485APOS 1 leadershares485a.htm 485APOS

Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2020

1933 Act Registration File No. 333-182417

1940 Act File No. 811-22718

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  [ X ]

 

[ ] Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                    

[X] Post-Effective Amendment No. 239                                                                                                            

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   [ X ]

 

[X] Amendment No. 242

                                                                                                                             

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:

402-895-1600

 

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE  19801

(Name and. Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

 

Stacy H. Louizos

Blank Rome, LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

 

 

Richard A. Malinowski

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, NY  11788

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

[   ]   immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

[   ]   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)

[X]   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box: [ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 
 

 

Subject to Completion—Dated [_________], 2020

 

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF

LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

 

 

Each a series of Two Roads Shared Trust

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

[___________, 2020]

 

 

LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF

 

ACTV

LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

 

LSAT

 

 

 

 

www.leadersharesetfs.com

(480) 757-4277

 

 

 

 

This Prospectus provides important information about the LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF (the Activist Leaders ETF) and the LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF (the Tactical ETF) that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor has the SEC passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Shares of Activist Leaders ETF and the Tactical ETF (each a Fund and collectively the Funds) are listed and traded on [NYSE].

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website www.leadersharesetfs.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds or your financial intermediary electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included with paper Fund documents that have been mailed to you. You may also elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Funds or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports, or if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included with paper Fund documents that have been mailed to you. Your election to have reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Trust and/or your financial intermediary.

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FUND SUMMARY   [ ] 
LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF   [ ] 
LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF   [ ] 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS   [ ] 
Principal Risk Factors   [ ] 
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure   [ ] 
MANAGEMENT   [ ] 
Investment Adviser   [ ] 
Portfolio Managers   [ ] 
NET ASSET VALUE   [ ] 
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES   [ ] 
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES   [ ] 
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN   [ ] 
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES   [ ] 
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS   [ ] 
OTHER INFORMATION   [ ] 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS   [ ] 
PRIVACY NOTICE   [ ] 
-i-
 

FUND SUMMARY: Leadershares® Activist Leaders® ETF

 

Investment Objective: The LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF (the “Activist Leaders ETF” or the “Fund”) seeks to generate long-term capital growth.

 

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

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Management Fee(1) 0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.75%
(1)The Fund’s adviser provides investment advisory service, and pays most of the Fund’s operating expenses (except all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as dividend expense on securities sold short and interest), fees and expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) in return for a “unitary fee.”

 

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years
$[  ] $[  ]

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that [employs an investment approach that focuses on equity securities that are the target of shareholder activism. These equity securities are identified using a proprietary quantitative methodology built on the foundation of tracking legally mandated filings known as "13D" filings that are submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require a shareholder that acquires more than 5% of a company's shares to file a form with the SEC known as a Schedule 13D that discloses the investor's identity and the investor’s purpose in acquiring those shares.

 

The Fund’s Adviser identifies Activist Leader® investors utilizing a proprietary methodology based upon qualitative elements, including research into the effectiveness of activist investors’ achievement of stated objectives and creation of positive shareholder returns in positions that were the subject of a 13D filing by them. Because the Adviser’s identification of Activist Leaders® investors is based on ongoing research, the list of Activist Leaders® investors may change over time.

 

The Fund will be invested in equity securities of companies listed on a U.S. exchange with market capitalizations of at least $1 billion at the time of initial purchase. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular sector, industry or group of industries. The Fund may utilize derivatives, such as equity options and total return swap agreements, to seek to achieve its objective and for hedging purposes.

 

The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

 

Principal Investment Risks: As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. Each risk summarized below is a principal risk of investing in the Fund and different risks may be more significant at different times depending upon market conditions or other factors.

·         Market Risk. Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. The Fund is subject

1
 

to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, lack of liquidity in the bond or other markets, volatility in the equities market or other securities markets or adverse investor sentiment and political events affect the securities markets. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Local, state, regional, national or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers.

·         ETF Structure Risks. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:

oNot Individually Redeemable. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit.
oTrading Issues. Trading in shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares.
oMarket Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares.

§  In times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of Fund shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

§  The market price for the Fund’s shares may deviate from the Fund’s net asset value, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or significantly less for Fund shares than the Fund’s net asset value, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Fund shares or in the closing price.

§  When all or a portion of an ETFs underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Fund’s shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from the Fund’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

§  In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

·         Quantitative Investing Risk. The Adviser may use proprietary computer trading modeling systems to implement its investment strategies for the Fund. Investments selected using these models may perform differently than the market as a whole or from their expected performance as a result of the factors used in the models, the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors' historical trends and technical issues in the construction and implementation of the models. There is no assurance that the models are complete or accurate, or representative of future market cycles, nor will they necessarily be beneficial to the

2
 

Fund if they are accurate. These systems may negatively affect Fund performance for various reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading system dysfunctions, investor fear or over-reaction).

·         Activist Risk. An activist investor uses an equity stake in a company to put public pressure on the company's management team and board in order to achieve certain objectives such as the increase of shareholder value through changes in corporate policy or financing structure, or to reduce expenses. Shareholder activism can take any of several forms, including proxy battles, publicity campaigns, and negotiations with management. Although the Fund does not intend to invest in companies for the purpose of effecting change or influencing or controlling management itself, the Fund invests in companies that the Adviser believes have potential for capital appreciation resulting from such changes. The Adviser's evaluation of companies may prove incorrect, or the efforts which they invest may not be successful, or even if successful, may have unintended affects or cause the Fund's investment to lose value.

·         Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or the changing economic, political or market conditions.

·         Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to net asset value (“NAV”) and may face delisting.

·         Active Trading Risk. A higher portfolio turnover due to active and frequent trading will result in higher transaction and brokerage costs that may result in lower investment returns.

·         Cybersecurity Risk. There is risk to the Fund of an unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, the investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders.

·         Derivatives Risk. The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options, total return swaps and other similar instruments, may be more volatile than other instruments. The risks associated with investments in derivatives also include liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the market value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. In addition, if a derivative is being used for hedging purposes there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the portfolio manager.

·         Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Fund is not an index fund. The Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. Index based ETFs have generally traded at prices which closely correspond to NAV per share. Actively managed ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.

·         Gap Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price or derivative value will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit the investment. Usually such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price or derivative value to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.

·         Management Risk. The Fund’s investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies. In addition, the Fund’s tactical asset allocation strategy may be unsuccessful and may cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities while in a defensive position.

·         Market Capitalization Risk. The Fund’s anticipated weighting towards larger-sized companies subjects the Fund to the risk

3
 

that larger companies may not be able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during strong economic periods, and that they may be less capable of responding quickly to competitive challenges and industry changes. Because the Fund may invest in companies of any size, its share price could be more volatile than a Fund that invests only in large companies. Small and medium–sized companies typically have less experienced management, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, and less publicly available information than larger companies.

·         Market Events Risk. Financial markets are subject to periods of volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty such as what was experienced in or around 2008 and presently in 2020. These conditions are an inevitable part of investing in capital markets and may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve may reduce market support activities. Such reduction, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also continue to contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

·         New Fund Risk. The Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

·         Rules-Based Strategy Risk. A rules-based investment strategy may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used may be inaccurate.

·         Sector Risk. The risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic, business or political development affecting that sector may affect the value of the Fund's investments more than if the Fund's investments were not so concentrated.

·         Swap Risk. Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the counterparty to the swap. In addition, there is the risk that a swap may be terminated by the Fund or the counterparty in accordance with its terms. If a swap were to terminate, the Fund may be unable to implement its investment strategies and the Fund may not be able to seek to achieve its investment objective.

·         Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time.

 

Performance: Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. In addition, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information is available at no cost by visiting www.leadersharesetfs.com or by calling (480) 757-4277.

 

Investment Adviser: Redwood Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers: The Fund is managed by a team comprised of Michael T. Messinger, Portfolio Manager and Principal of Redwood, Richard M. Duff, Portfolio Manager and President of Redwood, and Michael T. Cheung, Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Research. Mr. Messinger, Mr. Duff, and Mr. Cheung have managed the Fund since its inception in [_____, 2020].

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in large blocks of 25,000 shares (each block of shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Individual shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the [New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)] (the “Exchange”) and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than, at, or less than NAV.

 

Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable at ordinary income or long-term capital gain rates. A sale of shares may result in capital gain or loss.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Adviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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FUND SUMMARY: LEADERSHARES® aLPHAFACTOR® tactical focused etF

 

Investment Objective: The LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF (the “Tactical ETF” or the “Fund”) seeks to generate long term capital growth.

 

 

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

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Management Fee(1) 0.99%
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.99%
(1)The Fund’s adviser provides investment advisory service, and pays most of the Fund’s operating expenses (except all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as dividend expense on securities sold short and interest), fees and expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) in return for a “unitary fee.”

 

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years
$[  ] $[  ]

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that employs an investment approach that utilizes a quantitative factor-based investment methodology focused on U.S. equities. The Adviser selects stocks based on a number of characteristics that include, but are not limited to, net share count reduction, free cash flow growth, dividend yield, volatility and debt/asset ratios. The final selection of stocks is based on market characteristics including, but not limited to, liquidity and market capitalization. The Fund will typically be invested in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, or investments that are economically tied to equity securities (i.e., derivatives) such as equity options, of companies with market capitalizations of at least $1 billion at the time of initial purchase. The Adviser employs a multi-factor tactical risk management overlay that seeks to identify periods of above average risk. At times identified by the Adviser as above average risk, the Fund may exit positions in equity securities and become comprised primarily of money market instruments such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper and other short-term instruments, money market funds, or U.S. government bonds. Such investments can either be direct or through investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).

 

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular sector, industry or group of industries. The Fund may utilize derivatives, such as equity options and total return swap agreements, to seek to achieve its objective and for hedging purposes.

 

The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

 

Principal Investment Risks: As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. Each risk summarized below is a principal risk of investing in the Fund and different risks may be more significant at different times depending upon market conditions or other factors.

·         Market Risk. Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-

5
 

U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, lack of liquidity in the bond or other markets, volatility in the equities market or other securities markets or adverse investor sentiment and political events affect the securities markets. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Local, state, regional, national or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers.

·         ETF Structure Risks. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks, including:

oNot Individually Redeemable. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit.
oTrading Issues. Trading in shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares.
oMarket Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares.

§  In times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of Fund shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

§  The market price for the Fund’s shares may deviate from the Fund’s net asset value, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or significantly less for Fund shares than the Fund’s net asset value, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Fund shares or in the closing price.

§  When all or a portion of an ETFs underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Fund’s shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from the Fund’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

§  In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

·         Quantitative Investing Risk. The Adviser may use proprietary computer trading modeling systems to implement its investment strategies for the Fund. Investments selected using these models may perform differently than the market as a whole or from their expected performance as a result of the factors used in the models, the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors' historical trends and technical issues in the construction and implementation of the models. There is no assurance that the models are complete or accurate, or representative of future market cycles, nor will they necessarily be beneficial to the Fund if they are accurate. These systems may negatively affect Fund performance for various reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading system dysfunctions, investor

6
 

fear or over-reaction).

·         Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or the changing economic, political or market conditions.

·         Active Trading Risk. A higher portfolio turnover due to active and frequent trading will result in higher transaction and brokerage costs.

·         Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to net asset value (“NAV”) and may face delisting.

·         Cash Positions Risk.  The Fund may hold a significant position in cash and/or cash equivalent securities. When the Fund’s investment in cash or cash equivalent securities increases, the Fund may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund were more fully invested.

·         Cybersecurity Risk. There is risk to the Fund of an unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, the investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders.

·         Derivatives Risk. The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including futures, options, credit default swaps, total return swaps, repurchase agreements and other similar instruments, may be more volatile than other instruments. The risks associated with investments in derivatives also include liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the market value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. In addition, if a derivative is being used for hedging purposes there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the portfolio manager.

·         Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Fund is not an index fund. The Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. Index based ETFs have generally traded at prices which closely correspond to NAV per share. Actively managed ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.

·         Focus Risk. The Fund generally expects to invest in approximately 30 stocks at any given time, and as a result, the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than the performance of funds holding more securities.

·         Gap Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price or derivative value will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit the investment. Usually such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price or derivative value to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.

·         Insurance Sector Risk. Insurance companies’ profits are affected by many factors, including interest rate movements, the imposition of premium rate caps, competition and pressure to compete globally. Certain types of insurance companies may also be affected by weather catastrophes and other disasters and mortality rates. In addition, although the industry is currently subject to extensive regulation, companies in this industry may be adversely affected by increased governmental regulation or tax law changes in the future.

·         Investment Companies and ETFs Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the management fees of the investment company or ETF in addition to those paid by the Fund. The risk of owning an investment company or ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the investment company or ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs. The Fund may invest in in inverse ETFs, which may result in increased volatility and will magnify the Fund’s losses or gains. During periods of market volatility, inverse ETFs may not perform as expected.

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·         Management Risk. The Fund’s investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies. In addition, the Fund’s tactical asset allocation strategy may be unsuccessful and may cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities while in a defensive position.

·         Market Capitalization Risk. The Fund’s anticipated weighting towards larger-sized companies subjects the Fund to the risk that larger companies may not be able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during strong economic periods, and that they may be less capable of responding quickly to competitive challenges and industry changes. Because the Fund may invest in companies of any size, its share price could be more volatile than a Fund that invests only in large companies. Small and medium–sized companies typically have less experienced management, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, and less publicly available information than larger companies.

·         Market Events Risk. Financial markets are subject to periods of volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty such as what was experienced in or around 2008 and presently in 2020. These conditions are an inevitable part of investing in capital markets and may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve may reduce market support activities. Such reduction, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also continue to contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

·         Money Market Instrument Risk. The value of money market instruments may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the credit ratings of the investments. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. Recently, the SEC adopted money market fund reform intended to address potential systemic risks associated with money market funds and to improve transparency for money market fund investors. The money market fund reforms may impact the structure, operations and return potential of the money market funds in which the Fund invests.

·         New Fund Risk. The Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

·         Retail Sector Risk. Retail and related industries can be significantly affected by the performance of the domestic and international economy, consumer confidence and spending, intense competition, changes in demographics, and changing consumer tastes and preferences.

·         Rules-Based Strategy Risk. A rules-based investment strategy may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used may be inaccurate.

·         Sector Risk. The risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic, business or political development affecting that sector may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so concentrated.

·         Swap Risk. Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the counterparty to the swap. In addition, there is the risk that a swap may be terminated by the Fund or the counterparty in accordance with its terms. If a swap were to terminate, the Fund may be unable to implement its investment strategies and the Fund may not be able to seek to achieve its investment objective.

·Tactical Overlay Strategy Risk. The Adviser employs a multi-factor tactical risk management overlay that seeks to identify periods of above average risk and exit positions in equity securities during such periods of above average risk. The failure of the overlay strategy to timely or properly identify periods of above average risk may prevent the Fund from avoiding losses in bad markets or may cause the Fund to miss gains in good markets.

·         U.S. Government Securities Risk. The U.S. government is not obligated to provide financial support to its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Certain U.S. government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

·Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time.
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Performance: Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. In addition, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information is available at no cost by visiting www.leadersharesetfs.com or by calling (480) 757-4277.

 

Investment Adviser: Redwood Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Manager: The Fund is managed by a team comprised of Michael T. Messinger, Portfolio Manager and Principal of Redwood, Richard M. Duff, Portfolio Manager and President of Redwood, and Michael T. Cheung, Portfolio Manager and Head of Quantitative Research. Mr. Messinger, Mr. Duff, and Mr. Cheung have managed the Fund since its inception in [________, 2020].

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in large blocks of 25,000 shares (each block of shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Individual shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the [New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)] (the “Exchange”) and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than, at, or less than NAV.

 

Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable at ordinary income or long-term capital gain rates. A sale of shares may result in capital gain or loss.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Adviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

 

9
 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

This section provides more detailed information about the investment objectives, principal investment strategies and certain risks of investing in the LeaderShares® Activist LeadersTM ETF and LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). This section also provides information regarding the Funds’ disclosure of portfolio holdings.

 

LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF

 

Investment Objective: The LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF seeks to generate long-term capital growth.

 

The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that employs an investment approach that focuses on equity securities that are the target of shareholder activism. These equity securities are identified using a proprietary quantitative methodology built on the foundation of tracking legally mandated filings known as "13D" filings that are submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require a shareholder that acquires more than 5% of a company's shares to file a form with the SEC known as a Schedule 13D that discloses the investor's identity and the investor’s purpose in acquiring those shares.

 

The Fund’s Adviser identifies Activist Leader® investors utilizing a proprietary methodology based upon qualitative elements, including research into the effectiveness of activist investors’ achievement of stated objectives and creation of positive shareholder returns in positions that were the subject of a 13D filing by them. Because the Adviser’s identification of Activist Leaders® investors is based on ongoing research, the list of Activist Leaders® investors may change over time.

 

The Fund will be invested in equity securities of companies listed on a U.S. exchange with market capitalizations of at least $1 billion at the time of initial purchase. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular sector, industry or group of industries. The Fund may utilize derivatives, such as equity options and total return swap agreements, to seek to achieve its objective and for hedging purposes.

 

The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

 

 

LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

 

Investment Objective: The LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF seeks to generate long-term capital growth.

 

The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that employs an investment approach that utilizes a quantitative factor-based investment methodology focused on U.S. equities. The Adviser selects stocks based on a number of characteristics that include, but are not limited to, net share count reduction, free cash flow growth, dividend yield, volatility and debt/asset ratios. The final selection of stocks is based on market characteristics including, but not limited to, liquidity and market capitalization. The Fund will typically be invested in a diversified portfolio of equity securities or investments that are economically tied to equity securities (i.e., derivatives) such as equity options, of companies with market capitalizations of at least $1 billion at the time of initial purchase. The Adviser employs a multi-factor tactical risk management overlay that seeks to identify periods of above average risk. At times identified by the Adviser as above average risk, the Fund may exit positions in equity securities and become comprised primarily of money market instruments such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper and other short-term instruments, money market funds, or U.S. government bonds. Such investments can either be direct or through investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).

 

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular sector, industry or group of industries. The Fund may utilize derivatives, such as equity options and total return swap agreements, to seek to achieve its objective and for hedging purposes.

 

The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

 

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Temporary Defensive Position

 

In response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities, money market instruments and cash. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a temporary defensive position, the opportunity to achieve upside return may be limited; however, the ability to be fully defensive is an integral part of achieving the Fund’s investment objective.

 

Principal Risk Factors

 

As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Funds. An investment in a Fund is not guaranteed to achieve its investment objective; is not a deposit with a bank; is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency; and is subject to investment risks. The Adviser cannot guarantee that a Fund will achieve its objectives. The value of your investment in a Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in a Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. A Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect a Fund’s net asset value and performance. It is important that investors closely review and understand these risks before making an investment in a Fund. The table below provides additional information regarding the risks of investing in the Funds. Following the table, each risk is explained.

 

  LeaderShares® Activist LeadersTM ETF LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF
Activist Risk X  
Active Trading Risk X X
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk X X
Cash Positions Risk   X
Cybersecurity Risk X X
Derivatives Risk X X
Equity Risk X X
ETF Structure Risk X X
Fluctuation in Net Asset Value Risk X X
Focus Risk   X
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investments Risk X  
Gap Risk X X
Insurance Sector Risk   X
Investment Companies and ETFs Risk   X
Management Risk X X
Market Capitalization Risk X X
Market Events Risk X X
Market Risk X X
Money Market Instrument Risk   X
New Fund Risk X X
Quantitative Investing Risk X X
Retail Sector Risk   X
Rules-Based Strategy Risk X X
Sector Risk   X
Swap Risk X X
Tactical Overlay Strategy Risk   X
U.S. Government Securities Risk X X
Volatility Risk X X

 

 

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Activist Risk

 

An activist investor uses an equity stake in a company to put public pressure on the company's management team and board in order to achieve certain objectives such as the increase of shareholder value through changes in corporate policy or financing structure, or to reduce expenses. Shareholder activism can take any of several forms, including proxy battles, publicity campaigns, and negotiations with management. Although the Fund does not intend to invest in companies for the purpose of effecting change or influencing or controlling management itself, the Fund invests in companies that the Adviser believes have potential for capital appreciation resulting from such changes. The Adviser's evaluation of companies may prove incorrect, or the efforts which they invest may not be successful, or even if successful, may have unintended affects or cause the Fund's investment to lose value.

 

Active Trading Risk

 

A higher portfolio turnover may result in higher transactional and brokerage costs associated with the turnover which may reduce the Fund’s return, unless the securities traded can be bought and sold without corresponding commission costs. Active trading of securities may also increase the Fund’s realized capital gains or losses, which may affect the taxes you pay as a Fund shareholder.

 

Authorized Participant Concentration Risk

 

To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to NAV and may face delisting.

 

Cash Positions Risk

 

The Fund may hold a significant position in cash and/or cash equivalent securities. When the Fund’s investment in cash or cash equivalent securities increases, the Fund may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund were more fully invested.

 

Cybersecurity Risk

 

With the increased use of the Internet and because information technology (“IT”) systems and digital data underlie most of the Fund’s operations, the Fund and its Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and the financial intermediaries (collectively “Service Providers”) are exposed to the risk that their operations and data may be compromised as a result of internal and external cyber-failures, breaches or attacks (“Cyber Risk”). This could occur as a result of malicious or criminal cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include actions taken to: (i) steal or corrupt data maintained online or digitally, (ii) gain unauthorized access to or release confidential information, (iii) shut down the Fund or Service Provider website through denial-of-service attacks, or (iv) otherwise disrupt normal business operations. Events arising from human error, faulty or inadequately implemented policies and procedures or other systems failures unrelated to any external cyber-threat may have effects similar to those caused by deliberate cyber-attacks. See “Cybersecurity” below for additional risks related to potential cybersecurity breaches.

 

Derivatives Risk

 

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value is typically based on the value of a security, index or other instrument. These instruments include futures, options, credit default swaps, total return swaps, repurchase agreements and other similar instruments. Derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options, and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is often linked to commercial and residential mortgage portfolios. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

 

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the investment against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the Adviser or that such techniques will be utilized by the Adviser.

 

The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indices. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated

12
 

derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indices they are designed to closely track.

 

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and the Adviser may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If the Adviser inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

Equity Risk

 

Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or the changing economic, political or market conditions.

 

ETF Structure Risk

 

The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to the special risks, including:

 

Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit.

 

Trading Issues. Trading in shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares.

 

Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly and you may pay more than NAV when buying shares on the secondary market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell those shares. This means shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares. In times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of Fund shares and the Fund’s net asset value. The market price for the Fund’s shares may deviate from the Fund’s net asset value, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or significantly less for Fund shares than the Fund’s net asset value, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Fund shares or in the closing price. When all or a portion of an ETF’s underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Fund’s shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from the Fund’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value.

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Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk

 

The NAV of a Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of a Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Funds are not index funds. Each Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. Index based ETFs have generally traded at prices which closely correspond to NAV per share. Actively managed ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.

 

Focus Risk

 

To the extent that a Fund invests a greater proportion of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers, the Fund may be subject to greater volatility with respect to its investments than a fund that invests in a larger number of securities.

 

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investments Risk

 

Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign (non-U.S.) companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals may adversely affect the Fund’s foreign holdings or exposures.

 

Foreign securities involve special risks and costs, which are considered by the investment adviser in evaluating the creditworthiness of issuers and making investment decisions for the Fund. Foreign securities fluctuate in price because of political, financial, social and economic events in foreign countries (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism). A foreign security could also lose value because of more or less stringent foreign securities regulations and less stringent accounting and disclosure standards. In addition, foreign markets may have greater volatility than domestic markets and foreign securities may be less liquid and harder to value than domestic securities.

 

Foreign securities, and in particular foreign debt securities, are sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, investment in the securities of foreign governments involves the risk that foreign governments may default on their obligations or may otherwise not respect the integrity of their obligations. The performance of investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency also will depend, in part, on the strength of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar and the interest rate environment in the country issuing the currency. Absent other events which otherwise could affect the value of a foreign security (such as a change in the political climate or an issuer’s credit quality), appreciation in the value of the foreign currency generally results in an increase in value of a foreign currency-denominated security in terms of U.S. dollars. A decline in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar generally results in a decrease in value of a foreign currency-denominated security. Additionally, many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy and are adversely affected when the U.S. economy weakens or its markets decline.

 

Investment in foreign securities may involve higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments also may involve risks associated with the level of currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity, more market volatility and political instability. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency, trade restrictions (including tariffs) or the adoption of other governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities. Additionally, foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements.

 

While a Fund’s investments may, if permitted, be denominated in foreign currencies, the portfolio securities and other assets held by the Fund or underlying funds are valued in U.S. dollars. Price fluctuations may occur in the dollar value of foreign securities because of changing currency exchange rates or, in the case of hedged positions, because the U.S. dollar declines in value relative to the currency

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hedged. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time causing a Fund’s or Underlying Fund’s NAV to fluctuate as well. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by the intervention or the failure to intervene by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. To the extent that a Fund or Underlying Fund is invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk. The net currency positions of the Funds or underlying funds may expose them to risks independent of their securities positions.

 

The Fund may operate in euros and/or may hold euros and/or euro-denominated bonds and other obligations. The euro requires participation of multiple sovereign states forming the Euro zone and is therefore sensitive to the credit and general economic and political positions of each such state, including, each state’s actual and intended ongoing engagement with and/or support for the other sovereign states then forming the European Union (“EU”), in particular those within the Euro zone. Changes in these factors might materially and adversely impact the value of securities in which a Fund or Underlying Fund has invested.

 

In addition, voters in the United Kingdom (“UK”) have approved withdrawal from the European Union. Securities issued by companies domiciled in the UK could be subject to changing regulatory and tax regimes. Banking and financial services companies that operate in the UK or EU could be disproportionately impacted by those actions. Other countries may seek to withdraw from the EU and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the EU, which could exacerbate market and currency volatility and negatively impact the Funds’ investments in securities issued by companies located in EU countries. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military attacks could occur in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. Recent and upcoming European elections could, depending on the outcomes, further call into question the future direction of the EU. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear, but could be significant and far-reaching. Whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

 

Gap Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price or derivative value will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit the investment. Usually such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price or derivative value to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. For example, the price of a stock can drop from its closing price one night to its opening price the next morning. The difference between the two prices is the gap. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.

 

Insurance Sector Risk

 

Insurance companies’ profits are affected by many factors, including interest rate movements, the imposition of premium rate caps, competition and pressure to compete globally. Certain types of insurance companies may also be affected by weather catastrophes and other disasters and mortality rates. In addition, although the industry is currently subject to extensive regulation, companies in this industry may be adversely affected by increased governmental regulation or tax law changes in the future.

 

Investment Companies and ETFs Risk

 

When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the management fees of the investment company or ETF in addition to those paid by the Fund. The risk of owning an investment company or ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the investment company or ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs. The Fund may invest in in inverse ETFs, which may result in increased volatility and will magnify the Fund’s losses or gains. During periods of market volatility, inverse ETFs may not perform as expected.

 

Management Risk

 

The Funds’ investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment in a Fund or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies to those of a Fund. The net asset value of the Fund changes

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daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Additionally, the Adviser may have conflicts of interest that could interfere with its management of the Fund’s portfolio. For example, the Adviser or its affiliates may manage other investment funds or have other clients that may be similar to, or overlap with, the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, creating potential conflicts of interest when making decisions regarding which investments may be appropriate for the Fund and other clients. Further information regarding conflicts of interest is available in the SAI.

 

Market Capitalization Risk

 

The Fund’s anticipated weighting towards larger-sized companies subjects the Fund to the risk that larger companies may not be able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during strong economic periods, and that they may be less capable of responding quickly to competitive challenges and industry changes. Because the Fund may invest in companies of any size, its share price could be more volatile than a Fund that invests only in large companies. Small and medium–sized companies typically have less experienced management, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, and less publicly available information than larger companies.

 

Market Events Risk

 

Financial markets are subject to periods of volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty such as what was experienced in or around 2008 and presently in 2020. These conditions are an inevitable part of investing in capital markets and may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve may reduce market support activities. Such reduction, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also continue to contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected globally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that COVID 19 can be characterized as a pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, business and school closings, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty. The value of the Fund and the securities in which the Fund invests may be adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19 and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future.

 

Market Risk

 

Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. The fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, lack of liquidity in the markets, volatility in the securities markets, adverse investor sentiment affect the securities markets and political events affect the securities markets. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

 

Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security. Even when securities markets perform well, there is no assurance that the investments held by the Fund will increase in value along with the broader market. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

 

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Local, state, regional, national or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers.

 

Money Market Instrument Risk

 

The value of money market instruments may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the credit ratings of the investments. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. Recently, the SEC adopted money market fund reform intended to address potential systemic risks associated with money market funds and to improve transparency for money market fund investors. The money market fund reforms may impact the structure, operations and return potential of the money market funds in which the Fund invests.

 

New Fund Risk

 

Each Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.

 

Quantitative Investing Risk.

 

The Adviser may use proprietary computer trading modeling systems to implement its investment strategies for the Fund. Investments selected using these models may perform differently than the market as a whole or from their expected performance as a result of the factors used in the models, the weight placed on each factor, changes from the factors' historical trends and technical issues in the construction and implementation of the models. There is no assurance that the models are complete or accurate, or representative of future market cycles, nor will they necessarily be beneficial to the Fund if they are accurate. These systems may negatively affect Fund performance for various reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading system dysfunctions, investor fear or over-reaction).

 

Retail Sector Risk

 

Retail and related industries can be significantly affected by the performance of the domestic and international economy, consumer confidence and spending, intense competition, changes in demographics, and changing consumer tastes and preferences.

 

Rules-Based Strategy Risk

 

A rules-based investment strategy may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used may be inaccurate.

 

Sector Risk.

 

The risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic, business or political development affecting that sector may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so concentrated.

 

Swap Risk

 

Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the counterparty to the swap. In addition, there is the risk that a swap may be terminated by the Fund or the counterparty in accordance with its terms. If a swap were to terminate, the Fund may be unable to implement its investment strategies and the Fund may not be able to seek to achieve its investment objective.

 

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Tactical Overlay Strategy Risk

 

The Adviser employs a multi-factor tactical risk management overlay that seeks to identify periods of above average risk and exit positions in equity securities during such periods of above average risk. The failure of the overlay strategy to timely or properly identify periods of above average risk may prevent the Fund from avoiding losses in bad markets or may cause the Fund to miss gains in good markets.

 

U.S. Government Securities Risk

 

Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.

 

Volatility Risk

 

The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

 

A description of the Funds’ policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-480-757-4277.

 

Cybersecurity

 

The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Fund and its service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Fund and its service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach. The Fund and the Adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third-party Service Providers.

 

Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Fund, the Adviser, and other service providers to transact business; prevention of Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.

 

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests; counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for the Fund’s shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.

 

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser

 

Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood” or the “Adviser”), with principal offices at 4110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 125, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251, serves as the investment adviser for the Funds. In addition to advising the Funds, Redwood provides discretionary investment advice to certain individuals, high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, corporations, other investment advisory firms, affiliated registered investment companies and a pooled investment vehicle. Redwood also serves as a sub-advisor to other investment advisers. Subject to the supervision of the Funds’ Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Funds’ investments, executing transactions and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Funds and the Adviser. As of June 30, 2020, the Adviser had approximately $1.4 billion in assets under management.

 

The Adviser has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Funds. Under the agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee set forth below of the Funds average daily net assets. Each Funds management fee is a unitary fee that includes all operating expenses payable by a Fund, except for brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as dividend expenses on securities sold short and interest), fees and expenses of other investment companies in which a Fund may invest, and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation expenses.

 

 

Fund Advisory Fee
LeaderShares®  Activist LeadersTM ETF 0.75%
LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF 0.99%

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory agreement will be available in the Funds’ first [annual shareholder report dated October 31, 2020].

 

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Portfolio Managers

 

Michael T. Messinger

 

Mr. Messinger is a Portfolio Manager and Principal at Redwood with eighteen years of experience in financial services. Mr. Messinger is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and live risk management of Redwood’s investment strategies. Prior to launching Redwood in 2010, he served as a Regional Vice President for RiverSource Investments (now known as Columbia Management) from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Messinger also worked as a marketer with ING’s investment management and insurance divisions from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Messinger began his career with UBS Wealth Management in 2000. Mr. Messinger holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Arizona.

 

Richard M. Duff

 

Mr. Duff is a Portfolio Manager and President of Redwood Investment Management, responsible for overseeing Redwood’s investment solutions from initial ideation to final implementation. Mr. Duff has been with Redwood since 2015. Mr. Duff began his career in 1994 as a member of the equity portfolio management committee at Pacific Income Advisers, that used a proprietary quantitative screening process combined with a team based qualitative overlay to manage U.S. core equity portfolios. Later he was a Managing Director at BlackRock, where he was Co-Head of the Private Client Group and a member of the Equity Operating Committee. Under his leadership, BlackRock launched its first quantitative factor-based suite of equity focused closed end funds. Immediately prior to joining Redwood, Mr. Duff was a partner and member of the investment committee at OMT Capital Management from 2010 to 2015, the general partner for Hawthorne Capital Partners, a long-short equity hedge fund focused on small cap U.S. equities. Mr. Duff received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and received his Juris Doctorate from University of San Francisco, School of Law

 

Michael T. Cheung

 

Mr. Cheung is a Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Redwood. He has been with Redwood since 2013, and conducts research and macro analysis on current and prospective investments. His primary focus is on research, development, and testing of systematic investment strategies. He is also responsible for proprietary research software design and development, having experience working with a variety of programming languages and database structures. Mr. Cheung brings several years of quantitative investing experience, previously positioned as a head trader at a proprietary equities trading desk, responsible for overseeing both automated and discretionary trading systems. Prior to joining Redwood, Mr. Cheung was a quantitative trader at Coastal Trade Securities, LLC from 2010 to 2012 and at Agoge Capital, LLC from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Cheung studied quantitative economics and mathematics at the University of California, Irvine.

 

The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about each Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by each Portfolio Manager, and each Portfolio Manager’s ownership of Fund shares.

 

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NET ASSET VALUE

 

The net asset value (“NAV”) of a Fund’s shares is determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the applicable Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of a Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily.

 

Generally, each Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity.

 

If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

A Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund’s securities. In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for a Fund. Because a Fund may invest in securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when Authorized Participants will not be able to purchase or redeem Fund shares. In computing the NAV, a Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE. Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in a Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before a Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.

 

With respect to any portion of a Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, such Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

 

Premium/Discount Information

 

Most investors will buy and sell shares of each Fund in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and each Fund’s shares will trade at market prices. The market price of shares of a Fund may be greater than, equal to, or less than NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of shares of a Fund.

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Information regarding the intraday value of shares of each Fund, also known as the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”), is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout each trading day by the securities exchange on which a Fund’s shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IOPV is based on the current market value of each Fund’s securities, including cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IOPV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries that may trade in a Fund’s portfolio securities. The IOPV may not reflect the exact composition of a Fund’s current portfolio of securities at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of a Fund’s current portfolio. As a result, the IOPV should not be confused with the NAV, which is computed only once a day. Information regarding how often the shares of a Fund traded at a price above (at a premium to) or below (at a discount to) the NAV of the Fund during the past four calendar quarters, when available, can be found at www.leadersharesetfs.com.

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HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

 

Shares of each Fund will be listed for trading on NYSE under the following symbols: LeaderShares® Activist LeadersTM ETF [ACTV]; LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF [LSAT]. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share. Shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares, and shares typically trade in blocks of less than a Creation Unit. There is no minimum investment required. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

When buying or selling shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.

 

Authorized participants (“APs”) may acquire shares directly from a Fund, and APs may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Fund, at NAV per Share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of 25,000 shares. Purchases and redemptions directly with a Fund must follow such Fund’s procedures, which are described in the SAI.

 

Each Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.

 

Share Trading Prices

 

The approximate value of shares of a Fund, an amount representing on a per share basis the sum of the current market price of the securities accepted by a Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund and an estimated cash component will be disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per share of a Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. A Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value of the shares, and the Funds do not make any warranty as to the accuracy of these values.

 

Book Entry

 

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

 

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

 

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

Each Fund’s shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from such Fund in Creation Units by APs, and the vast majority of trading in a Fund’s shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve a Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with a Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that a Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. Each Fund also employs fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, each Fund imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Fund shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by a Fund in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that a Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of each Fund’s shares.

 

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DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

 

The Funds have adopted a distribution and service plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, each Fund is authorized to pay distribution fees to the distributor and other firms that provide distribution and shareholder services (“Service Providers”). If a Service Provider provides these services, the Funds may pay fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

No distribution or service fees are currently paid by the Funds, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. In the event Rule 12b-1 fees were charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Funds.

 

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, the Funds’ distributor, its affiliates, and the Funds’ Adviser or its affiliates may, at their own expense and out of their own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Funds, including affiliates of the Adviser. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Funds on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders.

 

 

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

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

 

Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by each Fund. Each Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually.

 

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.

 

Taxes

 

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

 

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

  · A Fund makes distributions,

 

  · You sell your shares listed on the Exchange, and

 

  · You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

 

Taxes on Distributions

 

As stated above, dividends from net investment income, if any, ordinarily are declared and paid annually by the Funds. A Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. Distributions from a Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that a Fund’s dividends

24
 

attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which a Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to federal income tax for non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Fund shares at the rate for net capital gain -- a maximum of 20%. In addition, a 3.8% Medicare tax may also apply. A part of a Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations -- the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (excluding REITs) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations -- subject to similar restrictions.

 

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional shares of a Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the shares.

 

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

 

By law, each Fund is required to withhold 24% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.

 

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales

 

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

 

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

 

An AP who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any Cash Component (as defined in the SAI) it pays. An AP who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed and the value of the securities. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisors with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

 

Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less.

 

If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for a description of the requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to Share redemptions and a Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.

 

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for more information.

 

 

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the Funds’ administrator and fund accountant. It has its principal office at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. It is an affiliate of the Distributor.

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110, is the Funds’ custodian and transfer agent.

 

25
 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, is the distributor for the shares of the Funds. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

 

Blank Rome LLP, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

 

[[__________], [____________________], serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, providing services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, (ii) review of certain documents to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and (iii) other audit related and tax services including preparation of the Funds’ tax returns.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Investment by Other Investment Companies

 

The SEC has granted an exemptive order to the Adviser and the Trust permitting, among other relief, registered investment companies and unit investment trusts that enter into an agreement with the Trust (“Investing Funds”) to invest in the Funds beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, subject to certain terms and conditions. Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act restricts investments by registered investment companies and companies relying on Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act in the securities of other investment companies.

 

Continuous Offering

 

The method by which Creation Units of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

 

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells the shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.

 

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.

 

Dealers effecting transactions in the shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.

 

Householding: To reduce expenses, the Funds mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Funds at 1-480-757-4277 on days the Funds are open for business or contact your financial institution. Each Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

 

26
 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Because the Funds have not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus, no financial highlights are available for the Funds at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.

27
 

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

FACTS WHAT DOES TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.  Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.  Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?

THE TYPES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND SHARE DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE WITH US. THIS INFORMATION CAN INCLUDE:

·         Social Security number and income

·         Account transactions and transaction history

·         Investment experience and purchase history

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How? All financial companies need to share customers personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers personal information; the reason Two Roads Shared Trust chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information Does Two Roads
Shared Trust share?
Can you limit
this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

YES NO

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

NO We do not share
For joint marketing with other financial companies NO We do not share

For our affiliates everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

NO We do not share

For our affiliates everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

NO We do not share
For our affiliates to market to you NO We do not share
For nonaffiliates to market to you NO We do not share
   
Questions? Call 1-402-895-1600

 

28
 

 

What we do

How does Two Roads Shared Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does Two Roads Shared Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·         open an account or give us contact information

·         provide account information or give us your income information

·         make deposits or withdrawals from your account

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why cant I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

·         sharing for affiliates everyday business purposes information about your creditworthiness

·         affiliates from using your information to market to you

·         sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing

 

 

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·         Two Roads Shared Trust has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·         Two Roads Shared Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliates financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

·         Two Roads Shared Trust does not jointly market.

 

29
 

LeaderShares® Activist LeadersTM ETF
LeaderShares
® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

 

Adviser

Redwood Investment Management, LLC

4110 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite 125

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

Custodian &
Transfer Agent

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square

Boston, MA 02110

Legal Counsel

Blank Rome LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Administrator

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

Independent
Registered Public
Accountant

[______]

[ ]

 

 

Additional information about the Funds is included in the Funds’ SAI dated [______], 2020. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Funds policies and management. Additional information about the Funds investments will be available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Funds performance during its last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available, or other information about the Funds, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Funds, please call 1-480-757-4277. The SAI, annual and semi-annual reports and other information relating to the Funds can be found, free of charge, at www.leadersharesetfs.com. You may also write to:

 

LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF
LeaderShares
® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
Po Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154

 

 

Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File # 811-22718

 

 

 

Subject to Completion, Dated [______, 2020]

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

 

LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF

ACTV

 

LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

LSAT

 

 

Each a series of Two Roads Shared Trust

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[_______, 2020]

 

Listed and traded on:

NYSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF and LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the "Funds”) dated [_______ __, 2020] (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference, which means it is legally part of this document. You can obtain copies of the Prospectus, annual or semi-annual reports without charge by contacting the Fund’s Distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 or by calling 1-480-757-4277. You may also obtain the Prospectus by visiting the website at www.leadersharesetfs.com.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS]

 

THE FUNDS   1  
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS   2  
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS   42  
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS   43  
MANAGEMENT   44  
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS   50  
INVESTMENT ADVISER   50  
THE DISTRIBUTOR   52  
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS   53  
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE   55  
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER   55  
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS   55  
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES   57  
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM   58  
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES   58  
TAX STATUS   99  
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   104  
LEGAL COUNSEL   104  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   104  
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES   A-1  
APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS   B-1  

 

  

 

ii 
 

 

THE FUNDS

 

The Funds are series of Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 8, 2012 (the "Trust"). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company, currently consisting of [twenty-five] separate active portfolios. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees"). The Funds may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Funds have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Funds is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote with respect to that Fund. In addition, each share of the Funds is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by such Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Funds are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.

 

Each Fund is a “diversified” series of the Trust, meaning that each Fund is subject to diversification requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which generally limit investments, as to 75% of a fund’s total assets, to no more than 5% in securities in a single issuer and 10% of an issuer’s voting securities.

 

The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described herein and in the Prospectus. The Board may launch other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.

 

Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.

 

Each Fund will issue and redeem Shares at net asset value ("NAV") only in aggregations of 25,000 Shares (a "Creation Unit"). Each Fund will issue and redeem Creation Units principally in exchange for an in-kind deposit of a basket of designated securities (the "Deposit Securities"), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the "Cash Component"), plus a transaction fee. The Funds are expected to be approved for listing, subject to notice of issuance, on New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (the "Exchange"). Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, a share split, reverse split or the like, the Trust may revise the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

 

Each Fund reserves the right to offer creations and redemptions of Shares for cash. In addition, Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash equal to up to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees, may be imposed and may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. See PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES below.

 

Exchange Listing and Trading

 

In order to provide additional information regarding the indicative value of Shares of a Fund, the Exchange or a market data vendor will disseminate every 15 seconds through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association or other widely disseminated means an updated "intraday indicative value" ("IIV") for that Fund as calculated by an information provider or market data vendor. The Trust is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IIV and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.

 

 

1 
 

 

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

The investment objective of each Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Additional Information about Principal Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Prospectus. Each Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act). Each Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

 

The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Funds may invest directly as a principal or non-principal investment strategy. These instruments include other strategies Redwood Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) employs in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.

 

Securities of Other Investment Companies

 

The Funds may invest in securities of other investment companies (“underlying funds”). As a result, each Fund may be subject to the risks of the securities and other instruments described below through its own direct investments and indirectly through investments in these underlying funds. A Fund’s investments in an underlying portfolio of ETFs, mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying funds.

 

Open-End Investment Companies  

The Funds may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. Each Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the SEC; and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by a Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by a Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of any Fund’s total assets.  Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by a Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the SEC. In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.

Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying funds are made independently of the Funds and their adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the adviser of a Fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.  

Exchange-Traded Funds

ETFs are typically passively managed funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs) that have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little

2 
 

as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated.

Closed-End Investment Companies  

A Fund may invest its assets in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth below. Each Fund may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any closed-end fund. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as a Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.  

The Funds generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Funds will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Funds would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. A Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if a Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.  

The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.

A Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by a Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and a Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of a Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by a Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.  

Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. A Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

Business Development Companies

Business development companies (“BDCs”) are regulated under the 1940 Act and are taxed as regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue

3 
 

Code”). BDCs typically operate as publicly traded private equity firms that invest in early stage to mature private companies and small public companies. BDCs realize operating income when their investments are sold off, and therefore maintain complex organizational, operational, tax and compliance requirements, and must distribute at least 90% of their taxable earnings as dividends. Additionally, a BDC’s expenses are not direct expenses paid by Fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value.

Borrowing

While the Funds do not anticipate doing so, other than for cash management, the Funds may borrow money for investment purposes. Borrowing for investment purposes is one form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of a Fund’s assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV per share of the Fund will increase more when the Fund’s portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Fund’s portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds. Under adverse conditions, a Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. The Funds may use leverage during periods when the Adviser believes that a Fund’s investment objective would be furthered.

The Funds may also borrow money to facilitate management of a Fund’s portfolio by enabling the Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio instruments would be inconvenient or disadvantageous. Such borrowing is not for investment purposes and will be repaid by the Fund promptly. As required by the 1940 Act, each Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of a Fund’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund’s borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage requirement. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so.

In addition to the foregoing, the Funds are authorized to borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets. Borrowings for extraordinary or emergency purposes are not subject to the foregoing 300% asset coverage requirement.

 

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances

 

The Funds may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.

 

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

 

Commercial Paper

 

The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. See Appendix B for

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more information on ratings assigned to commercial paper. It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.

 

Convertible Securities

 

Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer's underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of "usable" bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security's underlying common stock.

Cyber Security Risk

 

The Fund and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting the Fund or its Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholders transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAVs, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value.

 

Depositary Receipts

 

Sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign (non-U.S.) issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. In addition to the investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, ADRs expose a Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to ADR programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the program, currency risk and liquidity risk. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign (non-U.S.) issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign (non-U.S.) issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign (non-U.S.) issuer or to pass through voting rights.

 

Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are receipts issued by non-U.S. financial institutions evidencing ownership of underlying foreign or U.S. securities and are usually denominated in foreign currencies. GDRs may not be

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denominated in the same currencies as the securities they represent. Generally, GDRs are designed for use in the foreign securities markets.

 

Derivative Instruments

A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities indices and foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. A Fund may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, interest rates and securities indices. A Fund may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment strategies. A Fund may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign (non-U.S.) currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign (non-U.S.) currency or to shift exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) currency fluctuations from one country to another. A Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to avoid leveraging the portfolio of the Funds as described below.

The Funds consider derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments in which a Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the adviser to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If the adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, a Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. A Fund might not employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs.

Investment in futures-related and commodity-linked derivatives may subject a Fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject a Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of futures-related and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if a Fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, the Fund could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.

Regulatory Risks of Derivative Use

The U.S. government has enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has also issued a proposed rule relating to a registered investment company’s use of derivatives and related instruments that, if adopted, could potentially require the Fund to observe more stringent asset coverage and related requirements than are currently imposed by the 1940 Act, which could adversely affect the value or performance of the Fund. The European Union (and some other countries) are implementing similar requirements, which will affect the Fund when it enters into a derivatives transaction with a counterparty organized in that country or otherwise subject to that country’s derivatives regulations. Because these regulations are new and evolving (and some of the rules are not yet final), their impact remains unclear. If adopted as proposed, these regulations could limit or impact the Fund’s ability to invest in derivatives and other instruments, limit the Fund’s ability to employ certain strategies that use derivatives and adversely affect the

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Fund’s performance, efficiency in implementing its strategy, liquidity and ability to pursue its investment objectives.

In February 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject advisers to certain registered investment companies to registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) if an investment company is unable to meet certain trading and marketing limitations. These rules became effective on January 1, 2013. In relation to these regulatory changes adopted by the CFTC, the Funds’ Adviser intends to rely on an exemption from the CFTC’s CPO registration requirements. However, it is possible that the Adviser may be required to register as a CPO in the future and comply with any applicable reporting, disclosure or other regulatory requirements. Compliance with CFTC regulatory requirements will increase Fund expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.

It is also possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to use certain instruments as a part of its investment strategy. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund may engage in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using certain instruments.

There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to implement its investment strategy. The futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of futures, options and swaps transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.

In 2010, the U.S. government enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have also established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Adviser and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.

The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions on securities above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s securities short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit the Adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales of securities in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.

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The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.

Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements

Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts

Unlike the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, a Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” For example, when a Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the price of the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the futures contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.

Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures

The Funds will comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forwards, futures, swaps and options. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require segregation by the Funds of cash or liquid securities with its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the extent a Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

For example, when entering into a futures contract that will be cash settled, each Fund will cover (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the mark-to-market amount, if any, owed by the Fund on the futures contract. When entering into a futures contract that does not need to be settled in cash, a Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark to market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the full notional value of the contract. Alternatively, a Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing an option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund or by entering into an agreement that enables the Fund to settle such futures contracts in cash.

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To the extent a Fund writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Fund in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Also, each Fund does not invest more than 25% of its assets in contracts with any one counterparty.

Equity Securities

 

Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.

 

Common Stock

Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock is a class of stock that has features of debt because it generally entitles the holder to periodic payments at a fixed rate of return. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to any outstanding debt of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth. Preferred stock may be subject to more fluctuations in market value, due to changes in market participants’ perceptions of the issuer’s ability to continue to pay dividends, than debts of the same issuer. A preferred stock may be considered either debt or equity, depending on the economic characteristics exhibited by such preferred stock.

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the

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Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its fixed income securities may become impaired.

Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or in the issuer’s actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.

 

Corporate fixed income securities include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

Fixed income securities are subject to a variety of risks, such as interest rate risk, income risk, call/prepayment risk, inflation risk, credit risk and (in the case of foreign securities) country and currency risk.

 

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Currency Transactions

A Fund may engage in foreign (non-U.S.) currency transactions, including foreign (non-U.S.) currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. A Fund will conduct its foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign (non-U.S.) currencies.

A Fund may enter into forward foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign (non-U.S.) investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign (non-U.S.) currency or to shift exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign (non-U.S.) exchange dealers often do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. A Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board, to cover the Fund’s obligations under forward foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.

A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign (non-U.S.) currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign (non-U.S.) portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign (non-U.S.) securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign (non-U.S.) currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received,

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and a Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign (non-U.S.) currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign (non-U.S.) currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to a Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.

A Fund may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets (marked to market daily) having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated or “earmarked.” The adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by a Fund, subject to the segregation requirement described above. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by a Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of the payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, a Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.

While the adviser is authorized to hedge against currency risk, it is not required to do so. The adviser may choose not to hedge currency exposure.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Government Securities

The Fund may invest in foreign (non-U.S.) government securities, including securities issued by foreign (non-U.S.) governments, including political subdivisions, or their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or by supra-national agencies. Different kinds of foreign (non-U.S.) government securities have different types of government support. For example, some foreign (non-U.S.) government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign (non-U.S.) national government or a political subdivision and some are not. Foreign (non-U.S.) government securities of some countries may involve varying degrees of credit risk as a result of financial or political instability in those countries or the possible inability of the Fund to enforce its rights against a foreign (non-U.S.) government. As with issuers of other fixed income securities, sovereign issuers may be unable or unwilling to satisfy their obligations to pay principal or interest payments.

Supra-national agencies are agencies whose member nations make capital contributions to support the agencies’ activities. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

As with other fixed income securities, foreign (non-U.S.) government securities expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate.  For example, the value of foreign (non-U.S.) government securities may fall during times of rising interest rates.  Also, yields on foreign (non-U.S.) government securities tend to be lower than those of corporate securities of comparable maturities.

In addition to investing directly in foreign (non-U.S.) government securities, the Fund may purchase certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing undivided ownership interests in interest payments and/or principal payments of foreign (non-U.S.) government securities. Certificates of accrual and similar instruments may be more volatile than other foreign (non-U.S.) government securities.

Foreign (Non-U.S) Investments – General

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To the extent consistent with its investment objective and strategies, a Fund may invest in foreign securities, including bonds and other fixed income securities of foreign issuers. Foreign fixed income securities may include eurodollar convertible securities, which are fixed income securities that are issued in U.S. dollars outside the United States and are convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Investment in foreign securities involves special risks. These include market risk, interest rate risk and the risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers and of companies whose securities are principally traded outside the United States on foreign exchanges or foreign over-the-counter markets and in investments denominated in foreign currencies. Market risk involves the possibility that security prices will decline over short or even extended periods. The markets tend to be cyclical, with periods of generally rising prices and periods of generally declining prices. These cycles will affect the value of a Fund to the extent that it invests in foreign securities. The holdings of a Fund, to the extent that they invest in fixed-income securities, will be sensitive to changes in interest rates and the interest rate environment. Generally, the prices of bonds and debt securities fluctuate inversely with interest rate changes. In addition, the performance of investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency will depend on the strength of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar and the interest rate environment in the country issuing the currency. Absent other events which could otherwise affect the value of a foreign security (such as a change in the political climate or an issuer’s credit quality), appreciation in the value of the foreign currency generally can be expected to increase the value of a foreign currency-denominated security in terms of U.S. dollars. A rise in foreign interest rates or decline in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar generally can be expected to depress the value of a foreign currency-denominated security.

There are other risks and costs involved in investing in foreign securities which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. Investment in foreign securities involves higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments also involve risks associated with the level of currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity, more market volatility and political instability. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities. Additionally, foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks are subject to less stringent reserve requirements, and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements. Also, the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Additionally, many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy and are adversely affected when the U.S. economy weakens or its markets decline. For example, the decline in the U.S. subprime mortgage market quickly spread throughout global credit markets, triggering a liquidity crisis that affected fixed-income and equity markets around the world.

European countries can be affected by the significant fiscal and monetary controls that the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) imposes for membership. Europe’s economies are diverse, its governments are decentralized, and its cultures vary widely. Several European Union (“EU”) countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal, have faced budget issues, some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among EMU member countries. Member countries are required to maintain tight control over inflation, public debt, and budget deficit to qualify for membership in the EMU. These requirements can severely limit the ability of EMU member countries to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions.

In June of 2016, the United Kingdom (the “UK”) approved a referendum to leave the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” which sparked depreciation in the value of the British pound and heightened the risk of continued worldwide economic volatility. Pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the UK gave notice in March 2017 of its withdrawal from the EU and commenced negotiations on the terms of withdrawal. With notice given, the negotiation period could last for two years or more. The UK withdrew from the EU on January 31, 2020. It is unclear what the potential consequences of the UK’s withdrawal may be. In addition, it is possible that measures could be taken to revote the issue of the withdrawal, or that regions of the UK could seek to separate and remain a part of the EU. As a result of the scheduled withdrawal, a Fund may be exposed to volatile trading markets and significant and unpredictable

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currency fluctuations over a short period of time, and potentially lower economic growth in the UK, Europe and globally. Securities issued by companies domiciled in the UK could be subject to changing regulatory and tax regimes. Banking and financial services companies that operate in the UK or EU could be disproportionately impacted by these actions. Further insecurity in EU membership or the abandonment of the euro could exacerbate market and currency volatility and negatively impact a Fund’s investments in securities issued by companies located in EU countries. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching.

Many non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen or spread within and without Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union, and/or withdraw from the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching.

To the extent consistent with its investment objectives and strategies, a Fund may invest in foreign debt, including the securities of foreign governments. Several risks exist concerning such investments, including the risk that foreign governments may default on their obligations, may not respect the integrity of such debt, may attempt to renegotiate the debt at a lower rate, and may not honor investments by U.S. entities or citizens.

Although a Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies, its portfolio securities and other assets are valued in U.S. dollars. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time causing, together with other factors, a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate as well. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by the intervention or the failure to intervene by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. To the extent that a Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect a Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, are denominated in the currencies of foreign countries, a Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.

Dividends and interest payable on a Fund’s foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. To the extent such taxes are not offset by credits or deductions allowed to investors under U.S. federal income tax law, they may reduce the net return to the shareholders.

A Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties between the United States and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.

A Fund also is subject to the possible imposition of exchange control regulations or freezes on the convertibility of currency. In addition, the use of forward currency exchange contracts with other instruments, the net currency positions of a Fund may expose it to risks independent of its securities positions. Although the net long and short foreign currency exposure of a Fund will not exceed its total asset values, to the extent that the Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater risk than it would have if it did not maintain the currency positions.

A Fund’s foreign securities are generally held outside the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of certain eligible foreign banks and trust companies, as permitted under the 1940 Act (“foreign sub-custodians”). Settlement practices for foreign securities may differ from those in the United States. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and regulation of industry practices, stock exchanges, depositories, registrars, brokers and listed companies, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the Fund. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that a

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Fund may be required to make payment for securities before the Fund has actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. Typically, in these cases, a Fund will receive evidence of ownership in accordance with the generally accepted settlement practices in the local market entitling the Fund to deliver payment at a future date, but there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the Fund or that payment will not be received, although the Fund and its foreign sub-custodians take reasonable precautions to mitigate this risk.

Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund remain uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result in missed attractive investment opportunities, losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, possible liability to the purchaser. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.

Share blocking refers to a practice in certain foreign markets under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders takes place. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent a Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country.

A Fund may invest a significant percentage of its assets in the securities of issuers located in geographic regions with securities markets that are highly developed, liquid and subject to extensive regulation, including Japan. In recent years, Japan’s economic growth has been substantially below the level of earlier decades, and its economy has experienced periods of recession. Similar to many European countries, Japan is experiencing a deterioration of its competitiveness. Although Japan is attempting to reform its political process and deregulate its economy to address the situation, there is no guarantee that these efforts will succeed.

Japan’s economy is heavily dependent upon international trade, and is especially sensitive to trade barriers and disputes. Domestic or foreign trade sanctions or other protectionist measures may also adversely impact Japan’s economy. In particular, Japan relies on large imports of agricultural products, raw materials and fuels. Increases in the price of crude oil, a substantial rise in other commodity prices, or a fall-off in Japan’s manufactured exports, may affect Japan’s economy adversely. Additionally, slowdowns in the economies of key trading partners such as the United States, China and countries in Southeast Asia could have a negative impact on the Japanese economy.

The Japanese yen has fluctuated widely at times and any increase in its value may cause a decline in exports that could weaken the economy. The Japanese yen may also be affected by currency volatility elsewhere in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. The Japanese securities markets are less regulated than the U.S. markets. Evidence has emerged from time to time of distortion of market prices to serve political or other purposes. Shareholders’ rights also are not always enforced.

Japan has had territorial disputes and/or defense issues with China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, among others. In the past several years, Japan’s relationship with North Korea has been especially strained because of increased nuclear and military activity by North Korea. Japan’s disputes with neighboring countries have the potential to cause uncertainty in the Japanese markets and affect the overall Japanese economy in times of crisis. In addition, Japan is vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters. The March 2011 earthquakes and tsunami in Japan have caused volatility in the Japanese securities markets. The longstanding impact of these natural disasters, however, remains unclear.

Japan is located in a part of the world that has historically been prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis and is economically sensitive to environmental events. Any such event could result in a significant adverse impact on the Japanese economy.

Foreign Investments – Emerging Markets

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A Fund, to the extent permitted by its investment objectives and strategies, may also invest in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Emerging market countries are generally located in the Asia and Pacific regions, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries.

In general, the securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid, subject to greater price volatility and have a smaller market capitalization than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the United States. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.

Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect a Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.

Certain emerging market countries may have antiquated legal systems, which may adversely impact a Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders in U.S. corporations. In addition, the systems of corporate governance to which issuers in certain emerging countries are subject may be less advanced than the systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, shareholders of such issuers may not receive many of the protections available to shareholders of issuers located in more developed countries.

Because of the recent formation of the Russian securities markets, the underdeveloped state of Russia’s banking and telecommunication system and the legal and regulatory framework in Russia, settlement, clearing and registration of securities transactions are subject to additional risks. Prior to 2013, there was no central registration system for equity share registration in Russia and registration was carried out either by the issuers themselves or by registrars located throughout Russia. These registrars may not have been subject to effective state supervision or licensed with any governmental entity. In 2013, Russia established the National Settlement Depository (“NSD”) as a recognized central securities depository, and title to Russian equities is now based on the records of the NSD and not on the records of local registrars. The implementation of the NSD is generally expected to decrease the risk of loss in connection with recording and transferring title to securities; however, loss may still occur. Additionally, issuers and registrars remain prominent in the validation and approval of documentation requirements for corporate action processing in Russia, and there remain inconsistent market standards in the Russian market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections. To the extent that a Fund suffers a loss relating to title or corporate actions relating to its portfolio securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce its rights or otherwise remedy the loss. In addition, Russia also may attempt to assert its influence in the region through economic or even military measures, as it did with Georgia in the summer of 2008 and the Ukraine in 2014. Such measures may have an adverse effect on the Russian economy, which may, in turn negatively impact a Fund.

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The United States, the EU and other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian corporations. Additional broader sanctions may be imposed in the future. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy. These sanctions could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities, impairing the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions, which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities.

The sanctions against certain Russian issuers include prohibitions on transacting in or dealing in new debt of longer than 30 or 90 days maturity or new equity of such issuers. Securities held by a Fund issued prior to the date of the sanctions being imposed are not currently subject to any restrictions under the sanctions. However, compliance with each of these sanctions may impair the ability of a Fund to buy, sell, hold, receive or deliver the affected securities or other securities of such issuers. If it becomes impracticable or unlawful for a Fund to hold securities subject to, or otherwise affected by, sanctions (collectively, “affected securities”), or if deemed appropriate by the Fund’s investment adviser, the Fund may prohibit in-kind deposits of the affected securities in connection with creation transactions and instead require a cash deposit, which may also increase the Fund’s transaction costs.

Current or future sanctions may result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions, which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. These retaliatory measures may include the immediate freeze of Russian assets held by a Fund. In the event of such a freeze of any Fund assets, including depositary receipts, a Fund may need to liquidate non-restricted assets in order to satisfy any Fund redemption orders. The liquidation of Fund assets during this time may also result in the Fund receiving substantially lower prices for its securities.

Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in developed securities markets. In addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law.

Certain emerging countries may restrict or control foreign investments in their securities markets. These restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment in those countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operation of a Fund. Custodial and/or settlement systems in emerging countries may not be fully developed. To the extent a Fund invests in emerging countries, Fund assets that are traded in such markets and which have been entrusted to sub-custodians in these markets may be exposed to risks for which the sub-custodian will have no liability.

Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and social instability and disruption than more developed countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) social unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which a Fund may invest and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s assets. A Fund’s investments can also be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.

A Fund may invest in former “east bloc” countries in Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to

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decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However, business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries’ attempts to move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.

Investment exposure to China subjects a Fund to risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability. China is a developing market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. The Chinese government has undertaken reform of economic and market practices and expansion of the sphere for private ownership of property in China. However, Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries, including military conflicts in response to such events, may also disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid economic growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy.

A significant portion of a Fund may also be invested in issuers located in Central and South American countries. Securities markets in Central and South American countries may experience greater volatility than in other emerging countries. In addition, a number of Central and South American countries are among the largest emerging country debtors. There have been moratoria on, and reschedulings of, repayment with respect to these debts. Such events can restrict the flexibility of these debtor nations in the international markets and result in the imposition of onerous conditions on their economies.

Many of the currencies of Central and South American countries have experienced steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have historically occurred in certain countries. Any devaluations in the currencies in which a Fund’s portfolio securities are denominated may have a detrimental impact on a Fund. There is also a risk that certain Central and South American countries may restrict the free conversion of their currencies into other currencies. Some Central and South American countries may have managed currencies that are not free floating against the U.S. Dollar. This type of system can lead to sudden and large adjustments in the currency that, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors. Certain Central and South American currencies may not be internationally traded and it would be difficult for a Fund to engage in foreign currency transactions designed to protect the value of a Fund’s interests in securities denominated in such currencies.

The emergence of the Central and South American economies and securities markets will require continued economic and fiscal discipline that has been lacking at times in the past, as well as stable political and social conditions. Governments of many Central and South American countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. The political history of certain Central and South American countries has been characterized by political uncertainty, intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres and political corruption. Such developments, if they were to recur, could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization and removal of trade barriers.

International economic conditions, particularly those in the United States, as well as world prices for oil and other commodities may also influence the recovery of the Central and South American economies. Because commodities such as oil, gas, minerals and metals represent a significant percentage of the region’s exports, the economies of Central and South American countries are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices. As a result, the economies in many of these countries can experience significant volatility.

Certain Central and South American countries have entered into regional trade agreements that would, among other things, reduce barriers among countries, increase competition among companies and reduce government subsidies in certain industries. No assurance can be given that these changes will result in the economic stability intended. There is a possibility that these trade arrangements will not be implemented, will be implemented but not completed or will

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be completed but then partially or completely unwound. It is also possible that a significant participant could choose to abandon a trade agreement, which could diminish its credibility and influence. Any of these occurrences could have adverse effects on the markets of both participating and non-participating countries, including share appreciation or depreciation of participant’s national currencies and a significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the Central and South American markets, an undermining of Central and South American economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the drive toward Central and South American economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower government debt and inflation rates that were introduced in anticipation of such trade agreements. Such developments could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s investments in Central and South America generally or in specific countries participating in such trade agreements.

The economies of emerging countries may suffer from unfavorable growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation and hyperinflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.

Risks related to currencies and corporate actions are also greater in emerging countries than in developed countries. For example, some emerging countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain emerging countries may experience sudden and large adjustments in their currency, which can have a disruptive and adverse effect on foreign investors. Some emerging countries have a higher risk of currency devaluations, and some of these countries may experience sustained periods of high inflation or rapid changes in inflation rates which can have negative effects on a country’s economy and securities markets. Some emerging countries may impose restrictions on the free conversion of their currencies into foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. Corporate action procedures in emerging countries may be less reliable and have limited or no involvement by the depositories and central banks. Lack of standard practices and payment systems can lead to significant delays in payment.

High Yield (Non-Investment Grade Debt) Securities

 

Credit Quality

 

Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

 

Greater Risk of Loss

 

These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest on securities held by a Fund, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

Liquidity

There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-

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rated securities at times. As a result, a Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.

New Legislation

Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on a Fund’s investments in lower-rated securities.

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes

The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.

Valuation Difficulties

It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.

High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

Convertible Securities

These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

Distressed Securities

An investment in distressed securities may involve a substantial degree of risk. These instruments, which involve loans, loan participations, bonds, notes, non-performing and sub-performing mortgage loans typically are unrated, lower-rated, in default or close to default.  Many of these instruments are not publicly traded, and may become illiquid. The prices of such instruments may be extremely volatile. Securities of distressed companies are generally more likely to become worthless than the securities of more financially stable companies. Valuing such instruments may be difficult, and a Fund may lose all of its investment, or it may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment. Issuers of distressed securities are typically in a weak financial condition and may default, in which case a Fund may lose its entire investment.

Loan Participations and Assignments

These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries (“LDCs”).

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Pay-in-kind bonds

These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

Preferred Stock

These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings

In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its fixed income securities. A Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

Straight fixed income securities

These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

Zero-coupon debt securities

These do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities

These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to periodic interest-paying debt securities..

 

 

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

 

Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is an investment that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions within 7 calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments include securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers) or legal or contractual restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act). Illiquid investments include: repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days; interest rate; currency, mortgage and credit default swaps; interest rate caps; floors and collars; municipal leases; certain restricted securities, such as those purchased in a private placement of securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid; and certain over-the-counter options. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this limitation. With respect to each Fund, repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period . Foreign (non-U.S.) securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.

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Restricted and other illiquid investments may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. A Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid investments promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. A Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. To the extent an investment held by a Fund is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Fund will be exposed to a greater liquidity risk.

 

In October 2016, the SEC adopted a new liquidity risk management rule, Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, requiring open-end funds, such as the Funds, to establish a liquidity risk management program and to enhance disclosures regarding fund liquidity. As required by Rule 22e-4, the Trust has implemented a liquidity risk management program and related procedures to identify illiquid investments pursuant to Rule 22e-4. If the limitation on illiquid investments is exceeded, other than by a change in market values, the condition will be reported to the Board and, when required, to the SEC. The effect the new rule will have on a Fund is not yet known, but the rule may impact the Fund’s performance and ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign (non-U.S.) securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.

 

Under the current guidelines of the staff of the SEC, illiquid investments are also considered to include, among other securities, purchased OTC options, certain cover for OTC options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, and certain securities whose disposition is restricted under federal securities law.

 

Under guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board, each Fund’s Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs") or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.

 

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of a Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

 

Insured Bank Obligations

 

The Funds may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as "banks"), currently up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations, which are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC.

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Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.

 

Lending Portfolio Securities

 

For the purpose of achieving income, each Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.  The Fund currently does not intend to engage in portfolio securities lending.

As with other extensions of credit, there are risks that collateral could be inadequate in the event of the borrower failing financially, which could result in actual financial loss, and risks that recovery of loaned securities could be delayed, which could result in interference with portfolio management decisions or exercise of ownership rights. A Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including the risk that the Fund may lose money on the investment or may fail to earn sufficient income to meet its obligations to the borrower. In addition, a Fund may lose its right to vote its shares of the loaned securities at a shareholders meeting if the Adviser does not recall or does not timely recall the loaned securities, or if the borrower fails to return the recalled securities in advance of the record date for the meeting.

Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased when a Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the number of borrowers to which a Fund may lend securities and a Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds do not engage in securities lending.

 

LIBOR Risk

The Funds may invest in securities and other instruments whose interest payments are determined by references to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). According to various reports, certain financial institutions, commencing as early as 2005 and throughout the global financial crisis, routinely made artificially low submissions in the LIBOR setting process. Since the LIBOR scandal came to light, several financial institutions have been fined significant amounts by various financial regulators in connection with allegations of manipulation of LIBOR rates. Other financial institutions in various countries are being investigated for similar actions. These developments may have adversely affected the interest rates on securities whose interest payments were determined by reference to LIBOR. Any future similar developments could, in turn, reduce the value of such securities owned by a Fund.

In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) warned that LIBOR may cease to be available or appropriate for use by 2021. The unavailability of LIBOR presents risks to a Fund, including the risk that any pricing or adjustments to the Fund’s investments resulting from a substitute reference rate may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV. There is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. Abandonment of or modifications to LIBOR could have adverse impacts on newly issued financial instruments and existing financial instruments which reference LIBOR. While some instruments in which a Fund invests may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate setting methodology, not all instruments in which a Fund invests may have such provisions and there is significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such alternative methodologies. Abandonment of or modifications to LIBOR could lead to significant short-term and long-term uncertainty and market instability. It remains uncertain how such changes would be implemented and the effects such changes would have on a Fund, including any negative effects on a Fund's liquidity and valuation of a Fund's investments, issuers of instruments in which the Fund invests and financial markets generally.

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Money Market Fund Investments

Certain money market funds in which the Fund may invest may operate as “institutional money market funds” under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act and must calculate their NAV per share to the fourth decimal place (e.g., $1.0000) reflecting market-based values of the money market fund’s holdings. Because the share price of these money market funds will fluctuate, when a Fund sells its shares they may be worth more or less than what the Fund originally paid for them. A Fund could also lose money if the money market fund holds defaulted securities or as a result of adverse market conditions. These money market funds may impose a “liquidity fee” upon the redemption of their shares or may temporarily suspend the ability to redeem shares if the money market fund’s liquidity falls below the required minimums because of market conditions or other factors.

These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit a Fund from redeeming shares when the Adviser would otherwise redeem shares. If a liquidity fee is imposed or redemptions are suspended, an investing Fund may have to sell other investments at less than opportune times to raise cash to meet shareholder redemptions or for other purposes. The Adviser, as a result of imposition of liquidity fees or suspension of redemptions, or the potential risk of such actions, may determine not to invest the Fund’s assets in a money market fund when it otherwise would, and may potentially be forced to invest in more expensive, lower-performing investments.

Imposition of a liquidity fee or temporary suspension of redemptions is at the discretion of a money market fund’s board of directors or trustees; however, they must impose a liquidity fee or suspend redemptions if they determine it would be in the best interest of the money market fund. Such a determination may conflict with the interest of the Funds.

The Funds may also invest in money market funds that invest at least 99.5% of their assets in U.S. government securities and operate as “government money market funds” under Rule 2a-7. Government money market funds may seek to maintain a stable price of $1.00 per share and are generally not required to impose liquidity fees or temporarily suspend redemptions. However, government money market funds typically offer materially lower yields than other money market funds with fluctuating share prices.

A Fund could lose money invested in a money market fund. An investment in a money market fund, including a government money market fund, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. A money market fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the money market fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor or any person will provide financial support to a money market fund at any time.

In addition to the fees and expenses that a Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests. By investing in a money market fund, a Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. A Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund’s investments in derivatives. Money market funds are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.

Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

 

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae) are described as “modified pass-

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through securities.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by Ginnie Mae, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, except as described below, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. FNMA is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an Act of the U.S. Congress. FNMA certificates are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress. FHLMC certificates are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. FHLMC certificates entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal after default.

From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of FNMA and FHLMC. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress with regard to such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and the Funds’ liquidity and value.

There is risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by FNMA and FHLMC. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

The volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets during late 2008 and into 2009 have led to increased market concerns about FHLMC’s and FNMA’s ability to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, both FHLMC and FNMA were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”).

Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of FHLMC and FNMA, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to: (1) take over the assets of and operate FHLMC and FNMA with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of FHLMC and FNMA and conduct all business of FHLMC and FNMA; (2) collect all obligations and money due to FHLMC and FNMA; (3) perform all functions of FHLMC and FNMA which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of FHLMC and FNMA; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator. In addition, in connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the U.S. Treasury Department (the

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“Treasury”) entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of FHLMC and FNMA which established the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of FHLMC and FNMA, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA.

The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA and the issuance of this senior preferred stock placed significant restrictions on the activities of FHLMC and FNMA. FHLMC and FNMA must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things: (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock issued to the Treasury, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions were placed on the maximum size of each of FHLMC’s and FNMA’s respective portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, and the purchase agreements entered into by FHLMC and FNMA provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of FHLMC and FNMA could be impacted by (among other things): the actions taken and restrictions placed on FHLMC and FNMA by the FHFA in its role as conservator; the restrictions placed on FHLMC’s and FNMA’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the Treasury; market responses to developments at FHLMC and FNMA; and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by FHLMC and FNMA, including any such mortgage-backed securities held by the Funds.

As a result of the economic recession that commenced in the United States in 2008, there is a heightened risk that the receivables and loans underlying the asset-backed securities purchased by the Funds may suffer greater levels of default than was historically experienced.

Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities.

Caps and Floors

The underlying mortgages that collateralize the ARMs in which a Fund may invest will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down: (1) per reset or adjustment interval, and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization. The value of mortgage securities in which a Fund invests may be affected if market interest rates rise or fall faster and farther than the allowable caps or floors on the underlying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, even though the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgages are adjustable, amortization and prepayments may occur, thereby causing the effective maturities of the mortgage securities in which a Fund invests to be shorter than the maturities stated in the underlying mortgages.

Inverse Floaters

Inverse floaters constitute a class of mortgage-backed securities with a coupon rate that moves inversely to a designated index, such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or 11th District Cost of Funds Index (“COFI”). Inverse floaters have coupon rates that typically change at a multiple of the changes of the relevant index rate. Any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate on an inverse floater while any drop in the index rate causes an increase in the coupon rate of an inverse floater. In some circumstances, the coupon on an inverse floater could decrease to zero. In addition, like most other fixed income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase and their average lives will extend. Inverse floaters exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of

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mortgage-backed securities. In addition, some inverse floaters display extreme sensitivity to changes in prepayments. As a result, the yield to maturity of an inverse floater is sensitive not only to changes in interest rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying mortgage assets. As described above, inverse floaters may be used alone or in tandem with interest-only stripped mortgage instruments.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

A Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls with a bank or a broker-dealer. A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which a Fund sells mortgage-related securities for immediate settlement and simultaneously purchases the same type of securities for forward settlement at a discount. While a Fund begins accruing interest on the newly purchased securities from the purchase or trade date, it is able to invest the proceeds from the sale of its previously owned securities, which will be used to pay for the new securities, in money market investments until a future settlement date. The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage, and is considered to be a form of borrowing.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

Private mortgage pass-through securities, also known as “non-agency mortgage securities”, are structured similarly to the Ginnie Mae, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign (non-U.S.) private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of Ginnie Mae, FNMA and FHLMC, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Mortgage assets often consist of a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. There are usually fewer properties in a pool of assets backing commercial mortgage-backed securities than in a pool of assets backing residential mortgage-backed securities; hence they may be more sensitive to the performance of fewer mortgage assets. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection; and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. A Fund will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

Resets

The interest rates paid on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities (“ARMs”) in which a Fund may invest generally are readjusted or reset at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost-of-funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Note rates, the three-month Treasury Bill rate, the 180-day Treasury Bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate

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(“LIBOR”), the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury Note rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

Stripped Mortgage Securities

Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by federal agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped mortgage securities usually are structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution of a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). PO classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at which such securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled amortization and principal prepayment from the mortgage assets underlying the PO class. The yield to maturity on a PO or an IO class security is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A slower than expected rate of principal payments may have an adverse effect on a PO-class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience slower than anticipated principal repayment, a Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on an IO-class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.

A Fund may purchase stripped mortgage securities for income, or for hedging purposes to protect the Fund’s portfolio against interest rate fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of other fixed income securities in a rising interest rate environment.

 

Municipal Government Obligations

In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with each Fund’s investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.

Municipal Lease Obligations

Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. A Fund may invest in funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations. States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater

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risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a “non-appropriation” clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to “non-appropriation” risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.

Over-the-Counter Instruments

The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects a Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign (non-U.S.) markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where a Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives may involve other risks as well, as there is no exchange market on which to close out an open position. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the fixed income securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.

Recent Market Events

A Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. The value of a security or other instrument may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other instrument, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates generally do not have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.

Stresses associated with the 2008 financial crisis in the United States and global economies peaked approximately a decade ago, but periods of unusually high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or a geography, continue to recur. Some countries, including the United States,

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have adopted and/or are considering the adoption of more protectionist trade policies, a move away from the tighter financial industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or substantially reducing corporate taxes. The exact shape of these policies is still being considered, but the equity and debt markets may react strongly to expectations of change, which could increase volatility, especially if the market’s expectations are not borne out. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health, may add to instability in world economies and markets generally. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic, political and/or financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by such events.

An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected globally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, business and school closings, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty. The value of a Fund and the securities in which the Fund invests may be adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19 and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future. In addition, as a possible consequence of the measures taken in response to the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting market disruptions, volatility and liquidity concerns, a Fund may have difficulty in complying with the distribution requirements necessary for the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as a Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.  

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by a Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, a Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while a Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator

 

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The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, will file with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Fund’s operation. Accordingly, the Fund will not be subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.

 

Risks Related to the Adviser and to its Strategy

Quantitative Model Risk

The Adviser implements the Funds’ investment strategies using proprietary trading models (each, a “Model” and collectively, the “Models”) that analyze information and data supplied by third parties. When the data proves to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose a Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on the data, the Adviser may be induced to buy or sell investments when it may not be advantageous to do so, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether.

The Models seek to accurately invest during favorable investment time periods based on technical analysis using current and historical data. The use of the Models has inherent risks. For example, a Model may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, a Model may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for a Fund. Furthermore, because the Models rely on historical and market data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on the Models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical and market data. If incorrect historical or market data is entered into a Model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if the historical and market data is accurate the price trends that a Model identifies will often substantially differ from actual market prices. Differences in price trends and actual market prices may result in losses for a Fund.

Obsolescence Risk

The Funds are unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the Models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that a Model does not reflect certain factors major losses may result. Any modification of a Model will not be subject to any requirement that shareholders receive notice of the change or that they consent to it. There can be no assurance as to the effects (positive or negative) of any modification of a Model on a Fund’s performance.

Crowding/Convergence

There is significant competition among systematic, trend-following managers, and the ability of the Adviser to deliver returns consistent with each Fund’s objectives and policies is dependent on its ability to employ a trading strategy that is simultaneously profitable and differentiated from similar trading employed by other managers. To the extent that the Adviser’s trading on behalf of a Fund comes to resemble trading employed by other managers, the risk that a market disruption that negatively affects its models, and therefore adversely affects the Fund, is increased, and such a disruption could accelerate reductions in liquidity or rapid re-pricing due to simultaneous trading across a number of funds in the marketplace.

Involuntary Disclosure Risk

As described above, the ability of the Adviser to achieve each Fund’s investment objective is dependent in large part on its ability to develop and protect its Models and any related proprietary research. The Models and any related proprietary research are largely protected by the use of policies, procedures, agreements, and similar measures designed to create and enforce robust confidentiality, non-disclosure, and similar safeguards. However, public disclosure obligations (or disclosure obligations to exchanges or regulators with insufficient privacy safeguards) could lead to opportunities for competitors to reverse-engineer a Model, and thereby impair the relative or absolute performance of a Fund.

Proprietary Trading Methods

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Because the Models and the trading methods employed by the Adviser on behalf of the Funds are proprietary, a shareholder will not be able to determine any details of such methods or whether they are being followed.

Securities Economically Tied to Non-U.S. Markets

An issuer of a security may be deemed to be economically tied to a particular country if it meets one or more of the following criteria: (i) the issuer or guarantor of the security is organized under the laws of, or maintains its principal place of business in, such country; (ii) the currency of settlement of the security is the currency of such country; (iii) the principal trading market for the security is in such country; (iv) during the issuer’s most recent fiscal year, it derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in such country or has at least 50% of its assets in that country; or (v) the issuer is included in an index that is representative of that country. In the event that an issuer may be considered to be economically tied to more than one country based on these criteria (for example, where the issuer is organized under the laws of one country but derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold in another country), the Adviser may classify the issuer as being economically tied to any country that meets the above criteria in its discretion based on an assessment of the relevant facts and circumstances.

Securities Options

 

A Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign (non-U.S.) securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

 

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.

 

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the NYSE ARCA Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and the NASDAQ PHLX.

 

A Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be

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greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described below, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

 

If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

 

Certain Risks Regarding Options

 

There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by a Fund. Inasmuch as a Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, a Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and a Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.

 

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by a Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

 

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is

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exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

 

Cover for Options Positions

 

Transactions using options (other than options that a Fund has purchased) expose a Fund to an obligation to another party. A Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (i) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (i) above. The Funds will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with the Funds’ custodian in the prescribed amount. Under current SEC guidelines, each Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.

 

Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of a Fund’s assets to cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

 

Options on Futures Contracts

The Funds may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.  

Dealer Options

A Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While a Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by a Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, a Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when a Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option.

While a Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless a Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, a Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by a Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because a Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security

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it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair a Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. A Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer options they have written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, a Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Funds will change their treatment of such instruments accordingly.

Spread Transactions

A Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives a Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to a Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect a Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.

Short Sales

The Funds may employ “short selling” for both (1) investment purposes and (2) for defensive purposes as a hedging strategy. For investment purposes, when the Adviser believes that particular index, company or sector is relatively overvalued, a Fund may sell a security short with the expectation that it can be repurchased at a lower price, thus generating a gain for the Fund. For defensive purposes, when the Adviser believes that a security or group of securities in a Fund is susceptible to a decline in value, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation any decline in value of the security sold short will serve to offset some of the decline in value suffered by the Fund’s portfolio of securities. A short sale strategy is different than a long-only strategy because it consists of selling borrowed shares in the hope that they can be bought back later at a lower price.

A Fund may sell securities short involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.

When a Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. A Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.  

If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time a Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

To the extent a Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales “against the box”) will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). A Fund does not intend to enter into short sales (other

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than short sales “against the box”) if immediately after such sales the aggregate of the value of all collateral plus the amount in such segregated account exceeds 50% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. This percentage may be varied by action of the Board of Trustees. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent a Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.

Short sales create a risk that a Fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long. Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited.  

To the extent that a Fund uses short sales as a hedging technique, the Fund is subject to correlation risk. Specifically, the correlation between the security sold short and the hedged security may be imperfect, reducing the expected benefit to a Fund of a short sale, or there may be no correlation at all. It is possible that the market value of the securities a Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the Fund’s potential volatility.

In addition, any gain on a short sale is decreased, and any loss is increased, by the amount of any payments, such as lender fees, replacement of dividends or interest that a Fund may be required to make with respect to the borrowed securities. Market factors may prevent a Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price. The lender of the borrowed securities may require a Fund to return the securities on short notice, which may require the Fund to purchase the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price, resulting in a loss. You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling securities short could suffer significant losses. Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce a Fund’s return, and may result in higher taxes.

Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures

Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of the Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.

Swaps

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market.  The Fund’s Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Fund’s transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

Credit Default Swaps

In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. A Fund may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to

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take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by a Fund’s custodian in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. A Fund earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps. The Dodd-Frank Act will ultimately require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign (non-U.S.) exchange forwards, OTC foreign (non-U.S.) exchange options and swaptions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will take place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing. The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.

Swap Agreements

Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.  Most swap agreements entered into by a Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, a Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.  Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with a Fund’s custodian that satisfies the 1940 Act.  A Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of a Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.  Because most swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for a Fund’s illiquid investment limitations.  A Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.  

A Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the underlying securities or a futures contract or an option on such securities.  The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counterparty will generally agree to pay a Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those instruments.  A Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount

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of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets.  Therefore, the return to a Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.  

A Fund may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, futures contract, basket of securities or futures contracts, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security, commodity or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to a Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, usually the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the Funds will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

Technology Risk

The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Funds, consistent with each Fund’s investment objective and strategy described in the Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision making for the Funds. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively impact a Fund.

Temporary Defensive Position

In anticipation of or in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, a Fund may take temporary defensive positions (up to 100% of its assets) in cash, cash equivalents and short term U.S. government securities. If a Fund were to take a temporary defensive position, its opportunity to achieve upside return may be limited; however, the ability to be fully defensive is an integral part of achieving each Fund’s investment objective.

Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

 

The Funds may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between a Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. A Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between a Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to a Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.

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Trading in Futures Contracts

A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.  

Unlike when a Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain a Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its futures broker in a segregated account an amount of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.”

The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to a Fund.

These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” The Funds expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits.

Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, a Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Funds will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If a Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.  

For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.  

A Fund’s futures contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contracts can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contract prices have occasionally

38 
 

moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent a Fund from promptly liquidating its futures contracts.

United States Government Obligations

The Funds may invest in United States Government Obligations. These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.  

Receipts

Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. Treasury Receipts (“TRs”) and Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.

U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities

STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.

U.S. Treasury Obligations

U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and TRs.

United States Government Agency  

The Funds may invest in securities issued by United States Government Agencies. These consist of fixed income securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, FHLMC, the Farm Credit Banks, FNMA, and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

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FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PC’s”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, except as described below, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. FNMA is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an Act of the U.S. Congress. FNMA certificates are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress. FHLMC certificates are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. FHLMC certificates entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal after default.

From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of FNMA and FHLMC. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress with regard to such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and the Fund’s liquidity and value.

There is risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by FNMA and FHLMC. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

The volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets during late 2008 and into 2009 have led to increased market concerns about FHLMC’s and FNMA’s ability to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, both FHLMC and FNMA were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”).

Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of FHLMC and FNMA, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to: (1) take over the assets of and operate FHLMC and FNMA with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of FHLMC and FNMA and conduct all business of FHLMC and FNMA; (2) collect all obligations and money due to FHLMC and FNMA; (3) perform all functions of FHLMC and FNMA which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of FHLMC and FNMA; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator. In addition, in connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the U.S. Treasury Department (the

40 
 

“Treasury”) entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of FHLMC and FNMA which established the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of FHLMC and FNMA, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA.

The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA and the issuance of this senior preferred stock placed significant restrictions on the activities of FHLMC and FNMA. FHLMC and FNMA must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things: (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock issued to the Treasury, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions were placed on the maximum size of each of FHLMC’s and FNMA’s respective portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, and the purchase agreements entered into by FHLMC and FNMA provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of FHLMC and FNMA could be impacted by (among other things): the actions taken and restrictions placed on FHLMC and FNMA by the FHFA in its role as conservator; the restrictions placed on FHLMC’s and FNMA’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the Treasury; market responses to developments at FHLMC and FNMA; and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by FHLMC and FNMA, including any such mortgage-backed securities held by the Fund.

As a result of the economic recession that commenced in the United States in 2008, there is a heightened risk that the receivables and loans underlying the asset-backed securities purchased by the Fund may suffer greater levels of default than was historically experienced.

 

Warrants

 

Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.

 

 When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

 

A Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled "Custodian") will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, a Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that a Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

 

The Funds do not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because a Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

 

The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases such Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When a Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions,

41 
 

it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in a Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.

 

The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of a Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. A Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

  

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

Each Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund, which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Each Fund may not:

1.      Borrowing Money. Each Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws;       

2.        Senior Securities. Each Fund may not issue senior securities, except as otherwise permitted under applicable securities laws.

3.       Underwriting. Each Fund may not act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter under applicable securities laws in the disposition of portfolio securities or in the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof.

4.  Concentration. Each Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets, taken at the time of the investment, would be invested in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.

5.       Real Estate. Each Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, but this policy shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate (e.g., REITs) or in securities of issuers engaged in the real estate business.

6.       Commodities. Each Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent permitted by applicable law from time to time.

7.       Loans. Each Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.

8.       Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, each Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result: (i) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after and as the result of such purchase would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. In the event a Fund invests in underlying investment companies, the Fund will “look through” to the underlying assets in the underlying funds to determine diversification.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF EACH FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.

1. Pledging. Each Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above.  Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving

42 
 

options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

2. Borrowing. Each Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.  

3. Margin Purchases. Each Fund may not purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in connection with covered transactions in options, futures, options on futures and short positions. For purposes of this restriction, the posting of margin deposits or other forms of collateral in connection with swap agreements is not considered purchasing securities on margin.

4. Illiquid Investments. Each Fund will not hold 15% or more of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.

If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

  

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of each Fund’s shareholders.

It is the Trust’s policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.

Each Fund’s portfolio holdings are, or will be, disclosed on the Fund’s website at www.leadersharesetfs.com each day the Fund is open for business. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings information will also generally be provided for dissemination through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC") and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants (as defined below), and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Fund in the secondary market. This information typically reflects the Fund’s anticipated holdings as of the next Business Day.

Each Fund also discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period. The Fund also discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-PORT two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.

The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg earlier and more frequently on a confidential basis.

Under limited circumstances, as described below, a Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their posting on the Fund’s website or their filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-PORT, as applicable.  In each case, a determination has been made by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose of the Fund and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.

· The Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing a Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its

43 
 

management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

· Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

· Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

· [_________________] is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of each Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.   

· Blank Rome LLP is counsel to the Funds; therefore, its personnel have access to the Funds’ portfolio holdings in connection with review of each Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

Additions to List of Approved Recipients. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information in connection with the operation or administration of the Fund, as determined by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Funds, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Funds’ portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Funds from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

MANAGEMENT

 

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of four individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including, but not limited to, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

 

Board Leadership Structure. The Board is led by Mark Gersten, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was first registered with the SEC in 2012. Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as

44 
 

providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, the Funds and each shareholder.

 

Board Risk Oversight. The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees and has established an Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

 

Trustee Qualifications. Generally, the Funds believe that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills. Mark Garbin has over 30 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers. Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers. Mr. Garbin holds both a Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) and Professional Risk Manager (“PRM”) designation and has earned and holds advanced degrees in international business, negotiation and derivatives. Mark Gersten has over 35 years of business experience in the investment management business with a focus on mutual funds and alternative funds. He serves as a member of other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service to this board and extensive experience administering mutual funds. Mr. Gersten is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA in accounting. Neil Kaufman has over 35 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney and possesses a deep understanding of the securities industry in general and financial statements in particular. Mr. Kaufman has previously served as the Chairman of a NASDAQ-listed technology company and the Chairman of the Banking & Securities Law committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Anita Krug has 10 years of experience as an attorney advising investment advisory firms and investment companies, particularly those managing hedge funds. She also has extensive experience as a law professor whose scholarship focuses on investment advisers, hedge funds and mutual funds. The Funds do not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them well qualified.

 

Trustees and Officers.  The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below.   The address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, P.O. Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

 

 

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Independent Trustees*

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

 

Position(s) Held with Registrant

 

Term and Length Served

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex**

 

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

 

Mark Garbin

Year of Birth: 1951

 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2008)

11

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust  (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013);  Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013);  OHA Mortgage Strategies Fund (offshore), Ltd. (2014 - 2017); Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); and Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (since March 2018)

Mark D. Gersten

Year of Birth: 1950

 

Chairman, Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

Independent Consultant (since 2012); Senior Vice President – Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (1985 – 2011) 11 Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); previously, Ramius Archview Credit and Distressed Fund (2015-2017); and Schroder Global Series Trust (2012 to 2017)

 

 

46 
 

 

 

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

 

Position(s) Held with Registrant

 

Term and Length Served

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex**

 

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

 

Neil M. Kaufman

Year of Birth: 1960

 

Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

 

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

 

Managing Member, Kaufman & Associates, LLC (legal services)(Since 2016); Partner, Abrams Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf, LLP (legal services)(2010-2016) 11 Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014)

Anita K. Krug

Year of Birth: 1969

 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

Dean (since 2019) Chicago Kent Law School; Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (2018-2019), University of Washington Bothell; Interim Dean (2017-2018), Professor (2016-2019), Associate Professor (2014-2016), and Assistant Professor (2010-2014), University of Washington School of Law 11 Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); Centerstone Investors Trust (since 2016)

* Information is as of the date of this SAI.

** As of the date of this SAI, the Trust was comprised of [twenty-five] active portfolios managed by seven unaffiliated investment advisers and two affiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to those funds that (i) are advised by a common investment adviser or by an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other funds in the Trust or (ii) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust, except for the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio, Redwood AlphaFactor® Tactical Core Fund, Redwood Managed Municipal Income Fund, Redwood Activist Leaders® Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor® Tactical International Fund, Redwood Systematic Macro Trend (“SMarT”) Fund, LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® U.S. Core Equity ETF and LeaderShares® Equity Skew ETF, which are also advised by the Fund’s Adviser.

 

 

 

47 
 

Officers of the Trust*

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

 

Position(s) Held with Registrant

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex**

 

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

 

James Colantino

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

 

President

Since Feb. 2017

Treasurer

(2012 to 2017)

 

Senior Vice President (2012-present); Vice President (2004 to 2012); Gemini Fund Services, LLC

N/A

 

N/A

 

Laura Szalyga

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1978

 

Treasurer

Since Feb. 2017

 

Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015); Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011-2014)

N/A

 

N/A

 

Richard A. Malinowski

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1983

 

Vice President Since Sept. 2018

Secretary

Since 2013

 

Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (since February 2020); Senior Vice President Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (April 2017 to February 2020); Vice President and Counsel (April 2016-2017) and AVP and Staff Attorney (September 2012 – March 2016)

N/A

 

N/A

 

William B. Kimme

Year of Birth: 1962

 

Chief Compliance Officer

Since Inception

Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since September 2011)

N/A

 

N/A

 

* Information is as of the date of this SAI.

** As of the date of this SAI, the Trust was comprised of [twenty-five] active portfolios managed by seven unaffiliated investment advisers and two affiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to those funds that (i) are advised by a common investment adviser or by an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other funds in the Trust or (ii) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust, except for the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio, Redwood AlphaFactor® Tactical Core Fund, Redwood Managed Municipal Income Fund, Redwood Activist Leaders® Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor® Tactical International Fund, Redwood Systematic Macro Trend (“SMarT”) Fund, LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® U.S. Core Equity ETF and LeaderShares® Equity Skew ETF, which are also advised by the Funds’ Adviser.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of all of the Trustees, none of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things: (i) the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors and approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the Audit Committee held eight meetings.    

 

48 
 

Compensation of Directors. Effective January 1, 2019, the Trust pays each Independent Trustee a fee of $50,000 per annum, as well as reimbursements for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $12,500 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $10,000. The Trust also pays each Independent Trustee a fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting (and/or Committee meeting held in connection with such a Board meeting) other than a regularly scheduled meeting (a “Special Meeting”), except that the Audit Committee will permit up to four Special Meetings a year without any additional fees.

 

Effective April 1, 2018, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee a fee of $47,500 per annum, as well as reimbursements for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $10,000 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $7,500. The Trust also pays each Independent Trustee a fee of $1,000 for each Special Meeting, except that the Audit Committee will permit up to four Special Meetings a year without any additional fees.

 

No “interested persons” who serves as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.

 

The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Fund during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019***. The Funds had not commenced operation as of that date and thus did not pay any Trustee fees.

 

Name and Position

 

Tactical Focused ETF Activist Leaders® ETF

Total Compensation From Fund Complex Paid to Trustees**

 

Mark Garbin

 

$0 $0 [$20,418.68]

Mark Gersten

 

$0 $0 [$25,022.89]

Neil Kaufman

 

$0 $0 [$24,422.34]

Anita Krug

 

$0 $0 [$20,418.68]

*Trustees’ fees are allocated equally to each series in the Trust.

** The term “Fund Complex” refers only to the Funds, Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor® Tactical Core Fund, Redwood Managed Municipal Income Fund, Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio, Redwood Activist Leaders® Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor® Tactical International Fund, Redwood Systematic Macro Trend ("SMarT") Fund, LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® U.S. Core Equity ETF and LeaderShares® Equity Skew ETF, and not to any other series of the Trust. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the aggregate independent Trustees’ fee paid by the entire Trust were $[225,500].

*** The Trust is comprised of multiple series with differing fiscal year ends. Each Fund in the Fund Complex, as defined above, may also have differing fiscal year ends. The compensation paid to the Board of Trustees is determined on a calendar quarter basis.

 

Trustees’ Ownership of Shares in the Fund. As of December 31, 2019, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund and the family of investment companies overseen by the Trustees.

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds*

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies

 

 

Mark Garbin

 

None

 

[None]

 

Mark Gersten

 

 

None

 

[$50,001-$100,000]

 

 

49 
 

 

 

Neil Kaufman

 

 

None

 

[None]

 

Anita Krug

 

 

None

 

[None]

*  As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations and did not have any equity securities outstanding.

 

Management Ownership

 

Because there were no shares of the Fund outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares. As of the date of this SAI the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1% of the Fund Complex’s outstanding shares.

 

  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns (of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.

 

As of the date of this SAI, there were no shares of a Fund outstanding, and no shareholder(s) of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Investment Adviser and Investment Advisory Agreement

 

Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Adviser” or “Redwood”), located at 4110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 125, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs. Redwood Investment Holdco, LLC owns 99% of Redwood Investment Management, LLC. Redwood Investment Holdco, LLC is controlled and majority owned by Michael T. Messinger and related trusts formed by him.

 

Under the investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust with respect to the Funds, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of each Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Funds’ current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.  The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to each Fund and, as such shall: (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder; (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions; and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by a Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers, subject to best execution.  The Adviser also provides necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Funds’ investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Funds or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Investment Advisory

50 
 

Agreement with respect to the Funds was approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on March 4-5, 2020.

 

The Adviser provides investment advisory services and pays most of the Funds’ operating expenses (with certain exceptions) in return for a “unitary” advisory fee from each Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund, not the Adviser, pays the following expenses: all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as dividend expense on securities sold short and interest), fees and expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Board of Trustees and officers with respect thereto. Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.

 

Fund Advisory Fee Rate
Tactical Focused ETF 0.99%
Activist Leaders® ETF 0.75%

 

 

The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares. The Investment Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

Codes of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that govern the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (for purposes of this subsection only, the “Code”), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by each Fund.  

In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code. 

Proxy Voting Policies

 

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of each Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.

 

Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and a Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.

51 
 

 

More information. Information regarding how a Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-480-757-4277 and such information will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

THE DISTRIBUTOR

 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 (the "Distributor") serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Funds pursuant to an ETF Distribution Agreement with the Trust (the "ETF Distribution Agreement"). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state's securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of each Fund’s shares is continuous. The ETF Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of each Fund’s shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of each Fund’s shares.

 

The ETF Distribution Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated with respect to a Fund, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

The ETF Distribution Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days written notice to the Fund. The ETF Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

 

The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with broker-dealers that solicit orders for the sale of shares of the Fund and may allow concessions to dealers that sell shares of the Funds.

 

Rule 12b-1 Plan

 

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") for Shares pursuant to which each Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor's account maintenance services under the Plan. The Board has approved a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. Such fees are to be paid by each Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon a Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. A Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. Each Fund will bear their own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Funds’ method of distribution. No fees are currently paid by the Fund under the Plan, and there are no current plans to impose such fees. In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Fund.

 

The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Funds; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in a Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making each Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Funds as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, may reasonably request. The

52 
 

distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to a Fund.

 

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.

 

The initial term of the Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or a Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the respective Fund.

 

The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by a Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. During the term of the Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

Any agreement related to the Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement. No “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds nor any Trustee had a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the plans or related agreements.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Michael T. Messinger, Richard M. Duff and Michael T. Cheung each serves as a portfolio manager of the Funds. As of December 31, 2019 Messrs. Messinger, Duff and Cheung are responsible for the portfolio management of the following types of accounts in addition to the Funds:

 

Michael T. Messinger

 

Total Other Accounts

By Type

Total Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)

Number of Accounts by Type  Subject to a Performance Fee

Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

(in millions)

Registered Investment Companies 8 $981 0 0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 1 $31 0 0
Other Accounts 762 $421 0 0

 

53 
 

Richard Duff

 

Total Other Accounts

By Type

Total Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)

Number of Accounts by Type  Subject to a Performance Fee

Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

(in millions)

Registered Investment Companies 5 $436 0 0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 0 0 0
Other Accounts 0 0 0 0

 

Michael Cheung

 

Total Other Accounts

By Type

Total Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)

Number of Accounts by Type  Subject to a Performance Fee

Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

(in millions)

Registered Investment Companies 8 $981 0 0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 1 $31 0 0
Other Accounts 762 $421 0 0

 

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

The Adviser is controlled by Michael T. Messinger. Many of the Adviser’s clients participate in investment programs that have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially similar to the Fund. Other clients of the Adviser may have differing investment programs, objectives, policies and strategies. In general, when a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees it receives from the Fund, or the Adviser could receive performance-based fees on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.

 

The Adviser attempts to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, a portfolio manager may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security or other instrument in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that a portfolio manager seeks to purchase or sell the same security or other instrument for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where a portfolio manager deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities or other instruments purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.

 

Compensation

54 
 

 

As of the date of this SAI, due to Mr. Messinger’s, Mr. Duff’s and Mr. Cheung’s ownership interest in the Adviser, they may receive compensation through their ownership interest to the extent that the Adviser distributes any profits or the value of ownership interests increase. Messrs. Messinger, Cheung and Duff receive a salary and a discretionary bonus based on the Fund and Redwood performance.

 

Ownership of Securities

 

As of the date of this SAI, no portfolio managers beneficially owned any securities of the Fund.

 

 ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

 

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Funds are made by the portfolio managers who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of each Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Funds or the Adviser for a Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.

 

In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

  the best net price available;

 

  the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;

 

  the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

 

  the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of a Fund on a continuing basis.

 

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Funds may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than a Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit a Fund.

  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

A Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by a Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of a Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.

 

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Fund Administration

 

55 
 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (the "Administrator"), which has its principal office at 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. The Administrator is an affiliate of the Distributor.

 

Pursuant to Fund Services Agreement with the Fund, the Administrator provides administrative services to the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Administrator may provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of the Administrator or its affiliates.

 

The Fund Services Agreement is dated August 29, 2012. The Fund Services Agreement will remain in effect for two years from the effective date of the agreement, and will remain in effect subject to annual approval of the Board for one-year periods thereafter. The Fund Services Agreement is terminable by the Board or the Administrator on ninety days' written notice and may be assigned provided the non-assigning party provides prior written consent. This Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Administrator shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.

 

Under the Fund Services Agreement, the Administrator provides facilitating administrative services, including: (i) providing services of persons competent to perform such administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide effective administration of the Fund; (ii) facilitating the performance of administrative and professional services to the Fund by others, including the Fund's Custodian; (iii) preparing, but not paying for, the periodic updating of the Fund's Registration Statement, Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with Fund counsel, including the printing of such documents for the purpose of filings with the SEC and state securities administrators, and preparing reports to the Fund's shareholders and the SEC; (iv) preparing in conjunction with Fund counsel, but not paying for, all filings under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such states or countries as are designated by the Distributor, which may be required to register or qualify, or continue the registration or qualification, of the Fund and/or its shares under such laws; (v) preparing notices and agendas for meetings of the Board and minutes of such meetings in all matters required by the 1940 Act to be acted upon by the Board; and (vi) monitoring daily and periodic compliance with respect to all requirements and restrictions of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Prospectuses.

 

The Administrator also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund's listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund's custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

 

For administrative services rendered to the Fund under the Fund Services Agreement, the Fund pay GFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Fund Services Agreement, the Fund pay GFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pay GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Transfer Agent

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110, acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to written agreement with Fund (the “Transfer Agent”). Under the agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

Custodian

 

BBH (the "Custodian"), serves as the custodian of each Fund's assets pursuant to a Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Funds. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling a Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and

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collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. A Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.

 

Compliance Officer

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. For the compliance services rendered to the Funds, each Fund pays NLCS a one-time fee plus an annual asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Funds also pay NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.

 

Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.

 

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal, per-class, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of each Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The Trust’s by-laws state that unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forums for any Shareholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust; (ii) any action asserting a claim or breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer or employee, if any, of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s Shareholders or its beneficial owners; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Trust, its Trustees, officers or employees, if any, arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust or by-laws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Trust, its Trustees, officers or employees, if any, governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. The Trust’s by-laws also state that any person or entity that is a shareholder of the Trust shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions of the Trust’s by-laws.

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

 

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program. The Trust’s Secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor, and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact

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business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency. 

 

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

 

Calculation of Share Price

 

As indicated in each Fund’s prospectus under the heading "Net Asset Value," ("NAV") of a Fund's shares is determined by dividing the total value of a Fund's portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of such Fund.

 

Generally, a Fund’s domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Funds’ fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described below. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market.

 

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost, provided such valuations represent par value.

 

Exchange traded options are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily based upon quotations from market makers or by a pricing service in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Under certain circumstances, a Fund may use an independent pricing service to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of securities held by a Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before a Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by a Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as

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discussed below. Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of a Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of a Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because each Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares

 

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of a Fund's shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares

 

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, each Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to a Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.

 

When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, a Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or its designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.

 

Notice to Texas Shareholders

 

Under section 72.1021(a) of the Texas Property Code, initial investors in a Fund who are Texas residents may designate a representative to receive notices of abandoned property in connection with Fund shares. Texas shareholders who wish to appoint a representative should notify the Trust’s Transfer Agent by writing to the address below to obtain a form for providing written notice to the Trust:

 

LeaderShares® Activist Leaders® ETF

LeaderShares® AlphaFactor® Tactical Focused ETF

 

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

PO Box 541150

Omaha, Nebraska 68154

 

 

Creation Units

 

Each Fund sells and redeems Shares in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any Business Day. A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

A Creation Unit is an aggregation of 25,000 Shares. The Board may declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of the Fund or Trust, and make a corresponding change in the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

 

Authorized Participants

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To purchase or redeem any Creation Units, you must be, or transact through, an Authorized Participant. In order to be an Authorized Participant, you must be either a broker-dealer or other participant (“Participating Party”) in the Continuous Net Settlement System (“Clearing Process”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system (“DTC Participant”), and you must execute an agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Distributor that governs transactions in a Fund’s Creation Units.

 

Investors who are not Authorized Participants but want to transact in Creation Units may contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. An Authorized Participant may require investors to enter into a separate agreement to transact through it for Creation Units and may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in a particular form. Investors transacting through a broker that is not itself an Authorized Participant and therefore must still transact through an Authorized Participant may incur additional charges. There are expected to be a limited number of Authorized Participants at any one time.

 

Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Market disruptions and telephone or other communication failures may impede the transmission of orders.

 

Transaction Fees

 

A fixed fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu (as defined below) are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). With the approval of the Board, the Adviser may waive or adjust the Transaction Fees, including the Fixed Fee and/or Variable Charge (shown in the table below), from time to time. In such cases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the respective Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. In addition, purchasers of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the account of a Fund.

 

Investors who use the services of a broker, or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The Transaction Fees for the Funds are listed in the table below.

 

Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases Minimum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases* Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases*
$600 20 bps 200 bps

* As a percentage of the amount invested.

 

The Clearing Process

 

Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a Participating Party using the NSCC system are referred to as transactions “through the Clearing Process.” Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a DTC Participant using the DTC system are referred to as transactions “outside the Clearing Process.” The Clearing Process is an enhanced clearing process that is available only for certain securities and only to DTC participants that are also participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders not subject to the Clearing Process will go through a manual clearing process run by DTC. Portfolio Deposits that include government securities must be delivered through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system (“Federal Reserve System”). Fund Deposits that include cash may be delivered through the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. In-kind deposits of securities for orders outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through the Federal Reserve System (for government securities) or through DTC (for corporate securities).

 

Foreign Securities

 

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

  

Purchasing Creation Units

 

Portfolio Deposit

 

The consideration for a Creation Unit generally consists of the Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Portfolio Deposit.” The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Thus, the Cash Component with respect to a Fund is equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value per Creation Unit of a Fund and (y) the market value of the Deposit Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to the Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from the Fund.

 

On each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Deposit Security in the current Portfolio Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. The Deposit Securities announced are applicable to purchases of Creation Units until the next announcement of Deposit Securities.

 

Payment of any stamp duty or the like shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit. The Authorized Participant must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.

 

Custom Orders and Cash-in-lieu

 

Each Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash-in-lieu”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. A Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Deposit Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, a Fund may permit or require cash in lieu of Deposit Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities laws or policies from transacting in one or more Deposit Securities. The Funds will comply with the federal securities laws in accepting Deposit Securities including that the Deposit Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All orders involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Orders.”

 

Purchase Orders

 

To order a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order to the Distributor.

 

Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders

 

An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the bond markets and/or the trading session on the Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV (“Cut-off Time”). The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on a Business Day if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating custom orders and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve Bank wire system, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the “Settlement Date,” which is generally the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date (“T+1”) for cash and the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities (“T+2”).

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Orders Using the Clearing Process

 

If available, (portions of) orders may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits, on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Portfolio Deposit to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System.

 

Orders Outside the Clearing Process

 

If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Portfolio Deposits will be made outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will be effected through DTC. The Portfolio Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of Deposit Securities (whether standard or custom) through DTC to a Fund account by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on T+1. The Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee, must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve System in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive both the Deposit Securities and the cash by the appointed time, the order may be canceled. A canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day but must conform to that Business Day’s Portfolio Deposit. Authorized Participants that submit a canceled order will be liable to a Fund for any losses incurred by a Fund in connection therewith.

 

Orders involving foreign Deposit Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable purchase order, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian , who will have caused the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of a Fund to maintain an account into which an Authorized Participant may deliver Deposit Securities (or cash -in-lieu), with adjustments determined by such Fund, will then provide information of the order to such local sub-custodian(s). The ordering Authorized Participant will then deliver the Deposit Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) to a Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian. The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to a Fund, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by a Fund to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component and Transaction Fee. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date.

 

Acceptance of Purchase Order

 

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

 

Each Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of a Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the Deposit Securities for the applicable date; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to a Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust, Fund or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust, Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process purchase orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy or computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other informational systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Adviser, each Fund’s Custodian, a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify an Authorized Participant of its rejection of the order. Each Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of

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any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits, and they shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

 

Issuance of a Creation Unit

 

Once a Fund has accepted an order, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, such Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.

 

Except as provided below, a Creation Unit will not be issued until a Fund obtains good title to the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. Except as provided in Appendix C, the delivery of Creation Units will generally occur no later than T+2.

 

In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

 

With respect to orders involving foreign Deposit Securities, when the applicable local sub-custodian(s) have confirmed to the Custodian that the Deposit Securities (or cash -in-lieu) have been delivered to a Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian(s), the Distributor and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and such Fund will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit. While, as stated above, Creation Units are generally delivered on T+2, a Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances.

 

Each Fund may issue a Creation Unit prior to receiving good title to the Deposit Securities, under the following circumstances. Pursuant to the applicable Participant Agreement, a Fund may issue a Creation Unit notwithstanding that (certain) Deposit Securities have not been delivered, in reliance on an undertaking by the relevant Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking is secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery to and maintenance with the Custodian of collateral having a value equal to at least 115% of the value of the missing Deposit Securities (“Collateral”), as adjusted by time to time by the Adviser. Such Collateral will have a value greater than the NAV of the Creation Unit on the date the order is placed. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. The only Collateral that is acceptable to each Fund is cash in U.S. Dollars.

 

While (certain) Deposit Securities remain undelivered, the Collateral shall at all times have a value equal to at least 115% (as adjusted by the Adviser) of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. At any time, a Fund may use the Collateral to purchase the missing securities, and the Authorized Participant will be liable to such Fund for any costs incurred thereby or losses resulting therefrom, whether or not they exceed the amount of the Collateral, including any Transaction Fee, any amount by which the purchase price of the missing Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such securities on the Transmittal Date, brokerage and other transaction costs. The Trust will return any unused Collateral once all of the missing securities have been received by a Fund. More information regarding each Fund’s current procedures for collateralization is available from the Distributor.

 

Cash Purchase Method

 

When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Portfolio Deposit. In addition, cash purchases will be subject to Transaction Fees, as described above.

 

Redeeming a Creation Unit

 

Redemption Basket

 

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The consideration received in connection with the redemption of a Creation Unit generally consists of an in-kind basket of designated securities (“Redemption Securities”) and a Cash Component. Together, the Redemption Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Redemption Basket.”

 

There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in Shares in the secondary market to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. In addition, investors may incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a Creation Unit.

 

The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Redemption Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value per Creation Unit of a Fund and (y) the market value of the Redemption Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from a Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to a Fund.

 

If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Redemption Security in the current Redemption Basket (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, all redemption requests that day will be processed outside the Clearing Process.

 

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

 

Custom Redemptions and Cash-in-lieu

 

Each Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of cash-in-lieu to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Redemption Security. Each Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Redemption Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, each Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu of Redemption Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more Redemption Securities. Each Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in satisfying redemptions with Redemption Securities, including that the Redemption Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All redemption requests involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Redemptions.”

 

Redemption Requests

 

To redeem a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption request to the Distributor.

 

An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to a Fund that it has ascertained or has reasonable grounds to believe that as of the time of the contractual settlement date, that (i) it or its customer, as the case may be, owns, will own or have the authority and right to tender for redemption the Creation Unit to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) all of the Shares that are in the Creation Unit to be redeemed have not been borrowed, loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement that would preclude the delivery of such Shares to a Fund on the contractual settlement date. Each Fund reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to verify these representations, but will typically require verification in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in a Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of the requested representations, the redemption request will not be considered to be in proper form and may be rejected by a Fund.

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Timing of Submission of Redemption Requests

 

An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption order no later than the Cut-off Time. The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” A redemption request is deemed received if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating Custom Redemptions and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve System, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the Settlement Date, as defined above.

 

Requests Using the Clearing Process

 

If available, (portions of) redemption requests may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the redemption. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Creation Unit(s) to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System, as described above.

 

Requests Outside the Clearing Process

 

If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Redemption Baskets will be delivered outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the redemption will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant must transfer or cause to be transferred the Creation Unit(s) of shares being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on received T+1. In addition, the Cash Component must be received by the Custodian by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive the Creation Unit(s) and Cash Component by the appointed times on T+1, the redemption will be rejected, except in the circumstances described below. A rejected redemption request may be resubmitted the following Business Day.

 

Orders involving foreign Redemption Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable redemption request, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian. The Custodian will then provide information of the redemption to each Fund’s local sub-custodian(s). The redeeming Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf is acting, will have established appropriate arrangements with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which the Redemption Securities are customarily traded and to which such Redemption Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) can be delivered from a Fund’s accounts at the applicable local sub-custodian(s).

 

Acceptance of Redemption Requests

 

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

 

Delivery of Redemption Basket

 

Once a Fund has accepted a redemption request, upon next determination of such Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Redemption Basket, against receipt of the Creation Unit(s) at such NAV, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. A Creation Unit tendered for redemption and the payment of the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will be recorded on the book-entry system of DTC.

 

The Redemption Basket will generally be delivered to the redeeming Authorized Participant within T+2. Except under the circumstances described below, however, a Redemption Basket generally will not be issued until the Creation Unit(s) are delivered to a Fund, along with the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee.

 

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In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

 

With respect to orders involving foreign Redemption Securities, a Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2020 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to each Fund. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:

 

Market Holiday Date Holiday Name
Argentina Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Argentina Monday, February 24, 2020 Carnival
Argentina Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Carnival
Argentina Monday, March 23, 2020 Bridge Holiday for Tourism
Argentina Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Memorial Day
Argentina Thursday, April 02, 2020 Malvinas Islands Memorial Day
Argentina Thursday, April 09, 2020 Holy Thursday
Argentina Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Argentina Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Argentina Monday, May 25, 2020 May Revolution's Day
Argentina Monday, June 15, 2020 Martin Miguel Guemes Memorial
Argentina Thursday, July 09, 2020 Independence Day
Argentina Friday, July 10, 2020 Bridge Holiday for Tourism
Argentina Monday, August 17, 2020 San Martin's Memorial Day
Argentina Monday, October 12, 2020 Respect to Cultural Diversity
66 
 

 

Argentina Friday, November 06, 2020 Banking Labor Day
Argentina Monday, November 23, 2020 Day of National Sovereignty
Argentina Monday, December 07, 2020 Bridge Holiday for Tourism
Argentina Tuesday, December 08, 2020 Virgin Mary's Day
Argentina Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Australia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Australia Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Australia Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Australia Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Australia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Australia Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Austria Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Austria Monday, January 06, 2020 Epiphany Day
Austria Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Austria Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Austria Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Austria Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Austria Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Austria Thursday, June 11, 2020 Corpus Christi Day
Austria Monday, October 26, 2020 National Holiday
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Austria Tuesday, December 08, 2020 Immaculate Conception
Austria Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Austria Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Austria Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Bahrain Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Bahrain Sunday, May 03, 2020 Labour Day
Bahrain Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Bahrain Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Bahrain Thursday, July 30, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Bahrain Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Bahrain Wednesday, December 16, 2020 National Day
Bahrain Thursday, December 17, 2020 National Day
Belgium Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Belgium Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Belgium Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Belgium Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Belgium Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Bermuda Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Bermuda Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Bermuda Monday, May 25, 2020 Bermuda Day
Bermuda Monday, June 15, 2020 National Heroes' Day
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Bermuda Thursday, July 30, 2020 Emancipation and Somers Day
Bermuda Friday, July 31, 2020 Emancipation and Somers Day
Bermuda Monday, September 07, 2020 Labour Day
Bermuda Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Remembrance Day
Bermuda Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Bermuda Monday, December 28, 2020 Boxing Day (Observed)
Bosnia-Herzegovina Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Bosnia-Herzegovina Thursday, January 02, 2020 New Year’s Holiday
Bosnia-Herzegovina Tuesday, January 07, 2020 Orthodox Christmas
Bosnia-Herzegovina Thursday, January 09, 2020 Republic Day
Bosnia-Herzegovina Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Bosnia-Herzegovina Friday, April 17, 2020 Orthodox Good Friday
Bosnia-Herzegovina Monday, April 20, 2020 Orthodox Easter Monday
Bosnia-Herzegovina Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Bosnia-Herzegovina Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid-al-Fitr/Ramadan
Bosnia-Herzegovina Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid-al-Adha/Hajj
Bosnia-Herzegovina Saturday, November 21, 2020 Dayton Peace Agreement Day
Bosnia-Herzegovina Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Statehood Day
Bosnia-Herzegovina Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Botswana Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
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Botswana Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Botswana Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Botswana Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Botswana Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Botswana Wednesday, July 01, 2020 Sir Seretse Khama Day
Botswana Monday, July 20, 2020 Presidents' Day
Botswana Tuesday, July 21, 2020 Presidents' Day
Botswana Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Independence Day
Botswana Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Bulgaria Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Bulgaria Tuesday, March 03, 2020 Liberation Day
Bulgaria Friday, April 17, 2020 Good Friday
Bulgaria Monday, April 20, 2020 Easter Monday
Bulgaria Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Bulgaria Wednesday, May 06, 2020 Saint George's Day
Bulgaria Monday, May 25, 2020 Culture and Literacy Day
Bulgaria Monday, September 07, 2020 Unification Day
Bulgaria Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Independence Day
Bulgaria Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Bulgaria Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Canada Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
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Canada Monday, February 17, 2020 Family Day
Canada Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Canada Monday, May 18, 2020 Victoria Day
Canada Wednesday, July 01, 2020 Canada Day
Canada Monday, August 03, 2020 Civic Holiday
Canada Monday, September 07, 2020 Labour Day
Canada Monday, October 12, 2020 Thanksgiving Day
Canada Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Remembrance Day
Canada Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Canada Monday, December 28, 2020 Boxing Day (Observed)
Chile Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Chile Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Chile Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Chile Thursday, May 21, 2020 Navy Day
Chile Monday, June 29, 2020 St. Peter and St. Paul Dinner
Chile Thursday, July 16, 2020 Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Chile Friday, September 18, 2020 Independence Day
Chile Monday, October 12, 2020 Day of the Race
Chile Tuesday, December 08, 2020 Immaculate Conception
Chile Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
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China Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
China Friday, January 24, 2020 Chinese New Year
China Monday, January 27, 2020 Chinese New Year
China Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Chinese New Year
China Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Chinese New Year
China Thursday, January 30, 2020 Chinese New Year
China Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
China Thursday, June 25, 2020 Dragon Boat Festival
China Friday, June 26, 2020 Dragon Boat Festival
China Thursday, October 01, 2020 National Day Holiday
China Friday, October 02, 2020 National Day Holiday
China Monday, October 05, 2020 National Day Holiday
China Tuesday, October 06, 2020 National Day Holiday
China Wednesday, October 07, 2020 National Day Holiday
Costa Rica Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Costa Rica Thursday, April 09, 2020 Holy Thursday
Costa Rica Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Costa Rica Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Costa Rica Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Independence Day
Costa Rica Monday, October 12, 2020 Culture Encounter Day
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Costa Rica Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Croatia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Croatia Monday, January 06, 2020 Epiphany Day
Croatia Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Croatia Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Croatia Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Croatia Thursday, June 11, 2020 Corpus Christi Day
Croatia Monday, June 22, 2020 Day of Antifascist Struggle
Croatia Thursday, June 25, 2020 Statehood Day
Croatia Wednesday, August 05, 2020 Victory and Homeland Day
Croatia Thursday, October 08, 2020 Independence Day
Croatia Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Croatia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Croatia Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Cyprus Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Cyprus Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Green Monday
Cyprus Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Greek Independence Day
Cyprus Wednesday, April 01, 2020 Cyprus National Day
Cyprus Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Cyprus Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
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Cyprus Friday, April 17, 2020 Orthodox Good Friday
Cyprus Monday, April 20, 2020 Orthodox Easter Monday
Cyprus Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Orthodox Easter Tuesday
Cyprus Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Cyprus Monday, June 08, 2020 Pentecost
Cyprus Thursday, June 25, 2020 Public Holiday
Cyprus Thursday, October 01, 2020 Independence Day
Cyprus Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Greek National Day
Cyprus Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Cyprus Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Czech Republic Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Czech Republic Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Czech Republic Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Czech Republic Friday, May 01, 2020 May Day
Czech Republic Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Czech Republic Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Denmark Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Denmark Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Denmark Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Denmark Friday, May 01, 2020 May Day
Denmark Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
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Denmark Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Denmark Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Eswatini Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Eswatini Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Eswatini Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Eswatini Monday, April 20, 2020 King's Birthday Holiday
Eswatini Friday, May 01, 2020 Women's Day
Eswatini Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Eswatini Wednesday, July 22, 2020 King Father's Birthday
Eswatini Monday, September 07, 2020 Somhlolo Day Holiday
Eswatini Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Eswatini Monday, December 28, 2020 Incwala Day
France Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
France Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
France Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
France Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
France Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Germany Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Germany Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Germany Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
75 
 

 

Germany Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Germany Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Germany Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Germany Thursday, June 11, 2020 Corpus Christi Day
Germany Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Germany Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Germany Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Ghana Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Ghana Friday, March 06, 2020 Independence Day
Ghana Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Ghana Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Ghana Friday, May 01, 2020 May Day
Ghana Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Ghana Monday, May 25, 2020 Africa Unity Day
Ghana Wednesday, July 01, 2020 Republic Day
Ghana Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Ghana Tuesday, August 04, 2020 Founders Day
Ghana Monday, September 21, 2020 Memorial Day
Ghana Friday, December 04, 2020 Farmers'  Day
Ghana Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Greece Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
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Greece Monday, January 06, 2020 Epiphany Day
Greece Monday, March 02, 2020 Ash Monday
Greece Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Independence Day
Greece Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Greece Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Greece Friday, April 17, 2020 Orthodox Good Friday
Greece Monday, April 20, 2020 Orthodox Easter Monday
Greece Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Greece Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Greece Wednesday, October 28, 2020 National Holiday
Greece Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Greece Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Hong Kong SAR Friday, January 24, 2020 Lunar New Year
Hong Kong SAR Monday, January 27, 2020 Lunar New Year
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Lunar New Year
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Chinese New Year
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, January 30, 2020 Chinese New Year
Hong Kong SAR Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Hong Kong SAR Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
77 
 

 

Hong Kong SAR Thursday, April 30, 2020 Buddha Birthday
Hong Kong SAR Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, June 25, 2020 Tuen Ng Festival
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, July 01, 2020 Holiday
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, October 01, 2020 National Day
Hong Kong SAR Friday, October 02, 2020 Mid-Autumn Festival
Hong Kong SAR Monday, October 05, 2020 National Day Holiday
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, October 06, 2020 National Day Holiday
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, October 07, 2020 National Day Holiday
Hong Kong SAR Monday, October 26, 2020 Chung Yeung Festival
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Hong Kong SAR Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Hungary Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Hungary Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Hungary Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Hungary Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Hungary Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Hungary Thursday, August 20, 2020 Saint Stephen's Day
Hungary Friday, August 21, 2020 Bridge Holiday
78 
 

 

Hungary Friday, October 23, 2020 Anniversary of 1956 Revolution
Hungary Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Hungary Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Hungary Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Iceland Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Iceland Thursday, April 09, 2020 Maundy Thursday
Iceland Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Iceland Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Iceland Thursday, April 23, 2020 First Day of Summer
Iceland Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Iceland Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Iceland Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Iceland Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Independence Day
Iceland Monday, August 03, 2020 Commerce Day
Iceland Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Iceland Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Iceland Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Indonesia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Indonesia Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Day of Silence
Indonesia Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
79 
 

 

Indonesia Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Indonesia Thursday, May 07, 2020 Vesak Day
Indonesia Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Indonesia Friday, May 22, 2020 Holiday
Indonesia Monday, May 25, 2020 Holiday
Indonesia Monday, June 01, 2020 Birth of Pancasila
Indonesia Friday, July 31, 2020 Holiday
Indonesia Monday, August 17, 2020 Independence Day
Indonesia Thursday, August 20, 2020 Islamic New Year
Indonesia Thursday, October 29, 2020 Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Indonesia Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Indonesia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Ireland Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Ireland Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Ireland Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Ireland Friday, May 01, 2020 May Day
Ireland Monday, June 01, 2020 Holiday
Ireland Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Italy Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Italy Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Italy Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Italy Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
80 
 

 

Italy Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Italy Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Italy Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Ivory Coast Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Ivory Coast Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Ivory Coast Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Ivory Coast Wednesday, May 20, 2020 Revelation of Quran
Ivory Coast Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Ivory Coast Sunday, May 24, 2020 Korite
Ivory Coast Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Ivory Coast Friday, July 31, 2020 Tabaski
Ivory Coast Friday, August 07, 2020 Independence Day
Ivory Coast Saturday, August 15, 2020 Assumption Day
Ivory Coast Thursday, October 29, 2020 Prophet’s Birthday
Ivory Coast Sunday, November 01, 2020 All Saints' Day
Ivory Coast Sunday, November 15, 2020 National Peace Day
Ivory Coast Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Japan Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Japan Thursday, January 02, 2020 Bank Holiday
Japan Friday, January 03, 2020 Bank Holiday
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Japan Monday, January 13, 2020 Coming-of-Age Day
Japan Tuesday, February 11, 2020 National Foundation Day
Japan Monday, February 24, 2020 Emperor's Birthday Observed
Japan Friday, March 20, 2020 Vernal Equinox Day
Japan Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Showa Day
Japan Monday, May 04, 2020 Greenery Day
Japan Tuesday, May 05, 2020 Children's Day
Japan Wednesday, May 06, 2020 Memorial Day Observed
Japan Thursday, July 23, 2020 Marine Day
Japan Friday, July 24, 2020 Health and Sports Day
Japan Monday, August 10, 2020 Mountain Day
Japan Monday, September 21, 2020 Respect for the Aged Day
Japan Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Autumnal Equinox Day
Japan Tuesday, November 03, 2020 Culture Day
Japan Monday, November 23, 2020 Labor Thanksgiving Day
Japan Thursday, December 31, 2020 Bank Holiday
Jordan Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Jordan Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Jordan Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Jordan Monday, May 25, 2020 Independence Day
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Jordan Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Jordan Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Jordan Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Jordan Sunday, August 02, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Jordan Monday, August 03, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Jordan Tuesday, August 04, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Jordan Thursday, August 20, 2020 Muharram/New Year
Jordan Thursday, October 29, 2020 Prophet’s Birthday
Jordan Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Kenya Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Kenya Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Kenya Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Kenya Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Kenya Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Kenya Monday, June 01, 2020 Madaraka Day
Kenya Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Kenya Saturday, October 10, 2020 Moi Day
Kenya Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Mashujaa Day
Kenya Saturday, December 12, 2020 Jamhuri Day
Kenya Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
83 
 

 

Kuwait Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Kuwait Tuesday, February 25, 2020 National Day
Kuwait Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Liberation Day
Kuwait Sunday, March 22, 2020 Isra and Miraj holiday
Kuwait Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Kuwait Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Kuwait Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Kuwait Thursday, July 30, 2020 Waqfat Arafat
Kuwait Sunday, August 02, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Kuwait Monday, August 03, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Kuwait Thursday, August 20, 2020 Islamic New Year holiday
Kuwait Sunday, November 01, 2020 Prophet’s Birthday
Luxembourg Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Luxembourg Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Luxembourg Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Luxembourg Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Luxembourg Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Luxembourg Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Luxembourg Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Malaysia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
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Malaysia Friday, May 01, 2020 Women's Day
Malaysia Thursday, May 07, 2020 Wesak Day
Malaysia Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid-ul-Fitri
Malaysia Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid-ul-Adha
Malaysia Thursday, August 20, 2020 Holiday
Malaysia Monday, August 31, 2020 National Day
Malaysia Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Malaysia Day
Malaysia Thursday, October 29, 2020 Prophet’s Birthday
Malaysia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Mauritius Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Mauritius Thursday, January 02, 2020 New Year’s Holiday
Mauritius Friday, February 21, 2020 Maha Shivaratree
Mauritius Thursday, March 12, 2020 Independence Day
Mauritius Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Ugaadi
Mauritius Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Mauritius Monday, November 02, 2020 Indentured Labourers
Mauritius Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Mexico Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Mexico Monday, February 03, 2020 Constitution Day
Mexico Monday, March 16, 2020 Benito Juarez Day
85 
 

 

Mexico Thursday, April 09, 2020 Holy Thursday
Mexico Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Mexico Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Mexico Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Independence Day
Mexico Monday, November 02, 2020 All Souls Day
Mexico Monday, November 16, 2020 Revolution Day
Mexico Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Namibia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Namibia Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Namibia Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Namibia Friday, May 01, 2020 Women's Day
Namibia Monday, May 04, 2020 Cassinga Day
Namibia Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Namibia Monday, May 25, 2020 Africa Day
Namibia Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Heroes Day
Namibia Thursday, December 10, 2020 Women's Day
Namibia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Netherlands Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Netherlands Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Netherlands Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Netherlands Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
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Netherlands Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
New Zealand Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
New Zealand Thursday, January 02, 2020 New Year’s Holiday
New Zealand Monday, January 20, 2020 Wellington Anniversary Day
New Zealand Monday, January 27, 2020 Auckland Anniversary Day
New Zealand Thursday, February 06, 2020 Waitangi Day
New Zealand Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
New Zealand Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
New Zealand Monday, April 27, 2020 ANZAC Day Observed
New Zealand Monday, June 01, 2020 Queen's Birthday
New Zealand Monday, October 26, 2020 Labour Day
New Zealand Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
New Zealand Monday, December 28, 2020 Boxing Day (Observed)
Nigeria Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Nigeria Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Nigeria Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Nigeria Monday, May 25, 2020 Id el Fitri Holiday
Nigeria Friday, June 12, 2020 Democracy Day
Nigeria Friday, July 31, 2020 Id el Kabir
Nigeria Thursday, October 01, 2020 National Day
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Nigeria Thursday, October 29, 2020 Id el Maulud
Nigeria Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Oman Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Oman Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Oman Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Oman Thursday, July 23, 2020 Renaissance Day
Oman Thursday, July 30, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Oman Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Oman Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Islamic New Year
Pakistan Wednesday, February 05, 2020 Kashmir Day
Pakistan Monday, March 23, 2020 Pakistan Day
Pakistan Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Pakistan Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Pakistan Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Pakistan Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Pakistan Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Pakistan Sunday, August 02, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Pakistan Friday, August 14, 2020 Independence Day
Pakistan Friday, August 28, 2020 First Day of Ashura
Pakistan Thursday, October 29, 2020 Eid Milad un-Nabi
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Pakistan Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Philippines Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Philippines Thursday, April 09, 2020 Maundy Thursday
Philippines Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Philippines Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Philippines Friday, June 12, 2020 Independence Day
Philippines Friday, August 21, 2020 Ninoy Aquino Day
Philippines Monday, August 31, 2020 National Heroes' Day
Philippines Monday, November 02, 2020 All Saints' Day
Philippines Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Philippines Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Philippines Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Rizal Day
Philippines Thursday, December 31, 2020 Last Day of the Year
Portugal Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Portugal Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Portugal Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Portugal Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Portugal Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Qatar Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Qatar Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Sports Day       
89 
 

 

Qatar Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Qatar Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Qatar Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Qatar Thursday, July 30, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Qatar Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Qatar Saturday, August 01, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Qatar Friday, December 18, 2020 National Day
Rwanda Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Rwanda Thursday, January 02, 2020 New Year’s Holiday
Rwanda Monday, February 03, 2020 National Heroes' Day
Rwanda Tuesday, April 07, 2020 Memorial Day
Rwanda Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Rwanda Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Rwanda Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
Rwanda Wednesday, July 01, 2020 Independence Day
Rwanda Monday, July 06, 2020 Liberation Day
Rwanda Friday, August 07, 2020 Umuganura Day
Rwanda Monday, August 17, 2020 Holiday
Rwanda Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Rwanda Monday, December 28, 2020 Boxing Day (Observed)
Serbia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
90 
 

 

Serbia Thursday, January 02, 2020 New Year’s Holiday
Serbia Tuesday, January 07, 2020 Orthodox Christmas Day
Serbia Monday, February 17, 2020 Serbia National Day
Serbia Friday, April 17, 2020 Orthodox Good Friday
Serbia Monday, April 20, 2020 Orthodox Easter Monday
Serbia Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Serbia Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Armistice Day
Serbia Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Singapore Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Singapore Monday, January 27, 2020 Chinese New Year
Singapore Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Singapore Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Singapore Thursday, May 07, 2020 Vesak Day
Singapore Monday, May 25, 2020 Hari Raya Puasa
Singapore Friday, July 31, 2020 Hari Raya Haji
Singapore Monday, August 10, 2020 National Day
Singapore Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Slovenia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Slovenia Thursday, January 02, 2020 New Year’s Holiday
Slovenia Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Slovenia Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
91 
 

 

Slovenia Monday, April 27, 2020 Holiday
Slovenia Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Slovenia Thursday, June 25, 2020 Statehood Day
Slovenia Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Slovenia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Slovenia Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
South Africa Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
South Africa Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
South Africa Monday, April 13, 2020 Family Day
South Africa Monday, April 27, 2020 Freedom Day
South Africa Friday, May 01, 2020 Women's Day
South Africa Tuesday, June 16, 2020 Youth Day
South Africa Monday, August 10, 2020 Women's Day
South Africa Thursday, September 24, 2020 Heritage Day
South Africa Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Reconciliation Day
South Africa Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Spain Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Spain Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Spain Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Spain Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
92 
 

 

Spain Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve
Spain Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Spain Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Switzerland Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Switzerland Thursday, January 02, 2020 Bank Holiday
Switzerland Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Switzerland Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Switzerland Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Switzerland Thursday, May 21, 2020 Ascension Day
Switzerland Monday, June 01, 2020 Whit Monday
Switzerland Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Tanzania Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Tanzania Tuesday, April 07, 2020 Karume Day
Tanzania Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Tanzania Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Tanzania Friday, May 01, 2020 Women's Day
Tanzania Tuesday, July 07, 2020 Saba Saba
Tanzania Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Tanzania Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Mwalimu Nyerere Day
Tanzania Thursday, October 29, 2020 Maulid
Tanzania Wednesday, December 09, 2020 Independence Day
93 
 

 

Tanzania Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Thailand Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Thailand Monday, February 10, 2020 Makha Bucha Day (Observed)
Thailand Monday, April 06, 2020 Memorial Day
Thailand Monday, April 13, 2020 Songkran Festival
Thailand Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Songkran Festival
Thailand Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Songkran Festival
Thailand Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Thailand Monday, May 04, 2020 Coronation Day
Thailand Wednesday, May 06, 2020 Vesak Day
Thailand Wednesday, June 03, 2020 Queen Suthida's Birthday
Thailand Monday, July 06, 2020 Asarnha Bucha Day (Observed)
Thailand Tuesday, July 28, 2020 H.M. the King's Birthday
Thailand Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Mother’s Day
Thailand Tuesday, October 13, 2020 Great Memorial Day
Thailand Friday, October 23, 2020 Chulalongkorn Day
Thailand Monday, December 07, 2020 National Day
Thailand Thursday, December 10, 2020 Constitution Day
Thailand Thursday, December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve
Tunisia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
94 
 

 

Tunisia Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Revolution National Day
Tunisia Friday, March 20, 2020 Independence Day
Tunisia Thursday, April 09, 2020 Martyrs' Day
Tunisia Friday, May 01, 2020 Working National Day
Tunisia Monday, May 25, 2020 Aid El Fitr
Tunisia Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Aid El Fitr
Tunisia Friday, July 31, 2020 Aid El Idha
Tunisia Thursday, August 13, 2020 Women National Day
Tunisia Monday, August 31, 2020 Islamic New Year
Tunisia Thursday, October 15, 2020 Evacuation Day
Tunisia Thursday, October 29, 2020 Prophet’s Birthday
Turkey Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Turkey Thursday, April 23, 2020 National Sovereignty
Turkey Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Turkey Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Youth and Sports Day
Turkey Monday, May 25, 2020 Ramadan Holiday
Turkey Wednesday, July 15, 2020 National Unity Day
Turkey Thursday, July 30, 2020 Sacrifice Feast
Turkey Friday, July 31, 2020 Sacrifice Feast
Turkey Monday, August 03, 2020 Sacrifice Feast
95 
 

 

Turkey Sunday, August 30, 2020 Victory Day
Turkey Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Republic Day
Turkey Thursday, October 29, 2020 Republic Day
Uganda Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Uganda Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Uganda Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Uganda Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Uganda Wednesday, June 03, 2020 Martyrs' Day
Uganda Tuesday, June 09, 2020 National Heroes' Day
Uganda Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
Uganda Friday, October 09, 2020 Independence Day
Uganda Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
United Arab Emirates Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
United Arab Emirates Sunday, May 24, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
United Arab Emirates Monday, May 25, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
United Arab Emirates Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Eid al-Fitr
United Arab Emirates Friday, July 31, 2020 Eid al-Adha
United Arab Emirates Sunday, August 02, 2020 Eid al-Adha
United Arab Emirates Wednesday, December 02, 2020 National Day
United States Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
96 
 

 

United States Monday, January 20, 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
United States Monday, February 17, 2020 Washington's Birthday
United States Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
United States Monday, May 25, 2020 Memorial Day
United States Friday, July 03, 2020 Independence Day Eve
United States Monday, July 06, 2020 Independence Day
United States Monday, September 07, 2020 Labor Day
United States Monday, October 12, 2020 Columbus Day
United States Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Veterans' Day
United States Thursday, November 26, 2020 Thanksgiving Day
United States Friday, November 27, 2020 Day After Thanksgiving
United States Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Uruguay Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Uruguay Monday, January 06, 2020 Children's Day
Uruguay Monday, February 24, 2020 Carnival Monday
Uruguay Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Carnival Tuesday
Uruguay Thursday, April 09, 2020 Holy Thursday
Uruguay Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Uruguay Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Uruguay Monday, May 18, 2020 Las Piedras Battle Day
Uruguay Friday, June 19, 2020 Artigas Day
97 
 

 

Uruguay Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Independence Day
Uruguay Monday, October 12, 2020 Columbus Day
Uruguay Monday, November 02, 2020 All Souls Day
Uruguay Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Zambia Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Zambia Monday, March 09, 2020 International Women's Day
Zambia Thursday, March 12, 2020 Youth Day
Zambia Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Zambia Monday, April 13, 2020 Easter Monday
Zambia Friday, May 01, 2020 Labour Day
Zambia Monday, May 25, 2020 Africa Freedom Day
Zambia Monday, July 06, 2020 Heroes' Day
Zambia Tuesday, July 07, 2020 Unity Day
Zambia Monday, August 03, 2020 Farmers' Day
Zambia Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day
Zimbabwe Wednesday, January 01, 2020 New Year’s Day
Zimbabwe Friday, February 21, 2020 Robert MugabeNationalYouth Day
Zimbabwe Thursday, April 09, 2020 Holy Thursday
Zimbabwe Friday, April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Zimbabwe Monday, April 13, 2020 Good Friday
Zimbabwe Friday, May 01, 2020 Women's Day
98 
 

 

Zimbabwe Monday, May 25, 2020 Africa Day
Zimbabwe Monday, August 10, 2020 Heroes' Day
Zimbabwe Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Defense Forces Day
Zimbabwe Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Unity Day
Zimbabwe Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day

 

 

Cash Redemption Method

 

When cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. In the case of a cash redemption, the investor will receive the cash equivalent of the Redemption Basket minus any Transaction Fees, as described above.

 

 

TAX STATUS

 

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of the Fund, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and activities of the partnership. All shareholders (and partners in a partnership that is a shareholder) should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders, as described more fully below. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Investment company taxable income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses, plus any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net-short-term capital losses) for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Internal Revenue Code), and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in

99 
 

respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

 

If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including net capital gain distributed to shareholders. If, however, the Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain a portion of its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained.

The Fund intends to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gains in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each year ending October 31, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash. 

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its investment company taxable income and net capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations (currently, at a maximum rate of 21% plus state and local taxes, if any). Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund's investment company taxable income or net capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund's investment company taxable income or net capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund. Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below.

 

The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.

 

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Distributions of investment company taxable income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

Distributions of net capital gain ("capital gain dividends") generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain; regardless of the length of time the shares of the Trust have been held by such shareholders.

 

The Fund may be able to report a portion of its income as “qualified dividend income,” which, if certain conditions, including holding period requirements, are met by the Fund and the shareholders, is taxable to noncorporate shareholders at rates of up to 20%. In general, dividends may be reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations (i.e., certain foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the U.S. or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the U.S., and

100 
 

certain other foreign corporations if the stock with respect to which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.). Passive foreign investment companies are not qualified foreign corporations for this purpose, and dividends received by the Fund from REITs generally are not expected to qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.

 

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”), "qualified REIT dividends" (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates) are eligible for a 20% deduction by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). On January 18, 2019, the Treasury Department released proposed regulations, on which taxpayers may rely pending the issuance of final regulations, that allows a regulated investment company (such as the Fund) to pay and report “section 199A dividends” to its shareholders with respect to the regulated investment company's qualified REIT dividends. Under the proposed regulations, the amount of section 199A dividends that a Fund may pay and report to its shareholders is limited to the excess of the "qualified REIT dividends" that the Fund receives from REITs for a taxable year over the Fund’s expenses allocable to such dividends. A shareholder may treat section 199A dividends received with respect to a share of a Fund as "qualified REIT dividends” if the shareholder has held the share for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the date on which the share becomes ex-dividend, but only to the extent that the shareholder is not under an obligation (under a short-sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. A shareholder may include 20% of the shareholder's "qualified REIT dividends" in the computation of the shareholder’s “combined qualified business income amount” under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer (other than a corporation) a deduction for a taxable year equal to the lesser of (A) the taxpayer’s “combined qualified business income amount” or (B) 20% of the excess of the taxpayer’s taxable income over the taxpayer’s net capital gain for the year. 

 

Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

Redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder's tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.

 

Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.

 

All distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.

 

The Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares. Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO or some other specific identification method. Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method. If average cost is used for the first sale of shares covered by these rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine

101 
 

the best cost basis method for their tax situation. Shareholders that hold their shares through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts. 

Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax (currently, at a rate of 24%) in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the regulated investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.

 

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements

 

To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund's transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

 

To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund's book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

Investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF"), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.

 

The Fund also may make an election to “mark to market” the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections, therefore, may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

102 
 

 

Foreign Taxation

 

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.

 

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund's income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

 

Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

 

Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income, which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

103 
 

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.

 

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.

 

Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.

 

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board has selected [___________], [___________], as its independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal period. The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings, and (iii) other audit related and tax services.

 

 

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Blank Rome LLP, located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, serves as the Trust's legal counsel.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Because the Funds have recently commenced operations, there are no financial statements available at this time. Shareholders of each Fund will be informed of a Fund’s progress through periodic reports when those reports become available. Financial statements certified by each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.

 

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APPENDIX A

 

REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures November 30, 2019

 

 

Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood”) has a general policy of voting proxies on behalf of clients for any securities held in a client’s managed account, including our affiliated private hedge fund.

RIM implemented this new policy for separately managed accounts in Q4 2019. Previously, it was RIM’s policy that separately managed account clients were responsible for voting proxies. As part of the implementation process, we sent notice and attempted to obtain to the best of our abilities a properly executed custodian authorization form switching the voting authority to RIM. As a result, there may be legacy accounts or new accounts that have not granted us the authority to vote proxies on the client’s behalf.

 

In addition, Redwood has been delegated proxy voting responsibility by its affiliated registered mutual funds and ETF, (“Redwood Funds” or “Funds”), for proxies solicited on the securities held in the Funds’ portfolios, which are managed by Redwood. These policies and procedures, which may be amended from time to time, only apply to the voting of such proxies by Redwood.

 

SECTION 1 - VOTING RESPONSIBILITY

 

Redwood’s Chief Compliance Officer has the responsibility of voting the Funds’ proxies received by Redwood (the “Responsible Voting Party”). Redwood may delegate to a non-affiliated third-party vendor, the responsibility to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations. Redwood will ensure that any third-party recommendations followed will be consistent with the Proxy Voting Guidelines.

 

SECTION 2- PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

 

The fundamental guidelines followed by Redwood in voting proxies on behalf of the Funds is to make every effort to ensure that the manner in which shares are voted is in the best interest of the Funds or separately managed account clients and the value of the specific investment. Absent special circumstances of the types described below, it is the policy of Redwood to exercise its proxy voting discretion in accordance with the guidelines set forth below.

 

Proposals Specific to Redwood Funds

 

Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Section 12(d)(1)(A) states that a registered investment company may not invest in the securities of another investment company if the acquiring company owns more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of the acquired company; the acquiring company owns securities issued by the acquired company with an aggregate value greater than 5% of its total assets;

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or the acquiring company owns securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies having an aggregate value greater than 10% of the value of its total assets.

 

Funds (including ETFs) advised by RIM may invest in other investment companies in excess of the limitations in section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Certain Redwood Funds invest a majority of the Funds’ assets in other registered investment companies that are not affiliated with the Fund ("Underlying Funds"), generally under the reliance of Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act and are therefore required by Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act to vote proxies received from Underlying Funds in a certain manner. In order to benefit from the safe harbor of section 12(d)(1)(F), Funds must mirror vote proposals on proxies issued by Underlying Funds. Notwithstanding any other guidelines provided in these procedures, it is the policy of Redwood to vote all Fund proxies received from Underlying Funds in the same proportion that all shares of the Underlying Funds are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from fund shareholders, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.

 

Other Proposals

 

Proxies received by Redwood from issuers of securities held by Redwood Funds that are not Underlying Funds, are initially referred to the Responsible Voting Party for voting. Redwood will vote all proxies based upon its policies or instructions. In keeping with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund, Redwood reviews all proxy proposals, even those that may be considered to be routine matters. Although these guidelines are to be followed as a general policy, Redwood may deviate from these general guidelines when it determines that the particular facts and circumstances warrant such deviation to protect the interests of Fund shareholders. These guidelines cannot provide an exhaustive list of all the issues that may arise nor can Redwood anticipate all future situations. The following guidelines reflect what Redwood believes to be good corporate governance and behavior:

 

I.Board of Directors – Redwood generally supports a majority independent board of directors.
II.Auditors –Redwood will generally vote for the routine ratification of auditors unless there is clear and compelling evidence of accounting irregularities or negligence attributable to the auditors.
III.Compensation – A company’s equity-based compensation plan should be in alignment with the shareholders’ long-term interests.
IV.Corporate Structure – Redwood conducts a review of each anti-takeover proposal.
V.Capital Structure –Redwood will carefully review proposals by companies to increase authorized shares and the purpose for the increase.
VI.Social and Corporate Policy Issues – Redwood will take a holistic approach considering both the long-term and the short-term impact a social and/or corporate issue can have on the company and its value.
VII.Activist Leaders® Fund – For securities that are in the Redwood Activist Leaders® Fund, to align with the Fund’s investment process and philosophy, Redwood will typically support activist leader initiatives.

 

Redwood will generally give management discretion with regard to social, environmental and ethical issues although Redwood may vote in favor of those issues that are believed to have significant economic benefits or implications.

 

Special Situations

 

Redwood may choose not to vote proxies in certain situations, such as: 1) where Redwood deems the cost of voting would exceed any anticipated benefit to the Funds, or 2) where a proxy is received for a security no longer held in the Funds’ portfolio (i.e., Redwood had previously sold the entire position).

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Any changes to the Proxy Voting Guidelines must be pre-approved in writing by Redwood’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).

 

SECTION 3 - APPLICATION OF PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

 

It is intended that the Proxy Voting Guidelines will be applied with a measure of flexibility. Accordingly, except as otherwise provided in these policies and procedures, the Responsible Voting Party (with the pre-approval of the CCO) may vote a proxy contrary to the Proxy Voting Guidelines if it is determined that such action is in the best interests of the Funds. In the exercise of such discretion, the Responsible Voting Party may take into account a wide array of factors relating to the matter under consideration, the nature of the proposal, and the company involved. Similarly, poor past performance, uncertainties about management and future directions, and other factors may lead to a conclusion that particular proposals by an issuer present unacceptable investment risks and should not be supported. In addition, the proposals should be evaluated in context. For example, a particular proposal may be acceptable standing alone, but objectionable when part of an existing or proposed package, such as where the effect may be to entrench management. Special circumstances or instructions from the Funds may also justify casting different votes.

 

The Responsible Voting Party will document the rationale for any proxy voted contrary to the Proxy Voting Guidelines. Such information will be maintained as part of the recordkeeping process.

 

SECTION 4 - CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

Redwood may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. For example, Redwood and/or one of its, or the Funds’ affiliates, may provide investment management, brokerage, underwriting, and related services to accounts owned or controlled by companies whose management is soliciting proxies. Redwood, its, or the Funds’ affiliates and/or employees may also occasionally have business or personal relationships with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or candidates for directorships.

 

If at any time, Redwood and/or the Responsible Voting Party become aware of any type of potential or actual conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, they will promptly report such conflict to the CCO. Conflicts of interest will be handled in various ways depending on the type and materiality. This includes:

 

I.Where the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline Redwood’s voting position, as either “for” or “against” such proxy proposal, voting will be in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines.

 

II.Where the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline Redwood’s voting position to be determined on a “case by case” basis for such proxy proposal, or such proposal is not listed in the Proxy Voting Guidelines, then one of the two following methods will be selected by Redwood depending upon the facts and circumstances of each situation and the requirements of applicable law:

 

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A. Voting the proxy in accordance with the voting recommendation of non-affiliated third-party vendors. If the third-party vendor’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, Redwood will abstain from voting the proxy.

B.Voting the proxy pursuant to direction by the Board of Trustees of the Funds.

 

SECTION 5 - PROXY VOTING RECORDS

 

Redwood will maintain the following records under these policies and procedures:

 

I.A copy of all policies and procedures.
II.A copy of each proxy statement received regarding the Funds’ and the firm’s separately managed account client’s securities.
III.A record of each vote cast by Redwood on behalf of the Fund and the firm’s separately managed account clients.
IV.A copy of any document created by Redwood that was material to making a decision on how to vote proxies on behalf of the Funds and the firm’s separately managed account clients or that memorialize the basis for that decision.
V.A copy of each written request by the Funds and the firm’s separately managed account clients for information on how Redwood voted proxies on behalf of the Fund, and a copy of any written response by Redwood to any (written or verbal) request for information on how Redwood voted proxies on behalf of the Fund.

The foregoing records will be retained for at least six (6) years from the end of the year the document was created. Redwood may rely on one or more third parties to create and retain the records referred to in items II and III above.

 

SECTION 6 – REPORTING AND DISCLOSURES

 

A copy of these policies and procedures will be provided to the Funds and the Board of Trustees anytime upon request and at least annually for review and approval. In addition, information on each proxy voted will be provided to the Fund, in accordance with its written policies and procedures as follows:

 

I.The Responsible Voting Party shall complete a Form N-PX Report at the time a proxy is voted on behalf of the Funds and deliver a copy to the CCO.

 

II.On or around July 1st of each year, the CCO shall review the proxy voting records to determine whether any proxy votes were cast on behalf of the Funds for which reports were not filed. If an unreported vote is discovered, the CCO shall contact the Responsible Voting Party for an explanation and documentation.

 

III.Upon completion of the review, the CCO shall compile all Form N-PX reports submitted for the 12-month period ended June 30 and complete Form N-PX. The CCO will send a completed Form N-PX
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to the Funds Administrator who is responsible for filing the Form N-PX with the SEC by August 1 of each year.

 

IV.The CCO shall provide the Board of Trustees, at least annually, a copy of Redwood’s Proxy Voting Policy, along with a record of each proxy voted on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by Redwood as involving a conflict of interest.

 

The CCO will ensure that Redwood’s proxy voting policy is disclosed in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A

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APPENDIX B

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings short-term issue credit rating is generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. The following summarizes the rating categories used by S&P Global Ratings for short-term issues:

 

“A-1” – A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

“A-2” – A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

“A-3” – A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“B” – A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

“C” – A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“D” – A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings – S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer will differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

 

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

“P-1” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

“P-2” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

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“P-3” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

“NP” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issuer.

 

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

 

“F1” – Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

“F2” – Securities possess good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

“F3” – Securities possess fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

“B” – Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

“C” – Securities possess high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

“RD” – Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

“D” – Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) – The “F1” rating may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show the relative status within that major rating category.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issue of a rated issuer.

 

The DBRS® Ratings Limited (“DBRS”) short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the relative ranking of claims. The R-1 and R-2 rating categories are further denoted by the sub-categories “(high)”, “(middle)”, and “(low)”.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for commercial paper and short-term debt:

 

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

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“R-1 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from “R-1 (high)” by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-1 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“R-2 (high)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-2 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

 

“R-2 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

 

“R-3” – Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

 

“R-4” – Short-term debt rated “R-4” is considered to be of speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 

“R-5” – Short-term debt rated “R-5” is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

 

“D” – Short-term debt rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to “D” may occur. DBRS may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P Global Ratings for long-term issues:

 

“AAA” – An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

“AA” – An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

 

“A” – An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

 

“BBB” – An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” – Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest.

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While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

 

“BB” – An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“B” – An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“CCC” – An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“CC” – An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

“C” – An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

 

“D” – An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) – The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

“NR” – This indicates that a rating has not been assigned, or is no longer assigned.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. An issuer’s foreign currency rating will differ from its local currency rating when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

Moody’s long-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. Such ratings reflect both on the likelihood of default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

 

“Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

“Aa” – Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

“A” – Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

“Baa” – Obligations rated “Baa” are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

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“Ba” – Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

“B” – Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

“Caa” – Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

“Ca” – Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

“C” – Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

 

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to unrated obligations.

 

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

 

“AAA” – Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

“AA” – Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

“A” – Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

“BBB” – Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

 

“BB” – Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicate that there is an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

 

“B” – Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

 

“CCC” – A “CCC” rating indicates that substantial credit risk is present.

 

“CC” – A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.

 

“C” – A “C” rating indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

 

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned “RD” or “D” ratings but are instead rated in the “CCC” to “C” rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Fitch believes that this approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

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Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below “CCC”.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issue of a rated issuer.

 

The DBRS long-term rating scale provides an opinion on the risk of default. That is, the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy its financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which an obligation has been issued. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims. All rating categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low)”. The absence of either a “(high)” or “(low)” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

 

“AAA” – Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“AA” – Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“A” – Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.” May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“BBB” – Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“BB” – Long-term debt rated “BB” is of speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.

 

“B” – Long-term debt rated “B” is of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

 

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” – Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is of very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.

 

“D” – A security rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to “D” may occur. DBRS may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Municipal Note Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:

 

hAmortization schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

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hSource of payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

“SP-1” – A municipal note rated “SP-1” exhibits a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

“SP-2” – A municipal note rated “SP-2” exhibits a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

“SP-3” – A municipal note rated “SP-3” exhibits a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

“D” – This rating is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

 

Moody’s uses the Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) scale to rate U.S. municipal bond anticipation notes of up to five years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels – “MIG-1” through “MIG-3” while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated “SG”. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for short-term municipal obligations:

 

“MIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

“MIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

“MIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

“SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation.

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), a two-component rating is assigned: a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or “VMIG” scale. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

 

“VMIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“VMIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

B-7
 

“VMIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation.

 

About Credit Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

 

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings relating to issuers are an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested. Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign financial, bank, insurance, and public finance entities (including supranational and sub-national entities) and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.

 

Credit ratings provided by DBRS are forward-looking opinions about credit risk which reflect the creditworthiness of an issuer, rated entity, security and/or obligation. Credit ratings are not statements of fact. While historical statistics and performance can be important considerations, credit ratings are not based solely on such; they include subjective considerations and involve expectations for future performance that cannot be guaranteed. To the extent that future events and economic conditions do not match expectations, credit ratings assigned to issuers, entities, securities, and/or obligations can change. Credit ratings are also based on approved and applicable Methodologies (“Methodologies”), which are periodically updated and when material changes are deemed necessary, this may also lead to rating changes.

 

Credit ratings typically provide an opinion on the risk that investors may not be repaid in accordance with the terms under which the obligation was issued. In some cases, credit ratings may also include consideration for the relative ranking of claims and recovery, should default occur. Credit ratings are meant to provide opinions on relative measures of risk and are not based on expectations of any specific default probability, nor are they meant to predict such.

 

The data and information on which DBRS bases its opinions is not audited or verified by DBRS, although, DBRS conducts a reasonableness review of information received and relied upon in accordance with its Methodologies and policies.

 

DBRS uses rating symbols as a concise method of expressing its opinion to the market, but there are a limited number of rating categories for the possible slight risk differentials that exist across the rating spectrum and DBRS does not assert that credit ratings in the same category are of “exactly” the same quality.

B-8
 

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28.   Financial Statements and Exhibits
     
(a) (1) Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated May 28, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 28, 2019.
  (2) Certificate of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on June 8, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on June 28, 2012.
     
(b)   Registrant’s Amended and Restated By–Laws is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2018.  
     
(c)   Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – see relevant portions of Certificate of Trust and By-Laws
     
(d) (1) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 23, 2015.
  (2) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (3) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC with respect to the Conductor Global Equity Value Fund (formerly called the Conductor Global Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2015.
  (4) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 11, 2014.
  (5) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 22, 2014.
  (6) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Hanlon Investment Management, Inc., with respect to the Hanlon Managed Income Fund and Hanlon Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015.  
  (7) Amended Exhibit A to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 24, 2015.
  (8) Amended Exhibit A to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 24, 2015.
  (9) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Holbrook Holdings, Inc. with respect to the Holbrook Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on June 13, 2016.
  (10) Amended Exhibit A to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 28, 2019.
  (11) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC dated February 21, 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 8, 2017.
 
 

 

  (12) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Recurrent Investment Advisors, LLC with respect to the Recurrent Natural Resources Fund and the Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 24, 2017.
  (13) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC with respect to the Anfield Capital Diversified Alternatives ETF and Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 27, 2017.
  (14) Investment Sub-advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Anfield Capital Diversified Alternatives ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 27, 2017.
  (15) Amended Appendix A to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated February 21, 2017 between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 28, 2019.
  (16) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Affinity Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 27, 2017.
  (17) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Wealthfront Strategies, LLC (formerly, WFAS, LLC) with respect to the Wealthfront Risk Parity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 16, 2018.
  (18) Amended Exhibit A to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 29, 2018.
  (19) Investment Sub-advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 29, 2018.
  (20) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the LeaderShares AlphaFactor US Core Equity ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2018.  
  (21) Second Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Wealthfront Strategies LLC with respect to the Wealthfront Risk Parity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2019.  
  (22) Amended Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 15, 2019.
  (23) Amended Exhibit A to the Investment Sub-advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 15, 2019.
  (24) Amended Exhibit A to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 5, 2020.
  (25) Amended Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC reflecting the addition of the Anfield Capital Management Extended Yield ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.
  (26) Amended Exhibit A to the Investment Sub-advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC reflecting the addition of the Anfield Capital Management Extended Yield ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.
  (27) Amended Exhibit A to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC reflecting the addition of the LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF and the LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
     
(e) (1) Underwriting Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 24, 2019.  
  (2)

ETF Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 24, 2019.

 

 
 

 

(f)   Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – None
     
(g) (1) Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement between the Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (2) Custodial Agreement between the Registrant and Huntington Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 27, 2015.
  (3) Custodial Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015.
  (4) Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2017.
  (5) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 16, 2018.
     
(h) (1) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 26, 2012.
  (2) Amended Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28. 2017.
  (3) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC dated September 18, 2013, with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (4) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC with respect to the Conductor Global Equity Value Fund (formerly called the Conductor Global Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 20, 2013.
  (5) Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2014.
  (6) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 11, 2014.
  (7) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 18, 2014 between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2018.  
  (8) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Affinity Small Cap Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 24, 2015.
  (9) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Hanlon Investment Management, Inc., with respect to the Hanlon Managed Income Fund and Hanlon Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015.
  (10) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Holbrook Holdings, Inc. with respect to the Holbrook Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on June 13, 2016.
  (11) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Hanlon Investment Management, Inc., with respect to the Hanlon Managed Income Fund and Hanlon Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 31, 2016.
  (12) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 28, 2019.
 
 

 

  (13) Expense Limitation Agreement dated February 21, 2017 between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 8, 2017.
  (14) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Recurrent Investment Advisors, LLC with respect to the Recurrent Natural Resources Fund and the Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 24, 2017.
  (15) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC with respect to the Anfield Capital Diversified Alternatives ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2017.
  (16) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation Agreement dated February 21, 2017 between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood AlphaFactor Core Equity Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor Tactical Core Fund, Redwood Managed Municipal Income Fund, Redwood Activist Leaders Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor Tactical International Fund and Redwood Systematic Macro Trend (“SMarT”) Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 1, 2017.  
  (17) ETF Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2017.
 

(18)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 27, 2017.
  (19) Amended Appendix A to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2018.
  (20) Amended Appendix A to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant Regents Park Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 29, 2018.
  (21) Amended Appendix A to the Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 18, 2013 between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC, with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2018.
  (22) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2019.
  (23) Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, LLC, with respect to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2019.
  (24) Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Expenses Limitation and Security Agreement between the Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2019.
  (25) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC reflecting the addition of the Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF and the Anfield Tactical Fixed Income ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 15, 2019.
  (26)

Amended Appendix A to the Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC reflecting the addition of Anfield Capital Management Extended Yield ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

 

(i) (1) Legal Opinion and Consent is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (2) Amended Appendix A to the Legal Opinion and Consent reflecting the addition of LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 5, 2020.
 
 

 

  (3) Amended Appendix A to the Legal Opinion and Consent reflecting the addition of Anfield Capital Management Extended Yield ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.
  (4) Amended Appendix A to the Legal Opinion and Consent reflecting the addition of the LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF and the LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
     
(j) (1) Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm - None
  (2) Powers of Attorney are incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 10, 2017.
  (3) Resolution of the Board Authorizing Use of Powers of Attorney is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 16, 2016.
     
(k)   Omitted Financial Statements – None
     
(l) (1) Subscription Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 26, 2012.
  (2) Form of Authorized Participation Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 26, 2017.
     
(m) (1) Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (2) Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (3) Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (4) Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (5) Amended Exhibit A to Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 2, 2016.
  (6) Amended Exhibit A to Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 2, 2016.
  (7) Amended Exhibit A to Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2017.
  (8) Amended Exhibit A to Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 1, 2017.
  (9) Investor Class Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 31, 2016.
  (10) Amended Exhibit A to Investor Class Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 2, 2016.
  (11) ETF 12b-1 Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 27, 2017.
  (12) Amended Schedule A to ETF 12b-1 Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 5, 2020.
  (13) Amended Schedule A to ETF 12b-1 Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 reflecting the LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF and the LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
 
 

 

     
(n) (1) Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 22, 2013.
  (2) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 5, 2020.
  (3) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan reflecting the addition of the LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF and the LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
     
(o)   Reserved
     
(p) (1) Code of Ethics for the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 26, 2012.
  (2) Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (3) Code of Ethics for Anfield Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2018.  
  (4) Code of Ethics for Superfund Advisors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (5) Code of Ethics for Redwood Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (6) Code of Ethics for IronHorse Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2018.
  (7) Code of Ethics for Affinity Investment Advisors is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (8) Code of Ethics for Hanlon Investment Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015.
  (9) Code of Ethics for Holbrook Holdings, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on June 13, 2016.
  (10) Code of Ethics for Recurrent Investment Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (11) Code of Ethics for Regents Park Funds, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2020.
  (12) Code of Ethics for Wealthfront Strategies, LLC (formerly, WFAS, LLC) is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 16, 2018.
     

 

 

Item 29. Control Persons.

 

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of: any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively. The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted. Nothing contained in the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to

 
 

which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Delaware law and the Amended Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. (“Superfund”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(1), provides for the indemnification of Superfund against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreements between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(2), (d)(5), (d)(11), and (d)(20) provides for the indemnification of Redwood against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC (“IronHorse”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(3), provides for the indemnification of IronHorse against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC (“Anfield”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(4), and the Sub-Advisory Agreements between Registrant, Anfield and Regents Park Funds, LLC (“Regents Park”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(14) and (d)(19), provide for the indemnification of Anfield against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC (“Affinity”) and Anfield and Regents Park, respectively, incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(16), provides for the indemnification of Affinity against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Hanlon Investment Management, Inc. (“Hanlon”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(6), provides for the indemnification of Hanlon against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Holbrook Holdings, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(9), provides for the indemnification of Holbrook against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC (“Regents Park”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(13) provides for the indemnification of Regents Park against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Recurrent Investment Advisors, LLC (“Recurrent”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(12) provides for the indemnification of Recurrent against certain losses.

 
 

 

Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Wealthfront Strategies, LLC (formerly, WFAS, LLC)(“Wealthfront”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(17) provides for the indemnification of Wealthfront against certain losses.

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (NLD), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv)  the Registrant’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.

 

The Fund Services Agreement with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (GFS) provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold GFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Registrant’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Registrant’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Registrant’s performance under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

The Consulting Agreement with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS) provides that the Registrant agree to indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust’s performance under or in connection with the Agreement.  NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely upon, and may act upon information, records and reports generated by the Trust, advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the Trust and upon statements of the Trust’s independent accountants, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such records and reports.

 

The ETF Distribution Agreement with NLD provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of NLD, its managers and officers and each person, if any, who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares or Creation Units, based upon (i) the ground that the registration statement, prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Registrant (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements made not misleading, (ii) the Registrant’s failure to maintain an effective registration statement and prospectus with respect to Shares of the Fund that are the subject of the claim or demand, (iii) the Registrant’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, (iv) instructions given by the Registrant, the Registrant’s failure to perform its duties hereunder or any inaccuracy of its representations, (v) any claim brought under Section 11 of the Securities Act, or (vi) all actions taken by NLD hereunder resulting from NLD’s reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or approved service provider of the Registrant.

 

Item 31. Activities of Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser.

 

Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Adviser of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Adviser” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.” The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Adviser is incorporated by reference to the Adviser’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV)

 
 

on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Each Adviser’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:

 

Anfield Capital Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund, Sub-Adviser to the Anfield Capital Diversified Alternatives ETF, Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETF, Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF and Anfield Tactical Fixed Income ETF – File No. 801-77714

 

Superfund Advisors, Inc., the Adviser to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-77984

 

Redwood Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio, Redwood AlphaFactor Tactical Core Fund, Redwood Managed Municipal Income Fund, Redwood Activist Leaders Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor Tactical International Fund, Redwood Systematic Macro Trend (“SMarT”) Fund, LeaderShares AlphaFactor US Core Equity ETF, LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF, LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF and LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF – File No. 801-78563

 

IronHorse Capital, LLC, the Adviser to the Conductor Global Equity Value Fund – File No. 801-78730

 

Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC, the Sub-Adviser to the Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF – File No. 801-42015

 

Hanlon Investment Management, Inc., the Adviser to the Hanlon Managed Income Fund and Hanlon Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund – File No. 801-60889

 

Holbrook Holdings, Inc., the Adviser to the Holbrook Income Fund – File No. 801-107682

 

Recurrent Investment Advisors LLC, the Adviser to the Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund –File No. 801-110728

 

Regents Park Funds, LLC, the Adviser to the Anfield Capital Diversified Alternatives ETF, Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETF, Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF, Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF and Anfield Tactical Fixed Income ETF – File No. 801-108885

 

Wealthfront Strategies, LLC, the Adviser to the Wealthfront Risk Parity Fund – File No. 801-111023

 

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.

(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), the principal underwriter of the Registrant, also acts as principal underwriter for the following: AdvisorOne Funds, Arrow ETF Trust, Arrow Investments Trust, Centerstone Investors Trust, Copeland Trust, Equinox Funds Trust, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, PREDEX, Princeton Private Investment Access Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, and Tributary Funds, Inc.

 

(b) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474. To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:

 

 

Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Trust

William J. Strait President, Secretary, General Counsel and Manager None
 
 

 

Mike Nielsen Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer None
Stephen Preston Financial Operations Principal None
David Young Manager None

 

(c) Not Applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for the Registrant.  These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.

 

1.MUFG Union Bank, National Association, 350 California Street 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104 (records relating to its function as custodian)
2.Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474 (records relating to its functions as administration, accounting and transfer agent and Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Minutes)
3.Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474 (records relating to its function as principal underwriter)
4.Superfund Advisors, Inc., Superfund Office Building, Grand Anse P.O. Box 1803 St. Georges, Grenada W.I (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
5.Redwood Investment Management, LLC, 4110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 125, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
6.IronHorse Capital LLC, 3102 West End Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37203 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
7.Anfield Capital Management, LLC, 4041 Macarthur Boulevard, Suite 155, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
8.Huntington Bank, N.A., 7 Easton Oval, Columbus, OH 43219 (records relating to its function as custodian)
9.Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC, 4041 Macarthur Boulevard, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser)
10.Hanlon Investment Management, Inc., 3393 Bargaintown Road, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
11.The Bank of New York Mellon, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286 (records relating to its function as custodian)

 

12.Holbrook Holdings, Inc., 2670 NW Lovejoy Street, Portland, OR 97210 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

 

13.Recurrent Investment Advisors LLC, 3801 Kirby Dr., Suite 654, Houston, TX 77908 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

 

 
 
14.Regents Park Funds, LLC, 4041 Macarthur Boulevard, Suite 155, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

 

15.Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110 (records relating to its function as custodian and transfer agent)

 

16.Wealthfront Strategies, LLC, 900 Middlefield Road, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

 

17.U.S. Bank, N.A, 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (records relating to its function as custodian)

 

 

 

Item 34. Management Services. Not Applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings. Not Applicable.

 
 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 30th day of July, 2020.

 

Two Roads Shared Trust

 

By:

James Colantino*

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

 

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

 

 

Signature Title Date
     
Mark D. Gersten*
 

Trustee & Chairman

July 30, 2020
Mark Garbin*
 

Trustee

July 30, 2020
Neil M. Kaufman*
 

Trustee

July 30, 2020
Anita K. Krug*
 

Trustee

July 30, 2020
James Colantino*
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

July 30, 2020
Laura Szalyga*
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

July 30, 2020

 

 

*By: /s/ Richard A. Malinowski

Richard A. Malinowski

Attorney in fact