Health Care (9.94%)          
Abbott Laboratories   2,990    351,205 
AbbVie, Inc.   2,253    332,025 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   2,680    341,861 
Amgen, Inc.   1,510    387,677 
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)   3,440    333,336 
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A(a)   637    342,572 
Bio-Techne Corp.   860    317,968 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   5,045    380,645 
Catalent, Inc.(a)   3,630    374,108 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   46,261    333,079 
Cooper Cos, Inc.   893    313,211 
Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.(a)   14,635    304,993 
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.(a)   16,870    297,755 
Danaher Corp.   1,291    340,592 
DaVita, Inc.(a)   3,181    310,116 
Doximity, Inc.(a)(b)   8,070    282,369 
Dynavax Technologies Corp.(a)(b)   33,585    398,318 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)   3,282    330,990 
HCA Healthcare, Inc.   1,314    276,466 
Henry Schein, Inc.(a)   4,043    346,243 
Hologic, Inc.(a)   4,949    372,511 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)   694    271,784 
Innoviva, Inc.(a)   18,932    287,198 
Johnson & Johnson   1,992    357,624 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings   1,291    318,516 
Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)   9,071    282,562 
Merck & Co., Inc.   4,480    412,294 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)   263    338,250 
Moderna, Inc.(a)   2,359    342,833 
PerkinElmer, Inc.   2,067    309,368 
Pfizer, Inc.   6,731    357,012 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   2,467    347,896 
QuidelOrtho Corp.(a)   3,360    319,301 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   528    350,983 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   636    360,975 
Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A(a)   2,005    341,371 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   1,414    379,871 
Vir Biotechnology, Inc.(a)   15,170    391,538 
Waters Corp.(a)   1,097    359,761 
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.   904    280,584 
Zoetis, Inc.   1,850    316,220 
Total Health Care        13,793,981 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (15.30%)        
AGCO Corp.   2,763   $354,023 
Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.   9,120    364,891 
AMETEK, Inc.   2,700    327,969 
AO Smith Corp.   5,304    318,876 
ArcBest Corp.   4,150    313,865 
Atkore, Inc.(a)   3,454    376,210 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.(a)   4,139    288,530 
BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.(a)   3,996    330,309 
Boise Cascade Co.   4,487    346,935 
Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a)   4,800    312,432 
BWX Technologies, Inc.   6,625    339,200 
Carlisle Cos., Inc.   1,470    374,012 
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   3,540    384,125 
Cintas Corp.   915    364,472 
Copart, Inc.(a)   2,905    332,710 
CSW Industrials, Inc.   2,959    314,009 
CSX Corp.   10,244    325,657 
Donaldson Co., Inc.   6,780    354,458 
Dover Corp.   2,296    307,457 
Eagle Bulk Shipping, Inc.   6,335    464,102 
Emerson Electric Co.   3,797    336,642 
Encore Wire Corp.   2,861    357,682 
Equifax, Inc.   1,514    306,706 
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.   3,508    381,811 
Fastenal Co.   6,295    337,160 
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.   4,140    287,109 
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.   4,220    311,098 
Genco Shipping & Trading, Ltd.   18,470    466,368 
Generac Holdings, Inc.(a)   1,220    301,438 
Golden Ocean Group, Ltd.(b)   31,725    468,261 
Graco, Inc.   5,054    319,918 
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.   8,800    304,128 
IDEX Corp.   1,810    346,706 
Insteel Industries, Inc.   9,348    387,101 
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.   1,756    303,050 
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.   6,610    321,510 
Korn Ferry   5,380    330,655 
Landstar System, Inc.   2,280    345,260 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   780    343,286 
Matson, Inc.   3,074    276,291 
Mueller Industries, Inc.   6,160    331,716 
Nordson Corp.   1,590    346,429 
Norfolk Southern Corp.   1,304    312,517 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   780    365,017 
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.   1,134    292,844 
Owens Corning   3,762    359,572 
PACCAR, Inc.   4,010    348,228 
Parker-Hannifin Corp.   1,252    340,757 
Republic Services, Inc.   2,720    364,045 
Robert Half International, Inc.   3,085    278,113 
Saia, Inc.(a)   1,350    266,747 

 

6 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Schneider National, Inc., Class B   13,600   $328,304 
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.   2,997    324,725 
Snap-on, Inc.   1,732    384,296 
TriNet Group, Inc.(a)   3,970    311,804 
Triton International, Ltd.   5,330    339,894 
UFP Industries, Inc.   4,071    314,281 
Union Pacific Corp.   1,342    294,945 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   1,667    303,811 
United Rentals, Inc.(a)   1,070    319,053 
Watsco, Inc.   1,200    306,756 
Werner Enterprises, Inc.   8,190    332,268 
WW Grainger, Inc.   706    343,871 
Total Industrials        21,236,415 
           
Information Technology (13.19%)          
Adobe, Inc.(a)   833    346,928 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)   3,223    328,295 
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)   3,162    319,488 
Alpha & Omega Semiconductor, Ltd.(a)   7,170    314,978 
Amkor Technology, Inc.   16,353    334,255 
Amphenol Corp., Class A   4,754    336,868 
Apple, Inc.   2,268    337,569 
Applied Materials, Inc.   2,803    328,764 
Arista Networks, Inc.(a)   2,898    296,407 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.   1,646    366,959 
Axcelis Technologies, Inc.(a)   5,410    335,744 
Badger Meter, Inc.   3,690    292,027 
Broadcom, Inc.   594    344,597 
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)   2,468    379,406 
Ciena Corp.(a)   6,220    316,100 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   6,316    284,536 
Clearfield, Inc.(a)(b)   5,887    363,817 
Cognex Corp.   5,228    253,140 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   3,957    295,588 
Corning, Inc.   9,612    344,302 
Diodes, Inc.(a)   4,143    319,052 
Entegris, Inc.   2,828    313,795 
Fair Isaac Corp.(a)   732    299,791 
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a)   1,523    378,938 
Fortinet, Inc.(a)   1,239    364,439 
Gartner, Inc.(a)   1,250    328,000 
Global Payments, Inc.   2,740    359,050 
GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(a)   4,585    344,104 
Intel Corp.   7,845    348,475 
Intuit, Inc.   796    329,910 
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   1,965    369,656 
Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a)   2,350    342,160 
KLA Corp.   1,049    382,728 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   1,050    375,763 
Microchip Technology, Inc.   4,900    355,985 
Micron Technology, Inc.   4,815    355,540 
Microsoft Corp.   1,222    332,225 
Security Description  Shares   Value 
Information Technology (continued)        
MKS Instruments, Inc.   2,440   $301,340 
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.   833    375,175 
NetApp, Inc.   4,282    308,090 
NVIDIA Corp.   1,559    291,096 
ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)   6,208    376,701 
Onto Innovation, Inc.(a)   4,476    359,781 
Paychex, Inc.   2,859    354,030 
Photronics, Inc.(a)   21,485    467,084 
Power Integrations, Inc.   3,999    337,436 
Qorvo, Inc.(a)   2,900    324,075 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   2,435    348,741 
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.   4,590    293,714 
Synopsys, Inc.(a)   1,230    392,616 
Teledyne Technologies, Inc.(a)   820    332,223 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   2,037    360,060 
Visa, Inc., Class A, Class A   1,700    360,689 
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)   905    306,062 
Total Information Technology        18,308,292 
           
Materials (6.74%)          
Alcoa Corp.   4,765    294,096 
Ball Corp.   3,843    272,430 
Celanese Corp.   2,537    397,091 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.   3,705    365,943 
Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.(a)   13,881    321,762 
Commercial Metals Co.   8,500    337,705 
Dow Chemical Co.   5,983    406,724 
Eagle Materials, Inc.   2,636    344,156 
FMC Corp.   2,755    337,708 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.   7,940    310,295 
Greif, Inc., Class A   5,870    349,089 
Hawkins, Inc.   7,690    278,070 
Huntsman Corp.   9,120    330,600 
Louisiana-Pacific Corp.   5,097    351,999 
Mesabi Trust(b)   13,620    370,873 
Mosaic Co.   5,971    374,083 
Nucor Corp.   2,577    341,350 
Olin Corp.   6,980    459,214 
Packaging Corp. of America   2,311    363,474 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.   1,840    357,696 
Royal Gold, Inc.   2,566    290,163 
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A   7,330    297,745 
Southern Copper Corp.   5,141    317,611 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.   4,772    407,433 
TimkenSteel Corp.(a)   17,470    403,557 
United States Steel Corp.   10,880    272,762 
Westlake Corp.   3,030    400,293 
Total Materials        9,353,922 
           
Real Estate (0.65%)          
CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)   3,980    329,703 
Marcus & Millichap, Inc.   7,590    317,869 

 

7 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Real Estate (continued)        
Newmark Group, Inc.   22,680   $251,068 
Total Real Estate        898,640 
           
Utilities (0.27%)          
CMS Energy Corp.   5,190    368,698 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $126,162,372)        135,540,116 

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (1.92%)        
Energy (1.38%)        
Cheniere Energy Partners LP   7,350    395,209 
Enterprise Products Partners LP   14,560    399,235 
KKR & Co., LP   6,701    367,282 
Magellan Midstream Partners LP   7,470    386,199 
MPLX LP   11,190    368,711 
Total Energy        1,916,636 
           
Financials (0.23%)          
Carlyle Group, Inc.   8,147    313,904 
           
Materials (0.31%)          
CVR Partners LP   3,310    429,307 
           
TOTAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS          
(Cost $2,670,738)        2,659,847 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.98%)            
Money Market Fund (0.29%)            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus            
Money Market Fund            
 (Cost $399,804)   0.75%   399,804    399,804 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (1.69%)               
State Street Navigator               
Securities Lending               
Government Money Market               
Portfolio, 0.80%               
(Cost $2,349,632)        2,349,632    2,349,632 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $2,749,436)             2,749,436 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (101.58%)               
(Cost $131,582,546)            $140,949,399 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-1.58%)             (2,188,046)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $138,761,353 
(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $5,186,628.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8 | May 31, 2022 

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:    
Investments, at value  $140,949,399 
Dividends receivable   235,621 
Total Assets   141,185,020 
      
LIABILITIES:     
Payable to adviser   74,035 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   2,349,632 
Total Liabilities   2,423,667 
NET ASSETS  $138,761,353 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Paid-in capital  $176,748,941 
Total distributable earnings   (37,987,588)
NET ASSETS  $138,761,353 
      
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $131,582,546 
      
PRICING OF SHARES     
Net Assets  $138,761,353 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   2,450,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $56.64 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:    
Dividends(a)  $1,309,801 
Securities Lending Income   4,462 
Total Investment Income   1,314,263 
      
EXPENSES:     
Investment adviser fees   472,369 
Net Expenses   472,369 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   841,894 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN:     
Net realized gain on investments(b)   7,670,296 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (21,126,236)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS   (13,455,940)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(12,614,046)

 

(a)Net of foreign tax withholding of $1,520.
(b)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $841,894   $1,264,631 
Net realized gain   7,670,296    35,081,287 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   (21,126,236)   2,133,972 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (12,614,046)   38,479,890 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,433,725)   (1,258,708)
Total distributions   (1,433,725)   (1,258,708)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares       94,843,165 
Cost of shares redeemed   (3,159,145)   (94,389,197)
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions   (3,159,145)   453,968 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (17,206,916)   37,675,150 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   155,968,269    118,293,119 
End of period  $138,761,353   $155,968,269 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   2,500,000    2,500,000 
Shares sold       1,650,000 
Shares redeemed   (50,000)   (1,650,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   2,450,000    2,500,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $62.39   $47.32   $42.04   $40.42   $41.54   $34.35 
                               
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.34    0.52    0.43    0.44    0.40    0.29 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (5.52)   15.05    5.14    1.51    (1.27)   7.17 
Total from investment operations   (5.18)   15.57    5.57    1.95    (0.87)   7.46 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.57)   (0.50)   (0.29)   (0.33)   (0.25)   (0.27)
Total distributions   (0.57)   (0.50)   (0.29)   (0.33)   (0.25)   (0.27)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (5.75)   15.07    5.28    1.62    (1.12)   7.19 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $56.64   $62.39   $47.32   $42.04   $40.42   $41.54 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (8.41)%   33.18%   13.33%   5.00%   (2.12)%   21.87%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $138,761   $155,968   $118,293   $147,150   $163,708   $205,601 
                               
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS                              
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.65%(c)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.16%(c)   0.90%   1.08%   1.10%   0.93%   0.78%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   49%   91%   83%   109%   88%   84%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consisted of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. On October 1, 2021, the Fund reduced its Creation Unit size from 50,000 to 25,000 shares.

 

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

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

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

 

13 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

Barron's 400 ETF

 

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $135,540,116   $   $   $135,540,116 
Limited Partnerships*   2,659,847            2,659,847 
Short Term Investments   2,749,436            2,749,436 
Total  $140,949,399   $   $   $140,949,399 

 

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

 

The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

14 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
Barron’s 400SM ETF  $1,258,708   $   $ 

 

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

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2021, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
Barron’s 400SM ETF  $37,589,993   $17,906,661 

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF used capital loss carryovers during the year ended November 30, 2021 in the amount of $538,562.

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   Barron’s 400SM ETF 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $19,012,257 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (9,626,275)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $9,385,982 
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $131,563,417 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and investments in partnerships. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

F. Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

15 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

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

 

The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of May 31, 2022:

 

   Market Value of Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received   Total Collateral Received 
Barron's 400 ETF  $5,186,628   $2,349,632   $3,066,995   $5,416,627 

 

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

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of May 31, 2022:

 

Barron's 400 ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $2,349,632   $   $   $   $2,349,632 
Total Borrowings                       2,349,632 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)             $2,349,632 

 

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 

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

 

16 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022 the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Barron's 400 ETF  $71,896,343   $72,597,451 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Barron's 400 ETF  $   $3,156,132 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022 the Barron's 400 ETF had in-kind net realized gains of $801,304.

 

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

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Fund engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the six months ended May 31, 2022 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.

 

Transactions related to cross trades during the six months ended May 31, 2022, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchase cost paid   Sale proceeds received   Realized gain/(loss) on sales 
Barron's 400 ETF  $2,128,652   $304,289   $(62,415)

 

7. MARKET RISK

 

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

 

17 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. The report of Deloitte on the Fund’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Fund and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Fund for such year or period. During the Fund’s fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During the Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Fund, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Fund, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Fund’s Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Fund’s former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

18 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Barron’s 400 ETF designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021:

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
Barron's 400 ETF 100.00% 100.00%

 

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

 

LICENSING AGREEMENT

 

MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) has entered into a license agreement with Dow Jones & Company to use the “Barron’s” name and certain related intellectual property in connection with the Underlying Index. The Index Provider also has entered into a license and services agreement with its parent company, MarketGrader.com, to use the methodology for constructing the Underlying Index. The Index Provider in turn has entered into the Sublicense Agreement with ALPS Advisers, Inc. to use the Underlying Index. The following disclosure relates to such licensing agreements:

 

The Barron’s 400 ETF (the “Fund”) is not sponsored, managed or advised by the Index Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of a market or sector. The Index Provider’s only relationship to ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) or the Fund is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of the Index Provider and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the Fund or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index.

 

THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, THE FUND, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

“The Barron’s 400 IndexSM” is calculated and published by MarketGrader Capital, LLC (“MarketGrader”). “Barron’s,” “Barron’s 400” and “Barron’s 400 Index” are trademarks or service marks of DJC & Company, Inc. or its affiliates and have been licensed to MarketGrader and sublicensed for certain purposes by Barron’s 400 Exchange Traded Fund, a sub-fund of that certain ALPS ETF Trust, a Delaware Statutory Trust (the “Sub-Licensee”). The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Product”) is not sponsored or advised by DJC or its affiliates. DJC and its affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the Fund particularly. DJC and its affiliates’ only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of DJC. The Barron's 400 IndexSM is determined, composed and calculated by MarketGrader without regard to DJC. DJC has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in connection with its licensing of the Barron’s 400 Index to MarketGrader or the sublicense to Licensee. DJC and its affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the calculation of the Barron's 400 IndexSM or in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be sold or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product are to be converted into cash. DJC and its affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Barron’s 400 Index or the Product.

 

19 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

DOW JONES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONESAND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN DJC AND THE LICENSEE, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF MARKETGRADER.

 

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

 

20 | May 31, 2022

   

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

21 | May 31, 2022

   

 

 

 

Must be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus.

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the Barron’s 400SM ETF.

   

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Overview  
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 1
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 3
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 5
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 7
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 9
Financial Statements  
Schedule of Investments  
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 10
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 13
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 15
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 17
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 20
Statement of Operations 21
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 22
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 23
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 24
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 25
Financial Highlights 26
Notes to Financial Statements 30
Additional Information 38
Liquidity Risk Management Program 39

 

alpsfunds.com

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (the “Fund” or "RFCI") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF – NAV -6.91% -6.25% 1.18% 1.08%
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF – Market Price* -6.83% -6.14% 1.14% 1.09%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index -9.15% -8.22% 1.18% 1.07%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.51%.

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 14, 2016.

 

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

 

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

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

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF.

 

1 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings*^ (as of May 31, 2022)

 

United States Treasury Bond   6.28%
United States Treasury Note   3.18%
Iron Mountain, Inc.   2.03%
Dollar Tree, Inc.   1.97%
Ball Corp.   1.97%
Marathon Oil Corp.   1.96%
Boeing Co.   1.95%
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC   1.95%
Citigroup, Inc.   1.94%
HSBC Holdings PLC   1.94%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   25.17%

 

*% of Total Investments.
^Excludes Money Market Fund

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

Asset Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

 

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

 

 

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

 

2 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (the “Fund” or "RFDA") seeks to provide capital appreciation and dividend income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in a portfolio of equity securities of publicly traded U.S. companies with the potential for dividend income. Equity securities include common stocks and common or preferred shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF – NAV 6.39% 12.71% 13.03% 13.27%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF – Market Price* 6.27% 12.64% 13.02% 13.26%
S&P 500® Total Return Index -8.85% -0.30% 13.38% 13.98%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.52%.

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 7, 2016.

 

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

 

S&P 500® Total Return Index is the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF.

 

3 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Exxon Mobil Corp.   5.12%
AbbVie, Inc.   4.29%
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   3.57%
Altria Group, Inc.   3.49%
Merck & Co., Inc.   3.45%
Coca-Cola Co.   3.40%
International Business Machines Corp.   3.38%
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   3.07%
Microsoft Corp.   2.94%
Duke Energy Corp.   2.89%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   35.60%

 

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

Asset Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

 

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

 

4 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (the “Fund” or "RFFC") seeks to provide capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in a portfolio of equity securities of publicly traded U.S. companies. Equity securities include common stocks and common or preferred shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF – NAV -4.73% 1.30% 9.77% 10.95%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF – Market Price* -4.75% 1.26% 9.75% 10.94%
S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Index -8.68% -0.91% 13.04% 13.68%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.52%.

 

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

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced operations on June 7, 2016.

 

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

 

S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Index is the Standard & Poor’s broad-based unmanaged capitalization-weighted index comprising 1,500 stocks of Large-cap, Mid-cap, and Small-cap U.S. companies. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

The RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

 

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

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.

 

5 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

Apple, Inc.   5.76%
Microsoft Corp.   4.77%
Amazon.com, Inc.   2.95%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   1.85%
Exxon Mobil Corp.   1.75%
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.   1.65%
Johnson & Johnson   1.63%
Pfizer, Inc.   1.57%
Visa, Inc.   1.52%
Mastercard, Inc.   1.45%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   24.90%

 

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

 

Asset Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

 

Future holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

 

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

 

6 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund” or "RIGS") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations. The Fund utilizes various investment strategies in a broad array of fixed income sectors.

 

Performance (as of May 31, 2022)

 

  6 Months 1 Year 5 Year Since Inception^
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund – NAV -3.74% -3.48% 1.95% 3.16%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund – Market Price* -3.66% -3.44% 1.90% 3.16%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index -9.15% -8.22% 1.18% 1.99%

 

Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) is 0.46%. The Fund’s management fees consist of a fee of 0.11% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.35% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser. Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.

 

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

 

^The Fund commenced Investment Operations on October 8, 2013.

 

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

 

Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of the price (the value of principal) of a fixed-income investment to a change in interest rates. Duration is expressed as a number of years. The duration number is a calculation involving present value, yield, coupon, final maturity and call features. The bigger the duration number, the greater the interest-rate risk or reward for bond prices. Rising interest rates mean falling bond prices, while declining interest rates mean rising bond prices.

 

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Performance Overview May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Top 10 Holdings*^ (as of May 31, 2022)

 

U.S. Treasury Note   3.72%
T-Mobile USA, Inc.   1.32%
DR Horton, Inc.   1.24%
Vistra Operations Co. LLC   1.20%
PulteGroup, Inc.   1.20%
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   1.19%
Bank of America Corp.   1.19%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   1.18%
Citigroup, Inc.   1.18%
WESCO Distribution, Inc.   1.11%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings   14.53%

 

*% of Total Investments.
^Excludes Money Market

 

Fund Future holdings are subject to change.

Asset Allocation* (as of May 31, 2022)

 

 

 

Growth of $10,000 (as of May 31, 2022)

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

 

 

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

 

8 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur certain ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period and held through May 31, 2022.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   Beginning Account Value 12/1/21   Ending Account Value 5/31/22   Expense Ratio(a)   Expenses Paid During Period 12/1/21 - 5/31/22(b) 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF                
Actual  $1,000.00   $930.90    0.51%  $2.46 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.39    0.51%  $2.57 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,063.90    0.52%  $2.68 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.34    0.52%  $2.62 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $952.70    0.52%  $2.53 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.34    0.52%  $2.62 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $962.60    0.46%  $2.25 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.64    0.46%  $2.32 

 

(a)Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses.
(b)Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182), divided by 365.

 

9 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
CORPORATE BONDS (67.69%)        
Communications (8.33%)        
AT&T, Inc.        
2.55%, 12/01/2033  $1,449,000   $1,234,870 
Charter Communications          
Operating LLC / Charter
Communications
Operating Capital
          
4.91%, 07/23/2025   789,000    806,660 
Comcast Corp.          
4.15%, 10/15/2028   783,000    802,683 
Discovery Communications LLC          
3.95%, 03/20/2028   1,466,000    1,415,624 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.          
3.13%, 09/01/2026(a)   894,000    845,192 
Verizon Communications, Inc.          
2.36%, 03/15/2032(a)   725,000    622,267 
Walt Disney Co.          
2.00%, 09/01/2029   894,000    789,839 
Total Communications        6,517,135 
           
Consumer Discretionary (5.09%)          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.          
3.60%, 11/28/2024   173,000    172,942 
3.40%, 12/06/2027   147,000    141,870 
Amazon.com, Inc.          
3.15%, 08/22/2027   299,000    296,255 
CoreCivic, Inc.          
4.63%, 05/01/2023   155,000    155,071 
Ford Motor Co.          
9.63%, 04/22/2030   1,129,000    1,372,225 
General Motors Financial Co., Inc.          
3.70%, 05/09/2023   250,000    251,355 
3.60%, 06/21/2030   778,000    699,372 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.          
4.88%, 03/15/2027   789,000    758,860 
Marriott International, Inc.          
4.00%, 04/15/2028(b)   135,000    131,398 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,979,348 
           
Consumer Staples (3.13%)          
Anheuser-Busch InBev          
Worldwide, Inc.          
4.00%, 04/13/2028   908,000    916,955 
Dollar Tree, Inc.          
4.00%, 05/15/2025   1,520,000    1,534,003 
Total Consumer Staples        2,450,958 
           
Energy (8.45%)          
Chevron Corp.          
2.90%, 03/03/2024   250,000    250,972 
Continental Resources, Inc.          
3.80%, 06/01/2024   147,000    148,072 
Enterprise Products Operating LLC          
3.35%, 03/15/2023   250,000    251,033 
Energy (continued)        
Exxon Mobil Corp.        
3.04%, 03/01/2026  345,000   343,489 
Hess Midstream Operations LP          
4.25%, 02/15/2030(a)   789,000    725,174 
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP          
4.25%, 09/01/2024   147,000    148,929 
Marathon Oil Corp.          
4.40%, 07/15/2027   1,516,000    1,525,234 
ONEOK Partners LP          
3.38%, 10/01/2022   250,000    250,211 
Ovintiv Exploration, Inc.          
5.63%, 07/01/2024   147,000    154,743 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC          
5.75%, 05/15/2024   1,466,000    1,515,430 
Schlumberger Investment SA          
3.65%, 12/01/2023   405,000    410,918 
Shell International Finance BV          
2.75%, 04/06/2030   789,000    731,852 
Williams Cos., Inc.          
3.90%, 01/15/2025   156,000    156,386 
Total Energy        6,612,443 
           
Financials (27.06%)          
Aflac, Inc.          
3.63%, 11/15/2024   173,000    175,468 
Bank of America Corp.          
4.25%, 10/22/2026   1,197,000    1,211,352 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.          
3.13%, 03/15/2026   250,000    249,886 
Blackstone Private Credit Fund          
3.25%, 03/15/2027(a)   847,000    749,599 
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc.          
3.35%, 05/03/2026   239,000    238,120 
Citigroup, Inc.          
3M US L + 1.43%,          
09/01/2023(c)   250,000    250,320 
4.45%, 09/29/2027   1,502,000    1,508,815 
6.63%, 06/15/2032   503,000    573,044 
Credit Suisse Group AG          
4.55%, 04/17/2026   222,000    222,069 
CubeSmart LP          
2.25%, 12/15/2028   1,643,000    1,446,109 
Discover Bank          
4.65%, 09/13/2028   135,000    134,450 
FS KKR Capital Corp.          
4.25%, 02/14/2025(a)   1,567,000    1,507,363 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.          
3M US L + 0.75%,          
02/23/2023(c)   405,000    404,365 
3M US L + 1.60%,          
11/29/2023(c)   250,000    252,428 
5.95%, 01/15/2027   678,000    726,797 
Host Hotels & Resorts LP          
4.00%, 06/15/2025   1,078,000    1,068,184 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Financials (continued)        
HSBC Holdings PLC        
4.30%, 03/08/2026  $135,000   $136,516 
3.90%, 05/25/2026   173,000    171,151 
4.38%, 11/23/2026   1,502,000    1,507,519 
Iron Mountain, Inc.          
4.88%, 09/15/2027(a)   1,602,000    1,580,653 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.          
3M US L + 1.23%,          
10/24/2023(c)   559,000    560,394 
4.25%, 10/01/2027   939,000    944,899 
Lincoln National Corp.          
3.35%, 03/09/2025   173,000    172,059 
M&T Bank Corp.          
3M US L + 0.68%,          
07/26/2023(c)   250,000    250,435 
MetLife, Inc.          
3.60%, 04/10/2024   241,000    244,049 
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group,          
Inc.          
3.85%, 03/01/2026   173,000    172,430 
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.          
3M US L + 1.00%,          
09/11/2024(c)   496,000    498,678 
Morgan Stanley          
3M US L + 1.40%,          
10/24/2023(c)   496,000    497,451 
5.00%, 11/24/2025   291,000    301,587 
3.63%, 01/20/2027   384,000    380,361 
NatWest Markets PLC          
3.48%, 03/22/2025(a)   920,000    913,497 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.          
3.15%, 05/19/2027   173,000    168,909 
3.45%, 04/23/2029   778,000    748,899 
Truist Bank          
3.30%, 05/15/2026   173,000    170,285 
Wells Fargo & Co.          
3.00%, 04/22/2026   1,075,000    1,043,536 
Total Financials        21,181,677 
           
Health Care (5.96%)          
AbbVie, Inc.          
3.20%, 11/21/2029   789,000    743,174 
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.          
6.13%, 02/01/2027(a)   1,615,000    1,476,110 
Cigna Corp.          
3.00%, 07/15/2023   240,000    240,577 
CVS Health Corp.          
4.30%, 03/25/2028   289,000    293,121 
HCA, Inc.          
5.38%, 09/01/2026   789,000    822,556 
Johnson & Johnson          
2.45%, 03/01/2026   250,000    245,705 
Merck & Co., Inc.          
2.80%, 05/18/2023   481,000    483,049 
Pfizer, Inc.          
3.20%, 09/15/2023   184,000    185,791 
Health Care (continued)        
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.        
3.75%, 07/15/2025  173,000   176,293 
Total Health Care        4,666,376 
           
Industrials (2.86%)          
3M Co.          
3.25%, 02/14/2024   405,000    408,886 
Boeing Co.          
4.88%, 05/01/2025   1,500,000    1,516,685 
CNH Industrial NV          
4.50%, 08/15/2023   173,000    175,518 
Textron, Inc.          
3.65%, 03/15/2027   135,000    133,212 
Total Industrials        2,234,301 
           
Materials (3.32%)          
Ball Corp.          
4.00%, 11/15/2023   1,527,000    1,532,726 
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.          
4.73%, 11/15/2028   789,000    818,685 
Glencore Funding LLC          
3.00%, 10/27/2022(a)   250,000    249,914 
Total Materials        2,601,325 
           
Technology (3.00%)          
Apple, Inc.          
3.20%, 05/11/2027   789,000    789,908 
Flex, Ltd.          
5.00%, 02/15/2023   173,000    175,147 
Microsoft Corp.          
3.30%, 02/06/2027   671,000    679,970 
Oracle Corp.          
3.25%, 11/15/2027   754,000    706,231 
Total Technology        2,351,256 
           
Utilities (0.49%)          
Dominion Energy, Inc.          
4.25%, 06/01/2028   135,000    136,152 
Southern Co.          
2.95%, 07/01/2023   250,000    250,457 
Total Utilities        386,609 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS          
(Cost $57,049,024)        52,981,428 
           
GOVERNMENT BONDS (11.74%)          
United States Treasury Bond          
2.75%, 02/15/2028   4,917,000    4,888,764 
United States Treasury Inflation          
Indexed Bonds          
2.13%, 02/15/2040(d)   273,634    343,030 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Government Bonds (continued)        
United States Treasury Note        
2.88%, 10/31/2023  $1,470,000$   1,482,203 
3.00%, 10/31/2025   2,454,000    2,472,789 
TOTAL GOVERNMENT BONDS          
(Cost $9,447,357)        9,186,786 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (19.98%)            
Money Market Fund            
State Street Institutional            
Treasury Plus Money            
Market Fund   0.75%   15,637,713    15,637,713 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $15,637,713)             15,637,713 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.41%)               
(Cost $82,134,094)            $77,805,927 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.59%)             463,549 
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $78,269,476 

 

Investment Abbreviations:

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

 

Reference Rates:

3M US L - 3 Month LIBOR as of May 31, 2022 was 0.97%

 

(a)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $8,669,769, representing 11.08% of net assets.
(b)Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of May 31, 2022, the market value of those securities was $131,398 representing 0.17% of net assets.
(c)Floating or variable rate security. The reference rate is described above. The rate in effect as of May 31, 2022 is based on the reference rate plus the displayed spread as of the security's last reset date.
(d)Principal amount of security is adjusted for inflation.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.62%)        
Communication Services (2.92%)        
AT&T, Inc.   46,648   $993,136 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   1,460    282,714 
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.(b)   129,684    829,978 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   23,232    1,191,569 
Total Communication Services        3,297,397 
           
Consumer Staples (10.69%)          
Altria Group, Inc.   72,755    3,935,318 
Coca-Cola Co.   60,543    3,837,215 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   18,037    1,421,496 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A   26,247    1,668,259 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   4,395    466,969 
Vector Group, Ltd.   61,392    755,736 
Total Consumer Staples        12,084,993 
           
Energy (6.48%)          
Exxon Mobil Corp.   60,118    5,771,328 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   78,923    1,553,994 
Total Energy        7,325,322 
           
Financials (22.17%)          
AllianceBernstein Holding LP   33,562    1,427,727 
Annaly Capital Management, Inc.   133,648    883,413 
Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc., Class A   16,523    634,648 
Bank of America Corp.   32,504    1,209,149 
Central Pacific Financial Corp.   87,401    2,109,860 
Dynex Capital, Inc.(b)   39,365    641,650 
Ellington Financial, Inc.(b)   63,932    990,307 
FNB Corp.   55,275    671,591 
Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc.   105,374    1,631,190 
Fulton Financial Corp.   52,417    830,809 
Mercury General Corp.   10,000    489,500 
Navient Corp.   34,532    552,512 
New Residential Investment Corp.   153,593    1,735,601 
OneMain Holdings, Inc.   20,948    922,969 
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust   60,232    974,554 
Ready Capital Corp.   68,617    1,007,298 
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.   28,387    678,165 
Truist Financial Corp.   53,904    2,681,185 
Trustmark Corp.   21,309    619,879 
US Bancorp   52,310    2,776,092 
UWM Holdings Corp.(b)   395,428    1,601,483 
Total Financials        25,069,582 
           
Health Care (13.11%)          
AbbVie, Inc.   32,841    4,839,778 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   53,414    4,030,086 
Merck & Co., Inc.   42,251    3,888,360 
Health Care (continued)        
Pfizer, Inc.   38,930   2,064,847 
Total Health Care        14,823,071 
           
Industrials (7.63%)          
3M Co.   11,424    1,705,489 
Fastenal Co.   29,423    1,575,896 
MDU Resources Group, Inc.   93,470    2,559,209 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   2,788    1,304,700 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   8,140    1,483,515 
Total Industrials        8,628,809 
           
Information Technology (21.26%)          
Apple, Inc.   7,851    1,168,543 
Broadcom, Inc.   4,295    2,491,658 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   60,777    2,738,004 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.   191,951    2,994,436 
Intel Corp.   66,909    2,972,098 
International Business Machines Corp.   27,429    3,808,242 
Microsoft Corp.   12,212    3,320,076 
National Instruments Corp.   13,106    462,904 
Paychex, Inc.   3,102    384,121 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   16,679    2,948,180 
Western Union Co.   41,458    752,048 
Total Information Technology        24,040,310 
           
Materials (1.26%)          
Newmont Mining Corp.   20,988    1,424,036 
           
Real Estate (6.13%)          
American Assets Trust, Inc.   20,225    689,673 
Brandywine Realty Trust   44,047    491,124 
Douglas Elliman, Inc.   31,558    181,459 
Douglas Emmett, Inc.   12,882    364,174 
Iron Mountain, Inc.   27,747    1,495,563 
LXP Industrial Trust   34,104    394,242 
National Health Investors, Inc.   7,445    440,372 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.   13,449    400,377 
Paramount Group, Inc.   67,425    610,871 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A   58,314    859,548 
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.   30,606    429,708 
SITE Centers Corp.   36,171    568,608 
Total Real Estate        6,925,719 
           
Utilities (7.97%)          
Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C   20,310    711,865 
Duke Energy Corp.   28,973    3,260,042 
Entergy Corp.   6,445    775,462 
PPL Corp.   26,442    798,020 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

13 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Utilities (continued)        
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   37,183   $3,462,853 
Total Utilities        9,008,242 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $98,892,724)        112,627,481 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.27%)            
Money Market Fund (0.13%)            
State Street Institutional
Treasury Plus
Money Market Fund
            
(Cost $149,922)   0.75%   149,922    149,922 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (1.14%)               
State Street Navigator
 Securities Lending
Government Money Market
Portfolio, 0.80%
               
(Cost $1,291,293)        1,291,293    1,291,293 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $1,441,215)             1,441,215 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.89%)               
(Cost $100,333,939)            $114,068,696 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.89%)             (1,011,388)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $113,057,308 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $2,014,357.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS (99.82%)        
Communication Services (5.95%)        
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)   227   $516,479 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)   108    246,324 
Comcast Corp., Class A   5,579    247,038 
EverQuote, Inc.(a)   15,168    135,754 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.   6,482    208,915 
Magnite, Inc.(a)   4,746    52,158 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)   2,067    400,254 
New York Times Co., Class A   3,251    112,127 
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.(b)   34,162    218,637 
Total Communication Services        2,137,686 
           
Consumer Discretionary (6.30%)          
Adtalem Global Education, Inc.(a)   4,238    138,243 
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   441    1,060,248 
Choice Hotels International, Inc.   804    102,824 
Clarus Corp.   5,011    109,791 
Home Depot, Inc.   1,299    393,272 
NIKE, Inc., Class B   2,272    270,027 
Tapestry, Inc.   5,464    188,508 
Total Consumer Discretionary        2,262,913 
           
Consumer Staples (6.55%)          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   3,679    334,127 
Coca-Cola Co.   7,684    487,012 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   3,353    264,250 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A   5,183    329,431 
Procter & Gamble Co.   2,429    359,200 
SpartanNash Co.   5,415    186,330 
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.(a)   6,008    162,757 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   5,253    230,239 
Total Consumer Staples        2,353,346 
           
Energy (7.32%)          
Aemetis, Inc.(a)(b)   22,714    184,211 
Archrock, Inc.   18,398    184,532 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   8,852    303,889 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   6,529    626,784 
Marathon Oil Corp.   14,041    441,309 
New Fortress Energy, Inc.   7,226    336,659 
Transocean, Ltd.(a)   57,474    236,793 
Williams Cos., Inc.   8,469    313,861 
Total Energy        2,628,038 
           
Financials (10.94%)          
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.   7,482    122,854 
Bank of America Corp.   8,398    312,406 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)   1,877    593,094 
Central Pacific Financial Corp.   4,977    120,145 
Cincinnati Financial Corp.   1,934    247,281 
First Commonwealth Financial Corp.   9,103    127,533 
Financials (continued)        
Hope Bancorp, Inc.   9,681   141,149 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   3,664    484,491 
Kearny Financial Corp.   10,414    129,238 
KeyCorp   10,221    204,011 
Markel Corp.(a)   204    279,364 
OceanFirst Financial Corp.   7,110    143,409 
Provident Financial Services, Inc.   5,803    133,411 
Regions Financial Corp.   10,043    221,850 
Travelers Cos., Inc.   1,588    284,316 
US Bancorp   4,820    255,797 
Willis Towers Watson PLC   34    7,176 
WSFS Financial Corp.   2,835    121,281 
Total Financials        3,928,806 
           
Health Care (15.88%)          
Abbott Laboratories   2,980    350,031 
AbbVie, Inc.   3,395    500,321 
Cigna Corp.   903    242,266 
CVS Health Corp.   3,299    319,178 
Exelixis, Inc.(a)   9,576    175,528 
Johnson & Johnson   3,268    586,704 
Merck & Co., Inc.   4,518    415,792 
Multiplan Corp.(a)   48,812    244,060 
NeoGenomics, Inc.(a)   4,393    36,989 
Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.(a)(b)   6,390    35,976 
Pfizer, Inc.   10,637    564,187 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   1,421    200,389 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   306    203,410 
Signify Health, Inc.(a)   14,534    198,098 
TransMedics Group, Inc.(a)   10,472    305,468 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   1,338    664,692 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   937    251,725 
Zoetis, Inc.   1,733    296,222 
Zynex, Inc.(b)   15,854    115,576 
Total Health Care        5,706,612 
           
Industrials (8.72%)          
ACCO Brands Corp.   17,090    128,859 
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.(a)   5,260    158,957 
Boise Cascade Co.   3,028    234,125 
BWX Technologies, Inc.   2,469    126,413 
CACI International, Inc., Class A(a)   605    169,624 
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.(a)   2,538    181,670 
Cintas Corp.   558    222,268 
CoreCivic, Inc.(a)   12,906    166,100 
CRA International, Inc.   1,388    118,993 
Gorman-Rupp Co.   3,002    89,430 
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.   3,828    132,296 
Matson, Inc.   2,674    240,339 
Oshkosh Corp.   1,447    134,441 
Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A   2,386    121,638 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Shares   Value 
Industrials (continued)        
Snap-on, Inc.   146   $32,394 
Standex International Corp.   1,331    123,916 
Trinity Industries, Inc.   5,805    144,312 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   2,106    383,818 
Univar Solutions, Inc.(a)   7,216    221,676 
Total Industrials        3,131,269 
           
Information Technology (27.25%)          
Adobe, Inc.(a)   60    24,989 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)   3,371    343,370 
Amdocs, Ltd.   2,995    260,236 
Apple, Inc.   13,893    2,067,834 
Block, Inc., Class A(a)   1,539    134,678 
Broadcom, Inc.   752    436,258 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   7,006    315,620 
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A(a)   3,086    172,816 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc.(a)   1,422    227,506 
Ebix, Inc.   2,824    82,320 
Enphase Energy, Inc.(a)   868    161,613 
Identiv, Inc.(a)   16,936    216,611 
Knowles Corp.(a)   6,266    120,433 
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   1,450    518,911 
Maximus, Inc.   1,901    123,356 
Methode Electronics, Inc.   3,018    135,961 
Microsoft Corp.   6,291    1,710,334 
NCR Corp.(a)   4,759    165,090 
NortonLifeLock, Inc.   11,904    289,743 
NVIDIA Corp.   1,276    238,255 
Progress Software Corp.   2,810    135,751 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   2,020    289,304 
Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)   1,874    300,290 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a)   1,174    320,255 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,838    324,885 
Visa, Inc., Class A   2,576    546,550 
Xperi Corp.   7,574    124,668 
Total Information Technology        9,787,637 
           
Materials (5.61%)          
American Vanguard Corp.   9,365    231,128 
FMC Corp.   2,077    254,599 
Glatfelter Corp.   8,077    69,624 
Mosaic Co.   4,929    308,802 
Myers Industries, Inc.   6,829    162,530 
Nucor Corp.   2,062    273,132 
O-I, Inc.(a)   17,204    283,006 
Sealed Air Corp.   308    19,151 
SunCoke Energy, Inc.   21,347    172,697 
United States Steel Corp.   9,594    240,522 
Total Materials        2,015,191 
           
Real Estate (2.96%)          
Duke Realty Corp.   3,753    198,271 
Highwoods Properties, Inc.   3,349    131,582 
Kilroy Realty Corp.   4,164    252,755 
Kimco Realty Corp.   9,734    230,209 
SL Green Realty Corp.(b)   2,065    127,555 
Real Estate (continued)        
Uniti Group, Inc.   10,917   123,799 
Total Real Estate        1,064,171 
           
Utilities (2.34%)          
Duke Energy Corp.   1,286    144,701 
National Fuel Gas Co.   2,470    181,619 
OGE Energy Corp.   7,682    317,267 
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   2,134    198,739 
Total Utilities        842,326 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $32,854,191)        35,857,995 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.75%)            
Money Market Fund (0.08%)            
State Street Institutional
Treasury Plus
Money Market Fund
               
(Cost $28,156)   0.75%   28,156    28,156 
                
Investments Purchased with Collateral               
from Securities Loaned (0.67%)               
State Street Navigator
 Securities Lending
Government Money Market
Portfolio, 0.80%
               
(Cost $241,204)        241,204    241,204 
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $269,360)             269,360 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.57%)               
(Cost $33,123,551)            $36,127,355 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.57%)             (203,745)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $35,923,610 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.
(b)Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $451,149.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
CORPORATE BONDS (78.82%)        
Communications (6.16%)        
AMC Networks, Inc.        
5.00%, 04/01/2024  $402,000   $401,403 
4.75%, 08/01/2025   482,000    475,669 
CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings          
Capital Corp.          
5.50%, 05/01/2026(a)   553,000    554,844 
CSC Holdings LLC          
5.50%, 04/15/2027(a)   1,030,000    1,032,595 
Level 3 Financing, Inc.          
3.75%, 07/15/2029(a)   1,214,000    1,037,591 
Netflix, Inc.          
4.38%, 11/15/2026   955,000    953,969 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.          
3.13%, 09/01/2026(a)   1,000,000    945,405 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.          
2.63%, 04/15/2026   1,860,000    1,767,581 
WMG Acquisition Corp.          
3.75%, 12/01/2029(a)   955,000    877,077 
Total Communications        8,046,134 
           
Consumer Discretionary (14.64%)          
Air Canada          
3.88%, 08/15/2026(a)   1,053,000    982,897 
Aramark Services, Inc.          
6.38%, 05/01/2025(a)   1,053,000    1,072,712 
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.          
6.25%, 07/01/2025(a)   1,246,000    1,262,447 
DR Horton, Inc.          
4.38%, 09/15/2022   1,658,000    1,660,822 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC          
2.30%, 02/10/2025   1,423,000    1,328,282 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.          
5.00%, 05/31/2026   1,268,000    1,245,810 
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.          
3.75%, 05/01/2029(a)   1,155,000    1,059,424 
International Game Technology PLC          
6.50%, 02/15/2025(a)   1,091,000    1,118,242 
Las Vegas Sands Corp.          
3.20%, 08/08/2024   927,000    890,070 
Lennar Corp.          
4.75%, 11/29/2027   1,155,000    1,163,528 
MGM Resorts International          
6.00%, 03/15/2023   1,246,000    1,261,612 
Newell Brands, Inc.          
4.10%, 04/01/2023   382,000    382,065 
4.45%, 04/01/2026   955,000    955,191 
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.          
3.52%, 09/17/2025(a)   1,155,000    1,117,585 
PulteGroup, Inc.          
5.50%, 03/01/2026   1,538,000    1,608,407 
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.          
10.88%, 06/01/2023(a)   1,291,000    1,344,292 
Consumer Discretionary (continued)        
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.        
4.88%, 07/31/2024(a)  690,000   678,919 
Total Consumer Discretionary        19,132,305 
           
Consumer Staples (2.33%)          
Anheuser-Busch InBev          
Worldwide, Inc.          
4.75%, 01/23/2029   1,053,000    1,097,120 
JBS Finance Luxembourg Sarl          
2.50%, 01/15/2027(a)   955,000    855,695 
Spectrum Brands, Inc.          
5.75%, 07/15/2025   30,000    30,067 
US Foods, Inc.          
6.25%, 04/15/2025(a)   1,030,000    1,060,869 
Total Consumer Staples        3,043,751 
           
Energy (4.37%)          
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC          
7.00%, 06/30/2024   1,217,000    1,278,365 
DCP Midstream Operating LP          
5.38%, 07/15/2025   1,000,000    1,025,835 
EQM Midstream Partners LP          
4.75%, 07/15/2023   390,000    397,059 
Petroleos Mexicanos          
4.88%, 01/18/2024   1,020,000    1,018,557 
Reliance Industries, Ltd.          
4.13%, 01/28/2025(a)   945,000    953,674 
Schlumberger Holdings Corp.          
3.90%, 05/17/2028(a)   1,053,000    1,030,765 
Total Energy        5,704,255 
           
Financials (23.49%)          
Air Lease Corp.          
4.25%, 02/01/2024   963,000    967,587 
Ares Capital Corp.          
3.50%, 02/10/2023   1,158,000    1,161,369 
Avolon Holdings Funding, Ltd.          
2.53%, 11/18/2027(a)   1,085,000    938,458 
Bancolombia SA          
5.13%, 09/11/2022   951,000    953,349 
Bank of America Corp.          
4.25%, 10/22/2026   1,577,000    1,595,909 
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund          
3.63%, 01/15/2026   1,142,000    1,090,156 
Capital One Financial Corp.          
4.20%, 10/29/2025   1,053,000    1,060,488 
Citigroup, Inc.          
4.45%, 09/29/2027   1,577,000    1,584,156 
EPR Properties          
4.75%, 12/15/2026   1,000,000    981,220 
FS KKR Capital Corp.          
3.40%, 01/15/2026   1,155,000    1,080,008 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Financials (continued)        
GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II, Inc.        
3.35%, 09/01/2024  $927,000   $912,797 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.          
4.25%, 10/21/2025   1,577,000    1,599,611 
HAT Holdings I LLC / HAT Holdings II LLC          
3.38%, 06/15/2026(a)   1,074,000    993,772 
Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn          
Enterprises Finance Corp.          
4.75%, 09/15/2024   1,247,000    1,245,254 
Iron Mountain, Inc.          
4.88%, 09/15/2027(a)   1,104,000    1,089,289 
iStar, Inc.          
4.75%, 10/01/2024   1,299,000    1,295,753 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.          
4.25%, 10/01/2027   1,577,000    1,586,907 
MPT Operating Partnership LP /          
MPT Finance Corp.          
5.25%, 08/01/2026   927,000    930,135 
NatWest Markets PLC          
3.48%, 03/22/2025(a)   960,000    953,214 
Newmark Group, Inc.          
6.13%, 11/15/2023   1,227,000    1,240,454 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.          
4.38%, 08/01/2023   312,000    313,278 
5.25%, 01/15/2026   642,000    651,542 
OneMain Finance Corp.          
6.13%, 03/15/2024   1,246,000    1,277,499 
Park Aerospace Holdings, Ltd.          
5.25%, 08/15/2022(a)   26,000    26,056 
Santander Holdings USA, Inc.          
3.50%, 06/07/2024   478,000    475,943 
SBA Communications Corp.          
3.88%, 02/15/2027   1,475,000    1,446,120 
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.          
4.75%, 03/15/2025   955,000    946,439 
Synchrony Financial          
2.85%, 07/25/2022   985,000    985,354 
VICI Properties LP / VICI Note Co., Inc.          
4.25%, 12/01/2026(a)   1,367,000    1,300,072 
Total Financials        30,682,189 
           
Health Care (1.12%)          
DaVita, Inc.          
4.63%, 06/01/2030(a)   1,104,000    961,420 
HCA, Inc.          
5.38%, 02/01/2025   482,000    498,658 
Total Health Care        1,460,078 
           
Industrials (5.13%)          
Boeing Co.          
4.88%, 05/01/2025   1,155,000    1,167,847 
MasTec, Inc.          
4.50%, 08/15/2028(a)   1,069,000    1,020,679 
Industrials (continued)        
Sensata Technologies BV        
5.00%, 10/01/2025(a)  955,000   965,477 
Stericycle, Inc.          
5.38%, 07/15/2024(a)   1,001,000    1,003,267 
TransDigm, Inc.          
6.25%, 03/15/2026(a)   1,030,000    1,054,514 
WESCO Distribution, Inc.          
7.13%, 06/15/2025(a)   1,437,000    1,497,095 
Total Industrials        6,708,879 
           
Materials (13.01%)          
Alcoa Nederland Holding BV          
4.13%, 03/31/2029(a)   1,291,000    1,232,008 
ArcelorMittal SA          
3.60%, 07/16/2024   1,076,000    1,078,138 
Arconic Corp.          
6.00%, 05/15/2025(a)   1,053,000    1,081,957 
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC /          
Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.          
5.25%, 04/30/2025(a)   1,264,000    1,257,029 
Ball Corp.          
5.25%, 07/01/2025   798,000    814,977 
4.88%, 03/15/2026   482,000    488,013 
Berry Global, Inc.          
4.88%, 07/15/2026(a)   1,103,000    1,086,091 
Braskem Finance, Ltd.          
6.45%, 02/03/2024   1,269,000    1,332,139 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.          
3.88%, 03/15/2023   1,076,000    1,081,653 
5.00%, 09/01/2027   523,000    529,154 
Graphic Packaging International LLC          
4.88%, 11/15/2022   1,418,000    1,424,526 
Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.          
5.50%, 04/15/2024(a)   416,000    412,275 
Methanex Corp.          
5.13%, 10/15/2027   1,030,000    996,546 
NOVA Chemicals Corp.          
4.88%, 06/01/2024(a)   1,246,000    1,228,699 
Novelis Corp.          
3.25%, 11/15/2026(a)   1,000,000    919,915 
Sasol Financing International, Ltd.          
4.50%, 11/14/2022   555,000    556,138 
Sasol Financing USA LLC          
4.38%, 09/18/2026   642,000    589,870 
Standard Industries, Inc.          
3.38%, 01/15/2031(a)   1,053,000    889,674 
Total Materials        16,998,802 
           
Technology (4.00%)          
CDW LLC / CDW Finance Corp.          
3.57%, 12/01/2031   955,000    847,351 
Flex, Ltd.          
5.00%, 02/15/2023   1,267,000    1,282,722 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Schedule of Investments May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Security Description  Principal Amount   Value 
Technology (continued)        
Microchip Technology, Inc.        
4.25%, 09/01/2025  $1,069,000   $1,064,532 
NortonLifeLock, Inc.          
3.95%, 06/15/2022   137,000    137,000 
5.00%, 04/15/2025(a)   823,000    823,012 
Seagate HDD Cayman          
4.75%, 06/01/2023   1,053,000    1,070,338 
Total Technology        5,224,955 
           
Utilities (4.57%)          
AmeriGas Partners LP / AmeriGas          
Finance Corp.          
5.88%, 08/20/2026   1,074,000    1,094,857 
Calpine Corp.          
5.25%, 06/01/2026(a)   511,000    504,493 
NextEra Energy Operating          
Partners LP          
4.25%, 07/15/2024(a)   1,433,000    1,439,520 
NRG Energy, Inc.          
3.75%, 06/15/2024(a)   955,000    947,724 
6.63%, 01/15/2027   356,000    366,153 
Vistra Operations Co. LLC          
3.55%, 07/15/2024(a)   1,645,000    1,613,395 
Total Utilities        5,966,142 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS          
(Cost $108,474,521)        102,967,490 
           
GOVERNMENT BONDS (3.82%)          
U.S. Treasury Note          
2.50%, 05/31/2024   5,000,000    4,996,095 
TOTAL GOVERNMENT BONDS          
(Cost $4,994,727)        4,996,095 

 

   7 Day Yield   Shares   Value 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (20.24%)            
Money Market Fund               
State Street Institutional
Treasury Plus
Money Market Fund
   0.75%   26,445,753    26,445,753 
                
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS               
(Cost $26,445,753)             26,445,753 
                
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (102.88%)               
(Cost $139,915,001)            $134,409,338 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-2.88%)             (3,766,657)
NET ASSETS - 100.00%            $130,642,681 

 

(a)Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was 42,224,140, representing 32.32% of net assets.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 
ASSETS:                
Investments, at value  $77,805,927   $114,068,696   $36,127,355   $134,409,338 
Dividend receivable       328,544    52,419     
Interest receivable   498,066            1,278,795 
Receivable for investments sold               342 
Total Assets   78,303,993    114,397,240    36,179,774    135,688,475 
                     
LIABILITIES:                    
Payable to adviser   34,517    48,639    14,960    50,725 
Payable for investments purchased               4,995,069 
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned       1,291,293    241,204     
Total Liabilities   34,517    1,339,932    256,164    5,045,794 
NET ASSETS  $78,269,476   $113,057,308   $35,923,610   $130,642,681 
                     
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                    
Paid-in capital  $83,906,094   $85,702,090   $46,611,445   $147,793,256 
Total distributable earnings   (5,636,618)   27,355,218    (10,687,835)   (17,150,575)
NET ASSETS  $78,269,476   $113,057,308   $35,923,610   $130,642,681 
                     
INVESTMENTS, AT COST  $82,134,094   $100,333,939   $33,123,551   $139,915,001 
                     
PRICING OF SHARES                    
Net Assets  $78,269,476   $113,057,308   $35,923,610   $130,642,681 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share)   3,400,000    2,400,002    825,002    5,600,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $23.02   $47.11   $43.54   $23.33 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

   RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                
Interest  $1,081,653   $   $   $1,716,674 
Dividends(a)   13,795    2,275,963    358,459    19,190 
Securities Lending Income       11,600    2,196     
Total Investment Income   1,095,448    2,287,563    360,655    1,735,864 
                     
EXPENSES:                    
Investment adviser and sub-adviser fees (Note 3)   236,076    301,391    96,155    318,283 
Total Expenses   236,076    301,391    96,155    318,283 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   859,372    1,986,172    264,500    1,417,581 
                     
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)                    
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(b)   (1,252,081)   30,471,196    10,435,228    (1,331,165)
NET REALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)   (1,252,081)   30,471,196    10,435,228    (1,331,165)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (6,221,915)   (25,102,978)   (12,516,068)   (5,484,301)
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/(DEPRECIATION)   (6,221,915)   (25,102,978)   (12,516,068)   (5,484,301)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   (7,473,996)   5,368,218    (2,080,840)   (6,815,466)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(6,614,624)  $7,354,390   $(1,816,340)  $(5,397,885)

 

(a)Net of foreign tax withholding in the amounts of $–, $–, $– and $42, respectively.
(b)Includes realized gain or loss as a result of in-kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)  

For the

Year Ended

November 30,

2021

 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $859,372   $1,990,198 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (1,252,081)   2,564,824 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (6,221,915)   (6,289,006)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (6,614,624)   (1,733,984)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (2,635,978)   (1,962,506)
Total distributions   (2,635,978)   (1,962,506)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   595,048    17,914,173 
Shares redeemed   (30,947,841)   (9,068,318)
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions   (30,352,793)   8,845,855 
           
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (39,603,395)   5,149,365 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   117,872,871    112,723,506 
End of period  $78,269,476   $117,872,871 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   4,650,000    4,300,000 
Shares sold   25,000    700,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,275,000)   (350,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   3,400,000    4,650,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)  

For the

Year Ended

November 30, 2021

 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $1,986,172   $1,902,769 
Net realized gain   30,471,196    8,733,483 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (25,102,978)   15,974,138 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   7,354,390    26,610,390 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,649,659)   (1,936,954)
Total distributions   (1,649,659)   (1,936,954)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   27,111,743    4,577,634 
Shares redeemed   (52,283,359)   (30,021,042)
Net decrease from share transactions   (25,171,616)   (25,443,408)
           
Net decrease in net assets   (19,466,885)   (769,972)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   132,524,193    133,294,165 
End of period  $113,057,308   $132,524,193 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   2,950,002    3,600,002 
Shares sold   600,000    100,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,150,000)   (750,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   2,400,002    2,950,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

23 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)  

For the

Year Ended

November 30, 2021

 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $264,500   $604,208 
Net realized gain   10,435,228    10,365,533 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (12,516,068)   2,789,216 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,816,340)   13,758,957 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (224,944)   (679,274)
Total distributions   (224,944)   (679,274)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   14,523,047     
Shares redeemed   (28,292,821)   (32,744,774)
Net decrease from share transactions   (13,769,774)   (32,744,774)
           
Net decrease in net assets   (15,811,058)   (19,665,091)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   51,734,668    71,399,759 
End of period  $35,923,610   $51,734,668 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   1,125,002    1,900,002 
Shares sold   325,000     
Shares redeemed   (625,000)   (775,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   825,002    1,125,002 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)  

For the

Year Ended

November 30, 2021

 
OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income  $1,417,581   $2,793,818 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (1,331,165)   491,816 
Net change in unrealized depreciation   (5,484,301)   (1,547,122)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (5,397,885)   1,738,512 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:          
From distributable earnings   (1,664,530)   (3,171,669)
Total distributions   (1,664,530)   (3,171,669)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   1,839,643    43,888,656 
Shares redeemed   (7,027,733)   (18,545,978)
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions   (5,188,090)   25,342,678 
           
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets   (12,250,505)   23,909,521 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   142,893,186    118,983,665 
End of period  $130,642,681   $142,893,186 
           
OTHER INFORMATION:          
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Beginning shares   5,825,000    4,800,000 
Shares sold   75,000    1,775,000 
Shares redeemed   (300,000)   (750,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   5,600,000    5,825,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

25 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $25.35   $26.21   $25.22   $23.52   $24.60   $24.32 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.22    0.47    0.50    0.68    0.68    0.53 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (1.93)   (0.87)   0.99    1.70    (1.10)   0.23 
Total from investment operations   (1.71)   (0.40)   1.49    2.38    (0.42)   0.76 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.24)   (0.46)   (0.50)   (0.68)   (0.66)   (0.48)
From net realized gains   (0.38)                    
Total distributions   (0.62)   (0.46)   (0.50)   (0.68)   (0.66)   (0.48)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (2.33)   (0.86)   0.99    1.70    (1.08)   0.28 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $23.02   $25.35   $26.21   $25.22   $23.52   $24.60 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   (6.91)%   (1.51)%   5.97%   10.22%   (1.74)%   3.15%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $78,269   $117,873   $112,724   $134,951   $150,527   $47,962 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.51%(c)   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.86%(c)   1.83%   1.94%   2.74%   2.83%   2.15%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   57%   45%   11%   6%   15%   18%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $44.92   $37.03   $33.98   $31.19   $31.39   $26.59 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.80    0.62    0.56    0.65    0.73    0.63 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   2.06    7.90    3.08    2.81    (0.26)   4.76 
Total from investment operations   2.86    8.52    3.64    3.46    0.47    5.39 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.67)   (0.63)   (0.59)   (0.67)   (0.67)   (0.59)
Total distributions   (0.67)   (0.63)   (0.59)   (0.67)   (0.67)   (0.59)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   2.19    7.89    3.05    2.79    (0.20)   4.80 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $47.11   $44.92   $37.03   $33.98   $31.19   $31.39 
TOTAL RETURN(b)   6.39%   23.13%   10.92%   11.29%   1.45%   20.49%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $113,057   $132,524   $133,294   $130,828   $151,293   $59,644 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.52%(c)   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   3.43%(c)   1.47%   1.68%   2.05%   2.27%   2.19%
Portfolio turnover rate(d)   111%   0%   75%   64%   96%   54%

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

27 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

 

Financial Highlights For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $45.99   $37.58   $34.70   $32.79   $32.46   $26.84 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.33    0.42    0.45    0.48    0.44    0.31 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (2.50)   8.43    2.87(b)   1.93    0.27(b)   5.59 
Total from investment operations   (2.17)   8.85    3.32    2.41    0.71    5.90 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.28)   (0.44)   (0.44)   (0.50)   (0.38)   (0.28)
Total distributions   (0.28)   (0.44)   (0.44)   (0.50)   (0.38)   (0.28)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (2.45)   8.41    2.88    1.91    0.33    5.62 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $43.54   $45.99   $37.58   $34.70   $32.79   $32.46 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (4.73)%   23.65%   9.75%   7.49%   2.16%   22.08%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $35,924   $51,735   $71,400   $126,662   $152,464   $40,576 
                               
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.52%(d)   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.43%(d)   0.97%   1.34%   1.46%   1.30%   1.05%
Portfolio turnover rate(e)   168%   5%   99%   98%   152%   86%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized gain on investments per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) in the Statements of Operations for the period(s) presented, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

 

Financial Highlights For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented

 

   For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)   For the Year Ended November 30, 2021   For the Year Ended November 30, 2020   For the Year Ended November 30, 2019   For the Year Ended November 30, 2018   For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD  $24.53   $24.79   $24.69   $24.27   $25.21   $25.02 
                               
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                              
Net investment income(a)   0.24    0.55    0.81    0.94    1.06    1.11 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   (1.15)   (0.18)   0.13(b)   0.48    (0.92)   0.19 
Total from investment operations   (0.91)   0.37    0.94    1.42    0.14    1.30 
                               
DISTRIBUTIONS:                              
From net investment income   (0.29)   (0.63)   (0.84)   (1.00)   (1.08)   (1.11)
Total distributions   (0.29)   (0.63)   (0.84)   (1.00)   (1.08)   (1.11)
                               
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE   (1.20)   (0.26)   0.10    0.42    (0.94)   0.19 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD  $23.33   $24.53   $24.79   $24.69   $24.27   $25.21 
TOTAL RETURN(c)   (3.74)%   1.52%   3.95%   5.96%   0.57%   5.29%
                               
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                              
Net assets, end of period (000s)  $130,643   $142,893   $118,984   $167,889   $152,880   $337,769 
                               
Ratio of expenses excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.46%(d)   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   0.46%(d)   0.46%   0.46%   0.46%   0.17%(e)   0.16%(f)
Ratio of net investment income including expenses waiver/reimbursement to average net assets   2.05%(d)   2.23%   3.32%   3.83%   4.31%   4.41%
Portfolio turnover rate(g)   25%   50%   54%   44%   35%   32%

 

(a)Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)Net realized and unrealized gain on investments per share does not correlate to the aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) in the Statements of Operations for the period(s) presented, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio.
(c)Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)Effective November 1, 2018, the Fund’s management fee consists of a fee of 0.11% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.35% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser ceased its voluntary waiver effective November 1, 2018.
(f)Effective July 1, 2016, the Fund’s management fee consists of a fee of 0.16% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.30% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser voluntarily waived all of its 0.30% annual sub-advisory fee payable by the Fund until November 1, 2018.
(g)Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

29 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

1.ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of May 31, 2022, the Trust consists of nineteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF Fund is to seek to provide capital appreciation and dividend income. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF Fund is to seek to provide capital appreciation. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

The investment objective of the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.

 

Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 25,000 Shares (prior to October 1, 2021 in blocks of 50,000 Shares), each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities and/or cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of a Fund.

 

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

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

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

 

A. Portfolio Valuation

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

 

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

 

Corporate bonds and United States government bonds are typically valued at the mean between the evaluated bid and ask prices formulated by an independent pricing service.

 

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

 

30 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

B. Fair Value Measurements

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

 

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

 

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

 

Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued based on evaluated prices received from third party pricing vendors or from brokers who make markets in such securities. For corporate bonds, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as broker-supplied prices. When independent prices are unavailable or unreliable, debt securities may be valued utilizing pricing methodologies which consider similar factors that would be used by third party pricing vendors. Debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy but may be Level 3 depending on the circumstances. The RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund may invest a significant portion of their assets in below investment grade securities. The value of these securities can be more volatile due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer and is sensitive to changes in economic, market and regulatory conditions.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

31 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of May 31, 2022:

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $52,981,428   $   $52,981,428 
Government Bonds*       9,186,786        9,186,786 
Short Term Investments   15,637,713            15,637,713 
Total  $15,637,713   $62,168,214   $   $77,805,927 

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $112,627,481   $   $   $112,627,481 
Short Term Investments   1,441,215            1,441,215 
Total  $114,068,696   $   $   $114,068,696 

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Common Stocks*  $35,857,995   $   $   $35,857,995 
Short Term Investments   269,360            269,360 
Total  $36,127,355   $   $   $36,127,355 

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

Investments in Securities at Value  Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices   Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs   Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs   Total 
Corporate Bonds*  $   $102,967,490   $   $102,967,490 
Government Bonds*       4,996,095        4,996,095 
Short Term Investments   26,445,753            26,445,753 
Total  $26,445,753   $107,963,585   $   $134,409,338 

 

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

 

The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the six months ended May 31, 2022.

 

C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income

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

 

D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

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

 

E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

32 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain   Return of Capital 
November 30, 2021            
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $1,962,506   $   $ 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   1,936,954         
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   679,274         
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   3,171,669         

 

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

 

Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2021, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  $5,611,019   $11,582,063 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   12,308,600    11,857,380 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   7,097,858    2,743,833 

 

As of May 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:

 

   RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   RiverFront Dynamic US Flex- Cap ETF  

RiverFront

Strategic Income Fund

 
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)  $78,828   $17,459,471   $5,117,276   $32,539 
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)   (4,426,380)   (4,066,152)   (2,227,160)   (5,538,202)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)   (4,347,552)   13,393,319    2,890,116    (5,505,663)
Cost of investments for income tax purposes  $82,153,479   $100,675,377   $33,237,239   $139,915,001 

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and difference between premium amortization due to Accounting Standards Update 2017-08. In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

F. Income Taxes

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

 

As of and during the six months ended May 31, 2022, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

 

In addition, certain tax cost basis adjustments are finalized at fiscal year-end and therefore have not been determined as of May 31, 2022.

 

33 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

G. Lending of Portfolio Securities

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

 

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

 

The following is a summary of the Funds' securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of May 31, 2022:

 

Fund  Market Value of  Securities on Loan   Cash Collateral Received   Non-Cash Collateral Received  

Total Collateral Received

 

 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  $2,014,357   $1,291,293   $783,883   $2,075,176 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   451,149    241,204    234,565    475,769 

 

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Funds benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received. As of May 31, 2022, Riverfront Dynamic Core Income Fund ETF and the Riverfront Strategic Income Fund did not have any securities on loan.

 

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of May 31, 2022:

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   Greater than 90 days   Total 
Common Stocks  $1,291,293   $   $   $   $1,291,293 
Total Borrowings                       1,291,293 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)              $1,291,293 

 

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements

 

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight & Continuous   Up to 30 days    30-90 days     Greater than 90 days    Total 
Common Stocks  $241,204   $   $   $   $241,204 
Total Borrowings                       241,204 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         $241,204 

 

 

34 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

Fund Advisory Fee
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.51%(a)
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 0.52%(b)
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 0.52%(b)
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 0.11%

 

(a)The unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 0.51% for average net assets up to $600 million, (ii) 0.48% for average net assets equal to or greater than $600 million.
(b)The unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 0.52% for average net assets up to $600 million, (ii) 0.49% for average net assets equal to or greater than $600 million.

 

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

 

RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as each Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Sub-Advisory Agreement’’). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser’s advisory fee for the services it provides besides RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, in which the Fund directly pays the Sub-Adviser. The fee is payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below:

 

Fund Sub-Advisory Fee
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.35%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 0.35%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 0.35%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 0.35%

 

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

 

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

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $24,164,135   $25,148,325 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   69,421,614    70,595,035 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   34,186,081    34,098,302 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   7,615,295    10,461,045 

 

35 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of U.S. Government security purchases and proceeds from U.S. Government security sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $   $12,632,780 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   6,824,566    9,054,157 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $553,993   $20,807,017 
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   27,084,333    50,577,677 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   14,496,414    28,241,956 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   1,800,743    6,925,870 

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2022, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:

 

Fund  Net Realized Gain/(Loss) 
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  $(104,187)
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   17,684,323 
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   7,440,304 
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   (319,583)

 

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

 

5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

6. MARKET RISK

 

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

 

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

 

36 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The report of Deloitte on the Funds’ financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Funds’ fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Funds and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Funds for such year or period. During the Funds’ fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During each Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and during the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Funds, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Funds, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Funds’ Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Funds approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for each Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Funds’ former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

37 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Additional Information May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

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

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

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

 

  Qualified Dividend Income Dividend Received Deduction
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.00% 0.00%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 100.00% 97.31%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 100.00% 100.00%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund 0.00% 0.00%

 

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

 

38 | May 31, 2022

   

 

RiverFront ETFs

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program May 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”), the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) has established a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk for each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Committee (the “Committee”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Trust’s investment adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Committee to oversee the Program.

 

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and assessing and managing the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Program includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity and, for Funds that are not “In-Kind ETFs,” the periodic classification and re-classification of such Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2022, the Trustees received a report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the Program for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “Period”). The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has been operating effectively to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk and has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and (as applicable) respond to the Funds’ liquidity developments.

 

The Committee reported that during the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Period, including extended market holidays and closures in certain countries. Among other things, the Committee’s report noted that no Fund is required to have a highly liquid investment minimum based either on its status as an In-Kind ETF or on its ability to rely on another exemption under the Liquidity Rule. The Committee’s report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

39 | May 31, 2022

   

 

 

 

 

(b)Not applicable

 

Item 2.Code of Ethics.

 

Not Applicable to this Report.

 

Item 3.Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not Applicable to this Report.

 

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not Applicable to this Report.

 

 

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

Item 6.Investments.

 

(a)       Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

(b)       Not applicable

 

Item 7.Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

Item 8.Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

 

Item 9.Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable to Registrant.

 

Item 10.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

No material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees have been implemented after the Registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

 

Item 11.Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

 

(b)There was no change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 13.Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)Not applicable to this Report.

 

(a)(2)The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.Cert.

 

(a)(3)Not applicable.

 

(a)(4)

Letter from Deloitte & Touche, LLP.

 

  

(i) Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. The report of Deloitte on the Funds’ financial statements as of and for the fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Funds’ fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and through March 31, 2022, there were no disagreements between the Funds and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Funds for such year or period. During the Funds’ fiscal years or periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

During each Fund’s fiscal year or period ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, and the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2022, neither the Funds, nor anyone on their behalf, consulted with Deloitte, on behalf of the Funds, regarding any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

On June 21, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Funds’ Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Funds approved the engagement of BBD, LLP (“BBD”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for each Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. The Board and its Audit Committee considered the engagement of BBD in connection with the resignation of the Funds’ former independent registered accounting firm on March 31, 2022.

 

(b)The certifications by the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906Cert.

 

-3-

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

 

By: /s/ Laton Spahr  
  Laton Spahr (Principal Executive Officer)  
  President  
     
Date: August 5, 2022  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  /s/ Laton Spahr  
  Laton Spahr (Principal Executive Officer)  
  President  
     
Date: August 5, 2022  
     
By: /s/ Kathryn Burns  
  Kathryn Burns (Principal Financial Officer)  
  Treasurer  
     
Date: August 5, 2022  

 

-4-