N-1A 1 d345724dn1a.htm N-1A N-1A

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2017

File No. 333-          

File No. 811-23237

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.   
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.   

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   
AMENDMENT NO.   

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

 

TRANSAMERICA ETF TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

1801 California St., Suite 5200, Denver, Colorado 80202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

1-888-233-4339

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 

 

Tané T. Tyler, Esq., 1801 California St., Suite 5200, Denver, Colorado 80202

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

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

 

  Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
  On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
  On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
  On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

 


SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. 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 IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

Prospectus

[                    ], 2017

Transamerica ETF Trust

 

 

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF ([            ])

DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF ([            ])

DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF ([            ])

DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF ([            ])

DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF ([            ])

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: [            ]

Each of the funds listed above is a series of Transamerica ETF Trust.

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


Fund Summaries

  

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF

     1  

DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF

     5  

DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF

     9  

DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF

     13  

DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF

     18  

More on Each Fund’s Strategies and Investments

     23  

More on Risks of Investing in the Funds

     23  

Management

     32  

Management of Transamerica ETF Trust

     32  

Investment Manager

     32  

Sub-Adviser

     33  

Portfolio Manager(s)

     33  

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

     33  

Index/Trademark Licenses/Disclaimers

     33  

Additional Purchase and Sale Information

     34  

Distribution of Shares

     34  

Distributions and Taxes

     35  

Premium/Discount Information

     37  

Additional Information

     37  

Financial Highlights

     37  


FUND SUMMARIES

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500 Managed Risk 2.0 Index.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). This table and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of Fund Shares.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):

 

Management fees

   XX%  

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

     0.00

Other expenses1

     XX

[Acquired fund fees and expenses1]

     XX

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     XX

 

1  Other expenses [and acquired fund fees and expenses] are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

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 Fund 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 on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Year 1      Year 3  
$ XX      $ XX  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate has been omitted because the Fund had not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Under normal market conditions, the DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF (the “Fund”) invests a substantial portion, but at least 80%, of its assets in securities comprising the S&P 500 Managed Risk 2.0 Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund may also invest in other exchange-traded funds and financial derivatives including options, futures, forwards and swaps when the Fund’s sub-adviser, Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes doing so will enhance the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index is designed to simulate, through a rules based methodology, a dynamic portfolio with the aim of both managing the volatility of the Underlying Index and limiting losses from the Underlying Index’s equity exposure. The Underlying Index seeks to achieve these objectives by allocating weightings among the S&P 500 Index (the “Equity Index”), the S&P U.S. Treasury Bond Current 5-Year Index (the “Treasury Bond Index”) and the S&P U.S. Treasury Bill 0-3 Month Index (the “T-Bill Index”) (collectively, the “Constituent Indices”). The Equity Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The Treasury Bond Index measures the performance of the most recently issued 5-year U.S. Treasury note or bond. The T-Bill Index measures the performance of U.S. Treasury bills maturing in 0 to 3 months. The weight of each Constituent Index may vary from 0% to 100% of the Underlying Index, and the sum of their weights will equal 100%. The Underlying Index rebalances on a daily basis.

The Underlying Index’s methodology seeks to maintain its annualized volatility at or below a designated level. If annualized volatility exceeds the designated level, the Underlying Index’s allocation to the Equity Index is reduced and the remainder is allocated to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. Conversely, a decrease in annualized volatility below the designated level will result in an increase in allocation to the Equity Index and a decreased allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. The methodology determines the amount of any change in allocation to the Equity Index based on the level by which annualized volatility is above or below the designated level, subject to a 10% daily maximum change. The methodology determines the allocation between the Treasury Bond Index and T-Bill Index based on the yield spread between the two. The Underlying Index allocates to the Treasury Bond Index when, as determined by the methodology, the yield on the Treasury Bond Index is sufficiently higher than the yield on the T-Bill Index to justify the additional risk. In seeking to limit losses, the methodology replicates a put option on the Underlying Index by further reducing the allocation to the Equity Index and increasing the allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index.

 

1


In seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index, the Fund employs a sampling strategy, which means that the Fund purchases a subset of the securities in the Underlying Index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the Underlying Index. The Fund may also use a replication strategy, which means the Fund invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as the Underlying Index. The quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund.

The Underlying Index is sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Investment Manager or the Sub-Adviser. The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider in collaboration with Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, the Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider determines the composition of the Underlying Index, relative weightings of the securities in the Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Risk is inherent in all investing. Many factors affect the Fund’s performance. The value of your investment in the 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 the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of principal risks (in alphabetical order) of investing in the Fund [(either directly or through its investments in underlying funds). Each risk described below may not apply to each underlying fund and an underlying fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.] An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money if you invest in this Fund.

Asset Allocation: The Underlying Index and, thus, the Fund allocate assets among equity and fixed income securities. These allocations and the timing of the allocations may result in performance that is less favorable than that of a portfolio that does not allocate its assets among equity and fixed income securities.

Counterparty: The Fund will be subject to credit risk (meaning the risk of adverse changes in an issuer’s real or perceived financial strength) with respect to counterparties to derivatives, repurchase agreements and other financial contracts entered into by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles. Adverse changes to counterparties may cause the value of financial contracts to go down. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of your investment in the Fund may decline.

Derivatives: Using derivatives exposes the Fund to additional risks and can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives may have a leveraging effect, increase Fund volatility and not produce the result intended. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than, or otherwise not correlate well with, the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their performance or value. For additional information regarding derivatives, see “More on Risks of Investing in the Funds—More on Principal Risks: Derivatives” in this Prospectus. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure and consequently may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Fixed-Income Securities: The market prices of fixed-income securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In addition, the market value of a fixed income security may decline if the issuer or other obligor of the security fails to pay principal and/or interest, otherwise defaults or has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. Interest rates have been at historically low levels, so the fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

Index Tracking: While the Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Underlying Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index), the Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition,

 

2


the Fund may not be fully invested at times, generally as a result of cash flows into or out of the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions. The Sub-Adviser may attempt to replicate the Underlying Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Underlying Index, or in some securities not included in the Underlying Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the Fund’s return and that of the Underlying Index.

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

Interest Rate: Interest rates in the U.S. have been at historically low levels and should be expected to go up. The Fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. The value of fixed income securities generally goes down when interest rates rise, and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund may also go down. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities.

Large Capitalization Companies: The Fund’s investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

Legal and Regulatory: Legal and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect the Fund, its investments, and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. Certain changes have already been proposed and additional changes are expected. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that could adversely affect the Fund. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

Leveraging: The value of your investment may be more volatile to the extent that the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Other risks also will be compounded. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in the loss of a substantial amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements.

Market: The market prices of the Fund’s securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the markets or adverse investor sentiment. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Market prices of securities also may go down due to events or conditions that affect particular sectors, industries or issuers. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security.

In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment. The European Union has experienced increasing stress for a variety of reasons, including economic downturns in various member countries. In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union, and additional members could do the same. The impact of these conditions and events is not yet known.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments 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 are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

 

3


Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Non-Diversification: The Fund is classified as “nondiversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

Passive Strategy/Index: The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Underlying Index or of the actual securities comprising the Underlying Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Underlying Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Underlying Index and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the Fund.

Underlying Exchange Traded Funds: To the extent the Fund invests its assets in underlying ETFs, its ability to achieve its investment objective depends largely on the performance of the underlying ETFs in which it invests. Investing in underlying ETFs subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those ETFs. Each of the underlying ETFs in which the Fund may invest has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the underlying ETFs’ shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any underlying ETF will be achieved. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in one underlying ETF than in another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that underlying ETF. In addition, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of the underlying ETFs in which it invests.

U.S. Government Agency Obligations: Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. generally present a lesser degree of credit risk than securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agencies.

PERFORMANCE

No performance is shown for the Fund. Performance information will appear in a future version of this Prospectus once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance information to report to investors.

As with all mutual funds, past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on our website at [            ] or by calling 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.

MANAGEMENT

Investment Manager: Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

Sub-Adviser:              Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC

Portfolio managers:

 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Louis Ng, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue (or redeem) Fund Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of [            ] Fund Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a designated portfolio of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s Underlying Index.

Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on the [                    ], other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), Fund Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

Tax Information: Fund distributions may be taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. In that case, you may be taxed when you take a distribution from such plan, depending on the type of plan, the circumstances of your distribution and other factors.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Investment Manager or its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for certain activities related to the Fund, including educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. 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.

 

4


DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 400 Managed Risk 2.0 Index.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). This table and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of Fund Shares.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):

 

Management fees

   XX%  

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

     0.00

Other expenses1

     XX

[Acquired fund fees and expenses1]

     XX

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     XX

 

1  Other expenses [and acquired fund fees and expenses] are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

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 Fund 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 on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Year 1      Year 3  
$ XX      $ XX  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate has been omitted because the Fund had not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Under normal market conditions, the DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF (the “Fund”) invests a substantial portion, but at least 80%, of its assets in securities comprising the S&P 400 Managed Risk 2.0 Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund may also invest in other exchange-traded funds and financial derivatives including options, futures, forwards and swaps when the Fund’s sub-adviser, Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes doing so will enhance the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index is designed to simulate, through a rules based methodology, a dynamic portfolio with the aim of both managing the volatility of the Underlying Index and limiting losses from the Underlying Index’s equity exposure. The Underlying Index seeks to achieve these objectives by allocating weightings among the S&P MidCap 400 Index (the “Equity Index”), the S&P U.S. Treasury Bond Current 5-Year Index (the “Treasury Bond Index”) and the S&P U.S. Treasury Bill 0-3 Month Index (the “T-Bill Index”) (collectively, the “Constituent Indices”). The Equity Index measures the performance of the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The Treasury Bond Index measures the performance of the most recently issued 5-year U.S. Treasury note or bond. The T-Bill Index measures the performance of U.S. Treasury bills maturing in 0 to 3 months. The weight of each Constituent Index may vary from 0% to 100% of the Underlying Index, and the sum of their weights will equal 100%. The Underlying Index rebalances on a daily basis.

The Underlying Index’s methodology seeks to maintain its annualized volatility at or below a designated level. If annualized volatility exceeds the designated level, the Underlying Index’s allocation to the Equity Index is reduced and the remainder is allocated to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. Conversely, a decrease in annualized volatility below the designated level will result in an increase in allocation to the Equity Index and a decreased allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. The methodology determines the amount of any change in allocation to the Equity Index based on the level by which annualized volatility is above or below the designated level, subject to a 10% daily maximum change. The methodology determines the allocation between the Treasury Bond Index and T-Bill Index based on the yield spread between the two. The Underlying Index allocates to the Treasury Bond Index when, as determined by the methodology, the yield on the Treasury Bond Index is sufficiently higher than the yield on the T-Bill Index to justify the additional risk. In seeking to limit losses, the methodology replicates a put option on the Underlying Index by further reducing the allocation to the Equity Index and increasing the allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index.

 

5


In seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index, the Fund employs a sampling strategy, which means that the Fund purchases a subset of the securities in the Underlying Index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the Underlying Index. The Fund may also use a replication strategy, which means the Fund invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as the Underlying Index. The quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund.

The Underlying Index is sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Investment Manager or the Sub-Adviser. The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider in collaboration with Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, the Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider determines the composition of the Underlying Index, relative weightings of the securities in the Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Risk is inherent in all investing. Many factors affect the Fund’s performance. The value of your investment in the 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 the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of principal risks (in alphabetical order) of investing in the Fund [(either directly or through its investments in underlying funds). Each risk described below may not apply to each underlying fund and an underlying fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.] An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money if you invest in this Fund.

Asset Allocation: The Underlying Index and, thus, the Fund allocate assets among equity and fixed income securities. These allocations and the timing of the allocations may result in performance that is less favorable than that of a portfolio that does not allocate its assets among equity and fixed income securities.

Counterparty: The Fund will be subject to credit risk (meaning the risk of adverse changes in an issuer’s real or perceived financial strength) with respect to counterparties to derivatives, repurchase agreements and other financial contracts entered into by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles. Adverse changes to counterparties may cause the value of financial contracts to go down. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of your investment in the Fund may decline.

Derivatives: Using derivatives exposes the Fund to additional risks and can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives may have a leveraging effect, increase Fund volatility and not produce the result intended. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than, or otherwise not correlate well with, the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their performance or value. For additional information regarding derivatives, see “More on Risks of Investing in the Funds—More on Principal Risks: Derivatives” in this Prospectus. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure and consequently may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Fixed-Income Securities: The market prices of fixed-income securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In addition, the market value of a fixed income security may decline if the issuer or other obligor of the security fails to pay principal and/or interest, otherwise defaults or has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. Interest rates have been at historically low levels, so the fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

Index Tracking: While the Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Underlying Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index), the Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested at times, generally as a result of cash flows into or out of the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions. The Sub-Adviser may attempt to replicate the Underlying Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Underlying Index, or in some securities not included in the Underlying Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the Fund’s return and that of the Underlying Index.

 

6


Interest Rate: Interest rates in the U.S. have been at historically low levels and should be expected to go up. The Fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. The value of fixed income securities generally goes down when interest rates rise, and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund may also go down. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities.

Legal and Regulatory: Legal and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect the Fund, its investments, and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. Certain changes have already been proposed and additional changes are expected. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that could adversely affect the Fund. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

Leveraging: The value of your investment may be more volatile to the extent that the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Other risks also will be compounded. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in the loss of a substantial amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements.

Market: The market prices of the Fund’s securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the markets or adverse investor sentiment. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Market prices of securities also may go down due to events or conditions that affect particular sectors, industries or issuers. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security.

In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment. The European Union has experienced increasing stress for a variety of reasons, including economic downturns in various member countries. In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union, and additional members could do the same. The impact of these conditions and events is not yet known.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments 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 are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Medium Capitalization Companies: The Fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of medium capitalization companies. Investing in medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with more established companies. The prices of securities of medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile and are more likely to be adversely affected by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions. Securities of medium capitalization companies may underperform larger capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

Non-Diversification: The Fund is classified as “nondiversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

Passive Strategy/Index: The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Underlying Index or of the actual securities comprising the Underlying Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a

 

7


benchmark index. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Underlying Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Underlying Index and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the Fund.

Underlying Exchange Traded Funds: To the extent the Fund invests its assets in underlying ETFs, its ability to achieve its investment objective depends largely on the performance of the underlying ETFs in which it invests. Investing in underlying ETFs subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those ETFs. Each of the underlying ETFs in which the Fund may invest has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the underlying ETFs’ shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any underlying ETF will be achieved. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in one underlying ETF than in another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that underlying ETF. In addition, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of the underlying ETFs in which it invests.

U.S. Government Agency Obligations: Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. generally present a lesser degree of credit risk than securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agencies.

PERFORMANCE

No performance is shown for the Fund. Performance information will appear in a future version of this Prospectus once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance information to report to investors.

As with all mutual funds, past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on our website at [            ] or by calling 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.

MANAGEMENT

Investment Manager: Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

Sub-Adviser:              Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC

Portfolio managers:

 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Louis Ng, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue (or redeem) Fund Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of [            ] Fund Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a designated portfolio of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s Underlying Index.

Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on the [                    ], other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), Fund Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

Tax Information: Fund distributions may be taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. In that case, you may be taxed when you take a distribution from such plan, depending on the type of plan, the circumstances of your distribution and other factors.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Investment Manager or its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for certain activities related to the Fund, including educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. 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.

 

8


DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 600 Managed Risk 2.0 Index.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). This table and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of Fund Shares.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):

 

Management fees

   XX%  

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

     0.00

Other expenses1

     XX

[Acquired fund fees and expenses]

     XX

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     XX

 

1  Other expenses [and acquired fund fees and expenses] are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

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 Fund Shares at the end of those periods (unless otherwise indicated). 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 on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Year 1      Year 3  
$ XX      $ XX  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate has been omitted because the Fund had not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Under normal market conditions, the DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF (the “Fund”) invests a substantial portion, but at least 80%, of its assets in securities comprising the S&P 600 Managed Risk 2.0 Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund may also invest in other exchange-traded funds and financial derivatives including options, futures, forwards and swaps when the Fund’s sub-adviser, Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes doing so will enhance the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index is designed to simulate, through a rules based methodology, a dynamic portfolio with the aim of both managing the volatility of the Underlying Index and limiting losses from the Underlying Index’s equity exposure. The Underlying Index seeks to achieve these objectives by allocating weightings among the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (the “Equity Index”), the S&P U.S. Treasury Bond Current 5-Year Index (the “Treasury Bond Index”) and the S&P U.S. Treasury Bill 0-3 Month Index (the “T-Bill Index”) (collectively, the “Constituent Indices”). The Equity Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The Treasury Bond Index measures the performance of the most recently issued 5-year U.S. Treasury note or bond. The T-Bill Index measures the performance of U.S. Treasury bills maturing in 0 to 3 months. The weight of each Constituent Index may vary from 0% to 100% of the Underlying Index, and the sum of their weights will equal 100%. The Underlying Index rebalances on a daily basis.

The Underlying Index’s methodology seeks to maintain its annualized volatility at or below a designated level. If annualized volatility exceeds the designated level, the Underlying Index’s allocation to the Equity Index is reduced and the remainder is allocated to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. Conversely, a decrease in annualized volatility below the designated level will result in an increase in allocation to the Equity Index and a decreased allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. The methodology determines the amount of any change in allocation to the Equity Index based on the level by which annualized volatility is above or below the designated level, subject to a 10% daily maximum change. The methodology determines the allocation between the Treasury Bond Index and T-Bill Index based on the yield spread between the two. The Underlying Index allocates to the Treasury Bond Index when, as determined by the methodology, the yield on the Treasury Bond Index is sufficiently higher than the yield on the T-Bill Index to justify the additional risk. In seeking to limit losses, the methodology replicates a put option on the Underlying Index by further reducing the allocation to the Equity Index and increasing the allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index.

 

9


In seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index, the Fund employs a sampling strategy, which means that the Fund purchases a subset of the securities in the Underlying Index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the Underlying Index. The Fund may also use a replication strategy, which means the Fund invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as the Underlying Index. The quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund.

The Underlying Index is sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Investment Manager or the Sub-Adviser. The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider in collaboration with Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, the Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider determines the composition of the Underlying Index, relative weightings of the securities in the Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Risk is inherent in all investing. Many factors affect the Fund’s performance. The value of your investment in the 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 the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of principal risks (in alphabetical order) of investing in the Fund [(either directly or through its investments in underlying funds). Each risk described below may not apply to each underlying fund and an underlying fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.] An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money if you invest in this Fund.

Asset Allocation: The Underlying Index and, thus, the Fund allocate assets among equity and fixed income securities. These allocations and the timing of the allocations may result in performance that is less favorable than that of a portfolio that does not allocate its assets among equity and fixed income securities.

Counterparty: The Fund will be subject to credit risk (meaning the risk of adverse changes in an issuer’s real or perceived financial strength) with respect to counterparties to derivatives, repurchase agreements and other financial contracts entered into by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles. Adverse changes to counterparties may cause the value of financial contracts to go down. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of your investment in the Fund may decline.

Derivatives: Using derivatives exposes the Fund to additional risks and can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives may have a leveraging effect, increase Fund volatility and not produce the result intended. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than, or otherwise not correlate well with, the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their performance or value. For additional information regarding derivatives, see “More on Risks of Investing in the Funds—More on Principal Risks: Derivatives” in this Prospectus. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure and consequently may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Fixed-Income Securities: The market prices of fixed-income securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In addition, the market value of a fixed income security may decline if the issuer or other obligor of the security fails to pay principal and/or interest, otherwise defaults or has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. Interest rates have been at historically low levels, so the fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

Index Tracking: While the Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Underlying Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index), the Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested at times, generally as a result of cash flows into or out of the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions. The Sub-Adviser may attempt to replicate the Underlying Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Underlying Index, or in some securities not included in the Underlying Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the Fund’s return and that of the Underlying Index.

 

10


Interest Rate: Interest rates in the U.S. have been at historically low levels and should be expected to go up. The Fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. The value of fixed income securities generally goes down when interest rates rise, and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund may also go down. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities.

Legal and Regulatory: Legal and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect the Fund, its investments, and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. Certain changes have already been proposed and additional changes are expected. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that could adversely affect the Fund. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

Leveraging: The value of your investment may be more volatile to the extent that the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Other risks also will be compounded. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in the loss of a substantial amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements.

Market: The market prices of the Fund’s securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the markets or adverse investor sentiment. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Market prices of securities also may go down due to events or conditions that affect particular sectors, industries or issuers. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security.

In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment. The European Union has experienced increasing stress for a variety of reasons, including economic downturns in various member countries. In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union, and additional members could do the same. The impact of these conditions and events is not yet known.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments 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 are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Non-Diversification: The Fund is classified as “nondiversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

Passive Strategy/Index: The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Underlying Index or of the actual securities comprising the Underlying Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Underlying Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Underlying Index and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the Fund.

 

11


Small Capitalization Companies: The Fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small capitalization companies. Small capitalization companies may be more at risk than larger capitalization companies because, among other things, they may have limited product lines, operating history, market or financial resources, or because they may depend on limited management groups. The prices of securities of small capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of larger capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than larger capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions. Securities of small capitalization companies may underperform larger capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

Underlying Exchange Traded Funds: To the extent the Fund invests its assets in underlying ETFs, its ability to achieve its investment objective depends largely on the performance of the underlying ETFs in which it invests. Investing in underlying ETFs subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those ETFs. Each of the underlying ETFs in which the Fund may invest has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the underlying ETFs’ shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any underlying ETF will be achieved. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in one underlying ETF than in another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that underlying ETF. In addition, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of the underlying ETFs in which it invests.

U.S. Government Agency Obligations: Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. generally present a lesser degree of credit risk than securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agencies.

PERFORMANCE

No performance is shown for the Fund. Performance information will appear in a future version of this Prospectus once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance information to report to investors.

As with all mutual funds, past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on our website at [            ] or by calling 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.

MANAGEMENT

Investment Manager: Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

Sub-Adviser:              Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC

Portfolio managers:

 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Louis Ng, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue (or redeem) Fund Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of [            ] Fund Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a designated portfolio of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s Underlying Index.

Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on the [                    ], other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), Fund Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

Tax Information: Fund distributions may be taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. In that case, you may be taxed when you take a distribution from such plan, depending on the type of plan, the circumstances of your distribution and other factors.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Investment Manager or its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for certain activities related to the Fund, including educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. 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.

 

12


DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of the S&P EPAC Ex. Korea LargeMidCap Managed Risk 2.0 Index.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). This table and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of Fund Shares.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):

 

Management fees

   XX%  

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

     0.00

Other expenses1

     XX

[Acquired fund fees and expenses]

     XX

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     XX

 

1  Other expenses [and acquired fund fees and expenses] are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

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 Fund Shares at the end of those periods (unless otherwise indicated). 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 on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Year 1      Year 3  
$ XX      $ XX  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate has been omitted because the Fund had not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Under normal market conditions, the DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF (the “Fund”) invests a substantial portion, but at least 80%, of its assets in securities comprising the S&P EPAC Ex. Korea LargeMidCap Managed Risk 2.0 Index (the “Underlying Index”) and in depositary receipts (such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)) based on securities comprising the Underlying Index. The Fund may also invest in other exchange-traded funds and financial derivatives including options, futures, forwards and swaps when the Fund’s sub-adviser, Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes doing so will enhance the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index is designed to simulate, through a rules based methodology, a dynamic portfolio with the aim of both managing the volatility of the Underlying Index and limiting losses from the Underlying Index’s equity exposure. The Underlying Index seeks to achieve these objectives by allocating weightings among the S&P EPAC Ex. Korea LargeMidCap Index (the “Equity Index”), the S&P U.S. Treasury Bond Current 5-Year Index (the “Treasury Bond Index”) and the S&P U.S. Treasury Bill 0-3 Month Index (the “T-Bill Index”) (collectively, the “Constituent Indices”). The Equity Index measures the performance of developed markets within the Europe and Asia Pacific regions, excluding Korea. The Treasury Bond Index measures the performance of the most recently issued 5-year U.S. Treasury note or bond. The T-Bill Index measures the performance of U.S. Treasury bills maturing in 0 to 3 months. The weight of each Constituent Index may vary from 0% to 100% of the Underlying Index, and the sum of their weights will equal 100%. The Underlying Index rebalances on a daily basis.

The Underlying Index’s methodology seeks to maintain its annualized volatility at or below a designated level. If annualized volatility exceeds the designated level, the Underlying Index’s allocation to the Equity Index is reduced and the remainder is allocated to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. Conversely, a decrease in annualized volatility below the designated level will result in an increase in allocation to the Equity Index and a decreased allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. The methodology determines the amount of any change in allocation to the Equity Index based on the level by which annualized volatility is above or below the designated level, subject to a 10% daily maximum change. The methodology determines the allocation between the Treasury Bond Index and T-Bill Index based on the yield spread between the two. The Underlying Index allocates to the Treasury Bond Index when, as determined by the methodology, the yield on the Treasury Bond Index is sufficiently higher than the yield on the T-Bill Index to justify the additional risk. In seeking to limit losses, the methodology replicates a put option on the Underlying Index by further reducing the allocation to the Equity Index and increasing the allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index.

 

13


In seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index, the Fund employs a sampling strategy, which means that the Fund purchases a subset of the securities in the Underlying Index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the Underlying Index. The Fund may also use a replication strategy, which means the Fund invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as the Underlying Index. The quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund.

The Underlying Index is sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Investment Manager or the Sub-Adviser. The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider in collaboration with Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, the Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider determines the composition of the Underlying Index, relative weightings of the securities in the Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Risk is inherent in all investing. Many factors affect the Fund’s performance. The value of your investment in the 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 the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of principal risks (in alphabetical order) of investing in the Fund [(either directly or through its investments in underlying funds). Each risk described below may not apply to each underlying fund and an underlying fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.] An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money if you invest in this Fund.

Asset Allocation: The Underlying Index and, thus, the Fund allocate assets among equity and fixed income securities. These allocations and the timing of the allocations may result in performance that is less favorable than that of a portfolio that does not allocate its assets among equity and fixed income securities.

Counterparty: The Fund will be subject to credit risk (meaning the risk of adverse changes in an issuer’s real or perceived financial strength) with respect to counterparties to derivatives, repurchase agreements and other financial contracts entered into by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles. Adverse changes to counterparties may cause the value of financial contracts to go down. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of your investment in the Fund may decline.

Depositary Receipts: Depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

Derivatives: Using derivatives exposes the Fund to additional risks and can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives may have a leveraging effect, increase Fund volatility and not produce the result intended. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than, or otherwise not correlate well with, the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their performance or value. For additional information regarding derivatives, see “More on Risks of Investing in the Funds—More on Principal Risks: Derivatives” in this Prospectus. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure and consequently may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Financial Sector: Financial services companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, the interest rates and fees they can charge, the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit markets generally may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Certain events in the financial sector may cause an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and cause certain financial services companies to incur large losses. Securities of financial services companies may

 

14


experience a dramatic decline in value when such companies experience substantial declines in the valuations of their assets, take action to raise capital (such as the issuance of debt or equity securities), or cease operations. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject to severe price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.

Fixed-Income Securities: The market prices of fixed-income securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In addition, the market value of a fixed income security may decline if the issuer or other obligor of the security fails to pay principal and/or interest, otherwise defaults or has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. Interest rates have been at historically low levels, so the fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

Foreign Investments: Investing in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involves additional risk. Foreign countries in which the fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support, political or financial instability or other adverse economic or political developments. Lack of information and weaker accounting standards also may affect the value of these securities.

Geographic Focus: The performance of a fund that is less diversified across countries or geographic regions will be closely tied to market, currency, economic, political, environmental, or regulatory conditions and developments in the countries or regions in which the fund invests, and may be more volatile than the performance of a more geographically-diversified fund.

Asia Pacific Region: Investments in securities of issuers in Asia-Pacific countries involve risks that are specific to the Asia-Pacific region, including certain legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. Certain Asia-Pacific countries have experienced expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, armed conflict and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic, socio-economic and/or political unrest. Some economies in this region are dependent on a range of commodities, and are strongly affected by international commodity prices and particularly vulnerable to price changes for these products. The market for securities in this region may also be directly influenced by the flow of international capital, and by the economic and market conditions of neighboring countries. Many Asia-Pacific economies have experienced rapid growth and industrialization, and there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. Some Asia-Pacific economies are highly dependent on trade and economic conditions in other countries can impact these economies.

Europe: Developed and emerging market countries in Europe will be significantly affected by the fiscal and monetary controls of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (“EU”). Changes in regulations on trade, decreasing imports or exports, changes in the exchange rate of the euro and recessions among European countries may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of other European countries. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU. For example, in June 2016, citizens of the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the EU (known as “Brexit”), creating economic and political uncertainty in its wake. It is unclear how withdrawal negotiations will be conducted and what the potential consequences may be. Any exits from the EU, or the possibility of such exits, may have a significant impact on the United Kingdom, Europe, and global economies, which may result in increased volatility and illiquidity, new legal and regulatory uncertainties and potentially lower economic growth for such economies that could potentially have an adverse effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. In addition, a number of countries in Europe have suffered terrorist attacks and additional attacks may occur in the future. Such attacks may cause uncertainty in financial markets and may adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has exposure.

Japan: The growth of Japan’s economy has historically lagged that of its Asian neighbors and other major developed economies. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent on international trade and has been adversely affected by trade tariffs, other protectionist measures, competition from emerging economies and the economic conditions of its trading partners. China has become an important trading partner with Japan, yet the countries’ political relationship has become strained. Should political tension increase, it could adversely affect the economy, especially the export sector, and destabilize the region as a whole. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil imports, and higher commodity prices could therefore have a negative impact on the 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 Japanese economy. Japan has, in the past, intervened in the currency markets to attempt to maintain or reduce the value of the yen. Japanese intervention in the currency markets could cause the value of the yen to fluctuate sharply and unpredictably and could cause losses to investors. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons or tsunamis, could occur in Japan or surrounding areas and could negatively affect the Japanese economy and, in turn, the Fund.

Index Tracking: While the Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Underlying Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index), the Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested at times, generally as a result of cash flows into or out of the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions. The Sub-Adviser may attempt to replicate the Underlying Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Underlying Index, or in some securities not included in the Underlying Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the Fund’s return and that of the Underlying Index.

 

15


Interest Rate: Interest rates in the U.S. have been at historically low levels and should be expected to go up. The Fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. The value of fixed income securities generally goes down when interest rates rise, and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund may also go down. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities.

Legal and Regulatory: Legal and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect the Fund, its investments, and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. Certain changes have already been proposed and additional changes are expected. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that could adversely affect the Fund. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

Leveraging: The value of your investment may be more volatile to the extent that the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Other risks also will be compounded. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in the loss of a substantial amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements.

Market: The market prices of the Fund’s securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the markets or adverse investor sentiment. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Market prices of securities also may go down due to events or conditions that affect particular sectors, industries or issuers. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security.

In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment. The European Union has experienced increasing stress for a variety of reasons, including economic downturns in various member countries. In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union, and additional members could do the same. The impact of these conditions and events is not yet known.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments 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 are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Non-Diversification: The Fund is classified as “nondiversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

Passive Strategy/Index: The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Underlying Index or of the actual securities comprising the Underlying Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Underlying Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Underlying Index and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the Fund.

 

16


Underlying Exchange Traded Funds: To the extent the Fund invests its assets in underlying ETFs, its ability to achieve its investment objective depends largely on the performance of the underlying ETFs in which it invests. Investing in underlying ETFs subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those ETFs. Each of the underlying ETFs in which the Fund may invest has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the underlying ETFs’ shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any underlying ETF will be achieved. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in one underlying ETF than in another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that underlying ETF. In addition, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of the underlying ETFs in which it invests.

U.S. Government Agency Obligations: Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. generally present a lesser degree of credit risk than securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agencies.

PERFORMANCE

No performance is shown for the Fund. Performance information will appear in a future version of this Prospectus once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance information to report to investors.

As with all mutual funds, past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on our website at [            ] or by calling 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.

MANAGEMENT

Investment Manager: Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

Sub-Adviser:              Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC

Portfolio managers:

 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Louis Ng, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue (or redeem) Fund Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of [            ] Fund Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a designated portfolio of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s Underlying Index.

Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on the [                    ], other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), Fund Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

Tax Information: Fund distributions may be taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. In that case, you may be taxed when you take a distribution from such plan, depending on the type of plan, the circumstances of your distribution and other factors.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Investment Manager or its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for certain activities related to the Fund, including educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. 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.

 

17


DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

Seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of the S&P Emerging Plus LargeMidcap Managed Risk 2.0 Index.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). This table and the Example below reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of Fund Shares.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):

 

Management fees

   XX%  

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

     0.00

Other expenses1

     XX

[Acquired fund fees and expenses]

     XX

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     XX

 

1  Other expenses [and acquired fund fees and expenses] are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

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 Fund Shares at the end of those periods (unless otherwise indicated). 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 on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Year 1      Year 3  
$ XX      $ XX  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when 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. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate has been omitted because the Fund had not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Under normal market conditions, the DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF (the “Fund”) invests a substantial portion, but at least 80%, of its assets in securities comprising the S&P Emerging Plus LargeMidcap Managed Risk 2.0 Index (the “Underlying Index”) and in depositary receipts (such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)) based on securities comprising the Underlying Index. The Fund may also invest in other exchange-traded funds and financial derivatives including options, futures, forwards and swaps when the Fund’s sub-adviser, Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes doing so will enhance the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index is designed to simulate, through a rules based methodology, a dynamic portfolio with the aim of both managing the volatility of the Underlying Index and limiting losses from the Underlying Index’s equity exposure. The Underlying Index seeks to achieve these objectives by allocating weightings among the S&P Emerging Plus LargeMidcap Index (the “Equity Index”), the S&P U.S. Treasury Bond Current 5-Year Index (the “Treasury Bond Index”) and the S&P U.S. Treasury Bill 0-3 Month Index (the “T-Bill Index”) (collectively, the “Constituent Indices”). The Equity Index measures the performance of large- and mid-cap securities in emerging markets. The Treasury Bond Index measures the performance of the most recently issued 5-year U.S. Treasury note or bond. The T-Bill Index measures the performance of U.S. Treasury bills maturing in 0 to 3 months. The weight of each Constituent Index may vary from 0% to 100% of the Underlying Index, and the sum of their weights will equal 100%. The Underlying Index rebalances on a daily basis.

The Underlying Index’s methodology seeks to maintain its annualized volatility at or below a designated level. If annualized volatility exceeds the designated level, the Underlying Index’s allocation to the Equity Index is reduced and the remainder is allocated to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. Conversely, a decrease in annualized volatility below the designated level will result in an increase in allocation to the Equity Index and a decreased allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index. The methodology determines the amount of any change in allocation to the Equity Index based on the level by which annualized volatility is above or below the designated level, subject to a 10% daily maximum change. The methodology determines the allocation between the Treasury Bond Index and T-Bill Index based on the yield spread between the two. The Underlying Index allocates to the Treasury Bond Index when, as determined by the methodology, the yield on the Treasury Bond Index is sufficiently higher than the yield on the T-Bill Index to justify the additional risk. In seeking to limit losses, the methodology replicates a put option on the Underlying Index by further reducing the allocation to the Equity Index and increasing the allocation to the Treasury Bond Index and/or T-Bill Index.

 

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In seeking to track the performance of the Underlying Index, the Fund employs a sampling strategy, which means that the Fund purchases a subset of the securities in the Underlying Index in an effort to hold a portfolio of securities with generally the same risk and return characteristics of the Underlying Index. The Fund may also use a replication strategy, which means the Fund invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as the Underlying Index. The quantity of holdings in the Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund.

The Underlying Index is sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Investment Manager or the Sub-Adviser. The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider in collaboration with Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, the Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider determines the composition of the Underlying Index, relative weightings of the securities in the Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Risk is inherent in all investing. Many factors affect the Fund’s performance. The value of your investment in the 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 the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of principal risks (in alphabetical order) of investing in the Fund [(either directly or through its investments in underlying funds). Each risk described below may not apply to each underlying fund and an underlying fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.] An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money if you invest in this Fund.

Asset Allocation: The Underlying Index and, thus, the Fund allocate assets among equity and fixed income securities. These allocations and the timing of the allocations may result in performance that is less favorable than that of a portfolio that does not allocate its assets among equity and fixed income securities.

Counterparty: The Fund will be subject to credit risk (meaning the risk of adverse changes in an issuer’s real or perceived financial strength) with respect to counterparties to derivatives, repurchase agreements and other financial contracts entered into by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles. Adverse changes to counterparties may cause the value of financial contracts to go down. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of your investment in the Fund may decline.

Currency: The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could reduce or eliminate investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.

Depositary Receipts: Depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

Derivatives: Using derivatives exposes the Fund to additional risks and can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives may have a leveraging effect, increase Fund volatility and not produce the result intended. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than, or otherwise not correlate well with, the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their performance or value. For additional information regarding derivatives, see “More on Risks of Investing in the Funds—More on Principal Risks: Derivatives” in this Prospectus. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.

Emerging Markets: Investments in the securities of issuers located in or principally doing business in emerging markets are subject to foreign investments risks. These risks are greater for investments in issuers in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have economic, political and legal systems that are less fully developed and are less stable than those of more developed countries. Emerging market securities are often particularly sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect speculative expectations. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure and consequently may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

 

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Financial Sector: Financial services companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, the interest rates and fees they can charge, the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit markets generally may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Certain events in the financial sector may cause an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and cause certain financial services companies to incur large losses. Securities of financial services companies may experience a dramatic decline in value when such companies experience substantial declines in the valuations of their assets, take action to raise capital (such as the issuance of debt or equity securities), or cease operations. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject to severe price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.

Fixed-Income Securities: The market prices of fixed-income securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In addition, the market value of a fixed income security may decline if the issuer or other obligor of the security fails to pay principal and/or interest, otherwise defaults or has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. Interest rates have been at historically low levels, so the fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

Foreign Investments: Investing in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involves additional risk. Foreign countries in which the fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the Fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support, political or financial instability or other adverse economic or political developments. Lack of information and weaker accounting standards also may affect the value of these securities.

Geographic Focus: The performance of a fund that is less diversified across countries or geographic regions will be closely tied to market, currency, economic, political, environmental, or regulatory conditions and developments in the countries or regions in which the fund invests, and may be more volatile than the performance of a more geographically-diversified fund.

China: The Chinese economy is generally considered an emerging market and can be significantly affected by economic and political conditions and policy in China and surrounding Asian countries. A relatively small number of Chinese companies represent a large portion of China’s total market and thus may be more sensitive to adverse political or economic circumstances and market movements. The economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others. Under China’s political and economic system, the central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership. In addition, expropriation, including nationalization, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or other developments could adversely affect and significantly diminish the values of the Chinese companies in which the Fund invests. The Fund may invest in shares of Chinese companies traded on stock markets in Mainland China or Hong Kong. These stock markets have recently experienced high levels of volatility, which may continue in the future. The Hong Kong stock market may behave differently from the Mainland China stock market and there may be little to no correlation between the performance of the Hong Kong stock market and the Mainland China stock market.

Index Tracking: While the Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Underlying Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index), the Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested at times, generally as a result of cash flows into or out of the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions. The Sub-Adviser may attempt to replicate the Underlying Index return by investing in fewer than all of the securities in the Underlying Index, or in some securities not included in the Underlying Index, potentially increasing the risk of divergence between the Fund’s return and that of the Underlying Index.

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

 

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Interest Rate: Interest rates in the U.S. have been at historically low levels and should be expected to go up. The Fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. The value of fixed income securities generally goes down when interest rates rise, and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund may also go down. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities.

Large Capitalization Companies: The Fund’s investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

Legal and Regulatory: Legal and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect the Fund, its investments, and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. Certain changes have already been proposed and additional changes are expected. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that could adversely affect the Fund. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

Leveraging: The value of your investment may be more volatile to the extent that the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Other risks also will be compounded. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in the loss of a substantial amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements.

Market: The market prices of the Fund’s securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the markets or adverse investor sentiment. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Market prices of securities also may go down due to events or conditions that affect particular sectors, industries or issuers. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security.

In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment. The European Union has experienced increasing stress for a variety of reasons, including economic downturns in various member countries. In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union, and additional members could do the same. The impact of these conditions and events is not yet known.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments 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 are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Medium Capitalization Companies: The Fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of medium capitalization companies. Investing in medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with more established companies. The prices of securities of medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile and are more likely to be adversely affected by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions. Securities of medium capitalization companies may underperform larger capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

Non-Diversification: The Fund is classified as “nondiversified,” which means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent the Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

 

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Passive Strategy/Index: The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities, regardless of the current or projected performance of the Underlying Index or of the actual securities comprising the Underlying Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the Fund’s performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Underlying Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Underlying Index and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of the Fund.

Underlying Exchange Traded Funds: To the extent the Fund invests its assets in underlying ETFs, its ability to achieve its investment objective depends largely on the performance of the underlying ETFs in which it invests. Investing in underlying ETFs subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those ETFs. Each of the underlying ETFs in which the Fund may invest has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the underlying ETFs’ shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any underlying ETF will be achieved. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in one underlying ETF than in another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that underlying ETF. In addition, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of the underlying ETFs in which it invests.

U.S. Government Agency Obligations: Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. generally present a lesser degree of credit risk than securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agencies.

PERFORMANCE

No performance is shown for the Fund. Performance information will appear in a future version of this Prospectus once the Fund has a full calendar year of performance information to report to investors.

As with all mutual funds, past performance (before and after taxes) is not a prediction of future results. Updated performance information is available on our website at [            ] or by calling 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.

MANAGEMENT

Investment Manager: Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

Sub-Adviser:              Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC

Portfolio managers:

 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Louis Ng, FRM

   Portfolio Manager    Since 2017

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue (or redeem) Fund Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of [            ] Fund Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a designated portfolio of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s Underlying Index.

Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on the [                    ], other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at net asset value (“NAV”), Fund Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

Tax Information: Fund distributions may be taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. In that case, you may be taxed when you take a distribution from such plan, depending on the type of plan, the circumstances of your distribution and other factors.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Investment Manager or its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for certain activities related to the Fund, including educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. 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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MORE ON EACH FUND’S STRATEGIES AND INVESTMENTS

General. Please see each Fund’s “The Fund’s Principal Investment Strategy” section under “Fund Summaries” above for a complete discussion of each Fund’s principal investment strategies. A Fund may invest in various types of securities and engage in various investment techniques which are not the principal focus of the Fund and therefore are not described in this Prospectus. These securities, techniques and practices, together with their risks, are described in the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), which you may obtain free of charge by contacting customer service (see the back cover of this Prospectus for the address and phone number).

The Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of each Fund’s Underlying Index as closely as possible (i.e., obtain a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index). A number of factors may affect a Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its Underlying Index, and there can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation.

The Sub-Adviser will utilize a sampling strategy in managing the Funds. Sampling means that the Sub-Adviser uses quantitative analysis to select securities, including securities in the Underlying Index, outside of the Underlying Index and other exchange-traded funds and derivatives that have a similar investment profile as the relevant Underlying Index in terms of key risk factors, performance attributes and other economic characteristics. These include industry weightings, market capitalization, and other financial characteristics of securities. The quantity of holdings in a Fund will be based on a number of factors, including asset size of the Fund. In addition, from time to time, securities are added to or removed from each Underlying Index and consequently the countries represented by an Underlying Index may change. The Sub-Adviser may sell securities that are represented in an Underlying Index, or purchase securities that are not yet represented in an Underlying Index, in anticipation of their removal from or addition to an Underlying Index. Further, the Sub-Adviser may choose to overweight securities in an Underlying Index, purchase or sell securities not in an Underlying Index, or utilize various combinations of other available techniques, in seeking to track an Underlying Index.

The Funds may invest directly in local securities or in ADRs or GDRs that trade on developed market exchanges, such as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Sub-Adviser may purchase an ADR or GDR as a replacement for the actual foreign security in the applicable Underlying Index. Conversely, the Sub-Adviser may purchase the actual foreign security as a replacement for an ADR or GDR included in the applicable Underlying Index.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) may change a Fund’s investment strategy, Underlying Index and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or in the SAI. The Board may also change a Fund’s investment objective without shareholder approval.

Temporary Defensive Positions. In certain situations or market conditions, a Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies, provided that the alternative is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and is in the best interest of the Fund. For example, a Fund may make larger than normal investments in derivatives to maintain exposure to its Underlying Index if it is unable to invest directly in a component security.

MORE ON RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

The value of your investment in a Fund changes with the values of that Fund’s investments. Many factors can affect those values. There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in a Fund. Each Fund may be subject to risks other than those identified in this Prospectus.

MORE ON PRINCIPAL RISKS:

Asset Allocation: Each Underlying Index and, thus, each Fund allocates assets among equity and fixed income securities. These allocations and the timing of the allocations may result in performance that is less favorable than that of a portfolio that does not allocate its assets among equity and fixed income securities.

Counterparty: The Fund will be subject to credit risk (meaning the risk of adverse changes in an issuer’s real or perceived financial strength) with respect to counterparties to derivatives, repurchase agreements and other financial contracts entered into by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles. Adverse changes to counterparties may cause the value of financial contracts to go down. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of your investment in the Fund may decline.

Currency: The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could reduce or eliminate investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.

Depositary Receipts: Depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. Any distributions paid to the holders of depositary receipts are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, and investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of depositary receipts because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert equity shares into depositary receipts and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause equity shares of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the depositary receipts.

 

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Derivatives: Derivatives involve special risks and costs and may result in losses to a Fund. Using derivatives can increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates or currencies, or the derivatives themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by a Fund, especially in abnormal market conditions. Using derivatives may have a leveraging effect, which may increase investment losses and may increase Fund volatility, which is the degree to which the Fund’s share price may fluctuate within a short time period. Even a small investment in derivatives can have a disproportionate impact on a Fund. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. This risk is greater for forward currency contracts, swaps and other over-the-counter traded derivatives. The other parties to derivatives transactions present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed-income securities. Derivatives also tend to involve greater liquidity risk and they may be difficult to value. A Fund may be unable to terminate or sell its derivative positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivatives will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than, or otherwise not correlate well with, the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. A Fund’s use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing and on-facility execution of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their performance or value. For derivatives that are required to be cleared by a regulated clearinghouse, a Fund may be exposed to risks arising from its relationship with a brokerage firm through which it would submit derivatives trades for clearing. A Fund would also be exposed to counterparty risk with respect to the clearinghouse. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.

Using derivatives may involve greater risks to a Fund than investing directly in securities, particularly as these instruments may be very complex and may not behave in the manner anticipated by the Fund. Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that a large portion of the Fund’s assets are committed to derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives. Use of derivatives or similar instruments may have different tax consequences for a Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders.

When a Fund enters into derivative transactions, it may be required to segregate assets, or enter into offsetting positions, in accordance with applicable regulations. Such segregation will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss, however, and the Fund will have investment risk with respect to both the derivative itself and the assets that have been segregated to cover the Fund’s derivative exposure. If the segregated assets represent a large portion of the Fund’s portfolio, this may impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Some derivatives may be difficult to value, or may be subject to the risk that changes in the value of the instrument may not correlate well with the underlying asset, rate or index. In addition, derivatives may be subject to market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. A Fund could lose the entire amount of its investment in a derivative and, in some cases, could lose more than the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative instruments may not be available in all circumstances or at reasonable prices.

Derivatives may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

    Options. An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the buyer) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a specified price (the exercise price) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. A Fund may lose the premium paid for them if the price of the underlying security or other asset decreased or remained the same (in the case of a call option) or increased or remained the same (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by a Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.

 

   

Forwards and Futures Contracts. The use of futures contracts is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. A futures contract is a sales contract between a buyer (holding the “long” position) and a seller (holding the “short” position) for an asset with delivery deferred until a future date. The buyer agrees to pay a fixed price at the agreed future date and the seller agrees to deliver the asset. The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. The liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into off-setting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced. In addition, futures exchanges often impose a maximum permissible price movement on each futures contract for each trading session. A Fund may be disadvantaged if it is prohibited from executing a trade outside the daily permissible price movement. Moreover, to the extent a Fund engages in futures contracts on foreign exchanges, such exchanges may not provide the same protection as US exchanges. The loss that may be incurred in entering into futures contracts may exceed the amount of the premium paid and may be potentially unlimited. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. Additionally, as a result of the low collateral deposits normally involved in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund. Investment in these instruments involve risks, including counterparty risk (i.e., the

 

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counterparty to the instrument will not perform or be able to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument), hedging risk (i.e., a hedging strategy may not eliminate the risk that it is intended to offset, and may offset gains, which may lead to losses within the fund) and pricing risk (i.e., the instrument may be difficult to value).

 

    Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts. In connection with its investments in foreign securities, a Fund also may enter into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date. A foreign currency forward exchange contract is a negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts may be used to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. In addition, a Fund may use cross currency hedging or proxy hedging with respect to currencies in which the Fund has or expects to have portfolio or currency exposure. Cross currency hedges involve the sale of one currency against the positive exposure to a different currency and may be used for hedging purposes or to establish an active exposure to the exchange rate between any two currencies. Investments in foreign currency forward exchange contracts may substantially change a Fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the Sub-Adviser expects. The Sub-Adviser’s success in these transactions will depend principally on its ability to predict accurately the future exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. There is no assurance that a Sub-Adviser’s use of currency derivatives will benefit a Fund or that they will be, or can be, used at appropriate times.

 

    Swaps. Swaps contracts, including total return swaps, involve heightened risks and may result in losses to a Fund. Swaps may in some cases be illiquid and difficult to value, and they increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation and the counterparty to the swap. Swaps may be difficult to unwind or terminate. The absence of a central exchange or market for swap transactions may lead, in some instances, to difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. New regulations require many kinds of swaps to be executed through a centralized exchange or regulated facility and be cleared through a regulated clearinghouse. Although this clearing mechanism is generally expected to reduce counterparty credit risk, it may disrupt or limit the swap market and may not result in swaps being easier to trade or value. As swaps become more standardized, a Fund may not be able to enter into swaps that meet its investment needs. A Fund also may not be able to find a clearinghouse willing to accept the swaps for clearing. In a cleared swap, a central clearing organization will be the counterparty to the transaction. A Fund will assume the risk that the clearinghouse may be unable to perform its obligations. The new regulations may make using swaps more costly, may limit their availability, or may otherwise adversely affect their value or performance.

Emerging Markets: Investments in the securities of issuers located in or principally doing business in emerging markets bear foreign investments risks. The risks associated with investing in emerging markets are greater than investing in developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and that can be expected to be less stable. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by foreigners or that prevent foreign investors from withdrawing their money at will. Emerging market securities are often particularly sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect speculative expectations. Some emerging market countries are especially vulnerable to economic conditions in other countries. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility. A Fund investing in emerging market countries may be required to establish special custody or other arrangements before investing. An investment in emerging market securities should be considered speculative.

Equity Securities: Equity securities represent an ownership interest in an issuer, rank junior in a company’s capital structure and, consequently, may entail greater risk of loss than debt securities. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Because a company’s equity securities rank junior in priority to the interests of bond holders and other creditors, a company’s equity securities will usually react more strongly than its bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by a Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Financial Sector: Financial services companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, the interest rates and fees they can charge, the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit markets generally may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Certain events in the financial sector may cause an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and cause certain financial services companies to incur large losses. Securities of financial services companies may experience a dramatic decline in value when such companies experience substantial declines in the valuations of their assets, take action to raise capital (such as the issuance of debt or equity securities), or cease operations. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject to severe price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.

 

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Fixed-Income Securities: The market prices of fixed-income securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. In addition, the market value of a fixed income security may decline if the issuer or other obligor of the security fails to pay principal and/or interest, otherwise defaults or has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. Interest rates have been at historically low levels, so the Fund faces a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

If interest rates rise, repayments of fixed-income securities may occur more slowly than anticipated by the market. This may drive the prices of these securities down because their interest rates are lower than the current interest rate and they remain outstanding longer. This is sometimes referred to as extension risk.

Many issuers have a right to prepay their securities. If interest rates fall, an issuer may exercise this right. If this happens, a Fund will be forced to reinvest prepayment proceeds at a time when yields on securities available in the market are lower than the yield on the prepaid security. This is sometimes referred to as prepayment or call risk.

Foreign Investments: Investments in securities of foreign issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets are subject to additional risks. Foreign countries in which a Fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of a Fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuers as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support, political or financial instability or other adverse economic or political developments. Values may also be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country.

Less information may be publicly available about foreign companies than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Some securities issued by non-U.S. governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of such governments. Even where a security is backed by the full faith and credit of a government, it may be difficult for the Fund to pursue its rights against the government. Some non-U.S. governments have defaulted on principal and interest payments. In certain foreign markets, settlement and clearance procedures may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. In addition, a Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and adverse diplomatic developments. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale or disposition of, foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

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. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate a Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make the Fund’s investments in such securities harder to value. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, may adversely affect a Fund’s foreign holdings or exposures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in foreign countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments. For example, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer a Fund’s assets back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by a Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Certain foreign investments may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities. When a Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value.

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are generally subject to the same risks as direct investments in foreign securities.

Geographic Focus: The performance of a fund that is less diversified across countries or geographic regions will be closely tied to market, currency, economic, political, environmental, or regulatory conditions and developments in the countries or regions in which the fund invests, and may be more volatile than the performance of a more geographically-diversified fund.

Asia Pacific Region: Investments in securities of issuers in Asia-Pacific countries involve risks that are specific to the Asia-Pacific region, including certain legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. Certain Asia-Pacific countries have experienced expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, armed conflict and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic, socio-economic and/or political unrest. Some economies in this region are dependent on a range of commodities, and are strongly affected by international commodity prices and particularly vulnerable to price changes for these products. The market for securities in this region may also be directly influenced by the flow of international capital, and by the

 

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economic and market conditions of neighboring countries. Many Asia-Pacific economies have experienced rapid growth and industrialization, and there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. Some Asia-Pacific economies are highly dependent on trade and economic conditions in other countries can impact these economies.

China: The economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others. Under China’s political and economic system, the central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership. Since 1978, the Chinese government has been, and is expected to continue, reforming its economic policies, which has resulted in less direct central and local government control over the business and production activities of Chinese enterprises and companies. Notwithstanding the economic reforms instituted by the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China, which could affect the public and private sector companies in which a Fund invests. In the past, the Chinese government has from time to time taken actions that influence the prices at which certain goods may be sold, encourage companies to invest or concentrate in particular industries, induce mergers between companies in certain industries and induce private companies to publicly offer their securities to increase or continue the rate of economic growth, control the rate of inflation or otherwise regulate economic expansion. It may do so in the future as well. Such actions and a variety of other centrally planned or determined activities by the Chinese government could have a significant adverse effect on economic conditions in China, the economic prospects for, and the market prices and liquidity of, the securities of Chinese companies and the payments of dividends and interest by Chinese companies. In addition, expropriation, including nationalization, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or other developments could adversely affect and significantly diminish the values of the Chinese companies in which a Fund invests. A Fund may invest in shares of Chinese companies traded on stock markets in Mainland China or Hong Kong. These stock markets have recently experienced high levels of volatility, which may continue in the future. The Hong Kong stock market may behave differently from the Mainland China stock market and there may be little to no correlation between the performance of the Hong Kong stock market and the Mainland China stock market.

From time to time, certain of the companies comprising the Underlying Index may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations and/or in countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. One or more of these companies may be subject to constraints under U.S. law or regulations which could negatively affect the company’s performance.

Additionally, one or more of these companies may suffer damage to its reputation if it is identified as a company which invests or deals with countries which are identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism or subject to sanctions. As an investor in such companies, a Fund will be indirectly subject to these risks.

Europe: A number of countries in Europe have experienced severe economic and financial difficulties. 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, voters in the United Kingdom have approved withdrawal from the European Union. Other countries may seek to withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. The Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military conflicts could potentially occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. 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 the fund’s investments.

Japan: The growth of Japan’s economy has historically lagged that of its Asian neighbors and other major developed economies. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent on international trade and has been adversely affected by trade tariffs, other protectionist measures, competition from emerging economies and the economic conditions of its trading partners. China has become an important trading partner with Japan, yet the countries’ political relationship has become strained. Should political tension increase, it could adversely affect the economy, especially the export sector, and destabilize the region as a whole. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil imports, and higher commodity prices could therefore have a negative impact on the economy. The Japanese economy faces several other concerns, including a financial system with large levels of nonperforming loans, over-leveraged corporate balance sheets, extensive cross-ownership by major corporations, a changing corporate governance structure, and large government deficits. These issues may cause a slowdown of 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 Japanese economy. Japan has, in the past, intervened in the currency markets to attempt to maintain or reduce the value of the yen. Japanese intervention in the currency markets could cause the value of the yen to fluctuate sharply and unpredictably and could cause losses to investors. Japan has an aging workforce and has experienced a

 

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significant population decline in recent years. Japan’s labor market appears to be undergoing fundamental structural changes, as a labor market traditionally accustomed to lifetime employment adjusts to meet the need for increased labor mobility, which may adversely affect Japan’s economic competitiveness.

The nuclear power plant catastrophe in Japan in March 2011 may have long-term effects on the Japanese economy and its nuclear energy industry. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons or tsunamis, could occur in Japan or surrounding areas and could negatively affect the Japanese economy and, in turn, a Fund.

Index Tracking: While the Sub-Adviser seeks to track the performance of an Underlying Index (i.e., achieve a high degree of correlation with the Underlying Index), a Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, the return on the sample of securities purchased by a Fund (or the return on securities not included in the Underlying Index) to replicate the performance of the Underlying Index may not correlate precisely with the return of the Underlying Index. Each Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities. In addition, a Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into or out of the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions. Changes in the composition of the Underlying Index and regulatory requirements also may impact a Fund’s ability to match the return of the Underlying Index. The Sub-Adviser may apply one or more “screens” or investment techniques to refine or limit the number or types of issuers included in the Underlying Index in which a Fund may invest. Application of such screens or techniques may result in investment performance below that of the Underlying Index and may not produce results expected by the Adviser. Index tracking risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions.

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

Interest Rate: Interest rates in the United States have been at historically low levels and should be expected to go up. The Funds face a heightened risk that interest rates may rise. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities will generally fall. A change in interest rates will not have the same impact on all fixed-income securities. Generally, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed-income security, the greater the impact of a rise in interest rates on the security’s value. In addition, different interest rate measures (such as short- and long-term interest rates and U.S. and foreign interest rates), or interest rates on different types of securities or securities of different issuers, may not necessarily change in the same amount or in the same direction. When interest rates go down, the income received by a Fund, and the Fund’s yield, may decline. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities. The maturity of a security may be significantly longer than its duration. A security’s maturity may be more relevant than its duration in determining the security’s sensitivity to other factors such as changes in credit quality or in the yield premium that the market may establish for certain types of securities.

Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed-income security that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Similarly, a fund with a longer average portfolio duration will generally be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than a fund with a shorter average portfolio duration. By way of example, the price of a bond fund with an average duration of five years would be expected to fall approximately 5% if interest rates rose by one percentage point.

Large Capitalization Companies: A Fund’s investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

Legal and Regulatory: Legal and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect a Fund, its investments, and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. Certain changes have already been proposed and additional changes are expected. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that could adversely affect a Fund. A Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

Leveraging: The value of your investment may be more volatile to the extent a Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Other risks also will be compounded. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have, potentially resulting in the loss of all assets. The portfolio also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations or meet segregation requirements. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice that may result in the loss of a substantial amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets.

 

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Market: The market prices of a Fund’s securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the markets or adverse investor sentiment. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Market prices of securities also may go down due to events or conditions that affect particular sectors, industries or issuers. When market prices fall, the value of your investment will go down. A Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security.

In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, 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. Government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve recently has reduced its market support activities. Further reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank support, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which a fund invests.

Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

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 and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of a fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Medium Capitalization Companies: Investing in medium capitalization companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with more established companies. The prices of securities of medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile and are more likely to be adversely affected by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions. Securities of medium capitalization companies may underperform larger capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses. Such companies usually do not pay significant dividends that could cushion returns in a falling market.

Non-Diversification: A Fund that is classified as “non-diversified” means it may invest a larger percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent a Fund invests its assets in a smaller number of issuers, it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence or other negative events affecting those issuers than a diversified fund.

Passive Strategy/Index: Each Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities. Each Fund will seek to replicate Underlying Index returns regardless of the current or projected performance of the Underlying Index or of the actual securities comprising the Underlying Index. This differs from an actively-managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. Each Fund generally will buy and will not sell a security included in the Underlying Index as long as the security is part of the Underlying Index regardless of any sudden or material decline in value or foreseeable material decline in value of the security, even though the Sub-Adviser may make a different investment decision for other actively managed accounts or portfolios that hold the security. As a result, a Fund’s performance may be less favorable than that of a portfolio managed using an active investment strategy. The structure and composition of the Underlying Index will affect the performance, volatility, and risk of the Underlying Index (in absolute terms and by comparison with other indices) and, consequently, the performance, volatility, and risk of a Fund.

Small Capitalization Companies: Investing in small capitalization companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with more established companies. The prices of securities of small capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of larger capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than larger capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions. Securities of small capitalization companies may underperform larger capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses. Small capitalization companies often have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources and their management may lack depth and experience. Such companies usually do not pay significant dividends that could cushion returns in a falling market.

Underlying Exchange Traded Funds: To the extent a Fund invests its assets in underlying ETFs, its ability to achieve its investment objective depends largely on the performance of the underlying ETFs in which it invests. Investing in underlying ETFs subjects a Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those ETFs. Each of the underlying ETFs in which a Fund may invest has its own investment risks, and those risks can affect the value of the underlying ETFs’ shares and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any underlying ETF will be achieved. To the extent that a Fund invests more of its assets in one underlying ETF than in another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that underlying ETF. In addition, a Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the operating expenses of the underlying ETFs in which it invests.

Equity-based ETFs are subject to risks similar to those of stocks; fixed income-based ETFs are subject to risks similar to those of fixed-income securities. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies. The price of an ETF can

 

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fluctuate up and down, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs are subject to certain risks that do not apply to conventional funds, including: (i) the market price of an ETF’s shares may be above or below the shares’ net asset value; (ii) during periods of market volatility, the share prices of ETFs may deviate significantly from their NAVs; (iii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (iv) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally, or trading in one or more of the ETF’s underlying securities is halted, which could result in the ETF being more volatile; or (v) a limited number of institutions may act as authorized participants to create or redeem block-sized units of ETF shares. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting ETFs should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected.

U.S. Government Agency Obligations: Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, such as securities issued by Federal Home Loan Banks and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk.

MORE ON CERTAIN ADDITIONAL RISKS

Absence of Regulation: A Fund may engage in over-the-counter (“OTC”) transactions, which trade in a dealer network, rather than on an exchange. In general, there is less governmental regulation and supervision of transactions in the OTC markets than of transactions entered into on organized exchanges. Transactions in the OTC markets also are subject to the credit risk of the counterparty.

Authorized Participants, Market Makers and Liquidity Providers Concentration: A Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants (“APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Fund Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

Cash Management: The value of investments held by a Fund for cash management purposes can fluctuate. Like other fixed income securities, cash and cash equivalent securities are subject to risk, including market, interest rate and credit risk. If a Fund holds cash uninvested, the Fund will be subject to the credit risk of the depository institution holding the cash, it will not earn income on the cash and the Fund’s yield will go down. If a significant amount of a Fund’s assets are used for cash management purposes, it may not achieve its investment objective.

Concentration Risk: A Fund’s assets will generally be concentrated in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Fund’s Underlying Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries. When a Fund focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector, financial, economic, business, and other developments affecting issuers in that industry, market, or economic sector will have a greater effect on the Fund than if it had not focused its assets in that industry, market, or economic sector, which may increase the volatility of the Fund.

Conflicts of Interest: The Investment Manager and its affiliates are engaged in a variety of businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. The broad range of activities and interests of the Investment Manager and its affiliates gives rise to actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest that could affect the Funds and their shareholders. The Investment Manager may have a financial incentive to implement certain changes to the Funds.

The Investment Manager may, from time to time, recommend a change in sub-adviser or a Fund combination. The Investment Manager will benefit to the extent that an affiliated sub-adviser replaces an unaffiliated sub-adviser or additional assets are combined into a Fund having a higher net management fee payable to the Investment Manager and/or that is sub-advised by an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager will also benefit to the extent that it replaces a sub-adviser with a new sub-adviser with a lower sub-advisory fee. The aggregation of assets of multiple Funds for purposes of calculating breakpoints in sub-advisory fees may also give rise to conflicts of interest.

Costs of Buying and Selling Shares: Investors buying or selling Fund Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Fund Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Fund Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Fund Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if Fund Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if Fund Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Fund Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

 

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Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or cause a Fund, the Investment Manager, the Sub-Adviser and/or a service provider (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts. The net asset value of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in a Fund’s net asset value and supply and demand of Fund Shares on the Exchange. It cannot be predicted whether Fund Shares will trade below, at or above their net asset value. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Fund Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of an Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. The market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the net asset value of Fund Shares during periods of market volatility. However, given that Fund Shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their net asset value), the Investment Manager (and Sub-Adviser, as applicable) believe that large discounts or premiums to the net asset value of Fund Shares should not be sustained over long periods. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Fund Shares normally will trade close to a Fund’s net asset value, disruptions to creations and redemptions or market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from such Fund’s net asset value. If an investor purchases Fund Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the net asset value of Fund Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value of Fund Shares, then the investor may sustain losses.

Inflation: The value of assets or income from investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of a Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

Operational: Your investment in a Fund may be negatively impacted because of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers or trading counterparties. It is not possible to identify all of the operational risks that may affect a Fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or mitigate the occurrence of such failures. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Portfolio Turnover Risk: A Fund may engage in frequent trading of its portfolio securities. Fund turnover generally involves a number of direct and indirect costs and expenses to a Fund, including, for example, brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and bid/asked spreads, and transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The costs related to increased portfolio turnover have the effect of reducing a Fund’s investment return, and the sale of securities by the Fund may result in the realization of taxable capital gains, including short-term capital gains.

Regulatory: The U.S. government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) substantially increases regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and participants in that market, including imposing clearing and reporting requirements on transactions involving instruments that fall within the Reform Act’s definition of “swap” and “security-based swap,” which terms generally include OTC derivatives, and imposing registration and potential substantive requirements on certain swap and security-based swap market participants. In addition, under the Reform Act, a Fund may be subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Other future regulatory developments may also impact a Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which a Fund itself is regulated. The impact of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of a Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product is not known at this time, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend securities to other financial institutions that provide cash or other securities as collateral. When a Fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the Fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, a Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. A Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for a Fund.

Strategy: Securities and investment strategies with different characteristics tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A Fund may outperform or underperform other Funds that employ a different style or strategy. A Fund may employ a combination of styles that impact its risk characteristics.

Tax: In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), each Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the composition of its income, the diversification of its assets, and the amounts of its distributions. In particular, a fund must generally diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by (1) cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and (2) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. If a Fund were to fail to meet any of these requirements, the Fund might not be eligible for treatment as a RIC, in which case it would be subject to federal income tax on its net income at corporate rates (without reduction for distributions to shareholders). The Fund may be able to preserve its RIC qualification by meeting certain conditions, in which case it may be subject to certain additional taxes.

 

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Trading Issues: Although Fund Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Fund Shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in Fund Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that Fund Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.

Please note that there are other factors that could adversely affect your investment in a Fund and that could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. More information about risks appears in the SAI. Before investing, you should carefully consider the risks that you will assume.

MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT OF TRANSAMERICA ETF TRUST

The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the management and business affairs of Transamerica ETF Trust. It oversees the operation of Transamerica ETF Trust by its officers. It also reviews the management of each Fund’s assets by the Investment Manager and Sub-Adviser. Information about the Trustees and executive officers of Transamerica ETF Trust is contained in the SAI.

INVESTMENT MANAGER

Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. (“TAM”), located at 1801 California Street, Suite 5200, Denver, CO 80202, serves as investment manager for the Funds. TAM provides continuous and regular investment management services to the Funds. For each of the Funds, TAM currently acts as a “manager of managers” and hires an investment sub-adviser to furnish investment advice and recommendations and has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with the Sub-Adviser. In acting as a manager of managers, TAM provides investment management services that include, without limitation, selection, proactive oversight and monitoring of the Sub-Adviser, daily monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s buying and selling of securities for the Funds and regular review and evaluation of Sub-Adviser performance and adherence to investment style and process. TAM’s management services include, among other things, the provision of supervisory, compliance and administrative services to each Fund. More information on the investment management services rendered by TAM is included in the SAI. TAM is paid investment management fees for its service as investment manager to each Fund. These fees are calculated on the average daily net assets of each Fund.

TAM has been a registered investment adviser since 1996. As of December 31, 2016, TAM has approximately $             billion in total assets under management.

TAM is directly owned by Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company (“TPLIC”) (77%) and AUSA Holding, LLC (“AUSA”) (23%), both of which are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Aegon NV. TPLIC is owned by Commonwealth General Corporation (“Commonwealth”). Commonwealth and AUSA are wholly owned by Transamerica Corporation (DE). Transamerica Corporation (DE) is wholly owned by The Aegon Trust, which is wholly owned by Aegon International B.V., which is wholly owned by Aegon NV, a Netherlands corporation, and a publicly traded international insurance group.

TAM acts as a manager of managers for the Funds pursuant to an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (Release IC- 23379 dated August 5, 1998). TAM has responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees, to, among other matters, oversee and monitor sub-advisers, recommend selection of sub-advisers and recommend changes to sub-advisers where it believes appropriate or advisable. The exemptive order permits TAM, subject to certain conditions including the approval of the Board of Trustees, but without the approval of the applicable fund’s shareholders, to:

(1) employ a new unaffiliated sub-adviser for a fund pursuant to the terms of a new investment sub-advisory agreement, either as a replacement for an existing sub-adviser or as an additional sub-adviser;

(2) materially change the terms of any sub-advisory agreement; and

(3) continue the employment of an existing sub-adviser on sub-advisory contract terms where a contract has been assigned because of a change of control of the sub-adviser.

Pursuant to the exemptive order, each Fund has agreed to provide certain information about new sub-advisers and new sub-advisory agreements to its shareholders.

Management Fees Paid

As of the date of this Prospectus, each Fund had not operated for a full fiscal year. For the services provided to each Fund under each Fund’s investment advisory agreement, each Fund expects to pay the Investment Manager the annual fee based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets as set forth below:

 

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF

     XX

 

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From time to time, the Investment Manager may waive all or a portion of its management fee, although it does not currently intend to do so. The Investment Manager pays all expenses of each Fund [other than the management fee, distribution fee pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution and Service Plan, if any, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustee’s counsel fees), litigation expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and other extraordinary expenses.]

SUB-ADVISER

Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, located at [                    ], serves as sub-adviser for the Funds. Pursuant to an Investment Sub-advisory Agreement between TAM and the Sub-Adviser on behalf of each Fund, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for providing the investment program for the Fund, subject to supervision by TAM and the Board. The Sub-Adviser has been a registered investment adviser since [            ]. As of [            ], the Sub-Adviser had approximately $                     billion in assets under management. In accordance with the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, TAM pays the Sub-Adviser a portion of the management fee paid by each Fund to TAM. The Fund is not responsible for the fees paid to the Sub-Adviser.

A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ approval of each Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory agreement will be available in each Fund’s [semi-]annual report for the fiscal year ending [            ].

PORTFOLIO MANAGER(S)

Each Fund is managed by the portfolio manager(s) listed below. The SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership in each Fund they manage.

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM is a portfolio manager within Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC. Prior to working in the portfolio management group at Milliman, Blake was a member of the firm’s outsourced hedging team, where he worked on both dynamic and static hedging programs. Blake received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from DePaul University. Blake joined Milliman in 2005.

Louis Ng, FRM is a portfolio manager within Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC. Prior to joining Milliman, Louis worked as a portfolio manager at ProShares, and as an ETF market maker at Bluefin Trading and Ronin Capital. Louis has also been a member of the NYSE, BATS, and EDGE Exchanges. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Georgetown University. Louis joined Milliman in 2015.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

A detailed description of each Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings is available in the SAI. In addition, the identities and quantities of the securities held by each Fund are disclosed on the Funds’ website.

[INDEX/TRADEMARK LICENSES/DISCLAIMERS]

The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Investment Manager, Sub-Adviser, the Funds’ administrator, custodian, transfer agent, distributor, or any of their respective affiliates. The Investment Manager (“Licensee”) has entered into a license agreement with the Index Provider pursuant to which the Investment Manager pays a fee to use the Underlying Indexes. The Investment Manager is sub-licensing rights to the Indexes to the Funds at no charge.

Each Underlying Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and [Third Party Licensor], and has been licensed for use by [Licensee]. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). [Third Party Licensor’s Trademark] is a trademark of [Third Party Licensor]. The trademarks have been licensed to SPDJI and have been sublicensed for use for certain purposes by [Licensee]. Each fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or [Third Party Licensor]. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor [Third Party Licensor] make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of a fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in a fund particularly or the ability of an Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices and [Third Party Licensor] only relationship to [Licensee] with respect to each Underlying Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. Each Underlying Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices or [Third Party Licensor] without regard to [Licensee] or the funds. S&P Dow Jones Indices and [Third Party Licensor] have no obligation to take the needs of [Licensee] or the owners of the funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Indexes. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor [Third Party Licensor] are responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the funds or the timing of the issuance or sale of the funds or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which each fund is to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. S&P Dow Jones Indices and [Third Party Licensor] have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the funds. There is no assurance that investment products based on the each Underlying Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

 

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NEITHER S&P DOW JONES INDICES NOR [THIRD PARTY LICENSOR] GUARANTEES THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF AN UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND [THIRD PARTY LICENSOR] SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND [THIRD PARTY LICENSOR] MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY [LICENSEE], OWNERS OF THE FUNDS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEXES OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES OR [THIRD PARTY LICENSOR] BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND [LICENSEE], OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION

Fund Shares are listed for secondary trading on the Exchange and individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold in the secondary market through a broker-dealer. The secondary markets are closed on weekends and also are generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Exchange may close early on the business day before certain holidays and on the day after Thanksgiving Day. Exchange holiday schedules are subject to change without notice. If you buy or sell Fund Shares in the secondary market, you will pay the secondary market price for Fund Shares. In addition, you may incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and 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.

The trading prices of Fund Shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than the relevant Fund’s net asset value, which is calculated at the end of each business day. Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at prices that may be above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount), to varying degrees, the daily net asset value of Fund Shares. The trading prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the relevant Fund’s net asset value during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that Fund Shares can be issued and redeemed daily in Creation Units, the Investment Manager believes that large discounts and premiums to net asset value should not be sustained over long periods. Information showing the number of days the market price of Fund Shares was greater than the relevant Fund’s net asset value and the number of days it was less than the relevant Fund’s net asset value (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Funds’ website at [                    ].

The Exchange will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to the Funds. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of the Funds’ net asset value per Fund Share using market data converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Premiums and discounts between the IOPV and the market price may occur. This should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the net asset value per Fund Share, which is calculated only once a day. Neither the Funds nor the Investment Manager or any of their affiliates are involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of such IOPVs and make no warranty as to their accuracy.

The Funds do not impose any restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions; however, the Funds reserve the right to reject or limit purchases at any time as described in the SAI. [When considering that no restriction or policy was necessary, the Board evaluated the risks posed by market timing activities, such as whether frequent purchases and redemptions would interfere with the efficient implementation of a Fund’s investment strategy, or whether they would cause a Fund to experience increased transaction costs. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, Fund Shares are issued and redeemed only in large quantities of shares known as Creation Units, available only from a Fund directly, and that most trading in a Fund occurs on the Exchange at prevailing market prices and does not involve the Fund directly. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by a Fund’s shareholders or (b) any attempts to market time a Fund by shareholders would result in negative impact to a Fund or its shareholders.]

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

DISTRIBUTOR

[            ], located at [            ] is the distributor of Fund Shares. The Distributor will not distribute Fund Shares in less than Creation Units, and it does not maintain a secondary market in Fund Shares. The Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers or other qualified financial institutions for the sale of Creation Units of Fund Shares.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

Each Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which payments at an annual rate of up to [0.25]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets may be made for the sale and distribution of its Fund Shares. No payments pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plan will be made through at least the next twelve (12) months of operation. Additionally, the implementation of any such payments would have to be approved by the Board prior to implementation. Because these fees would be paid out of a Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, if payments are made in the future, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more over time than paying other types of sales charges.

 

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DISTRIBUTION AND TAXES

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

As a Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the applicable Fund’s distributions, including distributions of income and net realized gains on its investments. Each Fund distributes substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders.

Each Fund may earn ordinary income from a number of sources, such as dividends from stocks, interest from debt securities and, if participating, securities lending income. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” Each Fund will generally realize short-term capital gains or losses whenever it sells or exchanges assets held for one year or less. Net short-term capital gains will generally be treated as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. Each Fund will generally realize long-term capital gains or losses whenever it sells or exchanges assets held for more than one year. Net capital gains (the excess of a Fund’s net long-term capital gains over its net short-term capital losses) are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

Income dividend distributions, if any, are generally distributed to shareholders of the DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF quarterly and to shareholders of each other Fund annually, but may vary significantly from period to period. Net capital gains for the Fund are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently or at any other times to improve Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional Fund Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Fund Shares makes such option available. Distributions which are reinvested will nevertheless be taxable to the same extent as if such distributions had not been reinvested.

TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS IN GENERAL

A Fund will not generally have to pay income tax on amounts it distributes to shareholders. Shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions (other than any distributions treated as a return of capital), whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund Shares.

The following are guidelines for how certain distributions by a Fund are generally taxed to non-corporate shareholders under current federal income tax law:

 

    Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) will be taxed as long-term capital gains, generally at rates of up to 20%, regardless of how long the shareholders have held their Fund Shares.

 

    Distributions reported as paid from a Fund’s “qualified dividend income” may be taxable to shareholders as qualified dividend income at rates of up to 20%. Qualified dividend income generally is income derived from certain dividends from U.S. corporations or certain foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a U.S. possession or eligible for tax benefits under certain U.S. income tax treaties. In addition, dividends that a Fund receives in respect of stock of certain foreign corporations will be qualified dividend income if that stock is readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market. A shareholder (and the Fund in which the shareholder invests) will have to satisfy certain holding period requirements in order for the shareholder to obtain the benefit of the tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income.

 

    Distributions in excess of a Fund’s earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund Shares, and as a capital gain thereafter (assuming the shareholder holds the shares as capital assets). A distribution treated as a return of capital will not be taxable currently but will reduce the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares, which will generally increase the gain (or decrease the loss) that will be recognized on a subsequent sale or exchange of the shares.

 

    Other distributions generally will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount. This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates or trusts. For these purposes, dividends, interest, and certain capital gains are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder’s net investment income.

If a Fund declares a dividend in October, November, or December, payable to shareholders of record in such a month, and pays it in the following January, shareholders will be taxed on the dividend as if they received it in the year in which it was declared.

A distribution will reduce a Fund’s net asset value per Fund Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

Each Fund in which you invest will send you a tax report annually summarizing the amount and tax aspects of your distributions.

Investors who invest through tax-advantaged accounts, such as IRAs, 403(b) accounts, and qualified retirement plans, will ordinarily not be subject to tax until a distribution is made from the account, at which time such distribution is generally taxed as ordinary income. These accounts are subject to complex tax rules, and tax-advantaged account investors should therefore consult their tax advisers regarding their investments in a tax-advantaged account.

 

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CREATIONS AND REDEMPTIONS OF CREATION UNITS

A person who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any cash paid for the Creation Units. A person 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 aggregate market value of the securities and the amount of cash received. The IRS, 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 on the grounds that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

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

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

The Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Fund Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of the securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If the Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Fund Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, the purchaser (or group of purchasers) will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

TAXES ON THE SALE OF SHARES

If you sell shares of a Fund, you generally will have a capital gain or loss, which will generally be a long-term capital gain or loss if you held the shares for more than one year; otherwise it will generally be a short-term capital gain or loss.

The cost basis of shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for the Fund Shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of Fund Shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of Fund Shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased your Fund Shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.

Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain that were received with respect to the shares.

WITHHOLDING TAXES

A Fund in which you invest may be required to apply backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on all distributions payable to you if you fail to provide the Funds with your correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) that you are subject to backup withholding.

The backup withholding rate is 28%. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, but is a method by which the IRS ensures that it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax applicable to shareholders that are not U.S. persons.

NON-RESIDENT ALIEN WITHHOLDING

Dividends and certain other payments (but not distributions of net capital gains) to persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States or U.S. entities (“Non-U.S. Persons”) are generally subject to U.S. tax withholding at the rate of 30%. The 30% withholding described in this paragraph will not be imposed on any dividends reported as interest-related dividends or as short-term capital gain dividends. Each Fund intends to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on taxable distributions and other payments to Non-U.S. Persons that are subject to withholding, regardless of whether a lower rate may be permitted under an applicable treaty.

If you are a Non-U.S. Person, you must provide a U.S. mailing address to establish an account unless your broker-dealer firm submits your account through the National Securities Clearing Corporation. Your broker-dealer will be required to submit a foreign certification form. Investors changing a mailing address to a non-U.S. address will be required to have a foreign certification form completed by their broker-dealer and returned to us before future purchases can be accepted. Additionally, those shareholders will need to provide an appropriate tax form (e.g., Form W-8BEN) and documentary evidence and letter of explanation.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund Shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions payable to such entities and, after December 31, 2018, to redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

 

36


OTHER TAX INFORMATION

This tax discussion is for general information only. In addition to federal income taxes, you may be subject to state, local or foreign taxes on payments received from, and investments made in shares of, a Fund. More information is provided in the SAI of the Funds. You should also consult your own tax adviser for information regarding all tax consequences applicable to your investments in the Funds.

PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have information regarding how often the Shares of each Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the net asset value of the Fund during the past calendar year. When available, such information will be provided at [            ].

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Prospectus and the SAI provide information concerning the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of a Fund. A Fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Each Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Each Fund’s investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time without shareholder approval, unless specifically stated otherwise in this Prospectus or in the SAI.

Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights of any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

The Funds enter into contractual arrangements with various parties, including the Funds’ Investment Manager, who provides services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of those contractual arrangements.

To the extent authorized by law, the Funds reserve the right to discontinue offering shares at any time, to merge or liquidate, or to cease operations entirely.

The Trust was organized as a [            ] on [            ]. If shareholders of any Fund are required to vote on any matters, shareholders are entitled to one vote for each Fund Share they own. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable law. See the SAI for more information concerning the Trust’s form of organization.

Each Fund is a separate, non-diversified series of the Trust, which is an open-end management investment company.

For purposes of the 1940 Act, Shares of the Trust are issued by the respective series of the Trust and the acquisition of Shares by investment companies is subject to the restrictions of section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Trust has received exemptive relief from Section 12(d)(1) to allow registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions as set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Trust.

From time to time, a Fund may advertise yield and total return figures. Yield is a historical measure of dividend income, and total return is a measure of past dividend income (assuming that it has been reinvested) plus capital appreciation. Neither yield nor total return should be used to predict the future performance of a Fund.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as counsel to the Trust, including the Funds. [                    ] serves as the independent registered public accounting firm and will audit each Fund’s financial statements annually.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Each Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and, therefore, does not have financial information.

 

37


Both the investment returns and principal value of exchange-traded funds will fluctuate over time so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Transamerica ETF Trust

[ADDRESS]

Customer Service: X-XXX-XXX-XXXX

Shareholder inquiries and transaction requests should be mailed to:

[                ]

[ADDRESS]

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about these Funds is contained in the Statement of Additional Information dated [                    ], 2017, and in the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders (when available). The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

Information about the Funds (including the Statement of Additional Information) has been filed with and is available from the SEC, and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Copies of this information may be obtained upon payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address, publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-1520. Reports and other information about the funds are also available on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

To obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information or the annual and semi-annual reports (when available), without charge, or to request other information or make other inquiries about the funds, call or write to Transamerica ETF Trust at the phone number or address above or visit Transamerica ETF Trust website at [            ]. In the Transamerica ETF Trust annual report (when available), you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year. Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders (when available).

Each Fund’s current net asset value per share is available on our website at [            ].


SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. 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 IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

Transamerica ETF Trust

Statement of Additional Information

[                    ], 2017

 

Fund

   Ticker  

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF

     [            

DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF

     [            

DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF

     [            

DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF

     [            

DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF

     [            

Each of the funds listed above is a series of Transamerica ETF Trust. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with the funds’ prospectus dated [            ], 2017, as they may be supplemented or revised from time to time.

This SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the prospectus. The prospectus and this SAI may be obtained free of charge by writing or calling the funds at the above address or toll-free telephone number. This SAI sets forth information that may be of interest to shareholders, but that is not necessarily included in the prospectus. Additional information about the funds’ investments will be available in the funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders (when available), which may be obtained free of charge by writing or calling the funds at the above address or telephone number. The funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore do not have financial information to report for the most recent fiscal year end.

Investment Manager: Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.

[1801 California Street, Suite 5200, Denver, CO 80202

Customer Service (888) 233-4339 (toll free)]


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

General Description of the Trust and the Funds

     1  

Investment Objectives, Policies, Practices and Associated Risk Factors

     1  

Investment Policies

     1  

Additional Information Regarding Investment Practices

     2  

Continuous Offering

     19  

Exchange Listing and Trading

     20  

Portfolio Turnover

     20  

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

     20  

Management of the Trust

     21  

Board Members and Officers

     21  

Trustee Ownership of Equity Securities

     25  

Trustee Compensation

     25  

Shareholder Communication Procedures with the Board of Trustees

     26  

Code of Ethics

     26  

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     26  

Investment Management and Other Services

     27  

The Investment Manager

     27  

Conflicts of Interest

     29  

Sub-Adviser

     30  

Portfolio Manager Information

     31  

Transfer Agent

     31  

Custodian

     31  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     31  

Distributor and Distribution Plan

     31  

Book Entry Only System

     32  

Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

     33  

Net Asset Valuation (“NAV”) Determination

     38  

Brokerage

     38  

Principal Shareholders and Control Persons

     40  

Further Information About the Trust and the Funds

     40  

Dividends and Other Distributions

     42  

Taxes

     42  

Local Market Holiday Schedules

     48  

Financial Statements

     48  

Appendix A – Proxy Voting Policies

     A-1  


General Description of the Trust and the Funds

Transamerica ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Shares of the Trust are currently divided into separate series (each a “fund” or together, the “funds”) described herein. The Trust may create additional series from time to time.

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on [            ].

Each fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act.

Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. (“TAM” or the “Investment Manager”) is the investment manager for each fund. Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC is the sub-adviser for each fund.

Each fund offers and issues Fund Shares at their net asset value (sometimes referred to herein as “NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Fund Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”). Each fund generally offers and issues Fund Shares in exchange for (i) a basket of securities included in its Index (“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”) or (ii) a cash payment equal in value to the Deposit Securities (“Deposit Cash”) together with the Cash Component. The primary consideration accepted by a fund (i.e., Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash) is set forth under “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units” later in this SAI. The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security and reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash (subject to applicable legal requirements). The Fund Shares have been approved for listing and secondary trading on a national securities exchange (the “Exchange”). The Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices may differ from the Fund Shares’ net asset values. The Fund Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally in exchange for either (i) portfolio securities and a specified cash payment or (ii) cash (subject to applicable legal requirements). A Creation Unit of each fund consists of [            ] Fund Shares.

Fund Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to a specified percentage of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities as set forth in the Participant Agreement (as defined below). See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. In addition to the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee, an additional transaction fee of up to three times the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee and/or an additional variable charge may apply.

Investment Objectives, Policies, Practices and Associated Risk Factors

The investment objective of each fund and the strategies each fund employs to achieve its objective are described in each fund’s prospectus. There can be no assurance that a fund will achieve its objective.

As indicated in the prospectus in the section entitled “Additional Information,” each fund’s investment objective, Underlying Index and, unless otherwise noted in the prospectus or in this SAI, its investment policies and techniques may be changed by the funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without approval of shareholders. A change in the investment objective, Underlying Index or policies of a fund may result in the fund having an investment objective or policies different from those which a shareholder deemed appropriate at the time of investment.

Investment Policies

Fundamental Investment Policies

Fundamental investment policies of each fund may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities of the fund present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the fund.

Each fund has adopted, except as otherwise noted, the following fundamental policies:

1. Borrowing

The fund may not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

 

1


2. Underwriting Securities

The fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers except as permitted by the 1940 Act.

3. Making Loans

The fund may make loans only as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

4. Senior Securities

The fund may not issue any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted from time to time by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

5. Real Estate

The fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted by the 1940 Act.

6. Commodities

The fund may not purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities, except as permitted from time to time under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction.

7. Concentration of Investments

The fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the fund’s investments will be concentrated in any one industry, as the relevant terms are used in the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time, except as may be necessary to approximate the composition of the Fund’s underlying index.

Additional Information about Fundamental Investment Policies

The following provides additional information about each fund’s fundamental investment policies. This information does not form part of the funds’ fundamental investment policies.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow up to 5% of the fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes (the fund’s total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires the fund to maintain at all times an “asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to underwriting set forth in (2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from engaging in the underwriting business or from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in fact, the 1940 Act permits a fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25% of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances currently are that the amount of the fund’s underwriting commitments, when added to the value of the fund’s investments in issuers where the fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25% cap. A fund engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Under the 1933 Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer’s registration statement or prospectus. Securities purchased from an issuer and not registered for sale under the 1933 Act are considered restricted securities. If these securities are registered under the 1933 Act, they may then be eligible for sale but participating in the sale may subject the seller to underwriter liability. Although it is not believed that the application of the 1933 Act provisions described above would cause a fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy in (2) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to lending set forth in (3) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets. Each fund will be permitted by this policy to make loans of money, including to other funds, portfolio securities or other assets. A fund would have to obtain exemptive relief from the SEC to make loans of money to other funds.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (4) above, “senior securities” are defined as fund obligations that have a priority over the fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a fund from issuing senior securities, except that the fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose. A fund also may borrow up to 5% of the fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior securities. The issuance of senior securities by a fund can increase the speculative character of the fund’s outstanding shares through leveraging.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to real estate set forth in (5) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning real estate; however, a fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. To the extent that investments in real estate are considered illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits a fund’s purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent a fund from investing in real estate-related companies, companies whose businesses consist in whole or in part of investing in real estate, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) instruments (like mortgages) that are secured by real estate or interests therein, or real estate investment trust securities. Investing in real estate may involve risks, including that real estate is generally considered illiquid and may be difficult to value and sell. In addition, owners of real estate may be subject to various liabilities, including environmental liabilities.

 

2


With respect to the fundamental policy relating to commodities set forth in (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). However, a fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. To the extent that investments in commodities are considered illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits a fund’s purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in (7) above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry. The SEC staff has taken the position that investment of 25% or more of a fund’s total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could change in the future. The policy in (7) above will be interpreted to refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities; securities of state, territory, possession or municipal governments and their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; securities of foreign governments; repurchase agreements collateralized by any such obligations; and counterparties in foreign currency transactions. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be considered to be members of any industry. There also will be no limit on investment in issuers domiciled in a single jurisdiction or country as an issuer’s domicile will not be considered an industry for purposes of the policy. A type of investment will not be considered to be an industry under the policy. The policy also will be interpreted to give broad authority to a fund as to how to classify issuers within or among industries.

The funds’ fundamental policies are written and will be interpreted broadly. For example, the policies will be interpreted to refer to the 1940 Act and the related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and to interpretations and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC, its staff and others as they are given from time to time. When a policy provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by the 1940 Act, the practice will be considered to be permitted if either the 1940 Act permits the practice or the 1940 Act does not prohibit the practice.

Except for the fundamental policy on borrowing set forth in (1) above, if any percentage restriction described above is complied with at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction.

The investment practices described above involve risks. Please see your fund’s prospectus(es) and this SAI for a description of certain of these risks.

Non-Fundamental Policies

The funds have adopted the following non-fundamental policies, which may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

1. Illiquid investments (all funds)

No fund may purchase any security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.

2. Investments in Underlying Index

No fund, under normal circumstances, may invest less than 80% of its assets, exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in component securities that comprise its relevant Underlying Index and in depositary receipts (including ADRs or GDRs) based on the securities in its Underlying Index.

3. Investments in Other Investment Companies

Each fund may purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies in compliance with the 1940 Act, although the Fund may not acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

Additional Information Regarding Investment Practices

Each fund’s principal investment strategies are set forth in its prospectus. This section further explains policies and strategies utilized by the funds. Please refer to each fund’s prospectus and investment restrictions for the policies and strategies pertinent to a particular fund.

Unless otherwise indicated, all limitations applicable to fund investments (as stated in the prospectus and elsewhere in this SAI) apply only at the time a transaction is entered into. If a percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in credit quality, will not constitute a violation of that limitation. There is no limit on the ability of a fund to make any type of investment or to invest in any type of security, except as expressly stated in the prospectus or in this SAI or as imposed by law.

 

3


Diversification Status

Each fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. A “non-diversified” classification means that a fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. This means that a fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a diversified fund. The securities of a particular issuer may constitute a greater portion of an Underlying Index of each fund and, therefore, the securities may constitute a greater portion of a fund’s portfolio. This may have an adverse effect on a fund’s performance or subject a fund’s Shares to greater price volatility than more diversified investment companies.

Although each fund is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, each fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a ‘‘regulated investment company’’ for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), and to relieve each fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code may limit the investment flexibility of a fund and may make it less likely that a fund will meet its investment objective.

Concentration

Each fund’s investments will generally be concentrated in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the fund’s Underlying Index is concentrated in a particular industry or group of industries. The securities of issuers in particular industries may dominate the Underlying Index of a fund and consequently a fund’s investment portfolio. This may adversely affect a fund’s performance or subject its Shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by less concentrated investment companies.

In pursuing its objective, each fund may hold the securities of a single issuer in an amount exceeding 10% of the market value of the outstanding securities of the issuer, subject to restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. In particular, as a fund’s size grows and its assets increase, it will be more likely to hold more than 10% of the securities of a single issuer if the issuer has a relatively small public float as compared to other components in its Underlying Index.

Recent Market Events

In the past several years, financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers defaulted on, or were forced to restructure, their debts. These market conditions may continue, 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 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 Federal Reserve recently has reduced its market support activities. Further reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank support, including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which a fund invests.

Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances 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.

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 and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Europe—Recent Events. A number of countries in Europe have experienced severe economic and financial difficulties. 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, voters in the United Kingdom have approved withdrawal from the European Union. Other countries may seek to withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. The Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military conflicts could potentially occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. 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 the fund’s investments.

 

4


Debt Securities and Fixed-Income Investing

Debt securities include securities such as corporate bonds and debentures; commercial paper; trust preferreds, debt securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities; or foreign governments; asset-backed securities; collateralized-mortgage obligations (“CMOs”); zero coupon bonds; floating rate, inverse floating rate and index obligations; “strips”; structured notes; and pay-in-kind and step securities.

Fixed-income investing is the purchase of a debt security that maintains a level of income that does not change, at least for some period of time. When a debt security is purchased, the fund owns “debt” and becomes a creditor to the company or government.

Consistent with each fund’s investment policies, a fund may invest in debt securities, which may be referred to as fixed income instruments. These may include securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or government-sponsored enterprises; corporate debt securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including convertible securities and corporate commercial paper; mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities; inflation-indexed bonds issued both by governments and corporations; structured notes, including hybrid or “indexed” securities, event-linked bonds and loan participations; delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities; bank certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances; repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements; debt securities issued by state or local governments and their agencies, authorities and other government-sponsored enterprises; obligations of non-U.S. governments or their subdivisions, agencies and government-sponsored enterprises; and obligations of international agencies or supranational entities. Consistent with its investment policies, a fund may invest in derivatives based on fixed income instruments.

Generally, the funds use the terms “debt security,” “bond,” “fixed income instrument” and “fixed income security” interchangeably, and these terms are interpreted broadly by the funds and include instruments that are intended to provide one or more of the characteristics of a direct investment in one or more debt securities. As new debt securities are developed, a fund may invest in those securities as well.

Maturity and Duration: The maturity of a fixed income security is a measure of the time remaining until the final payment on the security is due. For simple fixed income securities, duration indicates the average time at which the security’s cash flows are to be received. For simple fixed income securities with interest payments occurring prior to the payment of principal, duration is always less than maturity. For example, a current coupon bullet bond with a maturity of 3.5 years will have a duration of approximately three years. In general, the lower the stated or coupon rate of interest of a fixed income security, the closer its duration will be to its final maturity; conversely, the higher the stated or coupon rate of interest of a fixed income security, the shorter its duration will be compared to its final maturity. The determination of duration becomes more complex when fixed income securities with features like floating coupon payments, optionality, prepayments, and structuring are evaluated. There are differing methodologies for computing effective duration prevailing in the industry. As a result, different investors may estimate duration differently.

Debt and fixed-income securities share three principal risks. First, the level of interest income generated by a fund’s fixed income investments may decline due to a decrease in market interest rates. If rates decline, when a fund’s fixed income securities mature or are sold, they may be replaced by lower-yielding investments. Second, the values of fixed income securities fluctuate with changes in interest rates. A decrease in interest rates will generally result in an increase in the value of a fund’s fixed income investments. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of a fund’s fixed income investments will generally decline. However, a change in interest rates will not have the same impact on all fixed rate securities. For example, the magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater when a fund’s duration or average maturity is longer. Third, certain fixed income securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer of securities will be unable to pay principal and interest when due, or that the value of the security will suffer because investors believe the issuer is unable to pay.

Commercial Paper

Commercial paper refers to short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by commercial and industrial corporations to finance their current operations. Commercial paper may be issued at a discount and redeemed at par, or issued at par with interest added at maturity. The interest or discount rate depends on general interest rates, the credit standing of the issuer, and the maturity of the note, and generally moves in tandem with rates on large CDs and Treasury bills. An established secondary market exists for commercial paper, particularly that of stronger issuers which are rated by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”). Investments in commercial paper are subject to the risks that general interest rates will rise, that the credit standing or rating of the issuer will fall, or that the secondary market in the issuer’s notes will become too limited to permit their liquidation at a reasonable price.

Commercial paper includes asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) that is issued by structured investment vehicles or other conduits. These conduits may be sponsored by mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and special purpose finance entities. ABCP typically refers to a debt security with an original term to maturity of up to 270 days, the payment of which is supported by cash flows from underlying assets, or one or more liquidity or credit support providers, or both. Assets backing ABCP, which may be included in revolving pools of assets with large numbers of obligors, include credit card, car loan and other consumer receivables and home or commercial mortgages, including subprime mortgages. The repayment of ABCP issued by a conduit depends primarily on the cash collections received from the conduit’s underlying asset portfolio and the conduit’s ability to issue new ABCP. Therefore, there could be losses to a fund investing in ABCP in the event of credit or market value deterioration in the conduit’s underlying portfolio, mismatches in the timing of the cash flows of the underlying asset interests and the repayment obligations of maturing ABCP, or the conduit’s inability to issue new ABCP. To protect investors from these risks, ABCP programs may be structured with various protections, such as credit enhancement, liquidity support, and commercial paper stop-issuance and wind-down triggers. However, there can be no guarantee that these protections will be sufficient to prevent losses to investors in ABCP.

 

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Some ABCP programs provide for an extension of the maturity date of the ABCP if, on the related maturity date, the conduit is unable to access sufficient liquidity through the issue of additional ABCP. This may delay the sale of the underlying collateral, and a fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral deteriorates during the extension period. Alternatively, if collateral for ABCP deteriorates in value, the collateral may be required to be sold at inopportune times or at prices insufficient to repay the principal and interest on the ABCP. ABCP programs may provide for the issuance of subordinated notes as an additional form of credit enhancement. The subordinated notes are typically of a lower credit quality and have a higher risk of default. A fund purchasing these subordinated notes will therefore have a higher likelihood of loss than investors in the senior notes.

Bank Obligations

Bank obligations include dollar-denominated CDs, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances and other short-term debt obligations issued by domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries or foreign branches of domestic banks, domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks, domestic savings and loan associations and other banking institutions. CDs are short-term, unsecured, negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banks for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable time drafts drawn on commercial banks usually in connection with international transactions.

Domestic commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Domestic banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities, but are members of the Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. Most state institutions are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material benefit to a fund, depending upon the principal amount of obligations of each held by the fund) and are subject to federal examination and to a substantial body of federal law and regulation. As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks are, among other things, generally required to maintain specified levels of reserves and are subject to other supervision and regulation designed to promote financial soundness. However, not all of such laws and regulations apply to the foreign branches of domestic banks.

Obligations of foreign branches and subsidiaries of domestic banks and domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks, such as CDs and time deposits, may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and governmental regulation. Such obligations are subject to different risks than are those of domestic banks or domestic branches of foreign banks. These risks include foreign economic and political developments, foreign governmental restrictions that may adversely affect payment of principal and interest on the obligations, foreign exchange controls and foreign withholding and other taxes on interest income. Foreign branches of domestic banks and foreign branches of foreign banks are not necessarily subject to the same or similar regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as mandatory reserve requirements, loan limitations and accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping requirements. In addition, less information may be publicly available about a foreign branch of a domestic bank or about a foreign bank than about a domestic bank.

Obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank, in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by state and federal regulation as well as governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office. A domestic branch of a foreign bank with assets in excess of $1 billion may or may not be subject to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve System or by the state in which the branch is located if the branch is licensed in that state. In addition, branches licensed by the Comptroller of the Currency and branches licensed by certain states (“State Branches”) may or may not be required to: (i) pledge to the regulator, by depositing assets with a designated bank within the state; and (ii) maintain assets within the state in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the aggregate amount of liabilities of the foreign bank payable at or through all of its agencies or branches within the state. The deposits of State Branches may not necessarily be insured by the FDIC. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a domestic branch of a foreign bank than about a domestic bank.

Repurchase Agreements

In a repurchase agreement, a fund purchases a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon date within a number of days (usually not more than seven) from the date of purchase. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon incremental amount which typically is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security and represents compensation to the seller for use of the purchased security. A repurchase agreement involves the obligation of the seller to pay the agreed-upon price, which obligation is in effect secured by the value (at least equal to the amount of the agreed-upon resale price and marked-to-market daily) of the underlying security or collateral. All repurchase agreements entered into by a fund are fully collateralized at all times during the period of the agreement.

Repurchase agreements involve the risk that the seller will fail to repurchase the security, as agreed. In that case, a fund will bear the risk of market value fluctuations until the security can be sold and may encounter delays and incur costs in liquidating the security. Repurchase agreements involve risks in the event of default or insolvency of the other party, including possible delays or restrictions upon a fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities, the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in which the fund seeks to assert its right to them, the risk of incurring expenses associated with asserting those rights and the risk of losing all or part of the income from the agreement.

A fund may, together with other registered investment companies managed by the fund’s sub-adviser or its affiliates, transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements, including tri-party subcustody repurchase arrangements.

 

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U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Government obligations generally include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds) and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. Examples of the types of U.S. government securities that a fund may hold include the Federal Housing Administration, Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and Maritime Administration. U.S. government securities may be supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (such as securities of the Small Business Administration); by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (such as securities of the Federal Home Loan Bank); by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations (such as securities of Fannie Mae); or only by the credit of the issuing agency.

Examples of agencies and instrumentalities which may not always receive financial support from the U.S. government are: Federal Land Banks; Central Bank for Cooperatives; Federal Intermediate Credit Banks; Federal Home Loan Banks; Farmers Home Administration; and Fannie Mae.

Obligations guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or government-sponsored entities include issues by non-government-sponsored entities (like financial institutions) that carry direct guarantees from U.S. government agencies as part of government initiatives in response to the market crisis or otherwise. In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S., a fund must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Neither the U.S. government nor any of its agencies or instrumentalities guarantees the market value of the securities they issue. Therefore, the market value of such securities will fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates.

On August 5, 2011, S&P lowered the long-term sovereign credit rating assigned to the U.S. to AA+ with a negative outlook. On June 10, 2013, S&P revised the negative outlook to a stable outlook. The long-term impact of the downgrade or the impact of any potential future downgrades are unknown and could negatively impact the funds.

Equity Securities and Related Investments

Equity securities, such as common stock, generally represent an ownership interest in a company. While equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular equity security held by a fund. Also, the prices of equity securities, particularly common stocks, are sensitive to general movements in the stock market. A drop in the stock market may depress the price of equity securities held by a fund.

Holders of equity securities are not creditors of the issuer. As such, if an issuer liquidates, holders of equity securities are entitled to their pro rata share of the issuer’s assets, if any, after creditors (including the holders of fixed income securities and senior equity securities) are paid.

There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular equity securities, which may adversely affect a fund’s ability to value accurately or dispose of such equity securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of equity securities.

Common Stocks: Common stocks are the most prevalent type of equity security. Common stockholders receive the residual value of the issuer’s earnings and assets after the issuer pays its creditors and any preferred stockholders. As a result, changes in an issuer’s earnings directly influence the value of its common stock.

Preferred Stocks: A fund may purchase preferred stock. Preferred stock pays dividends at a specified rate and has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of an issuer’s assets but is junior to the debt securities of the issuer in those same respects. Preferred stock generally pays quarterly dividends. Preferred stocks may differ in many of their provisions. Among the features that differentiate preferred stocks from one another are the dividend rights, which may be cumulative or non-cumulative and participating or non-participating, redemption provisions, and voting rights. Such features will establish the income return and may affect the prospects for capital appreciation or risks of capital loss.

The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in an issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Shareholders of preferred stock may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. Under ordinary circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting rights.

Investments in Initial Public Offerings: A fund may invest in initial public offerings of equity securities. The market for such securities may be more volatile and entail greater risk of loss than investments in more established companies. Investments in initial public offerings may represent a significant portion of a fund’s investment performance. A fund cannot assure that investments in initial public offerings will continue to be available to the fund or, if available, will result in positive investment performance. In addition, as a fund’s portfolio grows in size, the impact of investments in initial public offerings on the overall performance of the fund is likely to decrease.

Warrants and Rights

A fund may invest in warrants and rights. A warrant is a type of security that entitles the holder to buy a given number of common stock at a specified price, usually higher than the market price at the time of issuance, for a period of years or to perpetuity. The purchaser of a warrant expects the market price of the security will exceed the purchase price of the warrant plus the exercise price of the warrant, thus resulting in a profit. Of course, because the market price may never exceed the exercise price before the expiration date of the warrant, the purchaser of the warrant risks the loss of the entire purchase price of the warrant. In contrast, rights, which also represent the right to buy common shares, normally have a subscription price lower than the current market value of the common stock and are offered during a set subscription period.

 

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Warrants and rights are subject to the same market risks as common stocks, but may be more volatile in price. An investment in warrants or rights may be considered speculative. In addition, the value of a warrant or right does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant or right ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.

Derivatives

The following investments are subject to limitations as set forth in each fund’s investment restrictions and policies.

A fund may utilize options, futures contracts (sometimes referred to as “futures”), options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, swaps on futures contracts, caps, floors, collars, indexed securities, various mortgage-related obligations, structured or synthetic financial instruments and other derivative instruments (collectively, “Financial Instruments”). A fund may use Financial Instruments for any purpose consistent with its objective, including to track its Underlying Index. No assurance can be given that any derivatives strategy employed will be successful.

The U.S. government and certain foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets. In December 2015, the SEC proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the funds. If the proposed rule is adopted and goes into effect, it could limit the ability of a fund to invest or remain invested in derivatives.

The use of Financial Instruments may be limited by applicable law and any applicable regulations of the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), or the exchanges on which some Financial Instruments may be traded. (Note, however, that some Financial Instruments that a fund may use may not be listed on any exchange and may not be regulated by the SEC or the CFTC.) In addition, a fund’s ability to use Financial Instruments may be limited by tax considerations.

In addition to the instruments and strategies discussed in this section, the sub-adviser may discover additional opportunities in connection with Financial Instruments and other similar or related techniques. These opportunities may become available as the sub-adviser develops new techniques, as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed. The sub-adviser may utilize these opportunities and techniques to the extent that they are consistent with a fund’s investment objective and permitted by its investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities. These opportunities and techniques may involve risks different from or in addition to those summarized herein.

This discussion is not intended to limit a fund’s investment flexibility, unless such a limitation is expressly stated, and therefore will be construed by a fund as broadly as possible. Statements concerning what a fund may do are not intended to limit any other activity. Also, as with any investment or investment technique, even when the prospectus or this discussion indicates that a fund may engage in an activity, it may not actually do so for a variety of reasons, including cost considerations.

The use of Financial Instruments involves special considerations and risks, certain of which are summarized below, and may result in losses to a fund. In general, the use of Financial Instruments may increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risk or exposure assumed. Even a small investment in derivatives may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to a fund. As noted above, there can be no assurance that any derivatives strategy will succeed.

 

    Financial Instruments are subject to the risk that the market value of the derivative itself or the market value of underlying instruments will change in a way adverse to a fund’s interest. Many Financial Instruments are complex, and successful use of them depends in part upon the sub-adviser’s ability to forecast correctly future market trends and other financial or economic factors or the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate, currency or other instrument or measure. Even if the sub-adviser’s forecasts are correct, other factors may cause distortions or dislocations in the markets that result in unsuccessful transactions. Financial Instruments may behave in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal or volatile market conditions.

 

    A fund may be required to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts, post collateral or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments. Assets that are segregated or used as cover, margin or collateral may be required to be in the form of cash or liquid securities, and typically may not be sold while the position in the Financial Instrument is open unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. If markets move against a fund’s position, the fund may be required to maintain or post additional assets and may have to dispose of existing investments to obtain assets acceptable as collateral or margin. This may prevent it from pursuing its investment objective. Assets that are segregated or used as cover, margin or collateral typically are invested, and these investments are subject to risk and may result in losses to a fund. These losses may be substantial, and may be in addition to losses incurred by using the Financial Instrument in question. If a fund is unable to close out its positions, it may be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the positions expire or mature, and the fund will continue to be subject to investment risk on the assets. In addition, a fund may not be able to recover the full amount of its margin from an intermediary if that intermediary were to experience financial difficulty. Segregation, cover, margin and collateral requirements may impair a fund’s ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require the fund to sell a portfolio security or close out a derivatives position at a disadvantageous time or price.

 

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    A fund’s ability to close out or unwind a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the “counterparty”) to enter into a transaction closing out the position. If there is no market or a fund is not successful in its negotiations, a fund may not be able to sell or unwind the derivative position at a particular time or at an anticipated price. This may also be the case if the counterparty to the Financial Instrument becomes insolvent. A fund may be required to make delivery of portfolio securities or other assets underlying a Financial Instrument in order to close out a position or to sell portfolio securities or assets at a disadvantageous time or price in order to obtain cash to close out the position. While the position remains open, a fund continues to be subject to investment risk on the Financial Instrument. A fund may or may not be able to take other actions or enter into other transactions, including hedging transactions, to limit or reduce its exposure to the Financial Instrument.

 

    Certain Financial Instruments transactions may have a leveraging effect on a fund, and adverse changes in the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate, currency or other instrument or measure can result in losses substantially greater than the amount invested in the Financial Instrument itself. When a fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect, the value of the fund is likely to be more volatile and all other risks also are likely to be compounded. This is because leverage generally magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of an asset and creates investment risk with respect to a larger pool of assets than a fund would otherwise have. Certain Financial Instruments have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

 

    Many Financial Instruments may be difficult to value, which may result in increased payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.

 

    Liquidity risk exists when a particular Financial Instrument is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, a fund may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. Certain Financial Instruments, including certain over-the-counter (or “OTC”) options and swaps, may be considered illiquid and therefore subject to a fund’s limitation on illiquid investments.

 

    In a hedging transaction there may be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between the identity, price or price movements of a Financial Instrument and the identity, price or price movements of the investments being hedged. This lack of correlation may cause the hedge to be unsuccessful and may result in a fund incurring substantial losses and/or not achieving anticipated gains. Even if the strategy works as intended, a fund might have been in a better position had it not attempted to hedge at all.

 

    Financial Instruments used for non-hedging purposes may result in losses which would not be offset by increases in the value of portfolio holdings or declines in the cost of securities or other assets to be acquired. In the event that a fund uses a Financial Instrument as an alternative to purchasing or selling other investments or in order to obtain desired exposure to an index or market, the fund will be exposed to the same risks as are incurred in purchasing or selling the other investments directly, as well as the risks of the transaction itself.

 

    Certain Financial Instruments involve the risk of loss resulting from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure by the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. In the event of default by a counterparty, a fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may be limited by applicable law in the case of the counterparty’s bankruptcy.

 

    Financial Instruments involve operational risk. There may be incomplete or erroneous documentation or inadequate collateral or margin, or transactions may fail to settle. For Financial Instruments not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a fund may have only contractual remedies in the event of a counterparty default, and there may be delays, costs or disagreements as to the meaning of contractual terms and litigation, in enforcing those remedies.

 

    Certain Financial Instruments transactions, including certain options, swaps, forward contracts, and certain options on foreign currencies, are entered into directly by the counterparties and/or through financial institutions acting as market makers (“OTC derivatives”), rather than being traded on exchanges or in markets registered with the CFTC or the SEC. Many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available to participants in OTC derivatives transactions. For example, OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of an exchange, and only OTC derivatives that are either required to be cleared or submitted voluntarily for clearing to a clearinghouse will enjoy the protections that central clearing provides against default by the original counterparty to the trade. In an OTC derivatives transaction that is not cleared, the fund bears the risk of default by its counterparty. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the fund is instead exposed to the risk of default of the clearinghouse and the risk of default of the broker through which it has entered into the transaction. Information available on counterparty creditworthiness may be incomplete or outdated, thus reducing the ability to anticipate counterparty defaults.

 

   

Swap contracts involve special risks. Swaps may in some cases be illiquid. In the absence of a central exchange or market for swap transactions, they may be difficult to trade or value, especially in the event of market disruptions. The Dodd-Frank Act established a comprehensive new regulatory framework for swaps. Under this framework, regulation of the swap market is divided between the SEC and the CFTC. The SEC and CFTC have approved a number rules and interpretations as part of the establishment of this new regulatory regime. It is possible that developments in the swap market, including these new or additional regulations, could adversely affect a fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. Credit default swaps involve additional risks. For example, credit default swaps increase credit risk since a fund has exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation (typically a debt obligation) and the counterparty to the credit default swap.

 

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    Certain derivatives, such as interest rate swaps and credit default swaps that are based on an index, are required under applicable law to be cleared by a regulated clearinghouse. Swaps subject to this requirement are typically submitted for clearing through brokerage firms that are members of the clearinghouse. A fund would establish an account with a brokerage firm to facilitate clearing such a swap, and the clearinghouse would become the fund’s counterparty. A brokerage firm would guarantee the fund’s performance on the swap to the clearinghouse. The fund would be exposed to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and the brokerage firm that holds the cleared swap. The brokerage firm also would impose margin requirements with respect to open cleared swap positions held by the fund, and the brokerage firm would be able to require termination of those positions in certain circumstances. These margin requirements and termination provisions may adversely affect the fund’s ability to trade cleared swaps. In addition, the fund may not be able to recover the full amount of its margin from a brokerage firm if the firm were to go into bankruptcy. It is also possible that the fund would not be able to enter into a swap transaction that is required to be cleared if no clearinghouse will accept the swap for clearing.

 

    Swaps that are required to be cleared must be traded on a regulated execution facility or contract market that makes them available for trading. The transition from trading swaps bilaterally to trading them on such a facility or market may not result in swaps being easier to trade or value and may present certain execution risks if these facilities and markets do not operate properly. On-facility trading of swaps is also expected to lead to greater standardization of their terms. It is possible that a fund may not be able to enter into swaps that fully meet its investment needs, or that the costs of entering into customized swaps, including any applicable margin requirements, will be significant.

 

    Financial Instruments transactions conducted outside the U.S. may not be conducted in the same manner as those entered into on U.S. exchanges, and may be subject to different margin, exercise, settlement or expiration procedures. Many of the risks of Financial Instruments transactions are also applicable to Financial Instruments used outside the U.S. Financial Instruments used outside the U.S. also are subject to the risks affecting foreign securities, currencies and other instruments.

 

    Financial Instruments involving currency are subject to additional risks. Currency related transactions may be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations. Exchange rates may be influenced by factors extrinsic to a country’s economy. Also, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to foreign currencies. As a result, the information on which trading in currency derivatives is based may not be as complete as, and may be delayed beyond, comparable data for other transactions.

 

    Use of Financial Instruments involves transaction costs, which may be significant. Use of Financial Instruments also may increase the amount of taxable income to shareholders.

Hedging: As stated above, the term “hedging” often is used to describe a transaction or strategy that is intended to mitigate risk of loss in some fashion. Hedging strategies can be broadly categorized as “short hedges” and “long hedges.” A short hedge is a purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument intended partially or fully to offset potential declines in the value of one or more investments held in a fund’s portfolio. In a short hedge, a fund takes a position in a Financial Instrument whose price is expected to move in the opposite direction of the price of the investment being hedged.

Conversely, a long hedge is a purchase or sale of a Financial Instrument intended partially or fully to offset potential increases in the acquisition cost of one or more investments that a fund intends to acquire. Thus, in a long hedge, a fund takes a position in a Financial Instrument whose price is expected to move in the same direction as the price of the prospective investment being hedged. A long hedge is sometimes referred to as an anticipatory hedge. In an anticipatory hedge transaction, a fund does not own a corresponding security and, therefore, the transaction does not relate to the portfolio security that a fund owns. Rather, it relates to a security that a fund intends to acquire. If a fund does not complete the hedge by purchasing the security it anticipated purchasing, the effect on the fund’s portfolio is the same as if the transaction were entered into for speculative purposes.

In hedging transactions, Financial Instruments on securities (such as options and/or futures) generally are used to attempt to hedge against price movements in one or more particular securities positions that a fund owns or intends to acquire. Financial Instruments on indices, in contrast, generally are used to attempt to hedge against price movements in market sectors in which a fund has invested or expects to invest. Financial Instruments on debt securities generally are used to hedge either individual securities or broad debt market sectors.

Options – Generally: A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying investment at the agreed-upon price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying investment at the agreed-upon price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right under the option contract.

Exchange-traded options in the U.S. are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between a fund and its counterparty (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. When a fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by a fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.

 

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Writing put or call options can enable a fund to enhance income or yield by reason of the premiums paid by the purchasers of such options. However, a fund may also suffer a loss. For example, if the market price of the security underlying a put option written by a fund declines to less than the exercise price of the option, minus the premium received, it can be expected that the option will be exercised and a fund would be required to purchase the security at more than its market value. If a security appreciates to a price higher than the exercise price of a call option written by a fund, it can be expected that the option will be exercised and a fund will be obligated to sell the security at less than its market value.

The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment, the historical price volatility of the underlying investment and general market conditions. Options purchased by a fund that expire unexercised have no value, and the fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid and any transaction costs. If an option written by a fund expires unexercised, the fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. Transaction costs must be included in these calculations.

A fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, a fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, a fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option; this is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit a fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration. There can be no assurance that it will be possible for a fund to enter into any closing transaction.

A type of put that a fund may purchase is an “optional delivery standby commitment,” which is entered into by parties selling debt securities to a fund. An optional delivery standby commitment gives a fund the right to sell the security back to the seller on specified terms. This right is provided as an inducement to purchase the security.

Options on Indices: Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on securities (described above) or futures contracts (described below) except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities or futures contracts. When a fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from a fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When a fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When a fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When a fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.

Options on indices may, depending on the circumstances, involve greater risk than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when a fund writes a call on an index it may not be able to provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract sale creates an obligation by the seller to deliver the type of Financial Instrument or, in the case of index and similar futures, cash, called for in the contract in a specified delivery month for a stated price. A financial futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the purchaser to take delivery of the asset called for in the contract in a specified delivery month at a stated price. Options on futures give the purchaser the right to assume a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option.

Futures strategies can be used to change the duration of a fund’s portfolio. If the sub-adviser wishes to shorten the duration of the fund’s portfolio, a fund may sell a debt futures contract or a call option thereon, or purchase a put option on that futures contract. If the sub-adviser wishes to lengthen the duration of a fund’s portfolio, the fund may buy a debt futures contract or a call option thereon, or sell a put option thereon.

Futures contracts may also be used for other purposes, such as to simulate full investment in underlying securities while retaining a cash balance for portfolio management purposes, as a substitute for direct investment in a security, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs, or to seek higher investment returns when a futures contract or option is priced more attractively than the underlying security or index.

No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Instead, at the inception of a futures contract a fund is required to deposit “initial margin.” Margin must also be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, a fund may be required by an exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action.

Subsequent “variation margin” payments are made to and from the futures broker daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as “marking-to-market.” Daily variation margin calls could be substantial in the event of adverse price movements. If a fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a disadvantageous time or price.

Although some futures and options on futures call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, currencies or cash, generally those contracts are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures or options (involving the same index, currency or underlying security and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a fund realizes a gain, or if it is more, a fund realizes a loss. If an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a fund realizes a gain, or if it is less, a fund realizes a loss. A fund will also bear transaction costs for each contract, which will be included in these calculations. Positions in futures and options on futures may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position.

 

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Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price; once that limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions.

If a fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it could incur substantial losses. A fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, a fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the future or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.

If an index future is used for hedging purposes the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the price of index futures and movements in the price of the securities that are the subject of the hedge increases as the composition of a fund’s portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable index. The price of the index futures may move more than or less than the price of the securities being hedged. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the securities being hedged and movements in the price of the index futures, a fund may buy or sell index futures in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of the securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of such securities being hedged is more than the historical volatility of the prices of the securities included in the index. It is also possible that, where a fund has sold index futures contracts to hedge against a decline in the market, the market may advance and the value of the securities held in the fund may decline. If this occurred, a fund would lose money on the futures contract and also experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities.

Where index futures are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities before a fund is able to invest in them in an orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead. If the sub-adviser then concludes not to invest in them at that time because of concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, a fund will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities it had anticipated purchasing.

Non-U.S. Currency Strategies: A fund may invest in securities that are denominated in non-U.S. currencies and may engage in a variety of non-U.S. currency exchange transactions to protect against uncertainty in the level of future exchange rates or to earn additional income. A fund may use options and futures contracts, swaps and indexed notes relating to non-U.S. currencies and forward currency contracts to attempt to hedge against movements in the values of the non-U.S. currencies in which the fund’s securities are denominated or to attempt to enhance income or yield. Currency hedges can protect against price movements in a security that a fund owns or intends to acquire that are attributable to changes in the value of the currency in which it is denominated. Such hedges do not, however, protect against price movements in the securities that are attributable to other causes.

The value of Financial Instruments on non-U.S. currencies depends on the value of the underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Because non-U.S. currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such Financial Instruments, a fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying non-U.S. currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.

There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for non-U.S. currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information generally is representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus might not reflect odd-lot transactions where rates might be less favorable. The interbank market in non-U.S. currencies is a global, round-the-clock market. To the extent the U.S. options or futures markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the markets for the Financial Instruments until they reopen.

Settlement of transactions involving non-U.S. currencies might be required to take place within the country issuing the underlying currency. Thus, a fund might be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying non-U.S. currency in accordance with any U.S. or non-U.S. regulations regarding the maintenance of non-U.S. banking arrangements by U.S. residents and might be required to pay any fees, taxes and charges associated with such delivery assessed in the issuing country.

Generally, OTC non-U.S. currency options used by a fund are European-style options. This means that the option is only exercisable immediately prior to its expiration. This is in contrast to American-style options, which are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.

Forward Currency Contracts: A fund may enter into forward currency contracts to purchase or sell non-U.S. currencies for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or another non-U.S. currency. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (term) from the date of the forward currency contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the forward currency contract. These forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.

The cost to a fund of engaging in forward currency contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. When a fund enters into a forward currency contract, it relies on the counterparty to make or take delivery of the underlying currency at the maturity of the contract. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.

 

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As is the case with futures contracts, parties to forward currency contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions on futures contracts, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, with the result that closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty.

If a fund engages in a forward currency contract with respect to particular securities, the precise matching of forward currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved generally will not be possible because the value of such securities, measured in the non-U.S. currency, will change after the forward currency contract has been established. Thus, a fund might need to purchase or sell non-U.S. currencies in the spot (cash) market to the extent such non-U.S. currencies are not covered by forward currency contracts.

Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars: A fund may enter into swaps, caps, floors and collars to preserve a return or a spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against any increase in the price of securities the fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, to attempt to enhance yield or total return, or as a substitute for other investments. A swap typically involves the exchange by a fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive cash flows, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed-rate payments. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined value, to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling the cap. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined value, to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling the floor. A collar combines elements of a cap and a floor.

Swap agreements, including caps, floors and collars, can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund’s investments and its share price and yield because, and to the extent, these agreements affect a fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates, non-U.S. currency values, mortgage-backed or other security values, corporate borrowing rates or other factors such as security prices or inflation rates.

Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options.

If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.

A fund may enter into credit default swap contracts for investment purposes. As the seller in a credit default swap contract, a fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default by a third party, such as a U.S. or a non-U.S. corporate issuer, on the debt obligation. In return, a fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, a fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, a fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap which may be significantly larger than a fund’s cost to enter into the credit default swap.

A fund may purchase credit default swap contracts in order to hedge against the risk of default of debt securities held in its portfolio, in which case a fund would function as the counterparty referenced in the preceding paragraph. This would involve the risk that the investment may expire worthless and would only generate income in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (or, as applicable, a credit downgrade or other indication of financial instability). It would also involve credit risk – that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to a fund in the event of a default.

The net amount of the excess, if any, of a fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap will be accrued on a daily basis, depending on whether a threshold amount (if any) is exceeded, and an amount of cash or liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value approximately equal to the accrued excess will be earmarked or set aside as cover, as described below. A fund will also maintain collateral with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis, including segregating assets to cover any potential obligation under a credit default swap sold by it, and will maintain cover as required by SEC guidelines from time to time with respect to caps and floors written by a fund.

Combined Positions: A fund may purchase and write options in combination with each other, or in combination with other Financial Instruments, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of its overall position. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.

Cover: Transactions using Financial Instruments may involve obligations which if not covered could be construed as “senior securities.” A fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, segregate, set aside or earmark on its books cash or liquid assets in the prescribed amount as determined daily. A fund may cover such transactions using other methods permitted under the 1940 Act, orders or releases issued by the SEC thereunder, or no-action letters or other guidance of the SEC staff. Although SEC guidelines on cover are designed to limit the transactions involving Financial Instruments that a fund may be engaged in at any time, the segregation of assets does not reduce the risks to a fund of entering into transactions in Financial Instruments.

Turnover: A fund’s derivatives activities may affect its turnover rate and brokerage commission payments. The exercise of calls or puts written by a fund, and the sale or purchase of futures contracts, may cause it to sell or purchase related investments, thus increasing its turnover rate. Once a fund has received an exercise notice on an option it has written, it cannot effect a closing transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver or receive the underlying securities at the exercise price. The exercise of puts purchased by a fund may also cause the sale of related investments, also increasing turnover; although such exercise is within a fund’s control, holding a protective put might cause it to sell the related investments for reasons that would not exist in the absence of the put. A fund will pay a brokerage commission each time it buys or sells a put or call or purchases or sells a futures contract. Such commissions may be higher than those that would apply to direct purchases or sales.

 

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Foreign Securities

The following investments are subject to limitations as set forth in each fund’s investment restrictions and policies.

A fund may invest in foreign securities through the purchase of securities of foreign issuers or of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and Fiduciary Depositary Receipts (“FDRs”) or other securities representing underlying shares of foreign companies.

The risks of investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers or issuers with significant exposure to non-U.S. markets may be related, among other things, to (i) differences in size, liquidity and volatility of, and the degree and manner of regulation of, the securities markets of certain non-U.S. markets compared to the securities markets in the U.S.; (ii) economic, political and social factors; and (iii) foreign exchange matters, such as restrictions on the repatriation of capital, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which a fund’s portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, exchange control regulations and costs associated with currency exchange. The political and economic structures in certain foreign countries, particularly emerging markets and frontier markets, are expected to undergo significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries.

Unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values of a fund’s investments in such countries. The economies and securities and currency markets of many emerging markets have experienced significant disruption and declines. There can be no assurances that these economic and market disruptions will not continue.

Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid, and their prices are more volatile, than securities of comparable domestic companies. Certain foreign countries are known to experience long delays between the trade and settlement dates of securities purchased or sold resulting in increased exposure of a fund to market and foreign exchange fluctuations brought about by such delays, and to the corresponding negative impact on fund liquidity.

The interest payable on a fund’s foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which will reduce the fund’s return on its investments. In addition, the operating expenses of a fund making such investment can be expected to be higher than those of an investment company investing exclusively in U.S. securities, since the costs of investing in foreign securities, such as custodial costs, valuation costs and communication costs, are higher than the costs of investing exclusively in U.S. securities.

There may be less publicly available information about non-U.S. markets and issuers than is available with respect to U.S. securities and issuers. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The trading markets for most non-U.S. securities are generally less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than the markets for comparable securities in the U.S. The markets for securities in frontier markets and certain emerging markets are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in certain non-U.S. markets, including 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 U.S. In addition, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity. The less liquid a market, the more difficult it may be for a fund to accurately price its portfolio securities or to dispose of such securities at the times determined by the sub-adviser to be appropriate. The risks associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute in situations in which a fund’s operations require cash, such as in order to meet redemptions and to pay its expenses.

A fund may invest in securities of emerging market and frontier market countries. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and that can be expected to be less stable. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and even less developed capital markets than emerging markets countries. These securities may be U.S. dollar denominated or non-U.S. dollar denominated and include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities, including Brady Bonds; (b) debt obligations of supranational entities; (c) debt obligations (including dollar and non-dollar denominated) and other debt securities of foreign corporate issuers; and (d) non-dollar denominated debt obligations of U.S. corporate issuers. A fund may also invest in securities denominated in currencies of emerging market or frontier market countries. There is no minimum rating criteria for a fund’s investments in such securities.

Certain non-U.S. countries, including emerging markets and frontier markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability. Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and conflict. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers in such countries to repay their obligations. In addition, it may be difficult for the fund to pursue claims against a foreign issuer in the courts of a foreign country. Investing in emerging countries also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, a fund could lose its entire investment in that country. Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit a fund’s investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of a fund. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain markets in the region is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain

 

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governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of a fund’s operation. Economies in individual non-U.S. countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many non-U.S. countries have experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, affected adversely and significantly by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.

Custodian services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the U.S. Such markets have settlement and clearance procedures that differ from those in the U.S. 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. The inability of a fund to make intended securities purchases because of settlement problems could cause a fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to a fund because of a subsequent decline in value of the portfolio security or could result in possible liability to the fund. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging countries may not fully protect a fund against loss or theft of its assets.

A fund may be subject to taxes, including withholding taxes imposed by certain non-U.S. countries on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) earned with respect to the fund’s investments in such countries. These taxes will reduce the return achieved by a fund. Treaties between the U.S. and such countries may reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.

The value of the securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates and by exchange control regulations. A fund’s investment performance may be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the fund’s investments are quoted or denominated. Further, a fund’s investment performance may be significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of securities quoted or denominated in another currency will increase or decrease in response to changes in the value of such currency in relation to the U.S. dollar.

The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. Changes in the exchange rate may result over time from the interaction of many factors directly or indirectly affecting economic conditions and political developments in other countries. Of particular importance are rates of inflation, interest rate levels, the balance of payments and the extent of government surpluses or deficits in the U.S. and the particular foreign country. All these factors are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of the U.S. and other foreign countries important to international trade and finance. Government intervention may also play a significant role. National governments rarely voluntarily allow their currencies to float freely in response to economic forces. Sovereign governments use a variety of techniques, such as intervention by a country’s central bank or imposition of regulatory controls or taxes, to affect the exchange rates of their currencies.

ADRs, EDRs and GDRs: A fund may also purchase ADRs, American Depositary Debentures, American Depositary Notes, American Depositary Bonds, EDRs, GDRs and FDRs, or other securities representing underlying shares of foreign companies. ADRs are publicly traded on exchanges or over-the-counter in the U.S. and are issued through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” arrangements. In a sponsored ADR arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay some or all of the depository’s transaction fees, whereas under an unsponsored arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes no obligation and the depository’s transaction fees are paid by the ADR holders. In addition, less information is available in the U.S. about an unsponsored ADR than about a sponsored ADR, and the financial information about a company may not be as reliable for an unsponsored ADR as it is for a sponsored ADR. A fund may invest in ADRs through both sponsored and unsponsored arrangements. EDRs and GDRs are securities that are typically issued by foreign banks or foreign trust companies, although U.S. banks or U.S. trust companies may issue them. EDRs and GDRs are structured similarly to the arrangements of ADRs. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets.

Russian Securities

A fund may invest directly in the securities of Russian issuers or may have indirect exposure to Russian securities through its investment in one or more funds with direct investments in Russia. Investment in those securities presents many of the same risks as investing in the securities of emerging country issuers, as described above. The social, political, legal, and operational risks of investing in Russian issuers, and of having assets held in custody within Russia, however, may be particularly pronounced relative to investments in more developed countries. Russia’s system of share registration and custody creates certain risks of loss (including the risk of total loss) that are not normally associated with investments in other securities markets.

A risk of particular note with respect to direct investment in Russian securities results from the way in which ownership of shares of companies is normally recorded. Ownership of shares (except where shares are held through depositories that meet the requirements of the 1940 Act) is defined according to entries in the company’s share register and normally evidenced by “share extracts” from the register or, in certain circumstances, by formal share certificates. However, there is no central registration system for shareholders and these services are carried out by the companies themselves or by registrars located throughout Russia. The share registrars are controlled by the issuer of the security, and investors are provided with few legal rights against such registrars. These registrars are not necessarily subject to effective state supervision, nor are they licensed with any

 

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governmental entity. It is possible for a fund to lose its registration through fraud, negligence, or even mere oversight. Each applicable fund will endeavor to ensure that its interest is appropriately recorded, which may involve a custodian or other agent inspecting the share register and obtaining extracts of share registers through regular confirmations. However, these extracts have no legal enforceability and it is possible that a subsequent illegal amendment or other fraudulent act may deprive a fund of its ownership rights or improperly dilute its interests. In addition, while applicable Russian regulations impose liability on registrars for losses resulting from their errors, it may be difficult for a fund to enforce any rights it may have against the registrar or issuer of the securities in the event of a loss of share registration. Further, significant delays or problems may occur in registering the transfer of securities, which could cause a fund to incur losses due to a counterparty’s failure to pay for securities the fund has delivered or the fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons.

Also, although a Russian public enterprise having a certain minimum number of shareholders is required by law to contract out the maintenance of its shareholder register to an independent entity that meets certain criteria, this regulation has not always been strictly enforced in practice. Because of this lack of independence, management of a company may be able to exert considerable influence over who can purchase and sell the company’s shares by illegally instructing the registrar to refuse to record transactions in the share register.

Investments in the Real Estate Industry and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in income producing real estate, or real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Debt securities issued by REITs, for the most part, are general and unsecured obligations and are subject to risks associated with REITs.

Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. An equity REIT may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT. A mortgage REIT may be affected by changes in interest rates and the ability of the issuers of its portfolio mortgages to repay their obligations. REITs are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are not diversified. REITs are generally dependent upon maintaining cash flows to repay borrowings and to make distributions to shareholders and are subject to the risk of default by lessees or borrowers. REITs whose underlying assets are concentrated in properties used by a particular industry, such as health care, are also subject to industry related risks.

REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risk. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline. If the REIT invests in adjustable rate mortgage loans the interest rates on which are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates. This causes the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, REITs have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in S&P 500 Index.

Certain funds may invest in foreign real estate companies, which are similar to entities organized and operated as REITs in the U.S. Foreign real estate companies may be subject to laws, rules and regulations governing those entities and their failure to comply with those laws, rules and regulations could negatively impact the performance of those entities. In addition, investments in REITs and foreign real estate companies may involve duplication of management fees and certain other expenses, and a fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs and foreign real estate companies in which it invests.

Other Investments

Illiquid Securities

An illiquid security is any security which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the security is being carried on the fund’s books. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value, and a fund may have difficulty disposing of such securities promptly.

Certain restricted securities can be traded freely among qualified purchasers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. The SEC has stated that an investment company’s board of directors, or its investment adviser acting under authority delegated by the board, may determine that a security eligible for trading under this rule is “liquid.” The Board has delegated to the funds’ sub-adviser authority to determine whether particular securities eligible for trading under Rule 144A are and continue to be “liquid.” Investing in these restricted securities could have the effect of increasing a fund’s illiquidity, however, if qualified purchasers become uninterested in buying these securities.

The sale of illiquid securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the OTC markets. A fund may be restricted in its ability to sell such securities at a time when a fund’s sub-adviser deems it advisable to do so. In addition, in order to meet redemption requests, a fund may have to sell other assets, rather than such illiquid securities, at a time that is not advantageous.

 

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Each fund monitors the portion of the fund’s total assets that are invested in illiquid securities on an ongoing basis, not only at the time of the investment in such securities.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

Certain foreign entities called passive foreign investment companies have been the only or primary way to invest in certain countries. In addition to bearing their proportionate share of a fund’s expenses (management fees and operating expenses), shareholders will also indirectly bear similar expenses of passive foreign investment companies in which the fund invests. Gains on the sale of such holdings are considered ordinary income regardless of how long the fund held its investment. In addition, a fund may be subject to corporate income tax and an interest charge on certain dividends and capital gains earned from these investments.

To avoid such tax and interest, each fund generally intends to treat these securities as sold on the last day of its fiscal year and recognize any gains for tax purposes at that time; deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any gains resulting from these deemed sales for prior taxable years. Such gains and losses will be treated as ordinary income.

Other Investment Companies

Subject to applicable statutory and regulatory limitations, a fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including shares of other mutual funds, closed-end funds, and unregistered investment companies. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under a statutory exemption or an exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, a fund may invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits prescribed by the 1940 Act.

Investments in other investment companies are subject to the risk of the securities in which those investment companies invest. In addition, to the extent a fund invests in securities of other investment companies, fund shareholders would indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies in addition to the expenses of a fund’s own operation. These costs include management, brokerage, shareholder servicing and other operational expenses.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

ETFs, such as the funds, are typically registered investment companies whose securities are traded over an exchange at their market price. ETFs generally represent a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index or other group of securities. Other ETFs are actively managed and seek to achieve a stated objective by investing in a portfolio of securities and other assets. A fund may purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market pending the purchase of individual securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities, although the potential lack of liquidity of an ETF could result in it being more volatile. There is also a risk that the general level of securities prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in by a fund. Moreover, a fund’s investments in index-based ETFs may not exactly match the performance of a direct investment in the respective indices or portfolios of securities to which they are intended to correspond due to the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or other factors, such as discrepancies with respect to the weighting of securities. Additionally, ETFs have management fees which increase their costs.

Unlike shares of typical mutual funds or unit investment trusts, shares of ETFs are designed to be traded throughout a trading day, bought and sold based on market values and not at net asset value. For this reason, shares could trade at either a premium or discount to net asset value. However, the funds held by index-based ETFs are publicly disclosed on each trading day, and an approximation of actual net asset value is disseminated throughout the trading day. Because of this transparency, the trading prices of index based ETFs tend to closely track the actual net asset value of the underlying portfolios and a fund will generally gain or lose value depending on the performance of the index. However, gains or losses on a fund’s investment in ETFs will ultimately depend on the purchase and sale price of the ETF. A fund may invest in ETFs that are actively managed. Actively managed ETFs do not have the transparency of index-based ETFs, and also therefore, are more likely to trade at a discount or premium to actual net asset values.

Additional Information

Borrowings

A fund may engage in borrowing transactions as a means of raising cash to satisfy redemption requests, for other temporary or emergency purposes or, to the extent permitted by its investment policies, to raise additional cash to be invested by the fund’s portfolio managers in other securities or instruments.

When a fund invests borrowing proceeds in other securities, the fund will bear the risk that the market value of the securities in which the proceeds are invested goes down and is insufficient to repay borrowed proceeds. Like other leveraging risks, this makes the value of an investment in a fund more volatile and increases the fund’s overall investment exposure. In addition, if a fund’s return on its investment of the borrowing proceeds does not equal or exceed the interest that a fund is obligated to pay under the terms of a borrowing, engaging in these transactions will lower the fund’s return.

 

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A fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so in order to make payments with respect to its borrowing obligations. This could adversely affect the portfolio managers’ strategy and result in lower fund returns. Interest on any borrowings will be a fund expense and will reduce the value of a fund’s shares.

A fund may borrow on a secured or on an unsecured basis. If a fund enters into a secured borrowing arrangement, a portion of the fund’s assets will be used as collateral. During the term of the borrowing, the fund will remain at risk for any fluctuations in the market value of these assets in addition to any securities purchased with the proceeds of the loan. In addition, a fund may be unable to sell the collateral at a time when it would be advantageous to do so, which could adversely affect the portfolio managers’ strategy and result in lower fund returns. The fund would also be subject to the risk that the lender may file for bankruptcy, become insolvent, or otherwise default on its obligations to return the collateral to the fund. In the event of a default by the lender, there may be delays, costs and risks of loss involved in a fund’s exercising its rights with respect to the collateral or those rights may be limited by other contractual agreements or obligations or by applicable law.

The 1940 Act requires the fund to maintain at all times an “asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the fund’s total assets, minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Although complying with this guideline would have the effect of limiting the amount that the fund may borrow, it does not otherwise mitigate the risks of entering into borrowing transactions.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

A reverse repurchase agreement has the characteristics of a secured borrowing and creates leverage. In a reverse repurchase transaction, a fund sells a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial institution or broker/dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, a fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed-upon time and at a price that is greater than the amount of cash that the fund received when it sold the instrument, representing the equivalent of an interest payment by the fund for the use of the cash. During the term of the transaction, a fund will continue to receive any principal and interest payments (or the equivalent thereof) on the underlying instruments.

A fund may engage in reverse repurchase agreements as a means of raising cash to satisfy redemption requests or for other temporary or emergency purposes. Unless otherwise limited in its prospectus or this SAI, a fund may also engage in reverse repurchase agreements to the extent permitted by its fundamental investment policies in order to raise additional cash to be invested by the fund’s portfolio managers in other securities or instruments in an effort to increase the fund’s investment returns.

During the term of the transaction, a fund will remain at risk for any fluctuations in the market value of the instruments subject to the reverse repurchase agreement as if it had not entered into the transaction. When a fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement in other securities, the fund will bear the risk that the market value of the securities in which the proceeds are invested goes down and is insufficient to satisfy the fund’s obligations under the reverse repurchase agreement. Like other leveraging risks, this makes the value of an investment in a fund more volatile and increases the fund’s overall investment exposure. This could also result in the fund having to dispose of investments at inopportune times and at disadvantageous amounts. In addition, if a fund’s return on its investment of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement does not equal or exceed the implied interest that it is obligated to pay under the reverse repurchase agreement, engaging in the transaction will lower the fund’s return.

When a fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it is subject to the risk that the buyer under the agreement may file for bankruptcy, become insolvent, or otherwise default on its obligations to the fund. In the event of a default by the counterparty, there may be delays, costs and risks of loss involved in a fund’s exercising its rights under the agreement, or those rights may be limited by other contractual agreements or obligations or by applicable law.

In addition, a fund may be unable to sell the instruments subject to the reverse repurchase agreement at a time when it would be advantageous to do so, or may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so in order to make payments with respect to its obligations under a reverse repurchase agreement. This could adversely affect the portfolio managers’ strategy and result in losses. At the time a fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the fund is required to set aside or earmark on its books cash or other appropriate liquid securities in the amount of the fund’s obligation under the reverse repurchase agreement or take certain other actions in accordance with SEC guidelines, which may affect a fund’s liquidity and ability to manage its assets. Although complying with SEC guidelines would have the effect of limiting the amount of fund assets that may be committed to reverse repurchase agreements and other similar transactions at any time, it does not otherwise mitigate the risks of entering into reverse repurchase agreements.

Lending

Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the limitations as set forth in each fund’s investment restrictions and policies, the fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations meeting capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Board. Loans of securities will be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, or U.S. government obligations maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral received by a fund will be invested in high quality short-term instruments, or in one or more funds maintained by the lending agent for the purpose of investing cash collateral. During the term of the loan, a fund will continue to have investment risk with respect to the security loaned, as well as risk with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. Either party has the right to terminate a loan at any time on customary industry settlement notice (which will not usually exceed three business days). During the existence of a loan, a fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and, with respect to cash collateral, will receive any income generated by the fund’s investment of the collateral

 

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(subject to a rebate payable to the borrower and a percentage of the income payable to the lending agent). Where the borrower provides a fund with collateral other than cash, the borrower is also obligated to pay the fund a fee for use of the borrowed securities. A fund does not have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but would retain the right to call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or of the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, a fund could suffer loss if the loan terminates and the fund is forced to liquidate investments at a loss in order to return the cash collateral to the buyer.

The funds will only enter into loan arrangements with broker-dealers, banks or other institutions determined to be creditworthy under guidelines that may be established by the Board.

Voluntary Actions

From time to time, a fund may voluntarily participate in actions (for example, rights offerings, conversion privileges, exchange offers, credit event settlements, etc.) where the issuer or counterparty offers securities or instruments to holders or counterparties, such as a fund, and the acquisition is determined to be beneficial to fund shareholders (“Voluntary Action”). Notwithstanding any percentage investment limitation listed under this section or any percentage investment limitation of the 1940 Act or rules thereunder, if a fund has the opportunity to acquire a permitted security or instrument through a Voluntary Action, and the fund will exceed a percentage investment limitation following the acquisition, it will not constitute a violation if, after announcement of the offering, but prior to the receipt of the securities or instruments, the fund sells an offsetting amount of assets that are subject to the investment limitation in question at least equal to the value of the securities or instruments to be acquired.

Cybersecurity

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, a fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks through breaches in cybersecurity. In general, a breach in cybersecurity can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber incidents affecting a fund’s investment adviser, sub-adviser and other service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with a fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of fund shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cyber incidents affecting issuers of securities in which a fund invests, counterparties with which a 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 fund shareholders) and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While a fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, a fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the fund or its shareholders. Cybersecurity risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the fund invests, which may cause the fund’s investments in such issuers to lose value. A fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Commodity Exchange Act Registration

The funds are operated by the Investment Manager pursuant to an exclusion from registration as a “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the funds, and therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation under the CEA. The funds are limited in their ability to enter into commodity interests positions subject to CFTC jurisdiction.

Continuous Offering

The method by which Creation Units of Fund Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Fund Shares are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. 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 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 (defined below), breaks them down into constituent Fund Shares, and sells such Fund Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Fund Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Fund 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 categorization as an underwriter.

 

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Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Fund Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Fund 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. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Fund Shares are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that a fund’s Prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

Exchange Listing and Trading

A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with investments in the funds is contained in the Prospectus under “Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares” and “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.

The Fund Shares are approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Fund Shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ to some degree from their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of a fund’s shares will continue to be met.

The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the Fund Shares from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Fund Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the value of its underlying Index or portfolio of securities on which the fund is based is no longer calculated or available; (3) the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”) of the fund is no longer calculated or available; or (4) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. In addition, the Exchange will remove the Fund Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust or a fund.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the Fund Share price of a fund in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the fund.

As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The base and trading currencies of each fund is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which a fund’s net asset value per Fund Share is calculated and the trading currency is the currency in which the fund’s shares are listed and traded on the Exchange.

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio turnover rate is, in general, the percentage calculated by taking the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term securities) for a year and dividing it by the monthly average of the market value of such securities held during the year.

The sub-adviser may engage in a significant number of short-term transactions if such investing serves a fund’s objective. The rate of portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor when such short-term investing is considered appropriate. Increased turnover results in higher brokerage costs or mark-up charges for a fund, these charges are ultimately borne by the shareholders.

In computing the portfolio turnover rate, securities whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or less are excluded. Subject to this exclusion, the turnover rate for a fund is calculated by dividing (a) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (b) the monthly average of portfolio securities owned by the fund during the fiscal year.

There are no fixed limitations regarding the portfolio turnover rates of the funds. Portfolio turnover rates are expected to fluctuate under constantly changing economic conditions and market circumstances. Higher turnover rates tend to result in higher brokerage fees. Securities initially satisfying the basic policies and objective of each fund may be disposed of when they are no longer deemed suitable.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. The funds’ portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day a fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of a fund. The

 

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Trust, the Adviser or the sub-adviser will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust, except information may be made available prior to its public availability: (i) to a party for a legitimate business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the funds, including: (a) a service provider, (b) the stock exchanges upon which a fund is listed, (c) the NSCC, (d) the Depository Trust Company, and (e) financial data/research companies such as Morningstar, Bloomberg L.P., and Reuters, or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory purpose, upon waiver or exception, with the consent of an applicable Trust officer.

Management of the Trust

Board Members and Officers

The members of the Board (“Board Members”) and executive officers of the Trust are listed below.

Interested Board Member means a board member who may be deemed an “interested person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust because of his current or former service with TAM or an affiliate of TAM. Interested Board Members may also be referred to herein as “Interested Trustees.” Independent Board Member means a Board Member who is not an “interested person” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and may also be referred to herein as an “Independent Trustee.”

The Board governs each fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of the shareholders. The Board Members are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the business affairs of each fund and the operation of each fund by its officers. The Board also reviews the management of each fund’s assets by the Investment Manager and the sub-adviser.

The funds are among the funds managed and sponsored by TAM (collectively, “Transamerica Mutual Funds”). The Transamerica Mutual Funds consist of Transamerica Funds (“TF”), Transamerica Series Trust (“TST”), Transamerica Partners Funds Group (“TPFG”), Transamerica Partners Funds Group II (“TPFG II”), Transamerica Partners Portfolios (“TPP”), Transamerica Asset Allocation Variable Funds (“TAAVF”) and Transamerica ETF Trust (“TET”) and consists of [            ] funds as of the date of this SAI.

The mailing address of each Board Member is [c/o Secretary, 1801 California Street, Suite 5200, Denver, Colorado 80202].

The Board Members, their age, their positions with the Trust, and their principal occupations for the past five years (their titles may have varied during that period), the number of funds in Transamerica Mutual Funds the Board oversees, and other board memberships they hold are set forth in the table below. The length of time served is provided from the date a Board Member became a member of the Board.

 

Name and Age

  

Position(s)

Held with

Trust

  

Term of

Office and

Length

of Time

Served*

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Number of

Funds in

Complex

Overseen

by Board

Member

  

Other

Directorships Held

By Board Member

INTERESTED BOARD MEMBERS

Marijn P. Smit

(43)

   Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer    Since 2014   

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, TF, TST, TPP, TPFG, TPFG II and TAAVF (2014 – present);

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Transamerica Income Shares, Inc. (“TIS”) (2014 – 2015);

Director, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. (“TAM”) and Transamerica Fund Services, Inc. (“TFS”) (2014 – present);

President, Investment Solutions, Transamerica Investments & Retirement (2014 – 2016);

Vice President, Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company (2010 – 2016);

Vice President, Transamerica Life Insurance Company (2010 – present);

Senior Vice President, Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company (2013 – 2016);

Senior Vice President, Transamerica Retirement Advisors, Inc. (2013 – 2016);

Senior Vice President, Transamerica Retirement Solutions Corporation (2012 – present); and

President and Director, Transamerica Stable Value Solutions, Inc. (2010 – 2016).

   [    ]    Director, Massachusetts Fidelity Trust Company (2014 - present); Director, Aegon Global Funds (since 2016)
              
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS
              
              

 

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Name and Age

  

Position(s)

Held with

Trust

  

Term of

Office and

Length

of Time

Served*

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Number of

Funds in

Complex

Overseen

by Board

Member

  

Other

Directorships Held

By Board Member

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS—continued
              
              
              
              
              

 

* Each Board Member shall hold office until: 1) his or her successor is elected and qualified or 2) he or she resigns, retires or his or her term as a Board Member is terminated in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.

Officers

The mailing address of each officer is [c/o Secretary, 1801 California Street, Suite 5200, Denver, CO 80202]. The following table shows information about the officers, including their year of birth, their positions held with the Trust and their principal occupations during the past five years (their titles may have varied during that period). Each officer will hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected or appointed or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

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Name and Age

  

Position

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served*

  

Principal Occupation(s) or Employment

During Past Five Years

Marijn P. Smit

(43)

   Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer    Since 2014    See Table Above.
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

Name and Age

  

Position

  

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served*

  

Principal Occupation(s) or Employment

During Past Five Years

        
        
        

 

* Elected and serves at the pleasure of the Board of the Trust.

If an officer has held offices for different funds for different periods of time, the earliest applicable date is shown. No officer of the Trust, except for the Chief Compliance Officer, receives any compensation from the Trust.

[The Board believes that each Board Member’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Board Members lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite skills and attributes. The Board believes that the Board Members’ ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with TAM, the sub-adviser, other services providers, counsel and independent auditors, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, support this conclusion. The Board also has considered the following experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, among others, of its members in reaching its conclusion: his or her character and integrity; such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Board Member; the fact that such person’s service would be consistent with the requirements of the retirement policies of the Trust; as to each Board Member other than Mr. Smit and [            ], his or her status as not being an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act; as to Mr. Smit, his status as a representative of TAM; and, [as to [            ], his/her former service in various executive positions for certain affiliates of TAM]. In addition, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills apply as to each Board Member: [TO BE COMPLETED]; and Mr. Smit, investment management and insurance experience as an executive and leadership roles with TAM and affiliated entities. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Board Members are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Board Member as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.]

 

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The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the funds. Mr. Smit serves as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Smit is an interested person of the funds. [Independent Board Members constitute more than 75% of the Board.]

The Board currently believes that an interested Chairman is appropriate and is in the best interests of the funds and their shareholders, and that its committees, as further described below, help ensure that the funds have effective and independent governance and oversight. The Board believes that an interested Chairman has a professional interest in the quality of the services provided to the funds and that the Chairman is best equipped to provide oversight of such services on a day-to-day basis because of TAM’s sponsorship of the funds and TAM’s ongoing monitoring of the investment sub-adviser that manages the assets of each fund. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Board Members from management. The Independent Board Members also believe that they can effectively act independently without having an Independent Board Members act as Chairman. Among other reasons, this belief is based on the fact that [the Independent Board Members represent over 75% of the Board].

Board Committees

The Board has two standing committees: the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee. Both the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee are chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of all of the Independent Board Members. In addition, the Board has a Lead Independent Board Member.

The Lead Independent Board Member and the chairs of the Audit and Nominating Committees work with the Chairman to set the agendas for Board and committee meetings. The Lead Independent Board Member also serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the Independent Board Members. Through the funds’ board committees, the Independent Board Members consider and address important matters involving the funds, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest for management, and they believe they can act independently and effectively. The Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate and facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Board Members from management.

The Audit Committee, among other things, oversees the accounting and reporting policies and practices and internal controls of the Trust, oversees the quality and integrity of the financial statements of the Trust, approves, prior to appointment, the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, reviews and evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance, and approves the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee also approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to each fund by the independent registered public accounting firm and all permissible non-audit services provided by each fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to TAM and any affiliated service providers if the engagement relates directly to each fund’s operations and financial reporting.

The Nominating Committee is a forum for identifying, considering, selecting and nominating, or recommending for nomination by the Board, candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. The Nominating Committee may consider diversity in identifying potential candidates, including differences of viewpoint, professional experience and skill, as well as such other individual qualities and attributes as it may deem relevant. The Nominating Committee has not adopted a formal procedure for the implementation, or for assessing the effectiveness, of its policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying potential candidates.

When addressing vacancies, the Nominating Committee sets any necessary standards or qualifications for service on the Board and may consider nominees recommended by any source it deems appropriate, including management and shareholders. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Trust’s Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Board Members. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders. The Nominating Committee will consider all submissions meeting the applicable requirements stated herein that are received by December 31 of the most recently completed calendar year.

The Nominating Committee also identifies potential nominees through its network of contacts and may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm. The committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates’ qualifications and then chooses a candidate by majority vote. The committee does not have specific, minimum qualifications for nominees, nor has it established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Board Members to possess (other than any qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law, regulation or listing standard). The committee has, however, established (and reviews from time to time as it deems appropriate) certain desired qualities and qualifications for nominees, including certain personal attributes and certain skills and experience.

Risk Oversight

Through its oversight of the management and operations of the funds, the Board also has a risk oversight function, which includes (without limitation) the following: (i) requesting and reviewing reports on the operations of the funds (such as reports about the performance of the funds); (ii) reviewing compliance reports and approving compliance policies and procedures of the funds and their service providers; (iii) meeting with management to consider areas of risk and to seek assurances that adequate resources are available to address risks; (iv) meeting with service providers, including fund auditors, to review fund activities; and (v) meeting with the Chief Compliance Officer and other officers of the funds and their service providers to receive information about compliance, and risk assessment and management matters. Such oversight is exercised primarily through the Board and its Audit Committee but, on an ad hoc basis, also can be exercised by the Independent Board Members during executive sessions. The Board has emphasized to TAM and the sub-adviser the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.

 

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The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the funds can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the funds’ goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Board Members as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the funds’ investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through TAM, its affiliates, the sub-adviser and other service providers each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the funds’ and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations. In addition, some risks may be beyond the reasonable control of the Board, the funds, TAM, its affiliates, the sub-adviser or other service providers.

In addition, it is important to note that each fund is designed for investors that are prepared to accept investment risk, including the possibility that as yet unforeseen risks may emerge in the future.

Additional Information about the Committees of the Board

Both the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee are composed of all of the Independent Board Members.

Trustee Ownership of Equity Securities

The funds are new and therefore, as of the date of this SAI, no Trustee owned any shares in the funds.

 

Transamerica Mutual Funds

 

Trustee

   Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities
 

Interested Trustees

  

Marijn P. Smit

  
  

 

 

 
  
  

 

 

 

Independent Trustees

  
  
  

 

 

 
  
  

 

 

 
  
  

 

 

 
  
  

 

 

 
  
  

 

 

 
  
  

 

 

 

[As of [            ], none of the Independent Board Members or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of the Investment Manager, sub-adviser or Distributor of the funds, or in a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Manager, sub-adviser or Distributor of the funds.]

Trustee Compensation

[                                 ]

Compensation Table

The funds are new and therefore, as of the date of this SAI, had not provided compensation to the Independent Trustees. The following table illustrates amounts estimated to be paid for the funds’ initial fiscal year. Trustees are not compensated by the funds. Messrs. Smit and [            ] are compensated for their Board service by TAM or an affiliate of TAM.

 

25


Name of Person, Position

  

Aggregate
Compensation from
the Trust

  

Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
Part of Funds
Expenses(a)

  

Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement(a)

  

Total Compensation
from Transamerica
Mutual Funds
(including the Trust)

   [$            ]    N/A    N/A    [$            ]
   [$            ]    N/A    N/A    [$            ]
   [$            ]    N/A    N/A    [$            ]
   [$            ]    N/A    N/A    [$            ]
   [$            ]    N/A    N/A    [$            ]
   [$            ]    N/A    N/A    [$            ]

 

[(a) The Trust has no plan or other arrangement pursuant to which the Trustees receive pension or retirement benefits.]

Shareholder Communication Procedures with the Board of Trustees

The Board of the Trust has adopted these procedures by which shareholders of the Trust may send written communications to the Board. Shareholders may mail written communications to the Board, addressed to the care of the Secretary of the Trust (“Secretary”), as follows:

[Board of Trustees

Transamerica ETF Trust

c/o Secretary

1801 California Street, Suite 5200

Denver, CO 80202]

Each shareholder communication must (i) be in writing and be signed by the shareholder and (ii) identify the underlying series of the Trust to which it relates. The Secretary is responsible for collecting, reviewing and organizing all properly submitted shareholder communications. Usually, with respect to each properly submitted shareholder communication, the Secretary shall either (i) provide a copy of the communication to the Board at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting or (ii) if the Secretary determines that the communication requires more immediate attention, forward the communication to the Board promptly after receipt. The Secretary may, in good faith, determine that a shareholder communication should not be provided to the Board because the communication (i) does not reasonably relate to a series of the Trust or its operation, management, activities, policies, service providers, Board, officers, shareholders or other matters relating to an investment in the Trust, or (ii) is ministerial in nature (such as a request for Trust literature, share data or financial information). These Procedures shall not apply to (i) any communication from an officer or Trustee of the Trust, (ii) any communication from an employee or agent of the Trust, unless such communication is made solely in such employee’s or agent’s capacity as a shareholder, (iii) any shareholder proposal submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) or any communication made in connection with such a proposal, or (iv) any communication that reasonably may be considered to be a complaint regarding the Trust or shareholder services, which complaint shall instead be promptly forwarded to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Trustees are not required to attend the Trust’s shareholder meetings, if any, or to otherwise make themselves available to shareholders for communications, other than pursuant to these Procedures.

Code of Ethics

The Trust, TAM, the sub-adviser and [the distributor] have each adopted a Code of Ethics as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, TAM, the sub-adviser and [the distributor] from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the funds (which may also be held by persons subject to a code of ethics). There can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities.

Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the funds, TAM, the sub-adviser and the distributor each have adopted a code of ethics that permits their personnel to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by a fund. All personnel must place the interests of clients first, must not act upon non-public information, must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions, and are required to fulfill their fiduciary obligations. All personal securities transactions by employees must adhere to the requirements of the codes of ethics and must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict, or the abuse of an employee’s position of trust and responsibility.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The sub-adviser determines how to vote proxies relating to securities held by the funds. The proxy voting policies and procedures of TAM and the sub-adviser are attached hereto as Appendix A.

TAM’s proxy voting policy and procedures address material conflicts of interest that may arise between TAM or its affiliates and the funds by either: (i) providing for voting in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party or the Board; or (ii) obtaining the consent of the Board (or a Board Committee) with full disclosure of the conflict.

The Trust files SEC Form N-PX, with the complete proxy voting records of the funds for the 12 months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. The Form is available without charge: (1) upon request by calling 1-888-233-4339; and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

26


Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

I. Statement of Principle

The funds seek to assure that proxies received by the funds are voted in the best interests of the funds’ stockholders and have accordingly adopted these procedures.

II. Delegation of Proxy Voting/Adoption of Investment Manager and Sub-Adviser Policies

Each fund delegates the authority to vote proxies related to portfolio securities to TAM, as investment manager to each fund, which in turn delegates proxy voting authority for the funds to the sub-adviser. The Board of each fund adopts the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Investment Manager and sub-adviser as the proxy voting policies and procedures (each a “Proxy Voting Policy”) that will be used by each of these respective entities when exercising voting authority on behalf of the fund. These policies and procedures are herein.

III. Annual Review of Proxy Voting Policies of Investment Manager and Sub-Adviser

No less frequently than once each calendar year, the Proxy Voting Administrator will request the sub-adviser to provide a current copy of its Proxy Voting Policy, or certify that there have been no material changes to its Proxy Voting Policy or that all material changes have been previously provided for review, and verify that such Proxy Voting Policy is consistent with those of the funds and Investment Manager. Any inconsistency between the sub-adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy and that of the funds or TAM shall be reconciled by the Proxy Voting Administrator before presentation for approval by the Board.

The Proxy Voting Administrator will provide an electronic copy of each Board approved Proxy Voting Policy to the legal department for inclusion in applicable SEC filings.

IV. Securities on Loan

The Board has authorized TAM, in conjunction with [            ], located at [            ], to lend portfolio securities on behalf of the funds. Securities on loan generally are voted by the borrower of such securities. Should the sub-adviser to the fund wish to exercise its vote for a particular proxy, TAM will immediately contact [            ] and terminate the loan.

Investment Management and Other Services

The Investment Manager

TAM serves as Investment Manager for the funds. The Trust has entered into an Investment Management Agreement (“Management Agreement”), on behalf of each fund with TAM. TAM, located at [1801 California Street, Suite 5200, Denver, CO 80202], provides continuous and regular investment management services to the funds. TAM supervises each respective fund’s investments, conducts its investment program and provides supervisory, compliance and administrative services to each fund.

TAM currently acts as a “manager of managers” and hires sub-advisers to furnish day-to-day investment advice and recommendations. TAM may, in the future, determine to provide all aspects of the day-to-day management of any such fund without the use of the sub-adviser. When acting as a manager of managers, TAM provides investment management services that include, without limitation, the design and development of each fund and its investment strategy and the ongoing review and evaluation of that investment strategy including recommending changes in strategy where it believes appropriate or advisable; the selection of one or more sub-advisers for each fund employing a combination of quantitative and qualitative screens, research, analysis and due diligence; negotiation of sub-advisory agreements and fees; oversight and monitoring of sub-advisers and recommending changes to sub-advisers where it believes appropriate or advisable; recommending fund combinations and liquidations where it believes appropriate or advisable; selection and oversight of transition managers, as needed; regular supervision of the funds’ investments; regular review and evaluation of sub-adviser performance; daily monitoring of the sub-advisers’ buying and selling of securities for the funds; regular review of holdings; ongoing trade oversight and analysis; regular monitoring to ensure adherence to investment process; regular calls and periodic on-site visits with sub-advisers; portfolio construction and asset allocation when using multiple sub-advisers for a fund; risk management oversight and analysis; oversight of negotiation of investment documentation and agreements; design, development, implementation and regular monitoring of the valuation process; periodic due diligence reviews of pricing vendors and vendor methodology; design, development, implementation and regular monitoring of the compliance process; respond to regulatory inquiries and determine appropriate litigation strategy, as needed; review of proxies voted by sub-advisers; oversight of preparation, and review, of materials for meetings of the funds’ Board, participation in these meetings and preparation of regular communications with the Board; oversight of preparation, and review, of prospectuses, shareholder reports and other disclosure materials and regulatory filings for the funds; oversight of other service providers to the funds, such as the custodian, the transfer agent, the funds’ independent accounting firm and legal counsel; supervision of the performance of recordkeeping and shareholder relations functions for the funds; and oversight of cash management services. TAM uses a variety of quantitative and qualitative tools to carry out its investment management services.

[TAM’s investment management services also include the provision of supervisory and administrative services to each fund. These services include performing certain administrative services for the funds and supervising and overseeing the administrative, clerical, recordkeeping and bookkeeping services provided to the funds by [            ] (“[            ]”), to whom TAM has outsourced the provision of certain services as described below; to the extent agreed upon by TAM and the funds from time to time, monitoring and verifying the custodian’s daily calculation of net asset values; shareholder relations functions; compliance services; valuation services; assisting in due diligence and in oversight and monitoring of certain activities of sub-advisers and certain aspects of fund investments; assisting with fund combinations and liquidations; oversight of the preparation and filing, and

 

27


review, of all returns and reports, in connection with federal, state and local taxes; oversight and review of regulatory reporting; supervising and coordinating the funds’ custodian and dividend disbursing agent and monitoring their services to the funds; assisting the funds in preparing reports to shareholders; acting as liaison with the funds’ independent public accountants and providing, upon request, analyses, fiscal year summaries and other audit related services; assisting in the preparation of agendas and supporting documents for and minutes of meetings of Trustees and committees of Trustees; assisting in the preparation of regular communications with the Trustees; and providing personnel and office space, telephones and other office equipment as necessary in order for TAM to perform supervisory and administrative services to the funds.]

TAM is directly owned by Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company (77%) (“TPLIC”) and AUSA Holding, LLC (23%) (“AUSA”), both of which are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Aegon N.V. TPLIC is owned by Commonwealth General Corporation (“Commonwealth”). Commonwealth and AUSA are wholly owned by Transamerica Corporation, a financial services holding company whose primary emphasis is on life and health insurance, and annuity and investment products. Transamerica Corporation is owned by The Aegon Trust, which is owned by Aegon International B.V., which is owned by Aegon N.V., a Netherlands corporation, and a publicly traded international insurance group.

Management Agreement

TAM has agreed, under each fund’s Management Agreement, to regularly provide the fund with investment management services, including management, supervision and investment research and advice, and to furnish a continuous investment program for the fund’s portfolio of securities and other investments consistent with the fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, as stated in the fund’s prospectus and SAI. TAM also provides supervisory and administrative services to each fund, as well as services incidental to the foregoing services. TAM is permitted to enter into contracts with sub-advisers, subject to the Board’s approval. TAM has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with the sub-adviser, as described below.

As compensation for services performed, each fund pays TAM a fee computed daily at an annual rate of the fund’s average daily net assets as described below. From time to time, TAM may waive all or a portion of its fee. TAM pays all expenses of each fund other than the management fee, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustee’s counsel fees), acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

The Management Agreement for a fund will terminate, unless sooner terminated as set forth therein, two years from its effective date, and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, if continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Board Members who are not parties thereto or interested persons of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval of the terms of renewal, and by (ii) either the Board or the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that fund.

Each Management Agreement provides that TAM may render services to others. Under each fund’s Management Agreement, TAM assumes no responsibility other than to render the services called for by the Management Agreement in good faith, and TAM and its affiliates will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions for the fund or in the performance of its other services thereunder. TAM and its affiliates are not protected, however, against any liability to a fund to which TAM or an affiliate would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement.

Each Management Agreement provides that it may be terminated with respect to any fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to TAM, or by TAM upon 60 days’ written notice to the fund. A fund may effect termination by action of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, accompanied by appropriate notice. The Management Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

TAM has outsourced the provision of certain specific administrative services to [            ]. [            ] performs back office services to support TAM, including furnishing financial and performance information about the funds for inclusion in regulatory filings and Trustee and shareholder reports; preparing drafts of regulatory filings, Trustee materials, tax returns, and reports and budgets; tax testing; and maintaining books and records. [            ]’s address is [            ].

Investment Manager Compensation

TAM receives compensation calculated daily and paid monthly from the funds, at the annual rates indicated below. TAM pays the sub-adviser its sub-advisory fees out of its management fees.

 

Fund Name

   Percentage of Average
Daily Net Assets
 

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF

     XX

DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF

     XX

TAM and the Trust entered into a Management Agreement with respect to each fund effective [            ]. The advisory fees each fund expects to pay, as a percentage of the fund’s average daily net assets, are included in the funds’ prospectus.

The funds are new and therefore did not pay advisory fees for the last three fiscal years.

 

28


As of [            ], [            ] entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with the Trust to provide administrative services to the funds. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, [            ] shall receive fees for the services, [calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of each fund of XX%.]

Conflicts of Interest

TAM and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and personnel (collectively, for purposes of this section, “Transamerica”), including the entities and personnel who may be involved in the management, operations or distribution of the funds are engaged in a variety of businesses and have interests other than that of managing the funds. The broad range of activities and interests of Transamerica gives rise to actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest that could affect the funds and their shareholders.

Transamerica manages or advises other funds and products in addition to the funds (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). In some cases Transamerica oversees sub-advisers who provide day-to-day investment advice and recommendations with respect to the Other Accounts, and in other cases Transamerica itself performs the day-to-day management. Certain Other Accounts have investment objectives similar to those of the funds and/or engage in transactions in the same types of securities and instruments as the funds. Such transactions could affect the prices and availability of the securities and instruments in which a fund invests, and could have an adverse impact on the fund’s performance. Other Accounts may buy or sell positions while the funds are undertaking the same or a differing, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could disadvantage the funds. A position taken by Transamerica, on behalf of one or more Other Accounts, may be contrary to a position taken on behalf of a fund or may be adverse to a company or issuer in which the fund has invested.

The results of the investment activities of the funds may differ significantly from the results achieved for Other Accounts. Transamerica may give advice, and take action, with respect to any current or future Other Accounts that may compete or conflict with advice TAM may give to, or actions TAM may take for, the funds. Transamerica may receive more compensation with respect to certain Other Accounts than that received with respect to the funds or may receive compensation based on the performance of certain Other Accounts. Transamerica personnel may have greater economic and other interests in certain Other Accounts promoted or managed by such personnel as compared to the funds.

Transamerica and other financial service providers have conflicts associated with their promotion of the funds or other dealings with the funds that would create incentives for them to promote the funds. Transamerica may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the funds or their shareholders. Transamerica will also benefit from increased amounts of assets under management. This differential in compensation may create a financial incentive on the part of Transamerica to recommend the funds over other accounts or products or to effect transactions differently in the funds as compared to other accounts or products. Transamerica has an interest in increasing fund assets, including in circumstances when that may not be in the funds’ or their shareholders’ interests.

Transamerica and/or the funds’ sub-adviser (or their affiliates), out of their past profits and other available sources, provide cash payments or non-cash compensation to brokers and other financial intermediaries to promote the distribution of the funds and Other Accounts or the variable insurance contracts that invest in certain Other Accounts. These arrangements are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” arrangements. The amount of revenue sharing payments is substantial and may be substantial to any given recipient. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend the funds or Other Accounts, at least in part, based on the level of compensation paid. Revenue sharing payments benefit Transamerica to the extent the payments result in more assets being invested in the funds and Other Accounts on which fees are being charged.

Certain Other Accounts are offered as investment options through variable insurance contracts offered and sold by Transamerica insurance companies. TAM also acts as an investment manager with respect to an asset allocation program offered for use in certain variable insurance contracts issued by Transamerica insurance companies. The performance of the Other Accounts and/or asset allocation models may impact Transamerica’s financial exposure under guarantees that the Transamerica insurance companies provide as issuers of the variable insurance contracts. TAM’s investment decisions and the design of the Other Accounts may be influenced by these factors. For example, the Other Accounts or the models being managed or designed in a more conservative fashion may help reduce potential losses and/or mitigate financial risks to the Transamerica insurance companies that provide the guarantees, and facilitate the provision of those guaranteed benefits, including by making more predictable the costs of the guarantees and by reducing the capital needed to provide them. In addition, certain asset allocation models may include Other Accounts as investment options, and Transamerica will receive more revenue if TAM selects such Other Accounts to be included in the models.

TAM serves as investment manager to and is responsible for the day-to-day investment advice and management of certain Other Accounts which operate as fund of funds that invest in affiliated underlying Other Accounts, and TAM is subject to conflicts of interest in allocating the fund of funds’ assets among the underlying Other Accounts. TAM will receive more revenue when it selects an affiliated fund rather than an unaffiliated fund for inclusion in a fund of funds. This conflict may provide an incentive for TAM to include affiliated funds as investment options for funds of funds and to cause investments by funds of funds in affiliated funds that perform less well than unaffiliated funds. The inclusion of affiliated funds will also permit TAM and/or the sub-adviser to make increased revenue sharing payments, including to Transamerica. TAM may have an incentive to allocate the fund of funds’ assets to those underlying Other Accounts for which the net management fees payable to TAM are higher than the fees payable by other underlying Other Accounts or to those underlying Other Accounts for which an affiliate of TAM serves as the sub-adviser.

 

29


TAM may have a financial incentive to implement certain changes to the funds or Other Accounts. TAM may, from time to time, recommend a change in sub-adviser or a fund combination. Transamerica will benefit to the extent that an affiliated sub-adviser replaces an unaffiliated sub-adviser or additional assets are combined into a fund or Other Account having a higher net management fee payable to TAM and/or that is sub-advised by an affiliate of TAM. TAM will also benefit to the extent that it replaces the sub-adviser with a new sub-adviser with a lower sub-advisory fee. Any recommendation to the Board concerning the appointment of or continued service of an affiliated sub-adviser for a fund, or a fund combination, is subject to TAM’s fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of a fund and its shareholders. Moreover, TAM’s “manager of managers” exemptive order from the SEC requires fund shareholder approval of any sub-advisory agreement appointing an affiliated sub-adviser as the sub-adviser to a fund (in the case of a new fund, the initial sole shareholder of the fund, typically an affiliate of Transamerica, may provide this approval).

The aggregation of assets of multiple funds or Other Accounts for purposes of calculating breakpoints in management or sub-advisory fees, as applicable, may give rise to actual, potential and/or perceived conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the funds and their shareholders. Such aggregation of assets may create incentives for TAM to select sub-advisers where the selection may serve to lower a sub-advisory fee and possibly increase the management fee retained by TAM or may provide a disincentive for TAM to recommend the termination of the sub-adviser from a fund if the termination may cause the sub-advisory fee payable by TAM to increase on a fund or Other Account that aggregates its assets with the fund. TAM is a fiduciary for shareholders in the funds and must act in their best interests. As a fiduciary, TAM must put the interests of the funds ahead of its own interests (or the interests of its affiliates), and must conduct the affairs of the funds as would prudent and experienced money managers. Any decision by TAM to recommend the hiring, retention or termination of the sub-adviser for a fund to the fund’s Board and, if required, fund shareholders, must serve the interests of shareholders in that fund without taking into account any potential benefit or harm to any other fund or Other Account or Transamerica.

Sub-Adviser

The sub-adviser serves, pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between TAM and the sub-adviser, as sub-adviser to the funds. Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreement, the sub-adviser carries out and effectuates the funds’ investment strategies. Subject to review by TAM and the Board, the sub-adviser is responsible for providing day-to-day investment advice and recommendations for the funds and for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security. The sub-adviser bears all of its expenses in connection with the performance of its services under the sub-advisory agreement such as compensating its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the funds and furnishing them office space.

The sub-advisory agreement will terminate, unless sooner terminated as set forth therein, two years from its effective date, and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, if continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Board Members who are not parties thereto or interested persons of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval of the terms of renewal, and by (ii) either the Board or the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the particular fund.

The sub-adviser may also serve as investment adviser or sub-adviser to other funds and/or private accounts that may have investment objectives identical or similar to those of the funds. Securities may meet the investment objectives of one or all of these funds, the other funds and the private accounts. In such cases, the sub-adviser’s decision to recommend a purchase to one fund or account rather than another is based on a number of factors as set forth in the sub-adviser’s allocation procedures. The determining factors in most cases are the amounts available for investment by each fund or account, the amount of securities of the issuer then outstanding, the value of those securities and the market for them. Another factor considered in the investment recommendations is other investments which each fund or account presently has in a particular industry.

It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one fund or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and the length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in the same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the funds or private accounts served by the sub-adviser seeks to acquire or sell the same security at about the same time, either the price obtained by the funds or the amount of securities that may be purchased or sold by a fund at one time may be adversely affected. On the other hand, if the same securities are bought or sold at the same time by more than one fund or account, the resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions for the funds. In the event more than one fund or account purchases or sells the same security on a given date, the purchase and sale transactions are allocated among the fund(s), the other funds and the private accounts in a manner believed by the sub-adviser to be equitable to each.]

The sub-adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”).

Sub-Advisory Fees

TAM, not the funds, is responsible for paying the sub-adviser for its services, and sub-advisory fees are TAM’s expense. As a matter of administrative convenience, sub-advisory fees may be deducted directly from a fund’s bank account, in which case payment to TAM of the management fee would be net of amounts paid to the applicable sub-adviser. The sub-adviser receives monthly compensation from TAM at the annual rate of a specified percentage of a fund’s average daily net assets set forth in such fund’s sub-advisory agreement.

 

30


Portfolio Manager Information

In addition to managing the assets of each fund, a portfolio manager may have responsibility for managing other client accounts of the applicable adviser or its affiliates. The table below shows, per portfolio manager, the number and asset size of (1) SEC registered investment companies (or series thereof) other than each fund, (2) pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and (3) other accounts (e.g., accounts managed for individuals or organizations) managed by a portfolio manager. Total assets attributed to a portfolio manager in the tables below include total assets of each account managed, although a portfolio manager may only manage a portion of such account’s assets. The tables also show the number of performance based fee accounts, as well as the total assets of the accounts for which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account. This information is provided as of [    ].

 

Portfolio Manager

   Registered Investment
Companies
     Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
     Other Accounts  
   Number      Assets
Managed
     Number      Assets
Managed
     Number      Assets
Managed
 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

                    $                                $                                $           

Louis Ng, FRM

                    $                                $                                $           
Fee Based Accounts
(The number of accounts and the total assets in the accounts managed by each portfolio manager with
respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account.)
 

Blake Graves, CFA, FRM

                    $                                $                                $           

Louis Ng, FRM

                    $                                $                                $           

Conflicts of Interest

[                     ]

Compensation

[                     ]

Ownership of Securities

The funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the fund.

Transfer Agent

[            ] serves as the transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), withholding agent and dividend disbursing agent for each fund. As transfer agent, [            ] maintains an account for each shareholder of a fund and performs other transfer agency functions. [            ] has outsourced the provision of certain transfer agency services to [            ]. As compensation for its services, [            ] shall receive fees, [calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of each fund of XX%.]

Custodian

[            ], located at [            ], serves as the Trust’s custodian (the “Custodian”).

The Custodian, among other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of each fund, receives and delivers all assets for the funds upon purchase and upon sale or maturity, collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the assets of the funds and makes disbursements on behalf of the funds. The Custodian neither determines the funds’ investment policies nor decides which securities the funds will buy or sell. As compensation for its services, [            ] shall receive fees, [calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of each fund of XX%.] The funds may also periodically enter into arrangements with other qualified custodians with respect to certain types of securities or other transactions such as repurchase agreements or derivatives transactions. [The Custodian may also act as the funds’ securities lending agent and in that case would receive a share of the income generated by such activities.]

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

[            ], serves as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Distributor and Distribution Plan

Distributor

Under the Underwriting Agreement, [[            ], located at [            ]], is appointed as principal underwriter and distributor in connection with the offering and sale of shares of each fund (the “Principal Underwriter” or “Distributor”). [[            ] is an affiliate of TAM.] Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below under “Purchase and Redemption of

 

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Creation Units.” Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust. The Distributor may assist Authorized Participants (as defined below) in assembling shares to purchase Creation Units or upon redemption, for which it may receive commissions or other fees from such Authorized Participants.

The Underwriting Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to a fund if approved (a) by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the fund’s outstanding voting securities, and (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any party by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.

The Underwriting Agreement is terminable with respect to any fund without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, or by [            ], on not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other party (unless the notice period is waived by mutual consent). The Underwriting Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit aggregations of Fund Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in the “Book Entry Only System” section below) and/or DTC Participants (as defined below).

Distribution Plan

Each fund has adopted a Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Plan (a “Plan”) pursuant to which payments of up to [0.25% ] may be made. No payments pursuant to the Plan will be made during the next twelve (12) months of operation. Under its terms, the Plan remains in effect from year to year, provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of the Board, including a majority of the “Independent Trustees” (Trustees who are not interested persons of the funds (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreement related to the Plan). The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services provided by the Distributor without approval by the shareholders of the relevant fund to which the Plan applies, and all material amendments of the Plan also require Board approval (as described above). The Plan may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a fund (as such vote is defined in the 1940 Act). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor will provide the Board with periodic reports of any amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.

Book Entry Only System

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Additional Purchase And Sale Information.”

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Fund Shares. Shares of each fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstance provided below, certificates will not be issued for Fund Shares.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of Fund Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Fund Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Fund Shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Fund Shares held by each DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Fund Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number

 

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and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant and/or third party service a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Fund Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Fund Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Fund Shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Fund Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Fund Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to Fund Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Fund Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.

Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

Each fund issues and redeems its fund shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in a large specified number of fund shares called a “Creation Unit,” either principally in-kind for securities included in the relevant Index or in cash for the value of such securities. The value of each fund is determined once each business day, as described under “Net Asset Value Determination.” The Creation Unit size for a Fund may change. Authorized Participants (as defined below) will be notified of such change.

PURCHASE (CREATION). The Trust issues and sells fund shares of each fund only: in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Principal Underwriter, without a sales load (but subject to transaction fees), at their NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day (as defined below), in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). A “Business Day” with respect to a Fund is, generally, any day on which the NYSE is open for business.

FUND DEPOSIT. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of a fund generally consists of either (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) per each Creation Unit, constituting a substantial replication, or a portfolio sampling representation, of the securities included in the relevant fund’s index and the Cash Component (defined below), computed as described below or (ii) the cash value of the Deposit Securities (“Deposit Cash”) and “Cash Component,” computed as described below. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for cash, a fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.

Together, the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of any fund. The “Cash Component,” which may include a Dividend Equivalent Payment, is an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the fund shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. The “Dividend Equivalent Payment” enables a fund to make a complete distribution of dividends on the day preceding the next dividend payment date, and is an amount equal, on a per Creation Unit basis, to the dividends on all the portfolio securities of the fund (“Dividend Securities”) with ex-dividend dates within the accumulation period for such distribution (the “Accumulation Period”), net of expenses and liabilities for such period, as if all of the Dividend Securities had been held by the fund for the entire Accumulation Period. The Accumulation Period begins on the ex-dividend date for each fund and ends on the day preceding the next ex-dividend date. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, if applicable, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).

 

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The Custodian, through NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a fund. Such Fund Deposit is subject to any applicable adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of a fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for a Fund Deposit for each fund changes as rebalancing adjustments, interest payments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the fund. Information regarding the Fund Deposit necessary for the purchase of a Creation Unit is made available to Authorized Participants and other market participants seeking to transact in Creation Unit aggregations. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of a fund’s index.

As noted above, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Security, which shall be added to the Cash Component, including, without limitation, in situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery; (ii) may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities or the Federal Reserve System for U.S. Treasury securities; (iii) may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws; or (v) in certain other situations (collectively, “non-standard orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to: (i) permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash; and (ii) include or remove Deposit Securities from the basket in anticipation of index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to TAM on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the subject index being tracked by the relevant fund or resulting from certain corporate actions.

PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CREATION UNITS. To be eligible to place orders with the Principal Underwriter, as facilitated via the Transfer Agent, to purchase a Creation Unit of a fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party”, i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a [DTC Participant (see “BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM”)]. In addition, each Participating Party or [DTC Participant] (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Principal Underwriter and the Transfer Agent, and that has been accepted by the Trust, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement, on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation transaction fee (described below) and any other applicable fees, taxes and additional variable charge.

All orders to purchase fund shares directly from a fund, including non-standard orders, must be placed for one or more Creation Units and in the manner and by the time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement Date.”

An Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, (e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required). Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to purchase fund shares directly from a fund in Creation Units have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.

On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, a fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or markets on which a fund’s investments are primarily traded is closed, the fund will also generally not accept orders on such day(s). Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order form. Those placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.

Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash and U.S. government securities) or through [DTC] (for corporate securities), through a subcustody agent for (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign Deposit Securities, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of such fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Securities. Foreign Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, to the account of a fund or its agents by no later than the Settlement Date. The “Settlement Date” for a fund is generally the third

 

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Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash represented by the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date. If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received in a timely manner by the Settlement Date, the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the fund. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to the applicable cut-off time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions), with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. A creation request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed.

ISSUANCE OF A CREATION UNIT. Except as provided herein, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Principal Underwriter and TAM shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.

In instances where the Trust accepts Deposit Securities for the purchase of a Creation Unit, the Creation Unit may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the net asset value of the fund shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) an additional amount of cash equal to a percentage of the market value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a general non-interest bearing collateral account. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage, as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such Additional Cash Deposit to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for all costs, expenses, dividends, income and taxes associated with missing Deposit Securities, including the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Principal Underwriter plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee as set forth below under “Creation Transaction Fees” will be charged in all cases and an additional variable charge may also be applied. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS OF CREATION UNITS. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted in respect of a fund at its discretion, including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, delivered by the Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the fund shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding fund shares of the fund; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Investment Manager, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and/or the Investment Manager make it for all practical purposes not feasible to process orders for Creation Units. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Principal Underwriter, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Trust or its agents shall communicate to the Authorized Participant its rejection of an order. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation Units.

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

 

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PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS.

Fund shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF A FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM FUND SHARES IN AMOUNTS LESS THAN CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough fund shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such fund shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of fund shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.

With respect to each fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time) on each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of each fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities.

Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit are paid either in-kind or in cash, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of a fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Fund Securities—as announced by the Custodian on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the fund shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee and any applicable additional variable charge as set forth below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the net asset value of the fund shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust’s discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more Fund Securities.

After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant by the Settlement Date. With respect to in-kind redemptions of a fund, the calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value,” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Principal Underwriter by a DTC Participant by the specified time on the Order Placement Date, and the requisite number of fund shares of the fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Custodian on such Order Placement Date. If the requisite number of fund shares of the fund are not delivered by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, the fund will not release the underlying securities for delivery unless collateral is posted in such percentage amount of missing fund shares as set forth in the Participant Agreement (marked to market daily).

With respect to in-kind redemptions of a fund, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, an Authorized Participant must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded (or such other arrangements as allowed by the Trust or its agents), to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within three Business Days of the trade date. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three business days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. The section below entitled “Local Market Holiday Schedules” identifies the instances where more than seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, in respect of the fund, the Trust will make delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in the Local Market Holidays section to be the maximum number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds. If the Authorized Participant has not made appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Fund Securities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.

If it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that a Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Fund Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in net asset value.

 

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

Redemptions of fund shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and each fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the fund shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” (“QIB”) as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive Fund Securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status in order to receive Fund Securities.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to a fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the fund shares of the fund or determination of the NAV of the fund shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

REQUIRED EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS FOR CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL FUNDS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as described in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form, certain funds may require orders to be placed up to one or more Business Days prior to the trade date, as described in the Participant Agreement or the applicable order form, in order to receive the trade date’s net asset value. Orders to purchase fund shares of such funds that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) that the equity markets in the relevant foreign market are closed may not be accepted. Authorized Participants may be notified that the cut-off time for an order may be earlier on a particular Business Day, as described in the Participant Agreement and the applicable order form.

[CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTION FEES. A transaction fee, as set forth in the table below, is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase or redemption of Creation Units, as applicable. Authorized Participants will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee and/or a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, on a given day regardless of the number of Creation Units created or redeemed on that day. A fund may adjust the transaction fee from time to time. An additional charge or a variable charge (discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders and whole or partial cash purchases or redemptions. With respect to creation orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust and with respect to redemption orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may also be charged a fee for such services.

Creation and Redemption Transaction Fees:

 

Fund

   Transaction Fee*,**      Maximum Transaction
Fee*,**
 

DeltaShares S&P 500 Managed Risk ETF

   $ [XX    $ [XX

DeltaShares S&P MidCap 400 Managed Risk ETF

   $ [XX    $ [XX

DeltaShares S&P SmallCap 600 Managed Risk ETF

   $ [XX    $ [XX

DeltaShares S&P International Managed Risk ETF

   $ [XX    $ [XX

DeltaShares S&P Emerging Markets Managed Risk ETF

   $ [XX    $ [XX

 

* [From time to time, a Fund may waive all or a portion of its applicable transaction fee(s). An additional charge of up to three (3) times the standard transaction fee may be charged to the extent a transaction is outside of the clearing process.]
** [In addition to the transaction fees listed above, the Funds may charge an additional variable fee for creations and redemptions in cash to offset brokerage and impact expenses associated with the cash transaction. The variable transaction fee will be calculated based on historical transaction cost data and the Adviser’s view of current market conditions; however, the actual variable fee charged for a given transaction may be lower or higher than the trading expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to that transaction.]

 

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Net Asset Valuation (“NAV”) Determination

When NAV Is Determined

The NAV of all funds is determined on as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, each day the NYSE is open for business. The NAV is not determined on days when the NYSE is closed (generally New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Foreign securities may trade in their primary markets on weekends or other days when a fund does not price its shares (therefore, the value of a fund’s foreign securities may change on days when shareholders will not be able to buy or sell shares of the funds). These securities will be valued pursuant to the funds’ Pricing and Valuation procedures for such securities.

How NAV Is Calculated

The NAV of each fund is calculated by taking the value of its net assets and dividing by the number of shares of the fund that are then outstanding.

The Board has approved procedures to be used to value the funds’ securities for purposes of determining the funds’ NAV. The valuation of the securities of the funds is determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. While the Board has primary responsibility to shareholders for valuation of portfolio securities, the Board has delegated certain valuation functions for the funds to TAM.

In general, securities and other investments (including shares of ETFs) are valued based on market prices at the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Fund securities (including shares of ETFs) listed or traded on domestic securities exchanges or the NASDAQ/NMS, including dollar-denominated foreign securities or ADRs, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. With respect to securities traded on the NASDAQ/NMS, such closing price may be the last reported sale price or the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, then the value should be determined with reference to the last sale price, or the NOCP, if applicable, on any other exchange or system. If there have been no sales for that day on any exchange or system, a security is valued at the closing bid quotes on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, or at the NOCP, if applicable. Foreign securities traded on U.S. exchanges are generally priced using last sale price regardless of trading activity. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the last bid price. The market price for debt obligations is generally the price supplied by an independent third party pricing service, which may use market prices or quotations or a variety of fair value techniques and methodologies. Short-term debt obligations that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s fair value. The prices that the fund uses may differ from the amounts that would be realized if the investments were sold and the differences could be significant, particularly for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. Foreign securities generally are valued based on quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, and are converted from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Market quotations for securities prices may be obtained from automated pricing services. ETF shares are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price on the exchange on which they are traded.

When a market quotation for a security is not readily available (which may include closing prices deemed to be unreliable because of the occurrence of a subsequent event), a valuation committee appointed by the Board may, in good faith, establish a value for the security in accordance with fair valuation procedures adopted by the Board. The Board reviews all fair value determinations typically at its regularly scheduled meetings. The types of securities for which such fair value pricing may be required include, but are not limited to: foreign securities, where a significant event occurs after the close of the foreign market on which such security principally trades that is likely to have changed the value of such security, or the closing value is otherwise deemed unreliable; securities of an issuer that has entered into a restructuring; securities whose trading has been halted or suspended; fixed-income securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market value quotation; and securities that are restricted as to transfer or resale. The funds use a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to price foreign equity securities on days when there is a certain percentage change in the value of a domestic equity security index, as such percentage may be determined by TAM from time to time.

Valuing securities in accordance with fair value procedures involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities based on readily available market quotations. The valuation committee makes fair value determinations in good faith in accordance with the funds’ valuation procedures. Fair value determinations can also involve reliance on quantitative models employed by a fair value pricing service. There can be no assurance that a fund could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the fund determines its NAV.

Brokerage

Subject to policies established by the Board and TAM, the sub-adviser is responsible for placement of the funds’ securities transactions. In placing orders, it is the policy of a fund to seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions as described below. In seeking the most favorable price and execution, TAM or the sub-adviser, as applicable, having in mind the fund’s best interests, considers all factors it deems relevant, including: the size of the transaction; the nature of the market for the security; the amount of the commission; the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends; the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker-dealer in that or other transactions; trade confidentiality including anonymity; and research products and services provided, which include: (i) furnishing advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the advisability of purchasing or selling specific securities and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and (ii) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends and portfolio strategy and products and other services (such as third party publications, reports and analyses, and computer and electronic access, equipment, software, information and accessories) that assist the sub-adviser in carrying out its responsibilities

 

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Decisions as to the selection of broker-dealers and the assignment of fund brokerage business for a fund and negotiation of its commission rates are made by TAM or the sub-adviser, as applicable, whose policy is to seek to obtain “best execution” (prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable security price) of all fund transactions. In doing so, a fund may pay higher commission rates than the lowest available when its sub-adviser believes it is reasonable to do so in light of the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker effecting the transaction, as discussed below.

There is generally no stated commission in the case of fixed-income securities and other securities traded on a principal basis in the over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by a fund usually includes an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up. In underwritten offerings, the price paid by a fund includes a disclosed, fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges and other agency transactions involve the payment by a fund of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different brokers. Also, a particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction. Transactions in foreign securities generally involve the payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which are generally higher than those in the U.S.

It has for many years been a common practice in the investment advisory business for advisers of investment companies and other institutional investors to receive research and brokerage products and services (together, “services”) from broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for the clients of such advisers. Consistent with this practice, the sub-adviser may receive services from many broker-dealers with which the sub-adviser places the fund’s portfolio transactions. These services, which in some cases may also be purchased for cash, may include, among other things, such items as general economic and security market reviews, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities, recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities, and services related to the execution of securities transactions. The services obtained through brokers or dealers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the sub-adviser. The expenses of the sub-adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. The sub-adviser may use such services in servicing other accounts in addition to the respective fund. Conversely, services provided to the sub-adviser by broker-dealers in connection with trades executed on behalf of other clients of the sub-adviser may be useful to the sub-adviser in managing the fund, although not all of these services may be necessarily useful and of value to the sub-adviser in managing such other clients. The receipt of such services enables the sub-adviser to avoid the additional expenses that might otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.

In reliance on the “safe harbor” provided by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act and the SEC’s interpretive guidance thereunder, the sub-adviser may cause a fund to pay a broker-dealer that provides “brokerage and research services” (as defined for purposes of Section 28(e)) to the sub-adviser an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for the fund in excess of the commission that another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the sub-adviser determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer. If the sub-adviser determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, such that it also serves functions that do not assist in the investment decision-making process, the sub-adviser will allocate the costs of such service or product accordingly. The portion of the product or service that the sub-adviser determines will assist it in the investment decision-making process may be paid for in brokerage commission dollars. Such allocation may create a conflict of interest for the sub-adviser. Conversely, such supplemental information obtained by the placement of business for the sub-adviser will be considered by and may be useful to the sub-adviser in carrying out its obligations to a fund.

The sub-adviser may place transactions for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities with affiliates of TAM or the sub-adviser. The sub-adviser may place transactions with a broker-dealer that is an affiliate of TAM or the sub-adviser where, in the judgment of the sub-adviser, such firm will be able to obtain a price and execution at least as favorable as other qualified broker-dealers. Pursuant to rules of the SEC, a broker-dealer that is an affiliate of TAM or the sub-adviser may receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the fund on a securities exchange if the commissions paid to such an affiliated broker-dealer by the fund do not exceed “usual and customary brokerage commissions.” The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts that are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.”

The sub-adviser, to the extent consistent with the best execution and with TAM’s usual commission rate policies and practices, may place security transactions with broker/dealers with which the Trust has established a Commission Recapture Program. A Commission Recapture Program is any arrangement under which a broker/dealer applies a portion of the commissions received by such broker/dealer on the security transactions to the funds. In no event will commissions paid by a fund be used to pay expenses that would otherwise be borne by any other fund in the Trust, or by any other party. These commissions are not used for promoting or selling fund shares or otherwise related to the distribution of fund shares.

Securities held by a fund may also be held by other separate accounts, mutual funds or other accounts for which TAM or the sub-adviser serves as an adviser, or held by TAM or the sub-adviser for their own accounts. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought by TAM or the sub-adviser for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. If purchases or sales of securities for a fund or other entities for which they act as investment adviser or for their advisory clients arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective entities and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of TAM or the sub-adviser during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.

 

39


On occasions when TAM or the sub-adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a fund as well as other accounts or companies, it may to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, but will not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other accounts or companies in order to obtain favorable execution and lower brokerage commissions. In that event, allocation of the securities purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by TAM or the sub-adviser in the manner it considers to be most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the fund and to such other accounts or companies. In some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtainable for a fund.

The Board of the Trust reviews on a quarterly basis the brokerage placement practices of the sub-adviser on behalf of the funds, and reviews the prices and commissions, if any, paid by the funds to determine if they were reasonable.

Brokerage Commissions Paid

The funds are new and have not engaged in transactions prior to the date of this SAI.

Securities of Regular Broker Dealers

The funds are new and have not engaged in transactions prior to the date of this SAI.

Principal Shareholders and Control Persons

Principal Shareholders

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial owners that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the date of this SAI.

Control Persons

Any shareholder who holds beneficially 25% or more of a fund may be deemed to control the fund until such time as it holds beneficially less than 25% of the outstanding common shares of the fund. Any shareholder controlling a fund may be able to determine the outcome of issues that are submitted to shareholders for vote, and may be able to take action regarding the fund without the consent or approval of the other shareholders.

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial shareholders that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the date of this SAI.

Management Ownership

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore no Trustee or officers as a group owned shares of the funds.

Further Information About the Trust and the Funds

The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust. Delaware law provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, rights and obligations of the Trustees and shareholders of the Trust, while the more specific powers, duties, rights and obligations of the Trustees and the shareholders are determined by the Trustees as set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust (“Declaration”) dated as of [            ], and the Trust’s Bylaws, as may be amended from time to time. Every shareholder, by virtue of purchasing shares and becoming a shareholder, agrees to be bound by the terms of the Declaration. Some of the more significant provisions of the Declaration are described below.

Shareholder Voting. The Declaration provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws but otherwise permits, consistent with Delaware law, actions by the Trustees without seeking the consent of shareholders. A fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, but a fund will call special meetings of shareholders whenever required by the 1940 Act or by the terms of the Declaration. The Declaration provides for “dollar-weighted voting” which means that a shareholder’s voting power is determined, not by the number of shares he or she owns, but by the net asset value, in U.S. dollars, of those shares determined at the close of business on the record date. All shareholders of record of all series of the Trust vote together, except where required by the 1940 Act to vote separately by series, or when the Trustees have determined that a matter affects only the interests of one or more series. There is no cumulative voting on any matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders.

Election and Removal of Trustees. The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish the number of Trustees and that vacancies on the Board may be filled by a vote or consent of the remaining Trustees, except when election of Trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Declaration also provides that a

 

40


mandatory retirement age may be set by action of two-thirds of the Trustees and that any Trustee may be removed by a vote of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting power of the Trust, or by a vote of two-thirds of the remaining Trustees. The provisions of the Declaration relating to the election and removal of Trustees may not be amended without the approval of two-thirds of the Trustees.

Amendments to the Declaration. The Trustees are authorized to amend the Declaration without the vote of shareholders, but no amendment may be made that impairs the exemption from personal liability granted in the Declaration to persons who are or have been shareholders, Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, that limits the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance provided in the Declaration with respect to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance under the Declaration prior to the amendment.

Issuance and Redemption of Shares. A fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the Trustees may determine. All shares offered pursuant to the prospectus of a fund, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the Trustees may determine. A fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the Trustees, including, for example, if the shareholder fails to provide a fund with identification required by law, or if the fund is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder or the shareholder fails to provide the required information. In addition, as discussed below, shares may be redeemed in connection with the closing of small accounts.

Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings. The Declaration specifically requires shareholders, upon demand, to disclose in writing to a fund information with respect to the direct and indirect ownership of shares in order to comply with various laws or regulations, and a fund may disclose such ownership if required by law or regulation, or as the Trustees otherwise decide.

Small Accounts. The Declaration provides that a fund may close out a shareholder’s account by redeeming all of the shares in the account if the account falls below a minimum account size that may be set by the Trustees from time to time. Alternately, the Declaration permits a fund to assess a fee for small accounts and redeem shares in the account to cover such fees.

Shareholder, Trustee and Officer Liability. The Declaration provides that shareholders are not personally liable for the obligations of a fund and requires the fund to indemnify a shareholder against any loss or expense arising from any such liability. A fund will assume the defense of any claim against a shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder.

The Declaration provides that a Trustee acting in his or her capacity as a Trustee is not personally liable to any person, other than the Trust or any series, in connection with the affairs of the Trust. The Declaration also provides that no Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust owes any duty to any person (including without limitation any shareholder), other than the Trust or any series. Each Trustee is required to perform his or her duties in good faith and in a manner he or she believes to be in the best interests of the Trust. All actions and omissions of Trustees are presumed to be in accordance with the foregoing standard of performance, and any person alleging the contrary has the burden of proving that allegation.

The Declaration requires the Trust to indemnify any persons who are or who have been Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and expenses in connection with any claim or proceeding in which he or she is involved by virtue of having been a Trustee, officer or employee. In making any determination as to whether any person is entitled to the advancement of expenses in connection with a claim for which indemnification is sought, such person is entitled to a rebuttable presumption that he or she did not engage in conduct for which indemnification is not available.

The Declaration provides that any Trustee who serves as chair of the Board, a member or chair of a committee of the Board, lead independent Trustee, audit committee financial expert, or in any other similar capacity will not be subject to any greater standard of care or liability because of such position.

Derivative and Direct Actions. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative or direct actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder claims, demands and derivative actions.

Prior to bringing a derivative action, the Declaration requires that a demand by no fewer than three unrelated shareholders must be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. The Trustees are not required to consider a demand that is not submitted in accordance with the requirements contained in the Declaration. The Declaration also requires that, in order to bring a derivative action, the complaining shareholders must be joined in the action by shareholders owning, at the time of the alleged wrongdoing, at the time of demand, and at the time the action is commenced, shares representing at least 5% of the voting power of the affected funds. The Trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by up to an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand (or a committee comprised of some or all of such Trustees), with the assistance of counsel who may be retained by such Trustees on behalf and at the expense of the Trust, determine that a suit should be maintained, then the Trust will commence the suit and the suit will proceed directly and not derivatively. If a majority of the independent Trustees determines that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the funds, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not consistent with the standard of performance required of the Trustees in performing their duties. If a demand is rejected, each complaining shareholder will be responsible, jointly and severally with any and all other complaining shareholders, for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the consideration of the demand, if, in the judgment of the independent Trustees, the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose.

 

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The Declaration provides that no Shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a shareholder of the Trust, or any series thereof, where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust or by the Trust on behalf of a series, unless the shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the shareholders of the Trust, or the series, generally. Under the Declaration, a shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a shareholder of the series with respect to which the direct action is brought at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a shareholder at that time.

If a derivative or direct action is brought in violation of the Declaration, each shareholder who commences or maintains such action will be required. jointly and severally, to reimburse the Trust for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the action if the action is dismissed on the basis of the failure to comply with the Declaration. In addition, if a court determines that any derivative action has been brought without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose, the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the action will be borne, jointly and severally, by each shareholder who commenced the action.

The Declaration further provides that a fund shall be responsible for payment of attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder bring a derivative or direct claim only if required by law, and any attorneys’ fees that the fund is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against the Trust or a fund be brought only in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the New York Supreme Court sitting in New York County with assignment to the Commercial Division to the extent such assignment is permitted under the applicable court rules, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Series. The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish series in addition to those currently established and that the Trustees may determine the rights and preferences, limitations and restrictions, including qualifications for ownership, conversion and exchange features, minimum purchase and account size, expenses and charges, and other features of the series. The Trustees may change any of those features, terminate any series or combine series with other series in the Trust. Each share of a fund, as a series of the Trust, represents an interest in the fund only and not in the assets of any other series of the Trust.

Dividends and Other Distributions

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

General Policies

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are generally declared and paid periodically, as described in the Prospectus, but may vary significantly from period to period. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for a fund to improve index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.

Dividends and other distributions on Fund Shares are distributed, on a pro rata basis to beneficial owners of such Fund Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust.

Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve a Fund’s eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes at the Fund level.

Dividend Reinvestment

Broker dealers, at their own discretion, may offer a dividend reinvestment service under which Fund Shares are purchased in the secondary market at current market prices. Investors should consult their broker dealer for further information regarding any dividend reinvestment service offered by such broker dealer.

Taxes

Each fund has qualified (or expects to qualify in its first year), and expects to continue to qualify, for treatment as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code. In order to qualify for that treatment, a fund must distribute to its shareholders for each taxable year at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction, and 90% of its net exempt-interest income, if any (the “Distribution Requirement”). Each fund must also meet several other requirements. These requirements include

 

42


the following: (1) a fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships; (2) at the close of each quarter of a fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities (limited in respect of any one issuer of such other securities to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (3) at the close of each quarter of a fund’s taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, in securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers that the fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or in securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

If a fund qualifies as a RIC and timely distributes to its shareholders substantially all of its net income and net capital gains, then the fund should have little or no income taxable to it under the Internal Revenue Code. If a fund meets the Distribution Requirement but retains some portion of its taxable income or gains, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amounts retained. A fund may designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the fund on that undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed those liabilities and (iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a fund is permitted to carry forward indefinitely a net capital loss from any taxable year to offset its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the fund and may not be distributed as such to shareholders. Generally, the funds may not carry forward any losses other than net capital losses. Under certain circumstances, a fund may elect to treat certain losses as though they were incurred on the first day of the taxable year immediately following the taxable year in which they were actually incurred.

Assuming a fund has sufficient earnings and profits, its shareholders generally are required to include distributions from the fund (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares) as (1) ordinary income, to the extent the distributions are attributable to the fund’s investment income (except for qualified dividend income as discussed below), net short-term capital gain and certain net realized foreign exchange gains, or (2) capital gains, to the extent of the fund’s net capital gain (i.e., the fund’s net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses).

If a fund fails to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the fund will be subject to U.S. federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains, and distributions to its shareholders (including distributions that would otherwise qualify as capital gain dividends) will constitute dividend income or qualified dividend income to the extent of the fund’s available earnings and profits. Under certain circumstances, a fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, but in order to do so, the fund may incur significant fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets.

Distributions by a fund in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) each shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, and any distributions in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. Distributions that are reinvested in additional shares of a fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if offered by your broker-dealer, will nevertheless be taxable dividends to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash.

U.S. federal income tax law generally taxes noncorporate taxpayers on long-term capital gains and on “qualified dividend income” at rates of up to 20%.

Other distributions, including distributions of earnings from, in general, dividends paid to a fund that are not themselves qualified dividend income to the fund, interest income, other types of ordinary income and short-term capital gains, will generally be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate applicable to the taxpayer.

Qualified dividend income generally means dividend income received from a fund’s investments in common and preferred stock of U.S. companies and stock of certain “qualified foreign corporations,” provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met by both the fund and the shareholder receiving a distribution of the dividend income. If 95% or more of a fund’s gross income (calculated without taking into account net capital gain derived from sales or other dispositions of stock or securities) consists of qualified dividend income, that fund may report all distributions of such income as qualified dividend income.

A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose if it is incorporated in a possession of the U.S. or it is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the U.S. and meets certain additional requirements. Certain foreign corporations that are not otherwise qualified foreign corporations will be treated as qualified foreign corporations with respect to dividends paid by them if the stock with respect to which the dividends are 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.

 

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A dividend that is attributable to qualified dividend income of a fund and that is paid by the fund to a shareholder will not be taxable as qualified dividend income to such shareholder (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of the fund held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share became “ex-dividend” with respect to such dividend, (2) to the extent that the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, or (3) if the shareholder elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest. The “ex-dividend” date is the date on which the owner of the share at the commencement of such date is entitled to receive the next issued dividend payment for such share even if the share is sold by the owner on that date or thereafter.

Certain dividends received by a fund from U.S. corporations (generally, dividends received by the fund in respect of any share of stock (1) with a tax holding period of at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend and (2) that is held in an unleveraged position) and distributed and appropriately reported by the fund may be eligible for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code. Certain preferred stock must have a holding period of at least 91 days during the 181-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend in order to be eligible. Capital gain dividends distributed to a fund from other RICs are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. In order to qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders must meet the minimum holding period requirement stated above with respect to their fund shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from certain hedging or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of loss with respect to their fund shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or otherwise incur debt attributable to fund shares, they may be denied a portion of the dividends-received deduction with respect to those shares. The entire dividend, including the otherwise deductible amount, will be included in determining the excess, if any, of a corporation’s adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, which may increase a corporation’s alternative minimum tax liability. Any corporate shareholder should consult its tax advisor regarding the possibility that its tax basis in its shares may be reduced, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, by reason of “extraordinary dividends” received with respect to the shares and, to the extent such basis would be reduced below zero, current recognition of income may be required.

Any fund distribution will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset value of shares in the fund by the amount of the distribution. Shareholders purchasing shares shortly before the record date of any dividend distribution that is not declared daily may thus pay the full price for the shares then effectively receive a portion of the purchase price back as a taxable distribution.

Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by a fund in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record during such a month, and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared. In addition, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of a fund may be “spilled back” and treated for certain purposes as paid by the relevant fund during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made. For purposes of calculating the amount of a RIC’s undistributed income and gain subject to the 4% excise tax described above, such “spilled back” dividends are treated as paid by the RIC when they are actually paid.

A fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income (for that calendar year) and capital gain net income (for the one-year period generally ending on October 31 of that year), increased or decreased by certain other amounts. Each fund intends to distribute annually a sufficient amount of any taxable income and capital gains so as to avoid liability for this excise tax.

The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates or trusts. For these purposes, dividends, interest and certain capital gains are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder’s net investment income.

If a fund is the holder of record of any stock on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such stock, such dividends will be included in the fund’s gross income not as of the date received, but as of the later of (a) the date such stock became ex-dividend with respect to such dividends or (b) the date the fund acquired such stock. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, a fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.

Sales of fund shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to tax. In general, if shares of a fund are sold, the shareholder will generally recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the shareholder’s adjusted basis in the shares sold. This capital gain or loss may be long-term or short-term, generally depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. For tax purposes, a loss will be disallowed on the sale of shares if the disposed of shares are replaced (including replacement by shares acquired pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of the sale of such shares. Should the replacement of such shares fall within this 61-day period, the basis of the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by the shareholder on its disposition of fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains).

 

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Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units 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 any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, 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 on the grounds that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Any gain or loss realized upon a creation of Creation Units will be treated as capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the securities exchanged therefor as capital assets, and otherwise will be ordinary income or loss. Similarly, any gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units will be treated as capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the shares comprising the Creation Units as capital assets, and otherwise will be ordinary income or loss. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year, and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year, and otherwise, will generally be short-term capital gain or loss. Any capital loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gain with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).

A fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the fund would have a basis in any deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. A fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If a fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the fund, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) may not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of RICs are not excepted. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

The funds may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to their investments in those countries. Any such taxes would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50% of a fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the fund may elect to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund for that taxable year. If at least 50% of a fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of a taxable year consist of interests in other RICs, the fund may make the same election and pass through to its shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by those other RICs and passed through to the fund for that taxable year. If the fund so elects, its shareholders would be required to include the passed-through taxes in their gross incomes (in addition to the dividends and distributions they actually receive), would treat such taxes as foreign taxes paid by them, and as described below may be entitled to a tax deduction for such taxes or a tax credit, subject to a holding period requirement and other limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.

Qualified foreign taxes generally include taxes that would be treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations but do not include most other taxes, such as stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes. If a fund qualifies to make, and makes, the election described above, shareholders may deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund or those other RICs for that taxable year in computing their income subject to U.S. federal income taxation or, alternatively, claim them as credits, subject to applicable limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund or those other RICs, although such shareholders will be required to include their shares of such taxes in gross income if the fund makes the election described above. No deduction for such taxes will be permitted to individuals in computing their alternative minimum tax liability.

 

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If a fund makes this election and a shareholder chooses to take a credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken that the shareholder’s taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder’s entire taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, long-term and short-term capital gains the fund realizes and distributes to shareholders will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources in their hands, nor will distributions of certain foreign currency gains subject to Section 988 of the Internal Revenue Code or of any other income realized by the fund that is deemed, under the Internal Revenue Code, to be U.S.-source income in the hands of the fund. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules, which may have different effects depending upon each shareholder’s particular tax situation, certain shareholders may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by a fund or other RICs in which the fund invests. Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. If a fund does make the election, it will provide required tax information to shareholders. The funds generally may deduct any foreign taxes that are not passed through to their shareholders in computing their income available for distribution to shareholders to satisfy applicable tax distribution requirements. Under certain circumstances, if a fund receives a refund of foreign taxes paid in respect of a prior year, the fund’s shareholders could incur a loss, or any foreign tax credits or deductions passed through to shareholders in respect of the foreign taxes for the current year could be reduced.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies: Certain funds may invest in the stock of “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”). A PFIC is a foreign corporation that, in general, meets either of the following tests: (1) at least 75% of its gross income is derived from passive investments; or (2) at least 50% of its assets (generally computed based on average fair market value) held during the taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Under certain circumstances, a fund will be subject to federal income tax on gain from the disposition of PFIC shares and on certain distributions from a PFIC (collectively, “excess distributions”), plus interest thereon, even if the fund distributes the excess distributions as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. If a fund invests in a PFIC and elects in the first year in which it holds such investment (or if it elects subsequently and makes certain other elections) to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund,” then in lieu of the foregoing tax and interest obligation, the fund will be required to include in income each year its pro rata share of the qualified electing fund’s annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses). This income inclusion is required even if the PFIC does not distribute such income and gains to the fund, and the amounts so included would be subject to the Distribution Requirement described above. Under proposed Treasury regulations, certain income derived by the fund for a taxable year from a PFIC with respect to which the fund has made a qualified electing fund election would generally constitute qualifying RIC income only to the extent the PFIC makes distributions in respect of that income to the fund for that taxable year. In many instances it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make the qualified electing fund election because of certain requirements thereof. In order to distribute any such income and gains and satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, a fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the fund.

A fund may, in the alternative, elect to mark to market its PFIC stock at the end of each taxable year, with the result that unrealized gains are treated as though they were realized as of such date. Any such gains will be ordinary income rather than capital gain. In order for a fund making this election to distribute any such income and gains and satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, the fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the fund. If the mark-to-market election were made, tax at the fund level under the excess distribution rules would be eliminated, but a fund could still incur nondeductible interest charges if it makes the mark-to-market election in a year after the first taxable year in which it acquired the PFIC stock.

Options, Futures and Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements: Certain options, futures contracts, and forward contracts in which a fund may invest may be “Section 1256 contracts.” Gains or losses on Section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses; however, foreign currency gains or losses arising from certain Section 1256 contracts may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Also, Section 1256 contracts held by a fund at the end of each taxable year are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized. In order to distribute any such gains, satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs and avoid taxation, a fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the fund.

Generally, the hedging transactions undertaken by a fund may result in “straddles” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by a fund. In addition, losses realized by a fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which such losses are realized. Because only a few regulations implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences of transactions in options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and other financial contracts to a fund are not entirely clear. The transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.

A fund may make one or more of the elections available under the Internal Revenue Code which are applicable to straddles. If a fund makes any of the elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of the elections may operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.

 

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Because application of the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

Because only a few regulations regarding the treatment of swap agreements, and related caps, floors and collars, have been promulgated, the tax consequences of such transactions are not entirely clear. The funds intend to account for such transactions in a manner deemed by them to be appropriate, but the IRS might not accept such treatment. If it did not, the status of a fund as a RIC might be affected.

The requirements applicable to a fund’s qualification as a RIC may limit the extent to which a fund will be able to engage in transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap agreements and other financial contracts.

Certain hedging activities may cause a dividend that would otherwise be subject to the lower tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income to instead be taxed at the rate of tax applicable to ordinary income.

Original Issue Discount: If a fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the fund generally must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, each fund must distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net tax-exempt income, including any such accrued income, to qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, a fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements. Such a disposition of securities may potentially result in additional taxable gain or loss to a fund.

Constructive Sales: The constructive sale rules may affect timing and character of gain if a fund engages in transactions that reduce or eliminate its risk of loss with respect to appreciated financial positions. If a fund enters into certain transactions in property while holding substantially identical property, the fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and will be taxed on any gain (but not loss) from the constructive sale. The character of any gain from a constructive sale will depend upon the fund’s holding period in the property. Any loss from a constructive sale will be recognized when the property is subsequently disposed of, and the character of such loss will depend on the fund’s holding period and the application of various loss deferral provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Foreign Currency Transactions: Under the Internal Revenue Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time a fund accrues income or expenses denominated in a foreign currency (or determined by reference to the value of one or more foreign currencies) and the time that a fund actually receives or makes payment of such income or expenses, generally are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain futures contracts, forward contracts and options, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition generally are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. Some of the funds have elected, or may elect, to treat this foreign currency income as capital gain or capital loss.

Backup Withholding: Each fund is required to withhold (as “backup withholding”) a portion of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the proceeds of sales and redemptions of fund shares, paid to shareholders who have not complied with certain IRS regulations. The backup withholding rate is 28%. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders, other than certain exempt entities, must certify that the Social Security Number or other Taxpayer Identification Number they provide is correct and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. A fund may nevertheless be required to backup withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or dividend income.

Cost Basis: The cost basis of shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for the shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased your shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders: Dividends from net investment income that are paid to a shareholder who, as to the U.S., is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation or a foreign estate or foreign trust (each, a “foreign shareholder”) may be subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 30% or any lower applicable tax rate established in a treaty between the U.S. and the shareholder’s country of residence. Dividends that are derived from “qualified net interest income” and dividends that are derived from “qualified short-term gain” may be exempt from the 30% withholding tax, provided that the distributing fund chooses to follow certain procedures. A fund may choose to not follow such procedures and there can be no assurance as to the amount, if any, of dividends that would not be subject to withholding. Qualified net interest income is a fund’s net income derived from U.S.-source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. Qualified short-term gain generally means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of a fund for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. The withholding rules described in this paragraph do not apply to a dividend paid to a foreign shareholder if the dividend income is “effectively connected with the shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the U.S.” and the shareholder provides appropriate tax forms and documentation. Backup withholding (described above) will not be imposed on foreign shareholders who are subject to the 30% withholding tax described in this paragraph.

 

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Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold fund shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to fund distributions payable to such entities and, after December 31, 2018, to redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

The treatment of dividends and other distributions by a fund to shareholders under the various state income tax laws may not parallel that under U.S. federal income tax law. Qualification as a RIC does not involve supervision of a fund’s management or of its investment policies and practices by any governmental authority.

Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situations, including any federal, state, local or foreign tax liabilities.

Local Market Holiday Schedule

The Trust generally intends to effect deliveries of portfolio securities on a basis of “T” plus three business days (i.e., days on which the NYSE is open) in the relevant foreign market of a fund. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind redemptions within three business days of receipt of a redemption request is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the request to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are local market holidays on the relevant business days. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the local market that are not holidays observed in the United States, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening local holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within three business days.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with local market holiday schedules, may require a delivery process longer than the standard settlement period. In certain circumstances during the calendar year, the settlement period may be greater than seven calendar days. Such periods are listed in the table below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Since certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year may exceed the maximum number of days listed in the table below. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future and longer (worse) redemption periods are possible.

Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2017 (the only year for which holidays are known at the time of this SAI filing) in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the funds. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:

[                     ]

Redemptions. The longest redemption cycle for a fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries and regions whose securities comprise the fund. In the calendar year 2017 (the only year for which holidays are known at the time of this SAI filing), the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycles* for a fund as follows:

[                     ]

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

Financial Statements

[                     ]

 

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Appendix A – Proxy Voting Policies

[                     ]

 

A-1


TRANSAMERICA ETF TRUST

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Certificate of Trust dated May 5, 2016 of Transamerica ETF Trust (the “Registrant”) is filed herewith.
(a)(2)   Registrant’s Declaration of Trust dated May 5, 2016 is filed herewith.
(b)   Form of Registrant’s Bylaws is filed herewith.
(c)   Not applicable.
(d)(1)   Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. to be filed by amendment.
(d)(2)   Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC to be filed by amendment.
(e)(1)   Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and [Distributor] to be filed by amendment.
(e)(2)   Form of Authorized Participant Agreement to be filed by amendment.
(f)   Not applicable.
(g)   Custody Agreement between the Registrant and [Custodian] to be filed by amendment.
(h)(1)   Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and [Transfer Agent] to be filed by amendment.
(h)(2)   Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant and [Administrator] to be filed by amendment.
(i)   Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP to be filed by amendment.
(j)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm to be filed by amendment.
(k)   Not applicable.
(l)   Not applicable.
(m)   Distribution and Service Plan to be filed by amendment.
(n)   Not applicable.
(o)   Reserved.
(p)(1)   Code of Ethics of Registrant to be filed by amendment.

 

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(p)(2)   Code of Ethics of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. to be filed by amendment.
(p)(3)   Code of Ethics of Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC to be filed by amendment.
(p)(4)   Code of Ethics of [Distributor] to be filed by amendment.
(q)   Powers of Attorney to be filed by amendment.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Fund

To the knowledge of the Registrant, neither the Registrant nor any Series thereof is controlled by or under common control with any other person. The Registrant has no subsidiaries.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

Provisions relating to indemnification of the Registrant’s Trustees and employees are included in Registrant’s Declaration of Trust and Bylaws which are incorporated herein by reference.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification may be against public policy as expressed in the Act and may be, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant 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, 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.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers

For information regarding Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. (“TAM”), the investment adviser to each Series of the Registrant, see “Management—Investment Manager” in the Prospectus and “Investment Management and Other Services—The Investment Manager” in the Statement of Additional Information. For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of TAM, reference is made to TAM’s current Form ADV filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, incorporated herein by reference (File No. 801-53319; CRD No. 107376).

For information regarding Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC (“Milliman”), the sub-adviser to each Series of the Registrant, see “Management—Sub-Adviser” in the Prospectus and “Investment Management and Other Services—Sub-Adviser” in the Statement of Additional Information. For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of Milliman, reference is made to the current Form ADV filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, incorporated herein by reference (File No. 801-73056; CRD No. 159377).

 

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Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

(a) The Registrant has entered into an Underwriting Agreement with [DISTRIBUTOR] (the “Distributor”), [DISTRIBUTOR ADDRESS], to act as the principal underwriter of the Registrant and each of its Series. In addition to the Registrant, the Distributor currently serves as principal underwriter, depositor or investment adviser for the following investment companies:

[INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY AMENDMENT]

 

(b) The following information is furnished with respect to the directors and officers of the Distributor:

 

Name and Principal Business Address

  

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

  

Positions and

Offices with Fund

[INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY AMENDMENT]

 

(c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained as follows:

 

(a) Shareholder records are maintained by the Registrant’s transfer agent, [TRANSFER AGENT], located at [TRANSFER AGENT ADDRESS].

 

(b) All other accounting records of the Registrant are maintained at the offices of the Registrant at 1801 California Street, Suite 5200, Denver, Colorado 80202 under the physical possession of the officers of the Registrant, or at the offices of the Registrant’s Custodian, [CUSTODIAN], located at [CUSTODIAN ADDRESS].

 

Item 34. Management Services

The Registrant has no management-related service contract that is not discussed in Part A of this form. See “Management—The Investment Manager” in the Prospectus and “Investment Management and Other Services—The Investment Manager” in the Statement of Additional Information for a discussion of the management and advisory services furnished by TAM and “Management—Sub-Adviser” in the Prospectus and “Investment Management and Other Services—Sub-Adviser” in the Statement of Additional Information for a discussion of the management and advisory services furnished by Milliman.

 

Item 35. Undertakings

None.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado, on this 13th day of March, 2017.

 

Transamerica ETF Trust
/s/ Marijn P. Smit
Sole Initial Trustee and President

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

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Marijn P. Smit

Marijn P. Smit

   Sole Initial Trustee and President (chief executive officer)    March 13, 2017

/s/ Vincent J. Toner

Vincent J. Toner

   Treasurer (chief financial officer and controller)    March 13, 2017

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number   Exhibit
(a)(1)   Certificate of Trust dated May 5, 2016 of Transamerica ETF Trust (the “Registrant”).
(a)(2)   Registrant’s Declaration of Trust dated May 5, 2016.
(b)   Form of Registrant’s Bylaws.

 

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