N-CSRS 1 fp0073599_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 811-22668

 

ETF Series Solutions
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Kristina R. Nelson

ETF Series Solutions

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

(414) 765-6076

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 

Date of fiscal year end: June 30

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2021

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a) 

 

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Ticker: MAGA

Semi-Annual Report

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

Letter to Shareholders

1

Portfolio Allocation

3

Schedule of Investments

4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

11

Statement of Operations

12

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

13

Financial Highlights

14

Notes to Financial Statements

15

Expense Example

23

Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program

24

Approval of Advisory Agreement and Board Considerations

25

Federal Tax Information

28

Information About Portfolio Holdings

28

Information About Proxy Voting

28

Information About the Fund’s Trustees

29

Frequency Distribution of Premiums and Discounts

29

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Letter to Shareholders

(Unaudited)

 

 

Dear Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker Shareholders,

 

On behalf of the entire team, we want to express our appreciation for the confidence you have placed in the Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF (“MAGA” or the “Fund”). The following information pertains to the period of July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

The Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker Index (the “Index”), an equal-weight custom index derived from holdings in the S&P 500® Index and developed by Point Bridge Capital, LLC (the “Advisor” and “Index Provider”). This index strategy represents a portfolio of holdings from the S&P 500® Index that are highly supportive of Republican candidates for federal office, including President, Vice President, Congress, and other Republican Party-affiliated groups as determined by a rules-based methodology. The methodology includes screening Federal Election Commission (FEC) electoral campaign contribution data from the two most recent election cycles. Companies that satisfy an initial screening are ranked on a proprietary screening process based primarily on the total net dollars and the net percentage of dollars given by a company’s employees and/or political action committee(s) (“PAC(s)”) to Republican Candidates and Republican Committees versus Democratic Candidates and Committees.

 

The Fund had positive performance during the current fiscal period. The market price for MAGA increased 9.35% and the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) increased 9.30%, while the S&P 500® Index, a broad market index, gained 11.67% over the same period. The Fund’s Index returned 9.74%. Outstanding shares ended the current fiscal period at 350,000.

 

For the current fiscal period, the largest positive contributor to return was Devon Energy Corporation (DVN), adding 0.38% to the return of the Fund, with an absolute return of 56.59% and an average weighting of 0.83%. The second-largest contributor to return was Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL), adding 0.27% to the return of the Fund, gaining 41.38% with an average weighting of 0.78%. The third-largest contributor to return was Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR), adding 0.31% to the return of the Fund, gaining 41.23% with an average weighting of 0.78%.

 

For the current fiscal period, the largest negative contributor to return was Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN), detracting 0.19% from the return of the Fund, declining 32.21% with an average weighting of 0.60%. The second-largest detractor was Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. (NCLH), reducing the Fund return by 0.22%, and declining 29.48% with an average weighting of 0.64%. The third-largest negative contributor to return was Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS), detracting 0.20% from the return of the Fund, and declining 28.56% with an average weight of 0.62%.

 

1

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Letter to Shareholders

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

For the current fiscal period, the sector that most positively contributed to return was Industrials, contributing 2.14%, followed by Materials, adding 1.63%. The sector that detracted the most to return was Consumer Staples, increasing returns by 0.13%, followed by Information Technology, contributing 0.22% to the return.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hal Lambert
Chief Executive Officer, Point Bridge Capital
Advisor to the Fund

 

Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

The Performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemptions of Fund shares. The total operating expenses as stated in the fee table to the Fund’s prospectus dated October 31, 2021, is 0.72%. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-800-617-0004.

 

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. Index composition is heavily dependent on quantitative models and data supplied by third parties. Where such models and data are incorrect or incomplete, the composition of the Index will reflect such errors and likewise the Fund’s portfolio. Because the methodology of the Index selects securities of issuers for nonfinancial reasons, the Fund may underperform the broader equity market or other funds that do not utilize similar criteria when selecting investments. The Fund is not actively managed and therefore would not sell shares of an equity security unless that security is removed from the Index or the selling of shares is otherwise required upon a rebalancing of the Index. Real Estate investments are subject to changes in economic conditions, credit risk, and interest rate fluctuations.

 

Indexes are unmanaged statistical composites and their returns do not include fees an investor would pay to purchase the securities they represent. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker Index uses an objective, rules-based methodology to track the performance of companies whose employees and political action committees (“PACs”) are highly supportive of Republican candidates for election to the United States Congress, the Vice Presidency, or the Presidency (“Candidates”) and party affiliated federal committees or groups that are subject to federal campaign contribution limits (e.g., Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, “Committees”). The Index is composed of the common stock of public operating companies and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

 

The S&P 500® Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general.

 

2

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Portfolio Allocation

As of December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

Sector

 

Percentage of
Net Assets

 

Industrial

    21.2 %

Consumer, Cyclical

    16.7  

Consumer, Non-Cyclical

    15.0  

Energy

    12.7  

Financial

    11.7  

Utilities

    10.6  

Basic Materials

    10.5  

Communications

    0.7  

Technology

    0.7  

Short-Term Investments

    0.1  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

    0.1  

Total

    100.0 %

 

3

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8%

       
       

Aerospace/Defense — 1.5%

       
    3,229  

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.

  $ 102,779  
    164  

TransDigm Group, Inc. (a)

    104,350  
              207,129  
       

Agriculture — 1.5%

       
    2,210  

Altria Group, Inc.

    104,732  
    1,570  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

    106,116  
              210,848  
       

Airlines — 1.5%

       
    5,535  

American Airlines Group, Inc. (a)

    99,409  
    2,375  

Southwest Airlines Company (a)

    101,745  
              201,154  
       

Auto Manufacturers — 0.7%

       
    1,090  

PACCAR, Inc.

    96,203  
                 
       

Banks — 5.0%

       
    1,151  

Comerica, Inc.

    100,137  
    2,221  

Fifth Third Bancorp

    96,725  
    6,526  

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

    100,631  
    4,332  

KeyCorp

    100,199  
    4,484  

Regions Financial Corporation

    97,751  
    1,677  

Truist Financial Corporation

    98,188  
    1,577  

Zions Bancorporation

    99,603  
              693,234  
       

Beverages — 0.7%

       
    2,156  

Molson Coors Beverage Company - Class B

    99,931  
                 
       

Building Materials — 2.2%

       
    222  

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

    97,796  
    1,451  

Masco Corporation

    101,889  
    474  

Vulcan Materials Company

    98,393  
              298,078  
       

Chemicals — 7.4%

       
    330  

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

    100,406  
    379  

Albemarle Corporation

    88,599  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% (Continued)

       
       

Chemicals — 7.4% (Continued)

       
    619  

Celanese Corporation

  $ 104,029  
    1,593  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    112,752  
    849  

Eastman Chemical Company

    102,653  
    899  

FMC Corporation

    98,791  
    298  

Linde plc

    103,236  
    1,109  

LyondellBasell Industries NV - Class A

    102,283  
    2,647  

Mosaic Company

    104,001  
    610  

PPG Industries, Inc.

    105,188  
              1,021,938  
       

Commercial Services — 4.4%

       
    212  

Cintas Corporation

    93,952  
    792  

Global Payments, Inc.

    107,062  
    871  

Quanta Services, Inc.

    99,869  
    3,123  

Rollins, Inc.

    106,838  
    286  

United Rentals, Inc. (a)

    95,035  
    429  

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

    98,125  
              600,881  
       

Distribution/Wholesale — 2.2%

       
    667  

Copart, Inc. (a)

    101,130  
    1,555  

Fastenal Company

    99,613  
    1,720  

LKQ Corporation

    103,252  
              303,995  
       

Diversified Financial Services — 0.7%

       
    2,928  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    98,059  
                 
       

Electric — 9.1%

       
    1,692  

Alliant Energy Corporation

    104,007  
    1,186  

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

    105,518  
    3,575  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    99,778  
    1,312  

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    103,071  
    927  

Entergy Corporation

    104,427  
    1,489  

Evergy, Inc.

    102,160  
    1,804  

Exelon Corporation

    104,199  
    2,515  

FirstEnergy Corporation

    104,599  
    1,104  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    103,070  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% (Continued)

       
       

Electric — 9.1% (Continued)

       
    1,503  

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

  $ 106,097  
    3,468  

PPL Corporation

    104,248  
    1,531  

Southern Company

    104,996  
              1,246,170  
       

Electrical Components & Equipment — 0.7%

       
    1,076  

Emerson Electric Company

    100,036  
                 
       

Electronics — 1.5%

    475  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    99,042  
    1,157  

Trimble, Inc. (a)

    100,879  
              199,921  
       

Entertainment — 0.8%

       
    2,035  

Penn National Gaming, Inc. (a)

    105,515  
                 
       

Environmental Control — 1.5%

       
    718  

Republic Services, Inc.

    100,125  
    605  

Waste Management, Inc.

    100,975  
              201,100  
       

Food — 1.5%

       
    732  

J.M. Smucker Company

    99,420  
    1,352  

Sysco Corporation

    106,200  
              205,620  
       

Forest Products & Paper — 0.7%

       
    2,171  

International Paper Company

    101,994  
                 
       

Gas — 1.6%

       
    1,041  

Atmos Energy Corporation

    109,065  
    3,844  

NiSource, Inc.

    106,133  
              215,198  
       

Hand/Machine Tools — 0.7%

       
    512  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    96,573  
                 
       

Healthcare-Products — 5.4%

       
    325  

ABIOMED, Inc. (a)

    116,730  
    249  

Cooper Companies, Inc.

    104,316  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

6

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% (Continued)

       
       

Healthcare-Products — 5.4% (Continued)

       
    381  

ResMed, Inc.

  $ 99,243  
    424  

STERIS plc

    103,206  
    310  

Teleflex, Inc.

    101,829  
    292  

Waters Corporation (a)

    108,799  
    800  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    101,632  
              735,755  
       

Healthcare-Services — 0.8%

       
    345  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (a)

    108,402  
                 
       

Home Builders — 2.9%

       
    886  

DR Horton, Inc.

    96,087  
    831  

Lennar Corporation - Class A

    96,529  
    17  

NVR, Inc. (a)

    100,451  
    1,773  

PulteGroup, Inc.

    101,344  
              394,411  
       

Home Furnishings — 0.7%

       
    433  

Whirlpool Corporation

    101,608  
                 
       

Insurance — 2.9%

       
    345  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. - Class B (a)

    103,155  
    856  

Cincinnati Financial Corporation

    97,524  
    646  

Travelers Companies, Inc.

    101,054  
    1,232  

W.R. Berkley Corporation

    101,504  
              403,237  
       

Iron/Steel — 0.7%

       
    880  

Nucor Corporation

    100,452  
                 
       

Leisure Time — 0.7%

       
    4,516  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. (a)

    93,662  
                 
       

Lodging — 0.7%

       
    2,647  

Las Vegas Sands Corporation (a)

    99,633  
                 
       

Machinery-Construction & Mining — 0.7%

       
    489  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    101,096  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

7

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% (Continued)

       
       

Machinery-Diversified — 0.7%

       
    1,095  

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation

  $ 100,860  
                 
       

Mining — 1.6%

       
    2,598  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    108,415  
    1,776  

Newmont Corporation

    110,147  
              218,562  
       

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 4.4%

       
    1,192  

A.O. Smith Corporation

    102,333  
    585  

Eaton Corporation plc

    101,100  
    401  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    98,967  
    305  

Parker-Hannifin Corporation

    97,026  
    1,321  

Textron, Inc.

    101,981  
    491  

Trane Technologies plc

    99,197  
              600,604  
       

Oil & Gas — 9.9%

       
    3,738  

APA Corporation

    100,515  
    1,357  

ConocoPhillips

    97,948  
    4,769  

Coterra Energy, Inc.

    90,611  
    2,297  

Devon Energy Corporation

    101,183  
    897  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    96,741  
    1,112  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    98,779  
    1,542  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    94,355  
    1,260  

Hess Corporation

    93,278  
    5,989  

Marathon Oil Corporation

    98,339  
    1,527  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    97,713  
    3,239  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

    93,898  
    1,341  

Phillips 66

    97,169  
    528  

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

    96,033  
    1,373  

Valero Energy Corporation

    103,126  
              1,359,688  
       

Oil & Gas Services — 0.7%

       
    4,165  

Halliburton Company

    95,254  
                 
       

Packaging & Containers — 2.2%

       
    1,066  

Ball Corporation

    102,624  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

8

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% (Continued)

       
       

Packaging & Containers — 2.2% (Continued)

       
    1,493  

Sealed Air Corporation

  $ 100,733  
    2,284  

WestRock Company

    101,318  
              304,675  
       

Pharmaceuticals — 0.8%

       
    809  

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

    107,508  
                 
       

Pipelines — 2.1%

       
    6,167  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    97,809  
    1,566  

ONEOK, Inc.

    92,018  
    3,743  

Williams Companies, Inc.

    97,468  
              287,295  
       

Real Estate — 3.0%

       
    470  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    104,791  
    5,992  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (a)

    104,201  
    280  

Public Storage

    104,877  
    1,327  

Regency Centers Corporation

    99,989  
              413,858  
       

Retail — 5.8%

       
    405  

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

    97,152  
    49  

AutoZone, Inc. (a)

    102,723  
    1,304  

Bath & Body Works, Inc.

    91,006  
    687  

Dollar Tree, Inc. (a)

    96,537  
    186  

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

    104,965  
    367  

McDonald’s Corporation

    98,382  
    415  

Tractor Supply Company

    99,019  
    706  

Walmart, Inc.

    102,151  
              791,935  
       

Shipbuilding — 0.7%

       
    536  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    100,093  
                 
       

Software — 0.7%

       
    237  

Paycom Software, Inc. (a)

    98,400  
                 
       

Telecommunications — 0.7%

       
    376  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    102,159  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

9

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% (Continued)

       
       

Textiles — 0.7%

       
    558  

Mohawk Industries, Inc. (a)

  $ 101,656  
                 
       

Transportation — 4.4%

       
    2,713  

CSX Corporation

    102,010  
    404  

FedEx Corporation

    104,490  
    502  

JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    102,609  
    280  

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

    100,346  
    392  

Union Pacific Corporation

    98,757  
    476  

United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B

    102,026  
              610,238  
       

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $11,596,697)

    13,734,618  
                 
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.1%

       
    15,341  

First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 0.03% (b)

    15,341  
       

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $15,341)

    15,341  
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9% (Cost $11,612,038)

    13,749,959  
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.1%

    8,843  
       

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

  $ 13,758,802  

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2021.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

10

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

ASSETS

       

Investments in securities, at value (Cost $11,612,038)

  $ 13,749,959  

Dividends and interest receivable

    17,048  

Total assets

    13,767,007  
         

LIABILITIES

       

Management fees payable

    8,205  

Total liabilities

    8,205  
         

NET ASSETS

  $ 13,758,802  
         

Net Assets Consist of:

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 12,639,949  

Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)

    1,118,853  

Net assets

  $ 13,758,802  
         

Net Asset Value:

       

Net assets

  $ 13,758,802  

Shares outstanding^

    350,000  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

  $ 39.31  

 

^

No par value, unlimited number of shares authorized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

11

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Statement of Operations

For the Six-Months Ended December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

INCOME

       

Dividends*

  $ 132,356  

Interest

    6  

Total investment income

    132,362  
         

EXPENSES

       

Management fees

    47,902  

Total expenses

    47,902  

Net investment income (loss)

    84,460  
         

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

       

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    575,718  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    555,239  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    1,130,957  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 1,215,417  

 

*

Net of foreign taxes withheld of $357

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   

Six-Months Ended
December 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
June 30, 2021

 

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 84,460     $ 151,961  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    575,718       1,152,911  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    555,239       2,871,861  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1,215,417       4,176,733  
                 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

               

Net distributions to shareholders

    (95,679 )     (249,189 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (95,679 )     (249,189 )
                 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    1,831,830       3,372,290  

Payments for shares redeemed

    (1,871,288 )     (3,023,572 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions (a)

    (39,458 )     348,718  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

  $ 1,080,280     $ 4,276,262  
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period/year

  $ 12,678,522     $ 8,402,260  

End of period/year

  $ 13,758,802     $ 12,678,522  

 

(a)

Summary of capital share transactions is as follows:

 

   

Shares

   

Shares

 

Shares sold

    50,000       100,000  

Shares redeemed

    (50,000 )     (100,000 )

Net increase (decrease)

           

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Financial Highlights

For a capital share outstanding throughout each period/year

 

 

   

Period Ended
December 31,
2021

   

Year Ended June 30,

   

Period Ended
June 30,

 
   

(Unaudited)

   

2021

   

2020

   

2019

   

2018 (1)

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

  $ 36.22     $ 24.01     $ 27.39     $ 27.35     $ 25.00  
                                         

INCOME (LOSS)FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                       

Net investment income (loss) (2)

    0.24       0.47       0.48       0.52       0.34  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (3)

    3.12       12.51       (3.23 )     0.02       2.13  

Total from investment operations

    3.36       12.98       (2.75 )     0.54       2.47  
                                         

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

                                       

Distributions from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.27 )     (0.77 )     (0.63 )     (0.50 )     (0.11 )

Net realized gains

                            (0.01 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.27 )     (0.77 )     (0.63 )     (0.50 )     (0.12 )
                                         

Net asset value, end of period/year

  $ 39.31     $ 36.22     $ 24.01     $ 27.39     $ 27.35  
                                         

Total return

    9.30 %(4)     54.82 %     -10.44 %     2.26 %     9.88 %(4)
                                         

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

                                       

Net assets at end of period/year (000’s)

  $ 13,759     $ 12,679     $ 8,402     $ 16,433     $ 38,978  
                                         

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:

                                       

Expenses to average net assets

    0.72 %(5)     0.72 %     0.72 %     0.72 %     0.72 %(5)

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.27 %(5)     1.54 %     1.83 %     1.95 %     1.50 %(5)
                                         

Portfolio turnover rate (6)

    9 %(4)     68 %     27 %     37 %     14 %(4)

 

(1)

Commencement of operations on September 6, 2017.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(3)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share in this caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gain (loss) in the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the period.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

14

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of ETF Series Solutions (“ESS” or the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company consisting of multiple investment series, organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 9, 2012. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company and the offering of the Fund’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker Index (the “Index”). The Fund commenced operations on September 6, 2017.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is December 31, 2021, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six-month period from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services - Investment Companies.

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

 

A.

Security Valuation. All equity securities, including domestic and foreign common stocks, preferred stocks and exchange traded funds that are traded on a national securities exchange, except those listed on the Nasdaq Global Market®, Nasdaq Global Select Market®, and the Nasdaq Capital Market® (collectively, “Nasdaq”), are valued at the last reported sale price on the exchange on which the security is principally traded. Securities traded on Nasdaq will be valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If, on a particular day, an exchange-traded or Nasdaq security does not trade, then the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices will be used. All equity securities that are not traded on a listed exchange are valued at the last sale price in the over-the-counter market. If a non-exchange traded security does not trade on a particular day, then the mean between the last quoted closing bid and asked price will be used. Prices denominated in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents at the current exchange rate, which approximates fair value.

 

15

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Investments in mutual funds, including money market funds, are valued at their net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at their respective fair values in accordance with pricing procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When a security is “fair valued,” consideration is given to the facts and circumstances relevant to the particular situation, including a review of various factors set forth in the pricing procedures adopted by the Board. The use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the NAV of its shares to differ significantly from the NAV that would be calculated without regard to such considerations.

 

As described above, the Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuations methods. The three levels of inputs are:

 

 

Level 1 –

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

 

 

Level 2 –

Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

 

 

Level 3 –

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available; representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

16

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of the end of the current fiscal period:

 

Assets^

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 13,734,618     $     $     $ 13,734,618  

Short-Term Investments

    15,341                   15,341  

Total Investments in Securities

  $ 13,749,959     $     $     $ 13,749,959  

 

^

See Schedule of Investments for breakout of investments by industry group.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund did not recognize any transfers to or from Level 3.

 

 

B.

Federal Income Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. The Fund plans to file U.S. Federal and various state and local tax returns.

 

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Management has analyzed the Fund’s uncertain tax positions and concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions. Management 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. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits on uncertain tax positions as income tax expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the current fiscal period, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

 

C.

Security Transactions and Investment Income. Investment securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains and losses realized from investment transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividend income and expense is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

17

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if any, have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations. Interest income and expense is recorded on an accrual basis.

 

Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain, or a return of capital. The proper characterization of REIT distributions is generally not known until after the end of each calendar year. As such, the Fund must use estimates in reporting the character of its income and distributions received during the current calendar year for financial statement purposes. The actual character of distributions to a Fund’s shareholders will be reflected on the Form 1099 received by shareholders after the end of the calendar year. Due to the nature of REIT investments, a portion of the distributions received by a Fund’s shareholders may represent a return of capital.

 

 

D.

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains on securities are declared and paid by the Fund on at least an annual basis. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

 

E.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the current fiscal period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

F.

Share Valuation. The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund, plus cash and other assets, minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund. The Fund’s shares will not be priced on the days on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is closed for trading. The offering and redemption price per share of the Fund is equal to the Fund’s NAV per share.

 

 

G.

Guarantees and Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

18

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

H.

Reclassification of Capital Accounts. U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share and are primarily due to differing book and tax treatments for in-kind transactions. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the following table shows the reclassifications made:

 

 

Distributable Earnings
(Accumulated Deficit)

   

Paid-In Capital

 
    $(795,437)       $795,437  

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the Fund realized $795,437 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions, in which shareholders exchanged Fund shares for securities held by the Fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the Fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) to paid-in capital.

 

 

I.

Subsequent Events. In preparing these financial statements, management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no events or transactions that occurred during the period subsequent to the end of the current fiscal period, that materially impacted the amounts or disclosures in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

NOTE 3 – COMMITMENTS AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Point Bridge Capital, LLC (the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser and index provider to the Fund. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser provides investment advice to the Fund and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fund, subject to the direction and control of the Board and the officers of the Trust. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is also responsible for arranging, in consultation with Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), transfer agency, custody, fund administration, and all other related services necessary for the Fund to operate. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of the Fund, except for: the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, interest charges on any borrowings, dividends and other expenses on securities sold short, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees

 

19

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution (12b-1) fees and expenses. For services provided to the Fund, the Fund pays the Adviser 0.72% at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services” or “Administrator”), acts as the Fund’s Administrator and, in that capacity, performs various administrative and accounting services for the Fund. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Fund, including regulatory compliance monitoring and financial reporting; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the trustees; monitors the activities of the Fund’s Custodian, transfer agent and fund accountant. Fund Services also serves as the transfer agent to the Fund. U.S. Bank N.A. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of Fund Services, serves as the Fund’s Custodian.

 

A Trustee and all officers of the Trust are affiliated with the Administrator and Custodian.

 

NOTE 4 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

During the current fiscal period, purchases and sales of securities by the Fund, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were $1,237,006 and $1,215,946, respectively.

 

During the current fiscal period, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

During the current fiscal period, in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions were $1,835,383 and $1,882,986, respectively.

 

NOTE 5 – INCOME TAX INFORMATION

 

The amount and character of tax basis distributions and composition of net assets, including distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined for the current fiscal period.

 

20

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The components of distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) and cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes as of June 30, 2021, were as follows:

 

Tax cost of investments

  $ 11,162,970  

Gross tax unrealized appreciation

  $ 1,839,055  

Gross tax unrealized depreciation

    (331,183 )

Net tax unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,507,872  

Undistributed ordinary income

    2,581  

Undistributed long-term capital gain (loss)

     

Other accumulated gain (loss)

    (1,511,338 )

Distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)

  $ (885 )

 

The difference between the cost basis for financial statements and federal income tax purposes is primarily attributable to wash sales.

 

A regulated investment company may elect for any taxable year to treat any portion of any qualified late year loss as arising on the first day of the next taxable year. Qualified late year losses are certain capital and ordinary losses which occur during the portion of the Fund’s taxable year subsequent to October 31 and December 31, respectively. For the taxable year ended June 30, 2021 the Fund did not elect to defer any Post-October losses or late-year ordinary losses.

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Fund had a short-term capital loss carryforward of $137,780 and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $1,373,558. These amounts do not have an expiration date. During the current fiscal period, the Fund utilized $194,752 of short-term capital loss carryforward and $143,198 of long-term capital loss carryforward.

 

The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was $249,189 and $361,110 of ordinary income, respectively.

 

NOTE 6 – SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc (“Cboe”). Market prices for the shares may be different from their NAV. The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV generally in blocks of 25,000 shares, called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified universe. Once created, shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. Shares of the Fund may only be purchased or redeemed by certain financial institutions

 

21

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

(“Authorized Participants”). An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a Depository Trust Company participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Most retail investors do not qualify as Authorized Participants nor have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they are unable to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund. Rather, most retail investors may purchase shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and are subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees.

 

The Fund currently offers one class of shares, which has no front-end sales load, no deferred sales charge, and no redemption fee. A fixed transaction fee is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the creation or redemption of Creation Units. The standard fixed transaction fee for the Fund is $250, payable to the Custodian. The fixed transaction fee may be waived on certain orders if the Fund’s Custodian has determined to waive some or all of the costs associated with the order or another party, such as the Adviser, has agreed to pay such fee. In addition, a variable fee, payable to the Fund, may be charged on all cash transactions or substitutes for Creation Units of up to a maximum of 2% as a percentage of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction. Variable fees are imposed to compensate the Fund for the transaction costs associated with the cash transactions fees. Variable fees received by the Fund, if any, are displayed in the Capital Share Transactions section of the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, with no par value. Shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.

 

NOTE 7 – RISK

 

Covid-19 Risk. The recent global outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted economic markets and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain. The operational and financial performance of the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, and such uncertainty may in turn impact the value of the Fund’s investments.

 

22

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Expense Example

For the Six-Months Ended December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of Fund shares, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This example is 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 period and held for the entire six-month period as indicated in the following Expense Example Table.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the table provides information about actual account values based on actual returns and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid 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 the Period’’ to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values based on a hypothetical return and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual returns. 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 the 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. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares. 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. If these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

Beginning
Account Value
July 1, 2021

Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2021

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
(1)

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,093.00

$3.80

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,021.58

$3.67

 

(1)

The dollar amounts shown as expenses paid during the period are equal to the annualized expense ratio, 0.72%, multiplied by the average account value during the period, multiplied by 184/365, to reflect the one-half year period.

 

23

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program

(Unaudited)

 

 

Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Trust, on behalf of the series of the Trust covered by this shareholder report (the “Series”), has adopted a liquidity risk management program to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk. Rule 22e-4 seeks to promote effective liquidity risk management, thereby reducing the risk that a fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations and mitigating dilution of the interests of fund shareholders. The Trust’s liquidity risk management program is tailored to reflect the Series’ particular risks, but not to eliminate all adverse impacts of liquidity risk, which would be incompatible with the nature of such Series.

 

The investment adviser to the Series has adopted and implemented its own written liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) tailored specifically to assess and manage the liquidity risk of the Series.

 

At a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Trustees received a report pertaining to the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Program for the period ended December 31, 2020. The report concluded that the Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Series’ liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively to manage such risk. The report reflected that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Series’ ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.

 

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the prospectus for more information regarding the Series’ exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Series may be subject.

 

24

 

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement and Board Considerations

(Unaudited)

 

 

Pursuant to Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), at a meeting held July 21-22, 2021 (the “Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ETF Series Solutions (the “Trust”) considered the approval of the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between Point Bridge Capital, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF (the “Fund”).

 

Prior to the Meeting, the Board, including the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed written materials from the Adviser (the “Materials”) regarding, among other things: (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Adviser; (ii) the historical performance of the Fund; (iii) the cost of the services provided and the profits realized by the Adviser from services rendered to the Fund; (iv) comparative fee and expense data for the Fund and other investment companies with similar investment objectives; (v) the extent to which any economies of scale realized by the Adviser in connection with its services to the Fund are shared with Fund shareholders; and (vi) other factors the Board deemed to be relevant.

 

The Board also considered that the Adviser, along with other service providers of the Fund, presented written information to help the Board evaluate the Adviser’s fees and other aspects of the Advisory Agreement. Additionally, a representative from the Adviser provided an oral overview of the Fund’s strategy, the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser, and additional information about the Adviser’s personnel and business. The Board then discussed the written materials and oral presentation that it had received and any other information that the Board received at the Meeting and deliberated on the approval of the Advisory Agreement in light of this information.

 

Approval of the Continuation of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided. The Trustees considered the scope of services provided under the Advisory Agreement, noting that the Adviser would continue to provide investment management services to the Fund. In considering the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board considered the quality of the Adviser’s compliance program and past reports from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Board also considered its previous experience with the Adviser providing investment management services to the Fund. The Board noted that it had received a copy of the Adviser’s registration form, as well as the response of the Adviser to a detailed series of questions which included, among other things, information about the background and experience of the firm’s key personnel, the firm’s cybersecurity policy, and the services provided by the Adviser.

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement and Board Considerations

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The Board also considered other services currently provided by the Adviser to the Fund, such as monitoring adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions, sub-adviser oversight, monitoring compliance with various policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations, and monitoring the extent to which the Fund achieved its investment objective as a passively-managed fund. The Board noted that the Adviser was the index provider for the Fund. The Board considered that, because the Adviser is the index provider, the Adviser may have certain conflicts of interest with respect to its management of the index, but noted that the Adviser had adopted policies and procedures to mitigate such conflicts and had retained a sub-adviser to manage the Fund’s portfolio on a day-to-day basis. The Board further considered the oral information provided by the Adviser with respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Adviser’s operations.

 

Historical Performance. The Board noted that information regarding the Fund’s performance for various time periods had been included in the Materials. The Board considered the Fund’s past investment performance, including for periods ended March 31, 2021. Because the Fund is designed to track the performance of an index, the Board considered, among other things, the extent to which the Fund tracked its index before fees and expenses. The Board noted that, for the one-year period, the Fund underperformed its underlying index, before fees and expenses, and slightly underperformed its underlying index for the three-year and since inception periods.

 

The Board also considered that for the one-year period, the Fund significantly outperformed the S&P 500 Index, which provides an indication of the performance of the overall U.S. stock market , while for the three-year and since inception periods, the Fund underperformed the S&P 500 Index. The Board further noted that, for the one-year period, the Fund significantly outperformed the median for the other funds in the universe of Large Value ETFs as reported by Morningstar (collectively, the “Category Peer Group”).

 

The Board also considered the Fund’s performance relative to its competitors identified by the Adviser at the Board’s request that are based on similar political themes that track an index (the “Selected Peer Group”). The Board noted that the funds in the Selected Peer Group had each operated for less than one year, and thus, the Fund’s performance relative to the Selected Peer Group was not a significant factor in the context of the Board’s deliberations on the Advisory Agreement.

 

Cost of Services Provided and Economies of Scale. The Board compared the Fund’s expense ratio to its Category Peer Group and the Selected Peer Group. The Board noted that the net expense ratio for the Fund was significantly higher than the median for funds in the Category Peer Group, but within the range of net expense ratios of the

 

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Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement and Board Considerations

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

funds in the Selected Peer Group. The Board also noted that, because the Category Peer Group included a number of significantly larger, low-cost, passive ETFs, the peer group may not allow for an apt comparison by which to judge the Fund’s expense ratio.

 

The Board took into consideration that the Adviser would continue to charge a “unified fee,” meaning the Fund pays no expenses other than the advisory fee and, if incurred, certain other costs such as interest, brokerage, acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and, to the extent it is implemented, fees pursuant to a Distribution and/or Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Plan. The Board noted that the Adviser continued to be responsible for compensating the Trust’s other service providers and paying the Fund’s other expenses out of its own fee and resources. In this regard, the Board considered the Adviser’s financial resources and information provided by the Adviser regarding its ability to raise capital if needed to support its management of the Fund and obligations under the “unified fee” arrangement. The Board also evaluated the compensation and benefits received by the Adviser from its relationship with the Fund, taking into account analyses of the Adviser’s profitability with respect to the Fund.

 

The Board expressed the view that it currently appeared that the Adviser might realize economies of scale in managing the Fund as assets grow in size. The Board noted that, should the Adviser realize economies of scale in the future, the amount and structure of the Fund’s unitary fee might result in a sharing of those economies with Fund shareholders. The Board noted its intention to monitor fees as the Fund grows in size and assess whether fee breakpoints may be warranted.

 

Conclusion. No single factor was determinative of the Board’s decision to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement; rather, the Board based its determination on the total mix of information available to it. Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the Advisory Agreement, including the compensation payable under the agreement, was fair and reasonable to the Fund. The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, therefore determined that the approval of the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

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Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Federal Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided for the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

 

The percent of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income was 100.00%.

 

For the corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deducted for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 was 100.00%.

 

The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(c) was 0.00%.

 

Information About Portfolio Holdings
(Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund files its complete schedules of portfolio holdings for its first and third fiscal quarters with the SEC on Part F of Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Part F of Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004.
Furthermore, you may obtain the Part F of Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or the Fund’s website at www.investpolitically.com. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are posted on its website at www.investpolitically.com daily.

 

Information About Proxy Voting
(Unaudited)

 

 

A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is provided in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The SAI is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004, by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by accessing the Fund’s website at www.investpolitically.com.

 

When available, information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the twelve-months ending June 30 is available by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF

 

Information About the Fund’s Trustees

(Unaudited)

 

 

The SAI includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 617-0004 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec,gov or by accessing the Fund’s website at www.investpolitically.com.

 

Frequency Distribution of Premiums and Discounts
(Unaudited)

 

 

Information regarding how often shares of the Fund trade on the exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund is available, without charge, on the Fund’s website at www.investpolitically.com.

 

29

 

 

Adviser and Index Provider

Point Bridge Capital, LLC
300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1550
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

 

Sub-Adviser

Vident Investment Advisory, LLC
1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515
Alpharetta, Georgia 30009

 

Distributor

Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Three Canal Plaza
Portland, Maine 04101

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank National Association
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212

 

Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Cohen & Company, Ltd.
342 North Water Street, Suite 830
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

 

Legal Counsel

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2541

 

Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF
Symbol – MAGA
CUSIP – 26922A628

 

 

  

(b)Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

 

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of Trustees.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The Registrant’s President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

 

(b)There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) 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 to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Not Applicable.

 

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.

 

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Furnished herewith.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

  (Registrant) ETF Series Solutions
     
    /s/ Kristina R. Nelson
  By (Signature and Title)* Kristina R. Nelson, President (principal executive officer)
     
  Date 3/8/2022

 

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 (Signature and Title)* /s/ Kristina R. Nelson
    Kristina R. Nelson, President (principal executive officer)
     
  Date 3/8/2022
     
  By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Kristen M. Weitzel
    Kristen M. Weitzel, Treasurer (principal financial officer)
     
  Date 3/8/2022

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.