N-1A/A 1 e74592n1a-a.htm FORM N-1A/A

As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2017

 

Securities Act Registration No. 333-215588

Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-23226

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. __

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 x

 

Amendment No. 2

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

ACTIVE WEIGHTING FUNDS ETF TRUST

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Matthew Clements

490 Royal Lake Drive

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Copies to:

 

Kathleen H. Moriarty, Esq. & Gregory E. Xethalis, Esq.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

250 West 55th Street

New York, NY 10019-9710

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

Title of Securities being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest, no par value.

 

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 which specifically states that this 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 Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 
 

 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

 

Preliminary Prospectus

Dated June 21, 2017

Subject to Completion

 

 

PROSPECTUS | [__], 2017

 

ACTIVE WEIGHTING FUNDS ETF TRUST

 

[LOGO]

 

Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is a registered investment company that consists of separate investment portfolios called “Funds.” This Prospectus relates to the following Funds

 

Name CUSIP Symbol
Republican Policies Fund TBD GOP
Democratic Policies Fund TBD DEMS
U.S. Tax Reform Fund TBD TAXR
European Union Breakup Fund TBD EUXT

 

Each Fund is an exchange-traded fund. This means that shares of the Funds are listed on a national securities exchange, the Bats BZX Exchange (“Exchange” or “Bats BZX”) and trade at market prices. The market price for each Fund’s shares may be different from its net asset value per share (the “NAV”). Shares of each Fund are not individually redeemable. Each Fund has its own CUSIP number and exchange trading symbol.

 

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”) NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

 

Not FDIC Insured  | May Lose Value   | No Bank Guarantee

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

REPUBLICAN POLICIES FUND 1
DEMOCRATIC POLICIES FUND 7
U.S. TAX REFORM FUND 13
EUROPEAN UNION BREAKUP FUND 19
OVERVIEW 26
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES OF THE FUNDS 26
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES 28
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS 28
ADDITIONAL RISKS 36
CONTINUOUS OFFERING 38
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS 39
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES IN THE SECONDARY MARKET 40
MANAGEMENT 40
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 42
FREQUENT TRADING 42
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN 42
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) 43
INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE 43
PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION 44
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 44
CODE OF ETHICS 49
FUND WEBSITE AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 49
OTHER INFORMATION 49
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 49
PRIVACY POLICY 50
FREQUENTLY USED TERMS 51

 

 

REPUBLICAN POLICIES FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The Republican Policies Fund’s (the “Fund”) objective is to invest its portfolio in a manner that will seek capital appreciation during periods when the U.S. government is operating pursuant to Republican Policies (as defined below). It does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified 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 (“Shares”). Investors purchasing Shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table set forth below.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):

 

No shareholder fees are levied by the Fund for purchases and sales made on the Secondary Market.

 

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

 

Management Fee [__] %  
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.00 %  
Other Expenses (a) 0.00 %  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [__] %  

_____________

(a) The Fund has not yet commenced operation and Other 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 funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

$ [__] $ [__]

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of any in kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s Shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve its objective by investing, including both long and short positions, in a combination of equity and/or fixed income securities traded in the U.S. or non-U.S. markets, derivatives, currencies, and commodities. The Fund’s portfolio is intended to provide capital appreciation during periods when the U.S. government is operating pursuant to

1 
 

Republican Policies (as defined below). The Fund typically holds securities of a limited number of issuers, generally 30 to 75, and invests in companies with a market capitalization or revenues greater than $250 million USD. The Fund will be subject to active turnover, generally on a quarterly basis, throughout market cycles based on the outlook of Active Weighting Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”), the investment advisor to the Fund.

The Fund invests in securities expected by management to be affected by U.S. government action that reflects Republican Policies. The Advisor defines, based upon its discretionary analysis, the beliefs, party platforms, and executive and legislative priorities of the Republican party leaders and members as “Republican Policies.” At the party level, the Advisor reviews the press releases, agendas, and legislative analysis reports of the Republican National Committee and House and Senate Republican member groups, including but not limited to the Republican Study Committee and Senate Republican Conference. At the individual member level, the Advisor defines Republican party leaders as the high-ranking officials in both the House and Senate, regardless of whether the party is in the majority or minority. The Advisor also reviews, as applicable, the members’ voting history, bill sponsorship, and seniority of committee assignments in the House or Senate. Members with longer voting histories and higher rankings on committees are generally viewed as more influential.

The Advisor maintains exposure to both current and proposed Republican Policies. Current Republican Policies are sourced based on enacted legislation that was passed by a majority of Republican party members in the House or Senate and/or signed or vetoed by the executive branch under Republican control. Proposed Republican Policies are sourced based on legislation introduced or co-sponsored by a majority of Republicans that has passed through either the House or Senate committees and advanced to the legislative floor, as well as Republican leaning caucus groups’ and special interest groups’ defined issues and positions. In years of presidential and legislative elections, the Advisor incorporates the proposed platforms, based on campaign speeches and candidate defined priority issues, of both the leading Republican presidential candidate and influential, as defined above, Republican legislative members.

The Advisor sources Republican Policies from all available resources, including, but not limited to, official statements, media interviews, campaign and policy speeches, proposed legislative and executive bills, election advertising, and legislative staff updates. The Advisor also considers various thematic catalysts in its analysis, including proposed regulations, policy changes, and control of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

In respect of government action reflecting current and proposed Republican Policies, the Fund initiates long positions in securities that will be favorably impacted by such policies and short positions in securities that will be unfavorably impacted by such policies. The Fund will be constructed and managed in accordance with the current views of, and changes in, Republican Policies. Government action that is not aligned with Republican Policies may negatively impact the Fund’s portfolio. The Advisor does not intend to hedge the portfolio against, or otherwise take defensive positions with respect to, government action that may not be aligned with Republican Policies.

The Advisor seeks to invest the Fund’s portfolio in what it views as sectors with exposure to the previously identified Republican Policies. The security selection process incorporates the Advisor’s proprietary research model, which is structured to rank each sector or industry group’s exposure to Republican Policies. Industry groups with positive exposure are considered to be favorably impacted, while industry groups with negative exposure are considered to be unfavorably impacted. After each industry group is ranked from high to low, the Advisor identifies which companies are to be included in the Fund’s portfolio.

In its fundamental research and security selection process, the Advisor searches for sectors and issuers that it views as directly exposed to current and proposed Republican Policies. The Advisor’s internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and capture trends that have implications for individual companies or entire industries. For specific issuers, this process requires the Advisor to objectively review each company’s fundamental characteristics, including, but not limited to, revenue segments, geographic operations, industry structure, customer base, product line, and regulatory exposure. During this fundamental research process, the Advisor screens for issuers that have the potential to either experience multi-year earnings growth or significant business model disruption. After identifying the exposure of a sector or industry group to Republican Policies, the Advisor ranks each security.

2 
 

The Advisor monitors the Fund’s portfolio with the goal of maintaining current exposure to Republican Policies. The Advisor continually reviews available resources for new policy positions and party platform messages. If a new policy theme is identified and is not currently represented in the portfolio, the Advisor will perform its fundamental research process and weigh the potential investment against existing holdings. This will be a continuous portfolio management process aimed at maintaining the highest exposure to the Republican Policies investment themes within the universe of securities selected by means of the fundamental research.

In determining whether to sell a Fund’s portfolio security, the Advisor uses the same type of analysis it uses in buying securities. Each Republican Policy is reviewed regularly for relevance within the current administration or Republican party platform. If a policy theme is identified as no longer relevant, the securities selected around it will be reviewed. Positions the Advisor views as no longer exposed to Republican Policies will be removed from the Fund’s portfolio. Additionally, the Fund may sell a security to reduce the Fund’s holding in the security if the issuer’s positive or negative exposure to Republican Policies has diminished. Among other factors, the Advisor considers whether, in its view, the security has fully appreciated or depreciated as compared to the forecast regarding long and short investments, respectively.

The Fund may utilize futures contracts, swap contracts and option contracts to obtain or hedge exposure to any security selected as part of its investment process.

The Fund may also invest in commodities positions through exposure obtained through futures contracts, swap contracts, option contracts or exchange-traded vehicles (including ETFs, ETNs and exchange-traded commodities). In determining whether to obtain exposure to a commodity position, the Advisor will assess the impact of Republican Policies on various commodity markets. The Advisor may initiate a long position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have positive exposure to Republican Policies or a short position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have negative exposure to Republican Policies.

For additional information about the Fund’s principal investment strategies and the Selection Process, see “Description of the Principal Strategies of the Funds.”

 

Principal Risks

 

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk and the Fund does not represent a complete investment program. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. A more complete discussion of Principal Risks is included under “Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds.”

 

LOSING ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR INVESTMENT IS A RISK OF INVESTING IN THE FUND. GOVERNMENT ACTION THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH REPUBLICAN POLICIES, AS WELL AS OTHER FACTORS BESIDES GOVERNMENT ACTION, MAY RESULT IN LOSSES. The following additional risks could affect the value of your investment:

 

Absence of Prior Active Market Risk. Although the Shares in the Fund are approved for listing on the Bats BZX, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund, particularly during periods of market stress. Therefore, there may be times when there is little, sporadic or no market liquidity for Shares, which could negatively affect the price of such Shares. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund’s investment performance depends upon the successful allocation by the Fund’s management team of the Fund’s assets among asset classes, geographical regions, industry sectors, and specific issuers and investments. There is no guarantee that the management team’s allocation techniques and decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s selection and weighting of asset classes may cause it to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

Authorized Participant Risk. Only certain large institutions (each, an “Authorized Participant”) may

3 
 

engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that those Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund, Fund Shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. This risk may be enhanced to the extent the securities held by the Fund are traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as with certain debt securities and non-US securities.

 

Commodities Risk. Investing in the commodities markets (directly or indirectly) may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, and exposure to commodities can cause the net asset value of Fund Shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner.

 

Debt Securities Risk. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the debt securities held by the Fund. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Debt securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain debt securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

 

Derivatives Risk. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of a financial asset (such as stock, bond or currency), a physical asset (such as gold) or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). The Fund may invest in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset in return for payments based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Options involve the payment or receipt of a premium by an investor and the corresponding right or obligation to either purchase or sell the underlying security for a specific price at a certain time or during a certain period. Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity or security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus a Fund’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities.

 

Developed Countries Risk. Investment in developed country issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with developed countries. Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g., the financial services sector), and a prolonged slowdown in one or more services sectors is likely to have a negative impact on economies of certain developed countries. Acts of terrorism in developed countries or against their interests may cause uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has exposure. Many developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed country economies.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. If you held common stock, or common stock equivalents, of any given issuer, you would generally be exposed to greater risk than if you held preferred stocks and debt obligations of such issuer.

 

Exchange-Traded Vehicle Risk. The Fund may invest in ETFs, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) and other exchange-traded products (collectively with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). A Fund’s investment in an ETP is exposed to additional expenses, underlying risks and market structure risks that relate to such ETP.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply and demand for the Shares on the Exchange. The Advisor cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at, or above their NAV, and an investor may sustain losses if Shares are purchased at a time when their market price is at a premium (above) their NAV, or sold at a time when

4 
 

their market price is at a discount to (below) their NAV.

 

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region.

 

Issuer Risk. From time to time the Fund may have exposure to a limited number of issuers. During such times, the Fund is more susceptible to the risk that an issuer’s securities may decline (or appreciate, for short positions) in value.

 

Large-Capitalization Securities Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies.

 

Management Risk. Your investment in the Fund varies with the success and failure of the Fund management team’s investment strategies and the Fund management team’s research, analysis, and determination of portfolio securities. If the Advisor’s investment strategies, including its stop loss and goal setting process, do not produce the expected results, the value of the Fund would decrease. The Advisor is newly formed and it and the portfolio managers have no experience managing an ETF.

 

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.

 

Market Trading Risk. The Fund is a new fund and faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund Shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. Although it is expected that generally the exchange price of the Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price in the Secondary Market and the NAV vary significantly. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

 

Model Risk. There can be no assurance that any particular model or investment strategy for security selection or analysis of political, policy or economic themes, including those devised by the Advisor, will be profitable for any Fund, and may result in a loss of principal.

 

Political and Social Risk. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Political and social developments that are anticipated but at odds with a Fund’s theme may result in sudden and significant investment losses.

 

Security Risk. Some geographic areas in which the Fund invests have experienced acts of terrorism and strained international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, defense concerns and other security concerns. These situations may cause uncertainty in the political and economic markets of these geographic areas and may adversely affect their economies.

 

Shares are Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are only redeemable by the Fund at NAV if they are tendered in large blocks known as “Creation Units” which are expected to be worth in excess of $1 million each. Individual Shares may be sold on a stock exchange at their current market prices, which may be less, more or equal to their NAV. See “Market Trading Risk.”

 

Short Selling Risk. Short positions entered into by the Fund may involve higher risks and costs, and potential losses relating to such investments are not typically limited.

 

Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies.

 

U.S. Tax Risk. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated

5 
 

investment companies, each Fund must satisfy certain income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, there will be reduced monies from which to pay shareholders a dividend.

 

Performance Information

 

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not report its performance information. When the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year, performance information will be shown here. Updated performance information will be available on the Fund’s “Website,” at www.[website].com or by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-[Phone].

 

Management

 

Investment Advisor. Active Weighting Advisors LLC is the Fund’s investment advisor and will be responsible to the Fund for its day-to-day investment management. The Advisor is newly formed for the purpose of managing the ETFs.

 

Portfolio Managers. The portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:

 

· Jonathon Clements. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.
·Matthew Clements. Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund is an ETF. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in Creation Units comprised of blocks of 50,000 Shares, or whole multiples thereof. Shares are not individually redeemable, and may only be issued to or redeemed by or through Authorized Participants. The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally “in kind” for securities included in the Fund, but may also be issued and redeemed for cash. Retail investors may acquire Shares on the Bats BZX through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on the Secondary Market at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged account may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.

 

Financial Intermediary Compensation

 

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

6 
 

 

DEMOCRATIC POLICIES FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The Democratic Policies Fund’s (the “Fund”) objective is to invest its portfolio in a manner that will seek capital appreciation during periods when the U.S. government is operating pursuant to Democratic Policies (as defined below). It does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified 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 (“Shares”). Investors purchasing Shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table set forth below.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):

 

No shareholder fees are levied by the Fund for purchases and sales made on the Secondary Market.

 

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

 

Management Fee [__] %  
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.00 %  
Other Expenses (a) 0.00 %  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [__] %  

_____________

(a) The Fund has not yet commenced operation and Other 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 funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

$ [__] $ [__]

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of any in kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s Shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve its objective by investing, including both long and short positions, in a combination of equity and/or fixed income securities traded in the U.S. or non-U.S. markets, derivatives, currencies, and commodities. The Fund’s portfolio is intended to provide capital appreciation during periods when the U.S. government is operating pursuant to

7 
 

Democratic Policies (as defined below). The Fund typically holds securities of a limited number of issuers, generally 30 to 75, and invests in companies with a market capitalization or revenues greater than $250 million USD. The Fund will be subject to active turnover, generally on a quarterly basis, throughout market cycles based on the outlook of Active Weighting Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”), the investment advisor to the Fund.

The Fund invests in securities expected by management to be affected by U.S. government action that reflects Democratic Policies. The Advisor defines, based upon its discretionary analysis, the beliefs, party platforms, and executive and legislative priorities of the Democratic party leaders and members as “Democratic Policies.” At the party level, the Advisor reviews the press releases, agendas, and legislative analysis reports of the Democratic National Committee and House and Senate Democratic member groups, including but not limited to the House Democratic Caucus and Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. At the individual member level, the Advisor defines Democratic party leaders as the high-ranking officials in both the House and Senate, regardless of whether the party is in the majority or minority. The Advisor also reviews, as applicable, the members’ voting history, bill sponsorship, and seniority of committee assignments in the House or Senate. Members with longer voting histories and higher rankings on committees are generally viewed as more influential.

The Advisor maintains exposure to both current and proposed Democratic Policies. Current Democratic Policies are sourced based on enacted legislation that was passed by a majority of Democratic party members in the House or Senate and/or signed or vetoed by the executive branch under Democratic control. Proposed Democratic Policies are sourced based on legislation introduced or co-sponsored by a majority of Democrats that has passed through either the House or Senate committees and advanced to the legislative floor, as well as Democratic leaning caucus groups’ and special interest groups’ defined issues and positions. In years of presidential and legislative elections, the Advisor incorporates the proposed platforms, based on campaign speeches and candidate defined priority issues, of both the leading Democratic presidential candidate and influential, as defined above, Democratic legislative members.

The Advisor sources Democratic Policies from all available resources, including, but not limited to, official statements, media interviews, campaign and policy speeches, proposed legislative and executive bills, election advertising, and legislative staff updates. The Advisor also considers various thematic catalysts in its analysis, including proposed regulations, policy changes, and control of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

In respect of government action reflecting current and proposed Democratic Policies, the Fund initiates long positions in securities that will be favorably impacted by such policies and short positions in securities that will be unfavorably impacted by such policies. The Fund will be constructed and managed in accordance with the current views of, and changes in, Democratic Policies. Government action that is not aligned with Democratic Policies may negatively impact the Fund’s portfolio. The Advisor does not intend to hedge the portfolio against, or otherwise take defensive positions with respect to, government action that may not be aligned with Democratic Policies.

The Advisor seeks to invest the Fund’s portfolio in what it views as sectors with exposure to the previously identified Democratic Policies. The security selection process incorporates the Advisor’s proprietary research model, which is structured to rank each sector or industry group’s exposure to Democratic Policies. Industry groups with positive exposure are considered to be favorably impacted, while industry groups with negative exposure are considered to be unfavorably impacted. After each industry group is ranked from high to low, the Advisor identifies which companies are to be included in the Fund’s portfolio.

In its fundamental research and security selection process, the Advisor searches for sectors and issuers that it views as directly exposed to current and proposed Democratic Policies. The Advisor’s internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and capture trends that have implications for individual companies or entire industries. For specific issuers, this process requires the Advisor to objectively review each company’s fundamental characteristics, including, but not limited to, revenue segments, geographic operations, industry structure, customer base, product line, and regulatory exposure. During this fundamental research process, the Advisor screens for issuers that have the potential to either experience multi-year earnings growth or significant business model disruption. After identifying the exposure of issuers in a sector or industry group to Democratic Policies, the Advisor ranks each security.

8 
 

The Advisor monitors the Fund’s portfolio with the goal of maintaining current exposure to Democratic Policies. The Advisor continually reviews available resources for new policy positions and party platform messages. If a new policy theme is identified and is not currently represented in the portfolio, the Advisor will perform its fundamental research process and weigh the potential investment against existing holdings. This will be a continuous portfolio management process aimed at maintaining the highest exposure to the Democratic Policies investment themes within the universe of securities selected by means of the fundamental research.

In determining whether to sell a Fund’s portfolio security, the Advisor uses the same type of analysis it uses in buying securities. Each Democratic Policy is reviewed regularly for relevance within the current administration or Democratic party platform. If a policy theme is identified as no longer relevant, the securities selected around it will be reviewed. Positions the Advisor views as no longer exposed to Democratic Policies will be removed from the Fund’s portfolio. Additionally, the Fund may sell a security to reduce the Fund’s holding in the security if the issuer’s positive or negative exposure to Democratic Policies has diminished. Among other factors, the Advisor considers whether, in its view, the security has fully appreciated or depreciated as compared to the forecast regarding long and short investments, respectively.

The Fund may utilize futures contracts, swap contracts and option contracts to obtain or hedge exposure to any security selected as part of its investment process.

The Fund may also invest in commodities positions through exposure obtained through futures contracts, swap contracts, option contracts or exchange-traded vehicles (including ETFs, ETNs and exchange-traded commodities). In determining whether to obtain exposure to a commodity position, the Advisor will assess the impact of Democratic Policies on various commodity markets. The Advisor may initiate a long position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have positive exposure to Democratic Policies or a short position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have negative exposure to Democratic Policies.

For additional information about the Fund’s principal investment strategies and the Selection Process, see “Description of the Principal Strategies of the Funds.”

 

Principal Risks

 

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk and the Fund does not represent a complete investment program. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. A more complete discussion of Principal Risks is included under “Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds.”

 

LOSING ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR INVESTMENT IS A RISK OF INVESTING IN THE FUND. GOVERNMENT ACTION THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH DEMOCRATIC POLICIES, AS WELL AS OTHER FACTORS BESIDES GOVERNMENT ACTION, MAY RESULT IN LOSSES. The following additional risks could affect the value of your investment:

 

Absence of Prior Active Market Risk. Although the Shares in the Fund are approved for listing on the Bats BZX, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund, particularly during periods of market stress. Therefore, there may be times when there is little, sporadic or no market liquidity for Shares, which could negatively affect the price of such Shares. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund’s investment performance depends upon the successful allocation by the Fund’s management team of the Fund’s assets among asset classes, geographical regions, industry sectors, and specific issuers and investments. There is no guarantee that the management team’s allocation techniques and decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s selection and weighting of asset classes may cause it to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

Authorized Participant Risk. Only certain large institutions (each, an “Authorized Participant”) may

9 
 

engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that those Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund, Fund Shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. This risk may be enhanced to the extent the securities held by the Fund are traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as with certain debt securities and non-US securities.

 

Commodities Risk. Investing in the commodities markets (directly or indirectly) may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, and exposure to commodities can cause the net asset value of Fund Shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner.

 

Debt Securities Risk. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the debt securities held by the Fund. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Debt securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain debt securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

 

Derivatives Risk. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of a financial asset (such as stock, bond or currency), a physical asset (such as gold) or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). The Fund may invest in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset in return for payments based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Options involve the payment or receipt of a premium by an investor and the corresponding right or obligation to either purchase or sell the underlying security for a specific price at a certain time or during a certain period. Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity or security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus a Fund’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities.

 

Developed Countries Risk. Investment in developed country issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with developed countries. Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g., the financial services sector), and a prolonged slowdown in one or more services sectors is likely to have a negative impact on economies of certain developed countries. Acts of terrorism in developed countries or against their interests may cause uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has exposure. Many developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed country economies.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. If you held common stock, or common stock equivalents, of any given issuer, you would generally be exposed to greater risk than if you held preferred stocks and debt obligations of such issuer.

 

Exchange-Traded Vehicle Risk. The Fund may invest in ETFs, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) and other exchange-traded products (collectively with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). A Fund’s investment in an ETP is exposed to additional expenses, underlying risks and market structure risks that relate to such ETP.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply and demand for the Shares on the Exchange. The Advisor cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at, or above their NAV, and an investor may sustain losses if Shares are purchased at a time when their market price is at a premium (above) their NAV, or sold at a time when

10 
 

their market price is at a discount to (below) their NAV.

 

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region.

 

Issuer Risk. From time to time the Fund may have exposure to a limited number of issuers. During such times, the Fund is more susceptible to the risk that an issuer’s securities may decline (or appreciate, for short positions) in value.

 

Large-Capitalization Securities Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies.

 

Management Risk. Your investment in the Fund varies with the success and failure of the Fund management team’s investment strategies and the Fund management team’s research, analysis, and determination of portfolio securities. If the Advisor’s investment strategies, including its stop loss and goal setting process, do not produce the expected results, the value of the Fund would decrease. The Advisor is newly formed and it and the portfolio managers have no experience managing an ETF.

 

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.

 

Market Trading Risk. The Fund is a new fund and faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund Shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. Although it is expected that generally the exchange price of the Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price in the Secondary Market and the NAV vary significantly. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

 

Model Risk. There can be no assurance that any particular model or investment strategy for security selection or analysis of political, policy or economic themes, including those devised by the Advisor, will be profitable for any Fund, and may result in a loss of principal.

 

Political and Social Risk. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Political and social developments that are anticipated but at odds with a Fund’s theme may result in sudden and significant investment losses.

 

Security Risk. Some geographic areas in which the Fund invests have experienced acts of terrorism and strained international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, defense concerns and other security concerns. These situations may cause uncertainty in the political and economic markets of these geographic areas and may adversely affect their economies.

 

Shares are Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are only redeemable by the Fund at NAV if they are tendered in large blocks known as “Creation Units” which are expected to be worth in excess of $1 million each. Individual Shares may be sold on a stock exchange at their current market prices, which may be less, more or equal to their NAV. See “Market Trading Risk.”

 

Short Selling Risk. Short positions entered into by the Fund may involve higher risks and costs, and potential losses relating to such investments are not typically limited.

 

Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies.

 

U.S. Tax Risk. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated

11 
 

investment companies, each Fund must satisfy certain income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, there will be reduced monies from which to pay shareholders a dividend.

 

Performance Information

 

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not report its performance information. When the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year, performance information will be shown here. Updated performance information will be available on the Fund’s “Website,” at www.[website].com or by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-[Phone].

 

Management

 

Investment Advisor. Active Weighting Advisors LLC is the Fund’s investment advisor and will be responsible to the Fund for its day-to-day investment management.

 

Portfolio Managers. The portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:

 

· Jonathon Clements. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.
· Matthew Clements. Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund is an ETF. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in Creation Units comprised of blocks of 50,000 Shares, or whole multiples thereof. Shares are not individually redeemable, and may only be issued to or redeemed by or through Authorized Participants. The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally “in kind” for securities included in the Fund, but may also be issued and redeemed for cash. Retail investors may acquire Shares on the Bats BZX through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on the Secondary Market at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged account may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.

 

Financial Intermediary Compensation

 

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

 

12 
 

 

U.S. TAX REFORM FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The U.S. Tax Reform Fund’s (the “Fund”) objective is to seek capital appreciation. It does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified 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 (“Shares”). Investors purchasing Shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table set forth below.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):

 

No shareholder fees are levied by the Fund for purchases and sales made on the Secondary Market.

 

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

 

Management Fee [__] %  
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.00 %  
Other Expenses (a) 0.00 %  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [__] %  

_____________

(a) The Fund has not yet commenced operation and Other 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 funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

$ [__] $ [__]

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of any in kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s Shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve its objective of capital appreciation by investing, including both long and short positions, in a combination of equity and/or fixed income securities traded in the U.S. or non-U.S. markets, derivatives, currencies, and commodities. The Fund typically holds securities of a limited number of issuers, generally 30 to 75, and invests in companies with a market capitalization or revenues greater than $250 million USD. The Fund will be subject to active turnover,

13 
 

generally on a quarterly basis, throughout market cycles based on the outlook of Active Weighting Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”), the investment advisor to the Fund.

The Fund invests in securities expected by management to be affected by proposed changes in U.S. tax policy and regulations that change the way taxable income is currently calculated and/or the tax rate at which taxable income is taxed (“Tax Reform Themes”), regardless of whether the change increases or decreases the tax burden on individuals or companies domiciled in the U.S. The Advisor defines Tax Reform Themes as current or proposed changes affecting the method under which a U.S. company’s international income is taxed in or repatriated to the U.S., the amount of import or export taxes or tariffs levied in the U.S. on products from a particular industry and/or foreign country, and changes to the current Internal Revenue Code, primarily relating to the use of tax credits and expense categories allowed as deductions.

The Advisor sources Tax Reform Themes from all available resources, including, but not limited to, official statements, media interviews, campaign and policy speeches, proposed legislative and executive bills, and legislative staff updates. The Advisor also considers various thematic catalysts in its analysis, including proposed regulations, policy changes, and control of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The Fund initiates long positions in securities that will be impacted favorably and short positions in securities that will be unfavorably impacted. The Fund will be constructed and managed in accordance with the current views of Tax Reform Themes while remaining adaptive to changes in tax policy and regulations. The failure of the U.S. government to take positive action on Tax Reform Themes may negatively impact the Fund’s portfolio. The Advisor does not intend to hedge the portfolio against, or otherwise take defensive positions with respect to, government failure to take positive action on Tax Reform Themes.

The security selection process incorporates the Advisor’s proprietary research model, which is structured to rank each sector or industry group’s exposure to Tax Reform Themes. Industry groups with positive exposure are considered to be favorably impacted, while industry groups with negative exposure are considered to be unfavorably impacted. After each industry group is ranked from high to low, the Advisor identifies which companies are to be included in the Fund’s portfolio. The Advisor initiates long positions in included securities with positive exposure and short positions in included securities with negative exposure.

In its fundamental research and security selection process, the Advisor searches for sectors and issuers that it views as directly exposed to current and forecasted Tax Reform Themes. The Advisor’s internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and capture trends that have implications for individual companies or entire industries. For specific issuers, this process requires the Advisor to objectively review each company’s fundamental characteristics, including, but not limited to, revenue segments, geographic operations and mix of income, industry structure, customer and employee base, product mix, tax profile, and regulatory exposure. During this fundamental research process, the Advisor screens for issuers that have the potential to either experience multi-year earnings growth or significant business model disruption due to Tax Reform Themes, including, but not limited to, those companies expected to experience margin compression or growth and significant changes in effective tax rates. After identifying the exposure of issuers in a sector or industry group to current and forecasted Tax Reform Themes, the Advisor ranks each security according to forecasted movement.

The Advisor monitors the Fund’s portfolio with the goal of maintaining current exposure to Tax Reform Themes. The Advisor continually reviews available resources for new policy positions and party platform messages. If a new Tax Reform Themes is identified and not currently represented in the portfolio, the Advisor will perform its fundamental research process and weigh the investment against existing holdings. This will be a continuous portfolio management process aimed at maintaining the most current exposure to Tax Reform Themes within the universe of securities selected by means of the fundamental research.

In determining whether to sell a Fund’s portfolio security, the Advisor uses the same type of analysis it uses in buying securities. Each Tax Reform Theme is reviewed regularly for relevance within the current discussions regarding Tax Reform Themes. If a theme is identified as no longer relevant, the securities selected around it will be reviewed. Positions the Advisor views as no longer exposed to Tax Reform Themes will be removed from the portfolio. Additionally, the Fund may sell a security to reduce the Fund’s holding in the security if the issuer’s

14 
 

positive or negative exposure to Tax Reform Themes has diminished. Among other factors, the Advisor considers whether, in its view, the security has fully appreciated or depreciated as compared to the forecast regarding long and short investments, respectively.

Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of domiciled in the U.S. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund may utilize futures contracts, swap contracts and option contracts to obtain or hedge exposure to any security selected as part of its investment process.

The Fund may also invest in commodities positions through exposure obtained through futures contracts, swap contracts, option contracts or exchange-traded vehicles (including ETFs, ETNs and exchange-traded commodities). In determining whether to obtain exposure to a commodity position, the Advisor will assess the impact of Tax Reform Themes on various commodity markets. The Advisor may initiate a long position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have positive exposure to Tax Reform Themes or a short position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have negative exposure to Tax Reform Themes.

For additional information about the Fund’s principal investment strategies and the Selection Process, see “Description of the Principal Strategies of the Funds.”

Principal Risks

 

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk and the Fund does not represent a complete investment program. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. A more complete discussion of Principal Risks is included under “Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds.”

 

LOSING ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR INVESTMENT IS A RISK OF INVESTING IN THE FUND. FAILURE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE POSITIVE ACTION ON TAX REFORM THEMES, AS WELL AS OTHER FACTORS BESIDES GOVERNMENT ACTION, MAY RESULT IN LOSSES. The following additional risks could affect the value of your investment:

 

Absence of Prior Active Market Risk. Although the Shares in the Fund are approved for listing on the Bats BZX, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund, particularly during periods of market stress. Therefore, there may be times when there is little, sporadic or no market liquidity for Shares, which could negatively affect the price of such Shares. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund’s investment performance depends upon the successful allocation by the Fund’s management team of the Fund’s assets among asset classes, geographical regions, industry sectors, and specific issuers and investments. There is no guarantee that the management team’s allocation techniques and decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s selection and weighting of asset classes may cause it to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

Authorized Participant Risk. Only certain large institutions (each, an “Authorized Participant”) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that those Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund, Fund Shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. This risk may be enhanced to the extent the securities held by the Fund are traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as with certain debt securities and non-US securities.

15 
 

 

Commodities Risk. Investing in the commodities markets (directly or indirectly) may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, and exposure to commodities can cause the net asset value of Fund Shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner.

 

Debt Securities Risk. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the debt securities held by the Fund. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Debt securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain debt securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

 

Derivatives Risk. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of a financial asset (such as stock, bond or currency), a physical asset (such as gold) or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). The Fund may invest in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset in return for payments based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Options involve the payment or receipt of a premium by an investor and the corresponding right or obligation to either purchase or sell the underlying security for a specific price at a certain time or during a certain period. Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity or security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus a Fund’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities.

 

Developed Countries Risk. Investment in developed country issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with developed countries. Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g., the financial services sector), and a prolonged slowdown in one or more services sectors is likely to have a negative impact on economies of certain developed countries. Acts of terrorism in developed countries or against their interests may cause uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has exposure. Many developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed country economies.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. If you held common stock, or common stock equivalents, of any given issuer, you would generally be exposed to greater risk than if you held preferred stocks and debt obligations of such issuer.

 

Exchange-Traded Vehicle Risk. The Fund may invest in ETFs, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) and other exchange-traded products (collectively with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). A Fund’s investment in an ETP is exposed to additional expenses, underlying risks and market structure risks that relate to such ETP.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply and demand for the Shares on the Exchange. The Advisor cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at, or above their NAV, and an investor may sustain losses if Shares are purchased at a time when their market price is at a premium (above) their NAV, or sold at a time when their market price is at a discount to (below) their NAV.

 

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region.

 

Issuer Risk. From time to time the Fund may have exposure to a limited number of issuers. During such times, the Fund is more susceptible to the risk that an issuer’s securities may decline (or appreciate, for short

16 
 

positions) in value.

 

Large-Capitalization Securities Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies.

 

Management Risk. Your investment in the Fund varies with the success and failure of the Fund management team’s investment strategies and the Fund management team’s research, analysis, and determination of portfolio securities. If the Advisor’s investment strategies, including its stop loss and goal setting process, do not produce the expected results, the value of the Fund would decrease. The Advisor is newly formed and it and the portfolio managers have no experience managing an ETF.

 

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.

 

Market Trading Risk. The Fund is a new fund and faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund Shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. Although it is expected that generally the exchange price of the Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price in the Secondary Market and the NAV vary significantly. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

 

Model Risk. There can be no assurance that any particular model or investment strategy for security selection or analysis of political, policy or economic themes, including those devised by the Advisor, will be profitable for any Fund, and may result in a loss of principal.

 

Political and Social Risk. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Political and social developments that are anticipated but at odds with a Fund’s theme may result in sudden and significant investment losses.

 

Security Risk. Some geographic areas in which the Fund invests have experienced acts of terrorism and strained international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, defense concerns and other security concerns. These situations may cause uncertainty in the political and economic markets of these geographic areas and may adversely affect their economies.

 

Shares are Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are only redeemable by the Fund at NAV if they are tendered in large blocks known as “Creation Units” which are expected to be worth in excess of $1 million each. Individual Shares may be sold on a stock exchange at their current market prices, which may be less, more or equal to their NAV. See “Market Trading Risk.”

 

Short Selling Risk. Short positions entered into by the Fund may involve higher risks and costs, and potential losses relating to such investments are not typically limited.

 

Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies.

 

U.S. Tax Risk . To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies, each Fund must satisfy certain income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, there will be reduced monies from which to pay shareholders a dividend.

17 
 

 

Performance Information

 

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not report its performance information. When the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year, performance information will be shown here. Updated performance information will be available on the Fund’s “Website,” at www.[website].com or by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-[Phone].

 

Management

 

Investment Advisor. Active Weighting Advisors LLC is the Fund’s investment advisor and will be responsible to the Fund for its day-to-day investment management.

 

Portfolio Managers. The portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:

 

· Jonathon Clements. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.
· Matthew Clements. Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund is an ETF. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in Creation Units comprised of blocks of 50,000 Shares, or whole multiples thereof. Shares are not individually redeemable, and may only be issued to or redeemed by or through Authorized Participants. The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally “in kind” for securities included in the Fund, but may also be issued and redeemed for cash. Retail investors may acquire Shares on the Bats BZX through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on the Secondary Market at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged account may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.

 

Financial Intermediary Compensation

 

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

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EUROPEAN UNION BREAKUP FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The European Union Breakup Fund’s (the “Fund”) objective is to invest its portfolio in a manner that will seek capital appreciation during periods when the European Union is becoming less centralized due to member countries considering abandonment of the euro currency or withdrawal from the union. It does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified 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 (“Shares”). Investors purchasing Shares on a national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time (each, a “Secondary Market”) may be subject to customary brokerage commissions charged by their broker that are not reflected in the table set forth below.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):

 

No shareholder fees are levied by the Fund for purchases and sales made on the Secondary Market.

 

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

 

Management Fee [__] %  
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.00 %  
Other Expenses (a) 0.00 %  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [__] %  

_____________

(a) The Fund has not yet commenced operation and Other 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 funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain at current levels. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

$ [__] $ [__]

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of any in kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s Shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve its objective of capital appreciation by investing, including both long and short positions, in a combination of equity and/or fixed income securities traded in the U.S. or non-U.S. markets, derivatives, currencies, and commodities. The

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Fund typically holds a limited number of securities, generally 50 to 100, and invests in companies with a market capitalization or revenues greater than $250 million USD. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts (such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”)). The Fund will be subject to active turnover, generally on a quarterly basis, throughout market cycles based on the outlook of Active Weighting Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”), the investment advisor to the Fund.

The Fund invests in securities expected by management to be affected by changes to the structure of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (the “E.U.”) that represent a move toward a breakup of the E.U. (“E.U. Breakup Themes”). The Advisor identifies E.U. Breakup Themes as actions that reduce engagement with the E.U. as central authority or decrease control over E.U. Members (“Members”) from the E.U. Parliament, Members withdrawing from the common euro currency or the E.U. as a whole, or regulations, referendums, or elections at the individual Member level that affect the way Members interact and trade, potentially leading to dissolution of the bloc as a political and/or economic union. There is no pre-determined timeline or event that would be considered a breakup of the E.U.. Instead, the Advisor views the breakup of the E.U. as a series of events, including the ones mentioned above, increasing the probability of a breakup of either the common euro currency or union as a whole.

From a top-down perspective, the Advisor seeks to identify current dynamics affecting Members on both the individual Member and E.U. levels. The Advisor researches the relative trade flows between individual countries inside and outside of the E.U., economic indicators of Members, political discourse on a Member and E.U. level, Member population demographics, and primary imports and exports of each Member and between Members. The Advisor sources ideas regarding E.U. structural changes from all available resources, including, but not limited to, media interviews, campaign and policy speeches, and proposed legislative and executive bills (on both Member and E.U. levels). The Advisor also considers various thematic catalysts in its analysis, including proposed regulations, policy changes, currency revaluation, and control of the political branches of both the E.U. and individual Member governments.

In respect of such E.U. Breakup Themes, the Fund initiates long positions in securities that will be favorably impacted by such themes and short positions in securities that will be unfavorably impacted by such themes. The Fund will be constructed and managed in accordance with the current views and structure of the E.U. while remaining adaptive to expected changes in E.U. Breakup Themes. Changing E.U. structure that is not aligned with E.U. Breakup Themes may negatively impact the Fund’s portfolio. The Advisor does not intend to hedge the portfolio against, or otherwise take defensive positions with respect to, E.U. structural changes that may not be aligned with E.U. Breakup Themes.

The security selection process incorporates the Advisor’s proprietary two-step research model. The first step researches exposure of the securities market and general economy of each member country of the E.U. (“Member”) to the E.U. Breakup Themes and analysis of the euro currency. Based on the Advisor’s research, Members are ranked based on whether they are impacted favorably or unfavorably by E.U. Breakup Themes. Members with positive exposure are considered to be favorably impacted, while Members with negative exposure are considered to be unfavorably impacted. The second step researches the sector and industry groups within each Member. Based on the Advisor’s research, the sector or industry groups are ranked based on whether they are impacted favorably or unfavorably by E.U. Breakup Themes. Sector or industry groups with positive exposure are considered to be favorably impacted, while sector or industry groups with negative exposure are considered to be unfavorably impacted. The Advisor initiates long positions in sector or industry groups with positive exposure that are located within a Member expected to have positive exposure. The Advisor initiates short positions in sector or industry groups with negative exposure that are located within a Member expected to have negative exposure. The Fund may also invest in issuers domiciled in non-Member countries.

In its security selection process, the Advisor searches for sectors and issuers that it views as directly exposed to E.U. Breakup Themes. The Advisor’s internal research and analysis leverages insights from diverse sources, including external research, to develop and refine its investment themes and capture trends that have implications for individual companies or entire industries. For specific issuers, this process requires the Advisor to objectively review each security’s fundamental characteristics, including, but not limited to, revenue segments, geographic operations, industry structure, customer and employee base, product mix, currency exposure and regulatory exposure. During this fundamental research process, the Advisor screens for companies which have the

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potential to either experience multi-year earnings growth or significant business model disruption as E.U. Breakup Themes evolve. After identifying the exposure of securities in a sub-industry to E.U. Breakup Themes, the Advisor ranks each security according to forecasted movement.

The Advisor monitors the portfolio with the goal of maintaining current exposure to the evolving E.U. structure and E.U. Breakup Themes. The Advisor continually reviews available resources for new policy positions and party platform messages. If a new view regarding E.U. Breakup Themes is identified and is not currently represented in the portfolio, the Advisor will perform its fundamental research process and weigh the investment against existing holdings. This will be a continuous portfolio management process aimed at maintaining the highest exposure to E.U. Breakup Themes within the universe of securities selected by means of the fundamental research.

In determining whether to sell a portfolio security, the Advisor uses the same type of analysis it uses in buying securities. The status of the E.U. political and economic market structure is reviewed constantly for relevance within the context of E.U. Breakup Themes. If a theme is flagged as no longer relevant, the securities selected around it will be reviewed. Positions the Advisor views as no longer exposed to a changing E.U. structure will be removed from the portfolio. Additionally, the Fund may exit a position to reduce the Fund’s holding in the security if the issuer’s positive or negative exposure to E.U. Breakup Themes has diminished. Among other factors, the Advisor considers whether, in its view, the security has fully appreciated or depreciated as compared to the forecast regarding long and short investments, respectively.

Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of companies domiciled in E.U. Members. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund “hedges” against fluctuations in the relative value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. The Fund is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent un-hedged investment when the U.S. dollar is going up in value relative to the euro. The Advisor applies an applicable published one-month currency forward rate to the total equity exposure of each country in the Fund to hedge against fluctuations in the relative value of the euro against the U.S. dollar. If a country that had previously adopted the euro as its official currency were to revert back to its local currency, the Fund would be hedged in such local currency as soon as practicable after forward rates become available for such currency.

Forward currency contracts or futures contracts are used to offset the Fund’s exposure to the euro. The amount of forward contracts and futures contracts in the Fund is based on the aggregate exposure of the Fund to the euro. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate exposure to all currency fluctuations. The return of the forward currency contracts and currency futures contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations of the euro relative to the U.S. dollar.

The Fund may utilize futures contracts, swap contracts and option contracts to obtain or hedge exposure to any security selected as part of its investment process. The Fund may enter into credit default swaps relating to specific Members and/or issuers selected as part of its investment process.

The Fund may also invest in commodities positions through exposure obtained through futures contracts, swap contracts, option contracts or exchange-traded vehicles (including ETFs, ETNs and exchange-traded commodities). In determining whether to obtain exposure to a commodity position, the Advisor will assess the impact of E.U. structural change themes on various commodity markets. The Advisor may initiate a long position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have positive exposure to E.U. structural change or a short position with respect to a commodity interest that it assesses will have negative exposure to E.U. structural change.

For additional information about the Fund’s principal investment strategies and the Selection Process, see “Description of the Principal Strategies of the Funds.”

 

Principal Risks

 

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk and

21 
 

the Fund does not represent a complete investment program. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. A more complete discussion of Principal Risks is included under “Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds.”

 

LOSING ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR INVESTMENT IS A RISK OF INVESTING IN THE FUND. CHANGES IN E.U. STRUCTURE THAT ARE NOT IN LINE WITH E.U. BREAKUP THEMES, AS WELL AS OTHER FACTORS BESIDES GOVERNMENT ACTION OR E.U. STRUCTURAL CHANGES, MAY RESULT IN LOSSES. The following additional risks could affect the value of your investment:

 

Absence of Prior Active Market Risk. Although the Shares in the Fund are approved for listing on the Bats BZX, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund, particularly during periods of market stress. Therefore, there may be times when there is little, sporadic or no market liquidity for Shares, which could negatively affect the price of such Shares. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund’s investment performance depends upon the successful allocation by the Fund’s management team of the Fund’s assets among asset classes, geographical regions, industry sectors, and specific issuers and investments. There is no guarantee that the management team’s allocation techniques and decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s selection and weighting of asset classes may cause it to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

Authorized Participant Risk. Only certain large institutions (each, an “Authorized Participant”) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that those Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund, Fund Shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. This risk may be enhanced to the extent the securities held by the Fund are traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as with certain debt securities and non-US securities.

 

Commodities Risk. Investing in the commodities markets (directly or indirectly) may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, and exposure to commodities can cause the net asset value of Fund Shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner.

 

Currency Hedging Risk. The Fund uses various strategies to attempt to reduce the impact of changes in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar. These strategies may not be successful. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. Therefore, the value of an investment in a Fund may also go up or down quickly and unpredictably and investors may lose money.

 

Currency Risk. Because the Fund’s net asset value per share (the “NAV”) is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency of a non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time.

 

Debt Securities Risk. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the debt securities held by the Fund. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Debt securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain debt securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

 

Derivatives Risk. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of a financial asset (such as stock, bond or currency), a physical asset (such as gold) or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). The Fund may invest in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified

22 
 

rate, index or asset in return for payments based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Options involve the payment or receipt of a premium by an investor and the corresponding right or obligation to either purchase or sell the underlying security for a specific price at a certain time or during a certain period. Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity or security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices and thus a Fund’s losses may be greater if it invests in derivatives than if it invests only in conventional securities.

 

Developed Countries Risk. Investment in developed country issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with developed countries. Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g., the financial services sector), and a prolonged slowdown in one or more services sectors is likely to have a negative impact on economies of certain developed countries. Acts of terrorism in developed countries or against their interests may cause uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has exposure. Many developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed country economies.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. If you held common stock, or common stock equivalents, of any given issuer, you would generally be exposed to greater risk than if you held preferred stocks and debt obligations of such issuer.

 

European Economic Risk . The European financial markets have experienced volatility and adverse trends in recent years due to concerns about economic downturns or rising government debt levels in several European countries. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not produce the desired results, 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 other entities of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the E.U., which actions may introduce significant uncertainties and instability in the financial markets. The occurrence of terrorist incidents throughout Europe also could impact financial markets. The impact of these events is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching and adversely affect the value of the Fund.

 

Exchange-Traded Vehicle Risk. The Fund may invest in ETFs, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) and other exchange-traded products (collectively with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). A Fund’s investment in an ETP is exposed to additional expenses, underlying risks and market structure risks that relate to such ETP.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply and demand for the Shares on the Exchange. The Advisor cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at, or above their NAV, and an investor may sustain losses if Shares are purchased at a time when their market price is at a premium (above) their NAV, or sold at a time when their market price is at a discount to (below) their NAV.

 

Foreign Investments Risk. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the U.S. pose distinct risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing or emerging countries. In addition, investments in ADRs, GDRs and EDRs may be less liquid and more volatile than the underlying Shares in their primary trading market.

 

Foreign Securities Valuation Risk . The Fund may hold foreign securities that may trade on different schedules than that of the Shares. This may result in the fair valuing of foreign securities or a material change in the value of the underlying investments of the Fund at a time when shareholders may not be able to trade their position in the Shares. Additionally, foreign securities may be priced in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar. When a Fund’s securities are fair valued, the process involves a degree of subjectivity and thus security prices used to calculate the Fund’s NAV may differ from the prices used by other market participants. Any such valuation risks may result in a difference between the market price for a Fund’s Shares and the Fund’s NAV per Share.

 

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region.

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Hedge Risk. The Fund expects to regularly include hedging strategies with the portfolio to de-emphasize specific factor risk, such as the price of currencies and commodities or interest rate movements. There is no guarantee that the Advisor’s hedging techniques and decisions will produce the desired results.

 

Issuer Risk. From time to time the Fund may have exposure to a limited number of issuers. During such times, the Fund is more susceptible to the risk that an issuer’s securities may decline (or appreciate, for short positions) in value.

 

Large-Capitalization Securities Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies.

 

Management Risk. Your investment in the Fund varies with the success and failure of the Fund management team’s investment strategies and the Fund management team’s research, analysis, and determination of portfolio securities. If the Advisor’s investment strategies, including its stop loss and goal setting process, do not produce the expected results, the value of the Fund would decrease. The Advisor is newly formed and it and the portfolio managers have no experience managing an ETF.

 

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.

 

Market Trading Risk. The Fund is a new fund and faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund Shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. Although it is expected that generally the exchange price of the Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price in the Secondary Market and the NAV vary significantly. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

 

Model Risk. There can be no assurance that any particular model or investment strategy for security selection or analysis of political, policy or economic themes, including those devised by the Advisor, will be profitable for any Fund, and may result in a loss of principal.

 

Political and Social Risk. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Political and social developments that are anticipated but at odds with a Fund’s theme may result in sudden and significant investment losses.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) has the potential to result in the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, which may subject you to a higher tax liability.

 

Security Risk. Some geographic areas in which the Fund invests have experienced acts of terrorism and strained international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, defense concerns and other security concerns. These situations may cause uncertainty in the political and economic markets of these geographic areas and may adversely affect their economies.

 

Shares are Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are only redeemable by the Fund at NAV if they are tendered in large blocks known as “Creation Units” which are expected to be worth in excess of $1 million each. Individual Shares may be sold on a stock exchange at their current market prices, which may be less, more or equal to their NAV. See “Market Trading Risk.”

 

Short Selling Risk. Short positions entered into by the Fund may involve higher risks and costs, and potential losses relating to such investments are not typically limited.

 

Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies.

24 
 

 

U.S. Tax Risk . To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies, each Fund must satisfy certain income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, there will be reduced monies from which to pay shareholders a dividend.

 

Performance Information

 

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not report its performance information. When the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year, performance information will be shown here. Updated performance information will be available on the Fund’s “Website,” at www.[website].com or by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-[Phone].

 

Management

 

Investment Advisor. Active Weighting Advisors LLC is the Fund’s investment advisor and will be responsible to the Fund for its day-to-day investment management.

 

Portfolio Managers. The portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:

 

· Jonathon Clements. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.
· Matthew Clements. Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The Fund is an ETF. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in Creation Units comprised of blocks of 50,000 Shares, or whole multiples thereof. Shares are not individually redeemable, and may only be issued to or redeemed by or through Authorized Participants. The Fund’s Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally “in kind” for securities included in the Fund, but may also be issued and redeemed for cash. Retail investors may acquire Shares on the Bats BZX through a broker-dealer. Shares of the Fund will trade on the Secondary Market at market price rather than NAV. As such, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged account may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.

 

Financial Intermediary Compensation

 

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

25 
 

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Trust is an investment company consisting of separate investment portfolios (each, a “Fund”) that are exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are funds whose shares are listed on a stock exchange and trade like equity securities at market prices. ETFs, such as the Funds, allow you to buy or sell shares that represent the collective performance of a selected group of securities. ETFs are designed to add the flexibility, ease and liquidity of stock-trading to the benefits of traditional investing in actively-managed mutual funds. Each Fund is an actively managed ETF that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. Each Fund’s investment objective is correlated to a particular theme or event outcome. As a result, the Funds may underperform in times when a Fund’s related theme or event outcome is not realized.

 

This Prospectus contains important information about investing in the Funds. Please read this Prospectus carefully before you make any investment decisions. It contains important facts about the Trust as a whole and each Fund in particular. Additional information regarding the Funds is available at www.[website].com.

 

Active Weighting Advisors LLC (the “Advisor”) is the investment advisor to each Fund. Shares of each Fund are listed for trading on Bats BZX Exchange (“Exchange” or “Bats BZX”).

 

The market price for a share of a Fund may be different from the Fund’s most recent NAV. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Funds have not commenced operations and therefore have not accumulated information to report regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares have tracked such Funds’ NAV. Information regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares have tracked the relevant Fund’s NAV for the most recently completed calendar year and the quarters since that year will be available without charge on the Funds’ website at www.[website].com.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES OF THE FUNDS

 

Unless otherwise noted, the following Principal Investment Strategies are used by each of the Funds.

 

The types of equity securities in which the Funds will generally invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, rights, warrants, convertibles, ETFs and master limited partnerships (businesses organized as partnerships which trade on public exchanges). The Funds may also invest in ADRs, GDRs and EDRs. The types of debt securities in which the Funds will generally invest include corporate debt securities, U.S. Government securities, foreign sovereign debt securities, U.S. Government agency securities, high-yield bonds (also known as “junk bonds”), ETPs, mortgage-backed securities and variable and floating rate securities. An ETN is an unsecured debt security that trades on an established exchange. Its underlying value is determined by reference to an index, commodity, interest rate or other objectively determined reference. Each Fund may invest in debt securities of all maturities, from less than one year up to thirty years, depending on the portfolio manager’s assessment of the risks and opportunities along the yield curve. (The yield curve refers to differences in yield among debt assets of varying maturities.) Each Fund may engage in short selling in accordance with its objectives.

 

The Advisor primarily uses fundamental analysis, with targeted quantitative analysis, to select the individual securities to be included in the portfolio. The specified models employed by the Advisor in managing the portfolio of each Fund are further discussed in the respective summary section for each such Fund.

Each Fund may invest without limitation in securities of foreign issuers, including the securities of issuers located in emerging markets. These investments will typically be direct investments in the company on the respective foreign exchange or through ADRs, GDRs or EDRs. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs are typically issued by a financial institution (“Depository”) and evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of underlying securities that have been deposited with the Depository. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under normal circumstances the U.S. Tax Reform Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of issuers domiciled in the U.S. and the European Breakup Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of issuers domiciled in the E.U.. The U.S. Tax Reform Fund and European Breakup Fund’s respective 80% investment policy are non-fundamental and each requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

 

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When choosing investment markets, Fund management considers various factors, including the thematic concern for the applicable Fund, as well as general economic and political conditions, potential for economic growth and possible changes in currency exchange rates. In selecting investments, a Fund mainly will seek securities that Fund management believes are expected to appreciate in value, with a particular emphasis on the thematic considerations of the Fund.

The Fund generally will seek diversification across markets, industries and issuers as one of its strategies to reduce volatility. However, the Fund may concentrate the securities by industry or geographic location based on the Fund management outlook. The Fund has no geographic limits on where it may invest.

While many investment managers attempt to perform well relative to a fluctuating market index or benchmark, and other investment managers generally seek capital appreciation, the investment approach used for each Fund by the Advisor attempts to select a portfolio that is expected to experience capital appreciate and deliver returns based upon a selected thematic approach. The Republican Policies Fund selects securities that are expected to benefit from (or shorts securities that are expected to experience disruption as a result of) the U.S. government governing in accordance with Republican Policies. The Democratic Policies Fund selects securities that are expected to benefit from (or shorts securities that are expected to experience disruption as a result of) the U.S. government governing in accordance with Democratic Policies. The U.S. Tax Reform Fund selects securities that are expected to benefit from (or shorts securities that are expected to experience disruption as a result of) the U.S. government advancing then current Tax Reform Themes. The European Breakup Fund selects securities that are expected to benefit from (or shorts securities that are expected to experience disruption as a result of) changes in the E.U. market structure that result from member state withdrawals from the union or the euro currency, or related changes in the status of the E.U. Each Fund is not designed to hedge against its selected thematic approach; a Fund’s portfolio is expected to underperform to the extent that its thematic approach is not realized.

 

Each Fund uses quantitative computer screening of fundamental stock information to evaluate domestic and foreign securities in an attempt to find the most attractive opportunities worldwide. Each Fund adds qualifying securities using available cash within the parameters of such Fund’s target allocations. This systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and purchasing securities constitutes the Advisor’s buying discipline for each Fund.

 

The U.S. Tax Reform Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of issuers domiciled in the United States. The European Union Breakup Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of issuers domiciled in the Members of the E.U..

 

For each Fund, derivatives may comprise up to 20% of its portfolio, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodities. The Funds may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments and investment vehicles such as ETFs that invest exclusively in commodities and are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities.

 

Each Fund may use a variety of equity option strategies in an attempt to enhance return or to mitigate risk and volatility. Each Fund may buy call positions to leverage those long positions the Advisor believes will gain in value. Additionally, each Fund may buy put positions to leverage those short positions the Advisors believe will gain in value. Buying and selling other combinations of calls and puts with differing expiration dates and/or strike prices can be varied and used with similar objectives as single option strategies, such as to generate income and/or mitigate the risk of owing a security, but at particular price ranges, time frames, total risk exposures, or implementation costs. Options may also be used to facilitate entering into or exiting from a security with limited trading volume relative to the size of the position held or intended to be held, and may be purchased or sold to close out an existing option position of each Fund. An option on a security that is not exercised prior to its expiration becomes worthless, resulting in a gain to the option seller equal to the amount of the option premium received, and a loss to the option buyer equal to the amount of the option premium paid. Options on indices may be used to enhance return and/or mitigate the risk to the value of a Fund’s share price due to market movements. Option strategies incur transaction costs, which affect their after-cost effectiveness.

 

ETFs may be used to provide access to various debt markets, commodities, and hedging or other strategies.

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ETFs may also be used for exposure to domestic and international equities classified by company size, growth or value characteristics, country or region, and industry groups.

 

To the extent the Fund makes investments that are regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, it intends to do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Advisor has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and is therefore not subject to registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

In addition to its principal investment strategies, the Fund may also invest in money market instruments, including short-term debt instruments or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments (subject to applicable limitations under the 1940 Act, or exemptions therefrom), for liquidity purposes, or to earn interest.

 

The Advisor determines the “domicile” of issuers of securities in which a Fund invests by using data provided by an unaffiliated third-party data service, which, in turn, uses the following criteria to determine a company’s domicile: i) the country in which the company is incorporated; ii) the country in which the company is headquartered; iii) the country in which the company has a majority of its operations; iv) the country in which the company generates the largest proportion of its sales; and v) the country in which the company’s securities are traded in the most liquid manner.

 

Each of the policies described herein, including the investment objective of each Fund, constitutes a non-fundamental policy that may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without shareholder approval. Certain fundamental policies of the Funds are set forth in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) under “Investment Restrictions.”

 

Securities Lending

 

The Funds may lend their portfolio securities. In connection with such loans, the Funds receive liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent. This collateral is marked to market on a daily basis.

 

Borrowing Money

 

Each Fund may borrow money from a bank as permitted by 1940 Act, or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund, but only for temporary or emergency purposes. The Funds may also invest in reverse repurchase agreements, which are considered borrowings under the 1940 Act. Although the 1940 Act presently allows a Fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 331/3 percent of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5 percent of its total assets), and there is no limit on the percentage of Fund assets that can be used in connection with reverse repurchase agreements, under normal circumstances any borrowings by a Fund will not exceed 10 percent of the Fund’s total assets.

 

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS

 

Investors in the Funds should carefully consider the risks of investing in the Funds as set forth in each Fund’s Summary Information section under “Principal Risks.” To the extent such risks apply, they are discussed hereunder in greater detail. Unless otherwise noted, the following risks apply to all of the Funds.

 

There can be no assurance that the Funds will achieve their investment objectives.

 

Absence of Prior Active Market Risk. Although the Shares of each Fund are approved for listing on the Bats BZX, there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop and be maintained for the Shares of the Fund. Additionally, during times of market stress, market makers or Authorized Participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market in a Fund’s Shares, which could reduce Secondary Market liquidity for the Shares and result in a greater variance between the market price of the Shares and the Fund’s NAV per Share.

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Therefore, there may be times when there is little, sporadic or no market liquidity for Shares, which could negatively affect the price of such Shares. As a new fund, there can be no assurance that a Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may ultimately liquidate.

 

Authorized Participant Risk. Only certain large institutions known as Authorized Participants may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that those Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund, Fund Shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. This risk may be enhanced to the extent the securities held by the Fund are traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as with certain debt securities and non-US securities.

 

Asset Allocation Risk. The Fund’s investment performance depends upon the successful allocation by the Advisor of the Fund’s assets among asset classes, geographical regions, industry sectors, and specific issuers and investments. There is no guarantee that the Advisor’s allocation techniques and decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s selection and weighting of asset classes may cause it to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective. In particular, the prices of stocks and bonds in a Fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These risks are generally greater for small- and medium-sized companies. Each Fund may invest in securities that are susceptible to specific investment risks. Dividend-paying common stocks tend to go through cycles of doing better (or worse) than the stock market in general. These periods have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years. If stocks held by the Fund reduce or stop paying dividends, the Fund’s ability to generate income may be affected. Growth companies are those whose earnings growth potential appears to be greater than that of the market in general, and whose revenue growth is expected to continue for an extended period of time. Stocks of growth companies or “growth securities” have market values that may be more volatile than those of other types of investments. Growth companies typically do not pay a dividend, and dividends can help cushion stock prices in market downturns and reduce potential losses. Value companies are those whose stocks appear to be priced at a material discount to the underlying value of the issuing company. The reason for the apparent discount may reflect an underlying business condition that is more serious or permanent than anticipated, and stocks of value companies may remain depressed for extended periods of time, or may never realize their expected potential value. Companies with an apparently attractive financial condition and prospects for ongoing financial stability may experience adverse business conditions specific to their industry or enterprise that cause their financial condition and prospects to deteriorate. To the extent a Fund invests in dividend-paying common stocks, growth stocks, value stocks or the stocks of companies that experience negative developments in their financial condition, the Fund may underperform funds that invest in other types of securities.

 

Commodities Risk. Investing in the commodities markets (directly or indirectly) may subject a Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, and exposure to commodities can cause the net asset value of Fund Shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner. Commodity prices may be influenced by unfavorable weather, animal and plant disease, geologic and environmental factors as well as changes in government regulation such as tariffs, embargoes or burdensome production rules and restrictions. A liquid secondary market may not exist for certain commodity investments, which may make it difficult for a Fund to sell them at a desirable price or at the price at which it is carrying them.

 

Currency Hedging Risk. [European Union Breakup Fund only] The Fund may employ various strategies to reduce the impact of changes in the value of applicable currencies. However, these strategies may not be successful. Even if these strategies are successful, a Fund will continue to have significant exposure to the applicable currency. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investments and the value of your Fund Shares. Because each Fund’s NAV is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the U.S. dollar value of an investment in a Fund may go down if the value of the local currency of the non-U.S. markets in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar. This is true even if the local currency value of securities in the Fund’s holdings goes up. Conversely, the dollar value of your investment in the Fund may go up if the value of the local currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar.

 

The value of the U.S. dollar measured against other currencies is influenced by a variety of factors. These

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factors include: national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, and global energy prices. Political instability, the possibility of government intervention and restrictive or opaque business and investment policies may also reduce the value of a country’s currency. Government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government may also influence exchange rates.

 

Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in a Fund may change quickly and without warning, and you may lose money.

 

Currency Risk. [European Union Breakup Fund only] Investments directly in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad. As a result, a Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the return of the Fund.

 

Debt Securities Risk. The values of debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, actual or perceived inability or unwillingness of issuers, guarantors or liquidity providers to make scheduled principal or interest payments or illiquidity in debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. Interest rates may go up resulting in a decrease in the value of the debt securities held by the Funds. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Debt securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain debt securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

 

High-Yield Securities Risk. Debt securities receiving below investment grade ratings (i.e., “junk bonds”) may have speculative characteristics, and, compared to higher-grade securities, may have a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments in economic conditions or other circumstances. High-yield, high risk, and lower-rated securities are subject to additional risk factors, such as increased possibility of default, decreased liquidity, and fluctuations in value due to public perception of the issuer of such securities. These bonds are almost always uncollateralized and subordinate to other debt that an issuer may have outstanding. In addition, both individual high-yield securities and the entire high-yield bond market can experience sharp price swings due to a variety of factors, including changes in economic forecasts, stock market activity, large sustained sales by major investors, or a higher profile default.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Funds may enter into derivative transactions, or “derivatives,” which may include options, forwards, futures, options on futures and swap agreements. The value of derivatives is based on certain underlying equity or fixed-income securities, interest rates, currencies or indices. The use of these transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques, tax planning and risks that are different from those of ordinary securities transactions. Derivatives may be hard to sell at an advantageous price or time and typically are very sensitive to changes in the underlying security, interest rate, currency or index. As a result, derivatives can be highly volatile. If the Advisor is incorrect about its expectations of changes to the underlying securities, interest rates, currencies, indices or market conditions, the use of derivatives could result in a loss, which in some cases may be unlimited. Derivatives may also be subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a counterparty, a Fund could experience the loss of some or all of its investment in a derivative or experience delays in liquidating its positions, including declines in the value of its investment during the period in which the Fund seeks to enforce its rights, and an inability to realize any gains on its investment during such period. A Fund may also incur fees and expenses in enforcing its rights. In

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addition, certain derivative transactions can result in leverage. Leverage involves investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. Leverage can cause increased volatility by magnifying gains or losses. Investments in derivatives may increase or accelerate the amount of taxable income of a Fund, or result in the deferral of losses that would otherwise be recognized by a Fund, in determining the amount of dividends distributable to shareholders. As investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Funds must maintain reserves of liquid assets to “cover” obligations with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments.

 

Counterparty Risk. Many of the protections afforded to participants on some organized exchanges, such as the performance guarantee of an exchange clearing house, are not available in connection with OTC derivatives transactions. In those instances, the Fund or an ETP in which the Fund invests will be subject to the risk that its direct counterparty will not perform its obligations under the transactions and that the Fund or such ETP will sustain losses.

 

Equity Options Risk. Options on securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than an investment in the underlying securities. Purchasing and writing put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Advisor to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. By writing put options on equity securities, a Fund gives up the opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of the common stocks above the strike prices of the written put options, but continues to bear the risk of declines in the value of its common stock portfolio. A Fund will receive a premium from writing a covered call option that it retains whether or not the option is exercised. The premium received from the written options may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from the volatility of the underlying equity securities over time.

 

Forward and Futures Contract Risk. The primary risks associated with the use of forward and futures contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) the possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (d) the possibility that, if the Fund has insufficient cash, the Fund may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

 

Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are entered into primarily with major global financial institutions for a specified period which may range from one day to more than one year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined reference or underlying securities or instruments. The gross return to be exchanged or swapped between the parties is calculated based on a notional amount or the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a basket of securities representing a particular index. Total return swaps are subject to counterparty risk, which relates to credit risk of the counterparty and liquidity risk of the swaps themselves.

 

Developed Countries Risk . Investment in developed country issuers may subject a Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with developed countries. Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g., the financial services sector), and a prolonged slowdown in one or more services sectors is likely to have a negative impact on economies of certain developed countries. Acts of terrorism in developed countries or against their interests may cause uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which a Fund has exposure. Many developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed country economies.

 

Equity Securities Risk. The Funds are designed for investors who can accept the risks of investing in a portfolio with significant equity holdings. Equity holdings tend to be more volatile than other investment choices such as bonds and money market instruments because common stockholders, or holders of equivalent interests, generally have inferior rights to receive payments from issuers in comparison with the rights of preferred stockholders, bondholders and other creditors of such issuers. The value of each Fund’s Shares will fluctuate as a result of the movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, resulting in losses. Equity securities may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally or particular industries represented in those markets. The value of an equity security may also decline for a number of reasons, which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services.

 

European Economic Risk . [European Union Breakup Fund only] The E.U. requires compliance with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, interest rates and debt levels, as well as fiscal and monetary controls, each of which may significantly affect every country in Europe. Decreasing imports or exports, changes in governmental or

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E.U. regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the euro (the common currency of certain E.U. countries), the default or threat of default by an E.U. member country on its sovereign debt (including, without limitation, the default by Greece) and/or an economic recession in an E.U. member country may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of E.U. member countries and their trading partners. The European financial markets have experienced volatility and adverse trends in recent years due to concerns about economic downturns or rising government debt levels in several European countries, including, but not limited to, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ukraine. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries.

 

Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not produce the desired results, 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 other entities of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the E.U.. In a referendum held on June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom, which is a significant global economy, resolved to leave the E.U.. The referendum may introduce significant uncertainties and instability in the financial markets as the United Kingdom negotiates its exit from the E.U..

 

The occurrence of terrorist incidents throughout Europe also could impact financial markets. The impact of these events is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching and adversely affect the value of a Fund’s investment in issuers of the E.U..

 

Exchange-Traded Vehicle Risk. The Funds may invest in ETFs, exchange-traded notes and other exchange-traded products (collectively with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). By investing in ETPs, a Fund indirectly bears the Fund’s proportionate share of any fees and expenses (e.g. management, custody, accounting, and administration) of the ETP, if applicable, in addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund and its shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s operations. In addition, because of ETP expenses, compared to owning directly the underlying assets held or tracked by such ETP, it may be more costly to own an ETP.

 

Through its positions in ETPs, a Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such vehicles’ investments, or reference assets in the case of ETNs, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by an ETP could decrease. In addition, certain of the ETPs may hold common portfolio positions, thereby reducing any diversification benefits. Many ETFs seek to replicate a specific benchmark index. However, an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index for many reasons, including because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of stocks held.

 

Lack of liquidity in an ETP could result in an ETP being more volatile than the underlying assets it holds or references. In periods of market stress, withdrawal from participation by market makers may reduce Secondary Market liquidity for ETPs in which a Fund invests. Market stresses may also result in authorized participants ceasing to participate in creation and redemption activity for an ETP’s shares. As a result, a withdrawal of market makers or authorized participants may increase the spread between an ETP’s net asset value and the trading price for its shares.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The NAV of a Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the Shares on the Bats BZX. The Advisor cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities held by a Fund, whether trading individually or in the aggregate, at any point in time. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses. However, given that the Shares can be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAV), the Advisor believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Shares should not be sustained.

 

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Foreign Investment Risk. [European Union Breakup Fund only] Foreign investments may carry risks associated with investing outside the United States, such as currency fluctuation, economic or financial instability, lack of timely or reliable financial information or unfavorable political or legal developments.

 

Foreign securities include ADRs and similar investments, including European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), dollar denominated foreign securities and securities purchased directly on foreign exchanges. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs are depositary receipts for foreign company stocks which are not themselves listed on a U.S. exchange, and are issued by a bank and held in trust at that bank, and which entitle the owner of such depositary receipts to any capital gains or dividends from the foreign company stocks underlying the depositary receipts. ADRs are U.S. dollar denominated. EDRs and GDRs are typically U.S. dollar denominated but may be denominated in a foreign currency. Foreign securities, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, may be subject to more risks than U.S. domestic investments. These additional risks may potentially include lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign companies also may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation than U.S. companies, including potentially confiscatory levels of taxation, thereby reducing the earnings potential of such foreign companies. In addition, amounts realized on sales of foreign securities may be subject to high and potentially confiscatory levels of foreign taxation and withholding when compared to comparable transactions in U.S. securities. A Fund will generally not be eligible to pass through to shareholders any U.S. federal income tax credits or deductions with respect to foreign taxes paid unless it meets certain requirements regarding the percentage of its total assets invested in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities involve exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Such fluctuations may reduce the value of the investment. Foreign investments are also subject to risks including potentially higher withholding and other taxes, trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks and less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards in certain foreign markets. In addition, foreign markets can and often do perform differently from U.S. markets.

 

In addition, each Fund may invest in emerging markets. Emerging markets are those of countries with immature economic and political structures. Investments in securities of companies in emerging markets involve special risks. Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks in domestic securities or in foreign, developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible repatriation of investment income and capital. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by a Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities of certain emerging market countries.

 

Foreign Securities Valuation Risk . [European Union Breakup Fund only] The Funds may from time to time fair value the foreign securities they hold, as events may result in the fair value of foreign securities materially changing between the close of the local exchange on which they trade and the time at which the Funds price their Shares. Additionally, because foreign exchanges on which securities held by the Funds may be open on days when the Funds do not price their Shares, the potential exists for the value of the securities in a Fund’s portfolio to change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s Shares. Moreover, foreign securities are more susceptible to trading halts and certain other corporate actions that might necessitate fair valuation of those securities. Additionally, foreign securities may be priced in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar. When a Fund’s securities are fair valued, the process involves a degree of subjectivity and thus security prices used to calculate the Fund’s NAV may differ from the prices used by other market participants. Any such valuation risks may result in a difference between the market price for a Fund’s Shares and the Fund’s NAV per Share.

 

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which a Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in the affected region. Such a disaster may result in a loss to the Fund.

 

Hedge risk. [European Union Breakup Fund only] The Funds expect to regularly include hedging strategies with the portfolio to de-emphasize specific factor risk, such as the price of currencies and commodities or interest rate movements. There is no guarantee that the Advisor’s hedging techniques and decisions will produce the desired results.

 

Issuer Risk. A Fund may at times hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other funds. To the extent a Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of such Fund’s Shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

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Large-Capitalization Securities Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies. Larger companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller and mid-sized companies to competitive challenges or to changes in business, product, financial, or market conditions. Larger companies may not be able to maintain growth at the high rates that may be achieved by well-managed smaller and mid-sized companies.

 

Management Risk. The skill of the Advisor will play a significant role in each Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. A Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives depends on the ability of the Advisor to correctly identify economic trends, especially with regard to accurately forecasting projected dividend and growth rates and inflationary and deflationary periods. In addition, each Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the Advisor’s ability to select stocks, particularly in volatile stock markets. The Advisor could be incorrect in its analysis of industries, companies’ projected dividends and growth rates and the relative attractiveness of value stocks and other matters. In addition, the Advisor’s stop loss and goal setting process may not perform as expected, which may negatively impact a Fund.

 

The Advisor is newly formed and has no experience managing an ETF. In addition, the portfolio managers have no experience managing a portfolio of securities for an ETF. The relative lack of experience of the Advisor and its portfolio managers may increase the applicable management risks discussed above.

 

Market Risk. Each Fund could lose money due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns. Securities may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular asset classes or industries represented in the markets. The value of a security may decline due to general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or to factors that affect a particular industry or group of industries. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected.

 

Market Trading Risk. The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including the following:

 

Absence of Active Market. Although Shares of each Fund are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, each Fund is a new fund and there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop or be maintained by market makers or Authorized Participants.

 

Risk of Secondary Listings. Each Fund’s Shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the Fund’s primary listing is maintained. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s Shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that a Fund’s Shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. Each Fund’s Shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade Fund Shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.

 

Secondary Market Trading Risk. Shares of each Fund may trade in the secondary market at times when a Fund does not accept orders to purchase or redeem Shares. At such times, Shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced at times when a Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders.

 

Secondary market trading in Fund Shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on a stock exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules on the stock exchange or market. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing or trading of Fund Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

 

Shares of each Fund, similar to shares of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold

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short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility associated with short selling.

 

Shares Of The Fund May Trade At Prices Other Than Nav. Shares of each Fund trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below a Fund’s most recent NAV. The NAV of each Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of a Fund’s holdings. The trading price of a Fund’s Shares fluctuates continuously throughout trading hours based on both market supply of and demand for Fund Shares and the underlying value of each Fund’s portfolio holdings or NAV. As a result, the trading prices of a Fund’s Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV. However, because Shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAVs), Lattice believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of a Fund are not likely to be sustained over the long term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it more likely that a Fund’s Shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to a Fund’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with a Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, or to market participants or during periods of significant market volatility, may result in trading prices for Shares of a Fund that differ significantly from its NAV.

 

Model Risk. Each Fund’s investment process includes the use of proprietary models and analysis methods developed by the Advisor, and data provided by third parties. The investment process also involves analysis of general political, policy and economic themes. Third party data and information used in models and analysis is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however inaccurate data could adversely affect the effectiveness of the resulting investment implementation on a Fund’s performance. There can be no assurance that any particular model or investment strategy, including those devised by the Advisor, will be profitable for any Fund, and may result in a loss of principal.

 

Political and Social Risk . Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Political and social developments that are anticipated but at odds with a Fund’s theme may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Recent global and country-level developments have increased uncertainty in the political spectrum in the United States, E.U. and E.U. member countries. Disparities of wealth, decentralization of information, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some countries. Acts of terrorism or issues relating to immigration have increased social unrest and political and social uncertainty in some countries.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) has the potential to result in the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, which may subject you to a higher tax liability. A high portfolio turnover rate also leads to higher transactions costs, which could negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Distributions to shareholders of short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income under federal tax laws.

 

Security Risk. Some geographic areas in which the Fund invests have experienced acts of terrorism and strained international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, defense concerns and other security concerns. These situations may cause uncertainty in the political and economic markets of these geographic areas and may adversely affect their economies.

 

Shares are not Individually Redeemable. Shares may be redeemed by the Funds only in “Creation Units” which are blocks of 50,000 Shares that are expected to be worth in excess of $1 million each. The Funds may not redeem Shares in fractional Creation Units or on an individual Share basis. Only certain large institutions that enter into agreements with the Distributor are authorized to transact in Creation Units with the Funds. These entities are referred to as Authorized Participants. All other persons or entities transacting in Shares must do so in the Secondary Market.

 

Short Selling Risk. A Fund may engage in short sales which are designed to provide the Fund gains when the price of a particular security, basket of securities or indices declines. When a Fund shorts securities, it borrows that security which it then sells. The Fund closes out a short sale by purchasing the security that is has sold short and returning that security to the entity that lent the security. The Fund may also seek “short” exposure through the use of derivatives such as swap agreements or futures contracts, which may expose the Fund to certain risks such an increase in volatility or decrease in the liquidity of the securities of the underlying short position. If the Fund were to experience this volatility or decreased liquidity, the Fund’s return may be lower or the Fund’s ability to obtain desired exposure through the use of derivatives may be limited. If the securities underlying the short positions are thinly traded or have a limited market due to various factors, including regulatory action, the Fund may be unable to meet its investment objective due to lack of available securities or counterparties. If the securities underlying the short position rises in value, the losses for such short position may be unlimited, until such time as the short position is closed. Short selling also involves added costs of borrowing interest.

 

Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk. Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and

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medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and their management may be dependent on a limited number of key individuals. Securities of those companies may have limited market liquidity and their prices may be more volatile.

 

U.S. Tax Risk. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies, each Fund must satisfy certain income, asset diversification, and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

 

One of the requirements for favorable tax treatment as a regulated investment company is that the Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain qualifying income. The tax treatment of certain derivatives is unclear for this purpose. In Revenue Ruling 2006-1 (as modified by Revenue Ruling 2006-31), the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) ruled that income derived from certain commodity-linked derivatives is not qualifying income. As such, the Fund's ability to utilize commodity-linked derivatives as part of its investment portfolio generally is limited to a maximum of 10% of its gross income. From 2006 through July 2011, the IRS issued numerous private letter rulings (“PLRs”) treating as qualifying income (i) income from certain commodity-linked notes (as distinguished from commodity-linked derivatives) and (ii) income from a wholly-owned non-U.S. subsidiary, even if the subsidiary itself invests in commodity-linked derivatives. As a result of the Code’s restrictions on regulated investment companies with respect to investments in commodities, the Funds may seek to gain exposure to commodity markets by investing in wholly-owned subsidiaries. To the extent applicable, the Funds intend to treat income they derive from any such subsidiaries as qualifying income based on the analysis in the PLRs mentioned above. PLRs, however, cannot be used or cited as precedent, and may only be relied on by the taxpayer(s) to whom they are issued. The Funds have not themselves been issued any PLRs. Furthermore, potential investors should be aware that, in 2011, the IRS suspended the issuance of PLRs in this area pending review of its position on this matter. Thus, the tax treatment of a Fund’s investments in a wholly-owned subsidiary or commodity-linked instruments may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS (which may be retroactive) that could affect whether income from such investments is “qualifying income.”

 

In addition, a Fund’s transactions in derivative instruments, including, but not limited to, options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts and swap contracts, will be subject to special tax rules (which may include mark-to-market, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to a Fund, defer losses to a Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of a Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains or convert short term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could, therefore, affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to a Fund’s shareholders. A Fund’s use of such transactions may result in such Fund realizing more short-term capital gains and ordinary income, in each case subject to U.S. federal income tax at higher ordinary income tax rates, than it would if it did not engage in such transactions.

 

ADDITIONAL RISKS

 

Asset Class Risk. The securities in a Fund’s portfolio may underperform the returns of other securities or indexes that track other countries, groups of countries, regions, industries, groups of industries, markets, asset classes or sectors. Various types of securities or indexes tend to experience cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general securities markets.

 

Borrowing Risk. Each Fund may borrow money from a bank as permitted by 1940 Act, or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund, but only for temporary or emergency purposes. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund Shares and in the return on a Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost a Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce a Fund’s return. Borrowing may also cause a Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations.

 

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Continuous Offering Risk. The method by which Creation Units are purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by each Fund 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 principal underwriter, breaks them down into individual Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to categorization as an underwriter.

 

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus or summary prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available with respect to such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act.

 

Costs of Buying or Selling Fund 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 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 Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell 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 Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity. In addition, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads.

 

Currency Risk. [Republican Policies Fund, Democratic Policies Fund and U.S. Tax Reform Fund only] See “Additional Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds—Currency Risk.”

 

Custody Risk. Custody risk refers to the risks inherent in the process of clearing and settling trades and the holding of securities by local banks, agents and depositories. Low trading volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets may make trades harder to complete and settle, and governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that may not be subject to independent evaluation. Local agents are held only to the standards of care of their local markets. In general, the less developed a country’s securities market is, the greater the likelihood of custody problems.

 

Foreign Investment Risk. [Republican Policies Fund, Democratic Policies Fund and U.S. Tax Reform Fund only] See “Additional Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds—Foreign Investment Risk.”

 

Growth Risk. Growth companies are those whose earnings growth potential appears to be greater than that of the market in general, and whose revenue growth is expected to continue for an extended period of time. Stocks of growth companies or “growth securities” have market values that may be more volatile than those of other types of investments. Growth companies typically do not pay a dividend, and dividends can help cushion stock prices in market downturns, and reduce potential losses. A Fund’s investments in stocks of growth companies may cause the share price of the Fund to be more volatile than the prices of funds that do not invest primarily in growth stocks. During periods when growth stocks are underperforming other types of stocks, such Fund may also underperform funds that favor other types of securities.

 

Hedge Risk. [Republican Policies Fund, Democratic Policies Fund and U.S. Tax Reform Fund only] See “Additional Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds—Hedge Risk.”

 

Investment Liquidity Risk. Liquidity Risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or

37 
 

sell. If a Fund invests in assets that are or become illiquid, it may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be unable to sell these illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Additionally, the market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. In such cases, the Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and/or the difficulty in purchasing and selling such investments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain market or sector.

 

Operational Risk. The Fund is exposed to operational risks arising from a number of factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures; however, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) has the potential to result in the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, which may subject you to a higher tax liability. A high portfolio turnover rate also leads to higher transactions costs, which could negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Distributions to shareholders of short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income under federal tax laws.

 

Securities Lending Risk. The Funds may lend their portfolio securities. Although a Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its portfolio securities, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In addition, such Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.

 

Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the Bats BZX may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Bats BZX, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the Bats BZX is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Bats BZX “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Bats BZX necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

 

Value Risk. To the extent a Fund invests in value stocks, the Fund may underperform funds that do not invest in value stocks during periods when value stocks underperform other types of stocks.

 

Please refer to the SAI for additional discussion of the risks of investing in Shares.

 

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

 

The method by which Creation Units are purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Funds 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, breaks them down into individual Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of Secondary Market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the

38 
 

examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to categorization as an underwriter.

 

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available with respect to such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker dealer-firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary Secondary Market transactions) and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an over-allotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(a) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares of a Fund are reminded that under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, 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 Bats BZX is satisfied by the fact that such Fund’s prospectus is available at the Bats BZX upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

 

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

 

Each Fund issues and redeems Shares only in bundles of a specified number of Shares. These bundles are known as “Creation Units.” For each Fund, a Creation Unit is comprised of 50,000 Shares. The number of Shares in a Creation Unit will not change, except in the event of a share split, reverse split or similar revaluation. The Funds may not issue fractional Creation Units. To purchase or redeem a Creation Unit, you must be an Authorized Participant or you must do so through a broker, dealer, bank or other entity that is an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant is either (1) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (“Clearing Process”), or (2) a participant of DTC (a “DTC Participant”), and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (a “Participation Agreement”). Because Creation Units are likely to cost over $1 million each, it is expected that only large institutional investors will purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Funds in the form of Creation Units.

 

In turn, it is expected that institutional investors who purchase Creation Units will break up their Creation Units and offer and sell individual Shares in the Secondary Market. Although it is anticipated that most creation and redemption transactions for each Fund will be made on a partially or wholly “in- kind” basis, from time to time they may be made on an all cash basis. In determining whether a particular Fund will sell or redeem Creation Units on an in kind basis or for cash (whether for a given day or a given order), the key considerations will be a) the ability of the Fund to receive or deliver the underlying holdings through transfer in the creation or redemption process and b) the benefit that would accrue to the Fund and its investors. Under certain circumstances, tax considerations may warrant in kind, rather than cash, redemptions.

 

Retail investors may acquire Shares in the Secondary Market (not from the Funds) through a broker or dealer. Shares are listed on the Bats BZX and are publicly traded. For information about acquiring Shares in the Secondary Market, please contact your broker or dealer. If you want to sell Shares in the Secondary Market, you must do so through your broker or dealer.

 

When you buy or sell Shares in the Secondary Market, your broker or dealer may charge you a commission, market premium or discount or other transaction charge, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price for each purchase or sale transaction. Unless imposed by your broker or dealer, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest and no minimum number of Shares you must buy in the Secondary Market. In addition, because transactions in the Secondary Market occur at market prices, you may pay more than NAV when you buy Shares and receive less than NAV when you sell those Shares.

 

The creation and redemption processes discussed above are summarized, and such summary only applies to shareholders who purchase or redeem Creation Units (that is, they do not relate to shareholders who purchase or sell Shares in the Secondary Market). Authorized Participants should refer to their Participant Agreements for the precise instructions that must be followed in order to create or redeem Creation Units.

 

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BUYING AND SELLING SHARES IN THE SECONDARY MARKET

 

Most investors will buy and sell Shares of each Fund in Secondary Market transactions through brokers. Shares of each Fund will be listed for trading on the Secondary Market on the Bats BZX. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly-traded shares. There is no minimum investment. Although Shares are generally purchased and sold in “round lots” of 100 Shares, brokerage firms typically permit investors to purchase or sell Shares in smaller “odd lots” at no per-Share price differential. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the Secondary Market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.

 

Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share. For information about buying and selling Shares in the Secondary Market, please contact your broker or dealer.

 

Book Entry

 

Shares of each Fund are held in book-entry form and no stock certificates are issued. DTC, through its nominee Cede & Co., is the record owner of all outstanding Shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes.

 

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

 

These procedures are the same as those that apply to any securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form for any publicly-traded company. Specifically, in the case of a shareholder meeting of a Fund, DTC assigns applicable Cede & Co. voting rights to its participants that have Shares credited to their accounts on the record date, issues an omnibus proxy and forwards the omnibus proxy to the Fund. The omnibus proxy transfers the voting authority from Cede & Co. to the DTC participant. This gives the DTC participant through whom you own Shares (namely, your broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee) authority to vote the shares, and, in turn, the DTC participant is obligated to follow the voting instructions you provide.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

The Board is responsible for the general supervision of the Funds. The Board appoints officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Funds.

 

Investment Advisor

 

Active Weighting Advisors LLC is the Funds’ Advisor and is located at 490 Royal Lake Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. The Advisor was formed in 2016 and expects to register as an investment adviser with the SEC, providing investment management services to ETFs.

 

The Advisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and policies. The Advisor also furnishes the Funds with office space and certain administrative services and provides most of the personnel needed to fulfill the obligations of the investment advisory agreement.

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As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, each Fund pays the Advisor a management fee equal to a percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated daily and paid monthly, as follows:

 

Fund Name Management Fee
Republican Policies Fund   [__]%
Democratic Policies Fund   [__]%
U.S. Tax Reform Fund   [__]%
European Union Breakup Fund   [__]%

 

The Advisor will serve as advisor to each Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”). The Advisory Agreement will be approved by the Independent Trustees of the Trust at an in-person meeting of the Board. The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement will be available in the Funds’ first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.

 

As investment advisor, Active Weighting Advisors LLC provides investment management services to the Funds and may also provide management services to other funds or accounts, including additional publicly traded funds on the Bats BZX, using analysis, research, processes and systems similar to those used in the management of the Funds. As a result, securities selected for the Funds may also be appropriate for, and owned in, other accounts under the Advisor’s management.

 

Portfolio Management

 

· Jonathon Clements. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017. Mr. Clements received his B.A. from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Prior to co-founding the Advisor, Mr. Clements worked as a Research Analyst at Goldman Sachs from 2015 to 2016.
· Matthew Clements. Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of the Advisor has served as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since commencement of operations in 2017. Mr. Clements is also a Trustee of the Trust. Mr. Clements received his B.A. from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Prior to co-founding the Advisor, Mr. Clements worked as a Senior Tax Accountant at Ernst & Young from 2013 to 2016.

 

Jonathon Clements and Matthew Clements are brothers. Neither Mr. Clements has experience managing a portfolio of securities on behalf of an ETF. The SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager and their ownership of securities in the Funds.

 

Material Conflicts of Interest.

 

Because the portfolio managers may manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts of interest exists. Each portfolio manager may manage portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Funds. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Funds managed by the portfolio manager due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts, but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Funds, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Funds and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers does not generally provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio managers’ bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed. In addition, current trading practices do not allow the Advisor to intentionally favor one portfolio over another as trades are executed as trade orders are received. Portfolio’s rebalancing dates also generally vary between fund families. Program trades created from the portfolio rebalance are executed at market on close.

 

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OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Fund Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent

 

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Administrator” or “Custodian”), 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, is the administrator, custodian, transfer agent, Fund accounting, and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.

 

Distributor

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101, serves as the Distributor of Creation Units for the Funds on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a Secondary Market in Shares.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[Registered Public Accounting Firm] serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.

 

Legal Counsel

 

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP serves as counsel to the Trust and the Funds.

 

FREQUENT TRADING

 

The Board has not adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares by Fund shareholders (“market timing”). In determining not to adopt market timing policies and procedures, the Board noted that the Funds are expected to be attractive to active institutional and retail investors interested in buying and selling Fund Shares on a short-term basis. In addition, the Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, a Fund’s Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants, and that the vast majority of trading in a Fund’s Shares occurs on the Secondary Market. Because Secondary Market trades do not involve a Fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in a Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With respect to trades directly with the Funds, to the extent effected in kind (namely, for securities), those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction costs (a Fund may impose higher transaction fees to offset these increased costs), which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading on a short-term basis by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that a Fund’s Shares trade at or close to NAV. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is not necessary to adopt market timing policies and procedures. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time and reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive or excessive trading in Creation Units.

 

The Board has instructed the officers of the Trust to review reports of purchases and redemptions of Creation Units on a regular basis to determine if there is any unusual trading in the Funds. The officers of the Trust will report to the Board any such unusual trading in Creation Units that is disruptive to the Funds. In such event, the Board may reconsider its decision not to adopt market timing policies and procedures.

 

Fund Expenses

 

Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses.

 

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

 

The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, each Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net

42 
 

assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of each Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid (or will, for the first 12 months after the effective date of this Prospectus, be paid) by the Funds and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the respective Fund’s assets, and over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.

 

The Advisor and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts (“Payments”) to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Funds. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments. The Advisor may make Payments for such third parties to organize or participate in activities that are designed to make registered representatives, other professionals and individual investors more knowledgeable about ETFs, including ETFs advised by the Advisor, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems. The Advisor also may make Payments to third parties to help defray costs typically covered by a trading commission, such as certain printing, publishing and mailing costs or materials relating to the marketing of services related to exchange-traded products (such as commission-free trading platforms) or exchange-traded products in general. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Advisor has not entered into arrangements whereby it would make Payments.

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)

 

The NAV of the Shares for a Fund is equal to the Fund’s total assets minus the Fund’s total liabilities divided by the total number of Shares outstanding. Interest and investment income on the Trust’s assets accrue daily and are included in the Fund’s total assets. Expenses and fees (including investment advisory, management, administration and distribution fees, if any) accrue daily and are included in the Fund’s total liabilities. The NAV that is published is rounded to the nearest cent; however, for purposes of determining the price of Creation Units, the NAV is calculated to five decimal places.

 

In calculating NAV, each Fund’s investments are valued using market quotations when available. When market quotations are not readily available, are deemed unreliable or do not reflect material events occurring between the close of local markets and the time of valuation, investments are valued using fair value pricing as determined in good faith by the Advisor under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board. Investments that may be valued using fair value pricing include, but are not limited to: (1) securities that are not actively traded, including “restricted” securities and securities received in private placements for which there is no public market; (2) securities of an issuer that becomes bankrupt or enters into a restructuring; (3) securities whose trading has been halted or suspended; and (4) foreign securities traded on exchanges that close before a Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

The frequency with which each Fund’s investments are valued using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and other assets in which the respective Fund invests pursuant to its investment objective, strategies and limitations. If the Funds invest in other open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, they may rely on the net asset values of those companies to value the shares they hold of them. Those companies may also use fair value pricing under some circumstances.

 

Valuing the Funds’ investments using fair value pricing results in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market valuations. Accordingly, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate NAV and the prices used to determine a Fund’s Indicative Intra-Day Value (“IIV”), which could result in the market prices for Shares deviating from NAV.

 

The NAV is calculated by the Administrator and Custodian and determined each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the Bats BZX (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. New York time).

 

INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE

 

The approximate value of each Fund’s investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value, or IIV, is disseminated by the [Bats BZX] every fifteen (15) seconds during hours of trading on the Bats BZX. The IIV

43 
 

should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV may not be calculated in the same manner as NAV, which is computed once per day.

 

An independent third party calculator calculates the IIV for each Fund during hours of trading on the Bats BZX by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares of that Fund. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in a Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owed to the Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of the Fund’s liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Trust’s website. The IIV 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 IIV and the market price may occur. This should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per Share of the Funds, which is calculated only once a day.

 

The Funds and the Advisor provide the independent third party calculator with information to calculate the IIV, but neither the Funds nor the Advisor are involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and are not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Funds and the Advisor make no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.

 

PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION

 

Information regarding the extent and frequency with which market prices of Shares have tracked the relevant Fund’s NAV for the most recently completed calendar year and the quarters since that year will be available without charge on the Funds’ website at www.[website].com.

 

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

Net Investment Income and Capital Gains

 

As a Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the Fund’s distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its investments. The Funds pay out substantially all of their net earnings to their shareholders as “distributions.”

 

Each Fund typically earns income 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 realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

 

Income dividend distributions, if any, for the Funds generally are distributed to shareholders annually, but may vary significantly from period to period. Net capital gains for all Funds are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently or at any other times to comply with the distribution requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

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

 

Dividend Reinvestment Service

 

No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Funds through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. If this service is used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Funds. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. Distributions which are reinvested nevertheless will be taxable to the same extent as if such distributions had not been reinvested.

 

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U.S. Federal Income Taxes

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Shares of a Fund. The summary is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date of this Prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that a Fund shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares of a Fund, and does not address the consequences to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, tax-exempt shareholders, regulated investment companies (“RICs”), real estate investment trusts, real estate mortgage investment conduits, those who hold Fund Shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, “non-U.S. shareholders” (as defined below). This discussion does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. Furthermore, this discussion is not intended or written to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in a Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or relied on, and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares, based on their particular circumstances.

 

The Funds have not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality, non-U.S. country or other taxing jurisdiction. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in the SAI entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”

 

Tax Treatment of a Fund

 

Each Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a separate RIC under the Code. To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, each Fund must meet certain annual income and quarterly asset diversification requirements and must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if any.

 

As a RIC, a Fund generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Code), the Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless of whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to a Fund’s shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Funds will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.

 

A Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year (taking into account certain deferrals and elections), 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year (or later if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

 

A Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment. For example, if a Fund invests in original issue discount obligations (such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest), the Fund will be required to include in income each year a portion of the

45 
 

original issue discount that accrues over the term of the obligation, even if the related cash payment is not received by the Fund until a later year. Under the “wash sale” rules, a Fund may not be able to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a portfolio security. As a result, a Fund may be required to make an annual income distribution greater than the total cash actually received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling portfolio securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in which event its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders

 

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Fund Distributions. In general, Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property, and regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received by each Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following calendar year.

 

Distributions of a Fund’s net investment income (except, as discussed below, qualified dividend income) and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent designated as capital gain dividends by a Fund, distributions of a Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net capital gain”) are taxable at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, regardless of a Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Distributions of qualified dividend income are, to the extent of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, taxed to certain non-corporate Fund shareholders at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gain, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to its dividend-paying stocks. Substitute payments received on Fund Shares that are lent out will be ineligible for being reported as qualified dividend income.

 

Each Fund intends to distribute its net capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end, a Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and each Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, each Fund shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital gain and increase the shareholder’s tax basis in the Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund.

 

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares of the Fund, and generally as capital gain thereafter.

 

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In addition, high-income individuals (and certain trusts and estates) generally are subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income” in addition to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including capital gain dividends) received from a Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult your tax advisor regarding this tax.

 

If a Fund is a “qualified fund of funds” (i.e., a RIC at least 50% of the value of the total assets of which, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, is represented by interests in other RICs) or more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of a taxable year consist of non-U.S. stock or securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders certain non-U.S. income taxes paid by the Fund. This means that each shareholder will be required to (i) include in gross income, even though not actually received, the shareholder’s pro rata share of the Fund’s non-U.S. income taxes, and (ii) either take a corresponding deduction (in calculating U.S. federal taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income tax), subject to certain limitations.

 

Investors considering buying Shares just prior to a distribution should be aware that, although the price of the Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming distribution, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).

 

Sale or Exchange of Shares. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares held for one year or less generally is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale or exchange of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to the Shares.

 

Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions. On an issue of Shares of a Fund as part of a Creation Unit where the creation is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant generally recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant generally recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position, that any loss on an issue or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.

 

In general, any capital gain or loss recognized upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss, if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Shares.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder (as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following discussion addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income taxation applicable to non-U.S. shareholders.

 

With respect to non-U.S. shareholders of a Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty), subject to certain exceptions for “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” discussed below. A Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. U.S. federal withholding tax generally will not apply to any gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of a Fund’s net

47 
 

capital gain. Special rules (not discussed herein) apply with respect to dividends of a Fund that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests.”

 

In general, all “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” (each defined below) will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnished the Fund with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means dividends designated by a Fund as attributable to such Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and other than interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital gain dividends” generally means dividends designated by a Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. Depending on its circumstances, a Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding.

 

In general, subject to certain exceptions, non-U.S. shareholders will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of a sale or other disposition of Shares of a Fund.

 

To claim a credit or refund for any Fund-level taxes on any undistributed net capital gain (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through back-up withholding (discussed below), a non-U.S. shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.

 

Back-Up Withholding.

 

A Fund (or a financial intermediary such as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in a Fund) may be required to report certain information on a Fund shareholder to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a current rate of 28% from taxable distributions and redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

 

The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (defined below) made to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other specified requirements, and (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain information about its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” to the withholding agent or certifies that it has no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a “withholdable payment” may be eligible for a refund or credit of the withheld tax. The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to provide an alternative, and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.

 

“Withholdable payments” generally include, among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring on or after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.

 

A Fund may be required to impose a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder has

48 
 

“substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. A Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder information, certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.

 

The requirements of, and exceptions from, FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA with respect to their own situation.

 

For a more detailed tax discussion regarding an investment in the Funds, please see the section of the SAI entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Trust, the Advisor, and Foreside Financial Group, LLC, on behalf of the Distributor and its affiliates, have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. They are designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Advisor, 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). There can be no assurance that the codes will be effective in preventing such activities. The codes will be on file with the SEC and are available to the public.

 

FUND WEBSITE AND DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Advisor maintains a website for the Funds at www.[website].com. The website for the Funds contains the following information, on a per-Share basis, for each Fund: (1) the prior Business Day’s NAV; (2) the reported mid-point of the bid-ask spread at the time of NAV calculation (the “Bid-Ask Price”); (3) a calculation of the premium or discount of the Bid-Ask Price against such NAV; and (4) data in chart format displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the Bid-Ask Price against the NAV, within appropriate ranges, for each of the four previous calendar quarters (or for the life of a Fund if, shorter). In addition, on each Business Day, before the commencement of trading in Shares on the Bats BZX, each Fund will disclose on its website www.[website].com the identities and quantities of the portfolio securities and other assets held by each Fund that will form the basis for the calculation of NAV at the end of the Business Day.

 

A description of each Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Funds will be registered investment companies, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment companies and companies relying on exemption from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as may be permitted by an exemptive order granted by the SEC that permits registered investment companies to invest in the Funds beyond those limitations.

 

The Trust applied for exemptive relief under Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the 1940 Act permitting each Fund to operate as a “fund of funds” and invest in other investment companies without complying with the limitations set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, which would be subject to certain terms and limitations that are contained in the SEC’s exemptive order.

 

Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o Active Weighting Advisors LLC, 490 Royal Lake Drive, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The Funds have not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have a financial history.

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PRIVACY POLICY

 

Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust is committed to respecting the privacy of personal information you entrust to us in the course of doing business with us.

 

The Funds collect non-public information about you from the following sources:

 

·Information we receive about you on applications or other forms;
·Information you give us orally; and/or
·Information about your transactions with us or others.

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as permitted by law or in response to inquiries from governmental authorities. We may share information with affiliated and unaffiliated third parties with whom we have contracts for servicing the Funds. We will provide unaffiliated third parties with only the information necessary to carry out their assigned responsibilities. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your non-public personal information and require third parties to treat your personal information with the same high degree of confidentiality.

 

In the event that you hold Shares of the Funds through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared by those entities with unaffiliated third parties.

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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

 

Trust Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust, a registered open-end investment company
Funds The investment portfolios of the Trust
Shares Shares of the Funds offered to investors
Advisor Active Weighting Advisors LLC
Custodian The Bank of New York Mellon, the custodian of the Funds’ assets
Distributor Foreside Fund Services, LLC, the distributor to the Funds
AP or Authorized Participant Certain large institutional investors such as brokers, dealers, banks or other entities that have entered into authorized participant agreements with the Distributor
Exchange Bats BZX Exchange, the primary market on which Shares are listed for trading
IIV The Indicative Intra-Day Value, an appropriate per-Share value based on a Fund’s portfolio
1940 Act Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
NAV Net asset value
SAI Statement of Additional Information
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
Secondary Market A national securities exchange, national securities association or over-the-counter trading system where Shares may trade from time to time
Securities Act Securities Act of 1933, as amended
   

 

 

51 
 

 

Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust

Mailing Address

c/o Active Weighting Advisors LLC

490 Royal Lake Drive

Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

Tel: 1-[Phone]

Website: www.[website].com

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS   | [__], 2017

 

 

ACTIVE WEIGHTING FUNDS ETF TRUST

 

[LOGO]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

If you would like more information about the Trust, the Funds and the Shares, the following documents are available free upon request:

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

The SAI provides additional details about the investments and techniques of the Funds and certain other additional information. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within this Prospectus.

 

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports

 

The Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports (collectively, the “Shareholder Reports”) will provide the most recent financial reports and portfolio listings. The Annual Report will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Funds’ performance during the Funds’ previous fiscal year.

 

The SAI and Shareholder Reports will be available free of charge on the Funds’ website at www.[website].com.

 

You can obtain a free copy of the SAI and Shareholder Reports, request other information, or make general inquiries about the Funds by calling the Funds (toll-free) at 1-[Phone] or by writing to:

 

 

Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust

c/o Active Weighting Advisors LLC

490 Royal Lake Drive

Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

Tel: 1-[Phone]

Website: www.[website].com

 

 

You may review and copy information about the Funds, including the SAI and Shareholder Reports, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling (202) 551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are also available:

 

·Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov;
·For a fee, by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520; or
·For a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov

 

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations about the Funds and their Shares not contained in this Prospectus and you should not rely on any other information. Read and keep the Prospectus for future reference.

 

Dealers effecting transactions in the Funds’ Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation dealers have to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.

 

The Trust’s Investment Company Act registration number is 811-23226.

 

 

 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRELIMINARY 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 PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

 

Preliminary Statement of Additional Information

dated June 21, 2017

Subject to Completion

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACTIVE WEIGHTING FUNDS ETF TRUST

c/o Active Weighting Advisors LLC

490 Royal Lake Drive

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Tel: 1-[Phone]

Website: www.[website].com

 

[__], 2017

 

This Statement of Additional Information (this “SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with and is incorporated by reference into the prospectus dated [__], 2017 (“Prospectus”) for the Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust (“Trust”), relating to the funds (each, a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”) set forth in the table below, as it may be revised from time to time. A copy of the Prospectus for the Trust, relating to the Funds, may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust, c/o [address], by calling 1-[Phone], or by visiting the Trust’s website at www.[website].com.

 

Fund Name Exchange Ticker
Republican Policies Fund Bats BZX GOP
Democratic Policies Fund Bats BZX DEMS
U.S. Tax Reform Fund Bats BZX USTR
European Union Breakup Fund Bats BZX EUXT

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this SAI and the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations may not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust.

 

The SAI does not constitute an offer to sell securities.

   
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS S-1
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING S-2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES S-2
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS S-4
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER S-22
MANAGEMENT S-23
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES S-27
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES S-28
MANAGEMENT SERVICES S-28
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS S-29
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE S-30
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS S-33
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN S-33
INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE S-34
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES S-34
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS S-36
CONTINUOUS OFFERING S-43
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE S-44
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS S-44
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION S-45
OTHER INFORMATION S-55
APPENDIX A S-56
APPENDIX B S-59

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS

 

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 28, 2016 and designed to have multiple segregated series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). The Trust has not commenced operations and currently consists of four series of investment portfolios. This SAI addresses the following investment portfolios of the Trust, each of which is deemed to be diversified for the purposes of the 1940 Act:

 

Republican Policies Fund

Democratic Policies Fund

U.S. Tax Reform Fund

European Union Breakup Fund

 

(each, a “Fund” or, individually and, together, the “Funds”). The Trust has submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) an application for exemptive relief to permit its Funds to operate as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Other investment portfolios may be added to the Trust in the future. The shares of the Funds are referred to herein as “Fund Shares” or “Shares.” The offering of Shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”).

 

The Funds’ investment adviser will be Active Weighting Advisors LLC (“Advisor”). The Advisor will be registered as an investment adviser with the SEC.

 

The Funds offer and issue Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”), principally in exchange for a basket of “in kind” equity and debt securities specified by the Advisor (“Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”), although the Funds reserve the right to require that Creation Units be exchanged for an all cash amount. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 Shares of a Fund. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit. The Shares of each Fund trade or are expected to trade on the Bats BZX Exchange (“Exchange” or “Bats BZX”). Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV.

 

For creations of Fund Shares conducted on an in kind basis, 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 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.

 

Each Fund may charge creation/redemption transaction fees for each creation and redemption. In all cases, redemption transaction fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities (currently, no more than 2% of the value of the shares redeemed).

 

The Funds have not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI. Investments in the Funds are not:

 

·Deposits or obligations of any bank;

 

·Guaranteed or endorsed by any bank; or

 

·Federally insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other federal agency.

 

The Prospectus and SAI do not purport to create any contractual obligations between the Trust or a Fund and its shareholders. Further, shareholders are not intended third-party beneficiaries of any contracts entered into by (or on behalf of) a Fund, including contracts with the investment manager or other parties who provide services to the Fund.

 

  S-1
 

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

 

There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary for each Fund to maintain the listing of its Shares will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading and delisting of the Shares of a Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of a Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; or (ii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further trading on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of such Fund.

 

The Funds’ continued listing on the Exchange or another stock exchange or market system is a condition of the exemptive relief the Funds expect to obtain from the SEC to operate as ETFs. Any Fund’s failure to be so listed would result in the termination of the Fund.

 

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

 

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares 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 each Fund.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

 

The investment objectives and principal investment strategies of each Fund are described in the Prospectus. Additional information concerning certain of each Fund’s investments, strategies and risks is set forth below.

 

Investment Objectives

 

Each Fund has distinct investment objectives and policies. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be achieved.

 

All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. Additional information about the Funds, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold, is provided below.

 

The Funds’ share prices will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions. The Funds should not be relied upon as a complete investment program.

 

Investment Restrictions

 

The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The investment objective of each Fund and all other investment policies or practices of the Fund are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Shares of the Fund.

 

For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund. With respect to the Funds’ fundamental investment restriction 2, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.

  S-2
 

 

As a matter of fundamental policy, a Fund (except as to any specific Fund otherwise noted below) may not:

 

1. With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of a single issuer or hold more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer. (This does not apply to investments in the securities of other investment companies or securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.)

 

2. Borrow money, except that (i) each Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities, and (ii) each Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, enter into repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and similar investment strategies and techniques. To the extent that it engages in transactions described in (i) and (ii), each Fund will be limited so that no more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) is derived from such transactions. Any borrowings which come to exceed this amount will be reduced in accordance with applicable law.

 

3. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder.

 

4. Engage in the business of underwriting securities, except to the extent that a Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of portfolio securities.

 

5. Invest 25% or more of the market value of its total assets either directly or indirectly through underlying ETFs, in the equity securities of companies engaged in any one industry or group of industries, as defined by the Standard Industrial Classification Codes utilized by the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC. This policy does not apply to investments in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

 

6. Purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate and/or mortgages or investments secured by real estate, or interests therein, except that a Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of a Fund’s ownership of securities.

 

7. Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities , except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time and as set forth in the Prospectus and SAI.

 

8. Make loans to others. This restriction does not apply to: (i) the purchase of debt obligations in which each Fund may invest consistent with its investment objectives and policies and (ii) loans of its portfolio securities, to the fullest extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

 

Each Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. Each Fund may not:

 

1. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management.

 

2. Invest in securities of other investment companies, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules promulgated thereunder or pursuant to any applicable exemptive order granted by the SEC.

 

3. Hold, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment.

 

4. With respect to the U.S. Tax Reform Fund, invest at least 80 percent of its total assets in securities of issuers domiciled in the U.S.

  S-3
 

 

5. With respect to the European Breakup Fund, invest at least 80 percent of its total assets in securities of issuers domiciled in the E.U.

 

Prior to any change in a Fund’s 80 percent investment policy, such Fund will provide shareholders with 60 days’ written notice.

 

If a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money and illiquid securities will be observed continuously. With respect to the limitation on borrowing, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause a Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of borrowing back within the limitations within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays). With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause a Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

The 1940 Act currently permits each Fund to loan up to 33 1/3 percent of its total assets. With respect to borrowing, the 1940 Act presently allows each Fund to: (1) borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3 percent of its total assets, (2) borrow money for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5 percent of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the time of the loan, and (3) enter into reverse repurchase agreements. However, under normal circumstances any borrowings by a Fund will not exceed 10 percent of the Fund’s total assets. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation. With respect to investments in commodities, the 1940 Act presently permits the Funds to invest in commodities in accordance with investment policies contained in its Prospectus and SAI. Any such investment shall also comply with the CEA and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

 

A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in the Funds’ Prospectus changed under the headings “Principal Risks,” “Description of the Principal Risks of the Funds” and “Additional Risks.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Funds’ Prospectus.

 

General

 

Investment in each Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the portfolio of securities held by such Fund may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of common stocks generally and other factors.

 

Diversification

 

Each Fund is diversified under applicable federal securities laws. This means that as to 75% of its total assets (1) no more than 5% may be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and (2) it may not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. However, the diversification of a Fund’s holdings is measured at the time the fund purchases a security and if a Fund purchases a security and holds it for a period of time, the security may become a larger percentage of the Fund’s total assets due to movements in the financial markets. If the market affects several securities held by a Fund, the Fund may have a greater percentage of its assets invested in securities of fewer issuers. Accordingly, each Fund is subject to the risk that its performance may be hurt disproportionately by the poor performance of relatively few securities despite qualifying as a diversified fund.

 

  S-4
 

Percentage Limitations

 

Whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of each Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s acquisition or sale of such security or other asset. Accordingly, except with respect to borrowing and illiquid securities, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether an investment complies with each Fund’s investment policies and limitations. In addition, if a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular investment by a Fund, the Fund may receive stock, real estate or other investments that the Fund would not, or could not buy. If this happens a Fund would sell such investments as soon as practicable while trying to maximize the return to its shareholders.

 

Recent Regulatory Events

 

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect the Funds and their ability to pursue their investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. The U.S. Government, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other governmental and regulatory bodies have recently taken or are considering taking actions in light of the recent financial crisis. These actions include, but are not limited to, the recent adoption by the SEC of a set of far-reaching rules under the 1940 Act, requiring that certain open-end management investment companies, including ETFs, develop and implement formalized and written liquidity risk management programs and related disclosures intended to address liquidity risks (“Liquidity Rules”). The Liquidity Rules will affect both the funds’ portfolio holdings as well as their operations. Given the broad scope, sweeping nature, and relatively recent enactment of some of these regulatory measures, the potential impact they could have on securities held by the Funds is unknown. There can be no assurance that these measures will not have an adverse effect on the value or marketability of securities held by the Funds. Furthermore, no assurance can be made that the U.S. Government or any U.S. regulatory body (or other authority or regulatory body) will not continue to take further legislative or regulatory action in response to the continuing economic turmoil or otherwise, and the effect of such actions, if taken, cannot be known.

 

Recent Economic Events

 

Although the U.S. economy has seen gradual improvement since 2008, the effects of the global financial crisis that began to unfold in 2007 continue to exist and economic growth has been slow and uneven. In addition, the negative impacts and continued uncertainty stemming from the sovereign debt crisis and economic difficulties in Europe and U.S. fiscal and political matters, including deficit reduction and U.S. debt ratings, have impacted and may continue to impact the global economic recovery. These events and possible continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the Funds. In response to the global financial crisis, the U.S. and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks took steps to support financial markets. However, risks to a robust resumption of growth persist: a weak consumer weighed down by too much debt and high levels of unemployment, the growing size of the federal budget deficit and national debt, and the threat of inflation. 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. There is continued concern about national-level support for the euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) member countries. Member countries are required to maintain tight control over inflation, public debt, and budget deficit to qualify for membership in the European EMU. These requirements can severely limit European EMU member countries’ ability to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions. A return to unfavorable economic conditions could impair the Funds’ ability to execute their investment strategies.

  S-5
 

 

Investment Types and Related Risks

 

Each Fund may invest in the following types of investments, each of which is subject to certain risks, as discussed below:

 

Equity Securities

 

Common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights, warrants and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are examples of equity securities in which the Funds may invest. All investments in equity securities are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles and the value of the securities in a Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate substantially from day to day. Owning an equity security can also subject a Fund to the risk that the issuer may discontinue paying dividends.

 

Common Stocks. A common stock represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company and its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets, and general market conditions. In addition to the general risks set forth above, investments in common stocks are subject to the risk that in the event a company in which a Fund invests is liquidated, the holders of preferred stock and creditors of that company will be paid in full before any payments are made to the Fund as a holder of common stock. It is possible that all assets of that company will be exhausted before any payments are made to the Fund.

 

Preferred Stocks. Preferred stocks are equity securities that often pay dividends at a specific rate and have a preference over common stocks in dividend payments and liquidation of assets. A preferred stock has a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.

 

Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock, and other securities that also provide an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible either at a stated price or a stated rate (that is, for a specific number of shares of common stock or other security). As with other debt securities, the price of a convertible security generally varies inversely with interest rates. While providing a debt stream, a convertible security also affords the investor an opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the price of a convertible security tends to rise as a reflection of higher yield or capital appreciation. In such situations, a Fund may have to pay more for a convertible security than the value of the underlying common stock.

 

Rights and Warrants. Each Fund may invest in rights and warrants. A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock and it is issued at a predetermined price in proportion to the number of shares already owned. Rights normally have a short life, usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the current market. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. They do not represent ownership of the securities, but only the right to buy them. Hence, warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The value of warrants is derived solely from capital appreciation of the underlying equity securities. Warrants differ from call options in that the underlying corporation issues warrants, whereas call options may be written by anyone.

 

An investment in rights and warrants may entail greater risks than certain other types of investments. Generally, rights and warrants do not carry the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, although their value is influenced by the value of the underlying security, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or before their expiration date. Investing in rights and warrants increases the potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment as compared with investing the same amount in the underlying securities.

  S-6
 

 

Foreign Investments

 

Each Fund may make investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (“foreign securities”). Each Fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in Depositary Receipts, U.S. dollar-denominated securities, foreign securities and securities of companies incorporated outside the U.S.

 

Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts include ADRs, European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) or other forms of Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts are receipts typically issued in connection with a U.S. or foreign bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. company.

 

ADRs are depositary receipts for foreign securities denominated in U.S. dollars and traded on U.S. securities markets. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for which they may be exchanged. These are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based issuer held in trust by a bank or similar financial institutions. Designed for use in U.S. securities markets, ADRs are alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national market and currencies. ADRs may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the depositary security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts of the deposited securities.

 

Risks of Investing in Foreign Securities.

 

Investments in foreign securities involve certain inherent risks, including the following:

 

Political and Economic Factors. Individual economies of certain countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States’ economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, diversification and balance of payments position. The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as stable as those of the United States. Governments in certain foreign countries also continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of interest. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading partners. Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

 

Legal and Regulatory Matters. Certain foreign countries may have less supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less financial information available to issuers, than is available in the United States.

 

Currency Fluctuations. A change in the value of any foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of an ADR’s underlying portfolio securities denominated in that currency. Such changes will affect a Fund to the extent that the Fund is invested in ADRs comprised of foreign securities.

 

Taxes. The interest and dividends payable to a Fund on certain of the Fund’s foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes or withholding, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to Fund shareholders. A Fund may not be eligible to pass through to its shareholders any tax credits or deductions with respect to such foreign taxes or withholding.

 

In considering whether to invest in the securities of a non-U.S. company, the Advisor considers such factors as the characteristics of the particular company, differences between economic trends and the performance of securities markets within the U.S. and those within other countries, and also factors relating to the general economic, governmental and social conditions of the country or countries where the company is located. The extent to which a Fund will be invested in non-U.S. companies, foreign countries and depositary receipts will fluctuate from time to time within any limitations described in the Prospectus, depending on the Advisor’s assessment of prevailing market, economic and other conditions.

 

  S-7
 

Emerging Markets. Each Fund may invest without limitation in foreign securities that may include securities of companies located in developing or emerging markets, which entail additional risks, including: less social, economic and political stability; smaller securities markets and lower trading volume, which may result in less liquidity and greater price volatility; national policies that may restrict an underlying fund’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investments in issuers or industries, or expropriation or confiscation of assets or property; and less developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment. Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause the Funds to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.

 

Small and Medium-Sized Companies

 

To the extent a Fund invests in the equity securities of small and medium-sized companies, it will be exposed to the risks of smaller sized companies. Small and medium-sized companies may have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and may have more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. Furthermore, such companies may have limited product lines, services, markets, or financial resources or may be dependent on a small management group. In addition, because these stocks may not be well-known to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership or are typically followed by fewer security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of securities held by a Fund. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio.

 

Investment Companies

 

Each Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including other ETFs, money market mutual funds and other mutual funds in pursuit of its investment objective, in accordance with the limitations established under the 1940 Act. This may include investments in money market mutual funds in connection with a Fund’s management of daily cash positions. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear a Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with a Fund’s own operations.

 

The Trust applied for exemptive relief with the SEC under Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the 1940 Act permitting each Fund to operate as a “fund of funds” and invest in other investment companies without complying with the limitations set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, subject to certain terms and limitations that are contained in the SEC’s exemptive order.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds. ETFs are open-end investment companies whose shares are listed on a national securities exchange. An ETF is similar to a traditional mutual fund, but trades at different prices during the day on a security exchange like a stock. Similar to investments in other investment companies discussed above, a Fund’s investments in ETFs will involve duplication of advisory fees and other expenses since the Fund will be investing in another investment company. In addition, a Fund’s investment in ETFs is also subject to its limitations on investments in investment companies, as well as any exemptions from such limitations granted by the SEC, discussed above. To the extent a Fund invests in ETFs which focus on a particular market segment or industry, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with investing in those sectors or industries. The shares of the ETFs in which each Fund will invest will be listed on a national securities exchange and a Fund will purchase or sell these shares on the secondary market at its current market price, which may be more or less than its NAV.

 

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As a purchaser of ETF shares on the secondary market, each Fund will be subject to the market risk associated with owning any security whose value is based on market price. ETF shares historically have tended to trade at or near their NAV, but there is no guarantee that they will continue to do so. Unlike traditional mutual funds, shares of an ETF may be purchased and redeemed directly from the ETFs only in large blocks (typically 50,000 shares or more) and only through participating organizations that have entered into contractual agreements with the ETF. The Funds do not expect to enter into such agreements and therefore will not be able to purchase and redeem their ETF shares directly from the ETF.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Funds may use instruments called derivatives or derivative securities. A derivative is a financial instrument the value of which is derived from the value of one or more underlying securities, commodities, currencies, indices, debt instruments, other derivatives or any other agreed upon pricing index or arrangement (e.g., the movement over time of the Consumer Price Index or freight rates) (each an “Underlying Instrument”). Derivatives contracts are either physically settled, which means the parties trade the Underlying Instrument itself, or cash settled, which means the parties simply make cash payments based on the value of the Underlying Instrument (and do not actually deliver or receive the Underlying Instrument). Derivatives may allow a Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk to which the Fund is exposed more quickly and efficiently than transactions in other types of instruments.

 

Many derivative contracts are traded on securities or commodities exchanges, the contract terms are generally standard, and the parties make payments due under the contracts through the exchange. Most exchanges require the parties to post margin against their obligations under the contracts, and the performance of the parties’ obligations under such contracts is usually guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. Other derivative contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) in transactions negotiated directly between the counterparties. OTC derivative contracts do not have standard terms, so they are generally less liquid and more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts. OTC derivatives also expose a Fund to additional credit risks to the extent a counterparty defaults on a contract.

 

Depending on how a Fund uses derivatives and the relationships between the market values of the derivative and the Underlying Instrument, derivatives could increase or decrease a Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Underlying Instrument. Derivative contracts may also expose the Fund to additional liquidity and leverage risks.

 

The Funds may use derivatives for cash flow management or, as part of their overall investment strategies, to seek to replicate the performance of a particular index or to enhance returns. The use of derivatives to enhance returns is considered speculative because the Fund is primarily seeking to achieve gains rather than to offset, or hedge, the risks of other positions. When a Fund invests in a derivative for speculative purposes, the Fund is fully exposed to the risks of loss of that derivative, which may sometimes be greater than the cost of the derivative itself. No Fund may use any derivative to gain exposure to an asset or class of assets that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

 

Risks of Derivatives. While transactions in derivatives may reduce certain risks, these transactions themselves entail certain other risks. For example, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance of a Fund than if it had not entered into any derivatives transactions. Derivatives may magnify a Fund’s gains or losses, causing it to make or lose substantially more than it invested.

 

When used for hedging purposes, increases in the value of the securities a Fund holds or intends to acquire should offset any losses incurred with a derivative. Purchasing derivatives for purposes other than hedging could expose a Fund to greater risks. Recently, the SEC proposed a new rule under the 1940 Act to limit ETF’s and other funds’ use of derivatives and require them to put risk management measures in place. As drafted, the rule’s framework would impose new overall portfolio limits on the leverage that can be achieved through derivatives’ use. The proposed rule, if adopted, will affect both the funds’ portfolio holdings as well as their operations, and likely will require funds and their managers to modify their behavior with regard to certain assets and strategies. As the rule has not been adopted and may ultimately be abandoned, modified or expanded from the current proposal, the potential impact it could have on securities held by the Funds is unknown.

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Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including:

 

·Correlation Risk – the risk that changes in the value of a derivative instrument will not match the changes in the value of the Fund holdings that are being hedged.

 

·Counterparty Risk – the risk that the party on the other side of an OTC derivatives contract or a borrower of a Fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations.

 

·Credit Risk – the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make timely principal and interest payments. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of a Fund’s investment in and/or exposure to that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

·Currency Risk – the risk that changes in the exchange rate between currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an investment.

 

·Index Risk – in respect of index-linked derivatives, the risks associated with changes in the underlying indices. If an underlying index changes, a Fund may receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below what the Fund paid. Certain indexed securities, including inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction from the reference index), may create leverage to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index.

 

·Interest Rate Risk – the risk that the value of an investment may decrease when interest rates rise because when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds and fixed rate loans fall. Generally, the longer the maturity of a bond or fixed rate loan, the more sensitive it is to this risk (interest rate risk is commonly measured by a fixed income investment’s duration). Falling interest rates also create the potential for a decline in a Fund’s income.

 

·Leverage Risk – the risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies (for example, borrowing money to increase the amount being invested) that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that substantially exceed the amount originally invested.

 

·Liquidity Risk – the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like to sell them or at the price the seller believes the security is currently worth.

 

·Tax Risk – The tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in the underlying asset. The use of derivatives may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments, and could impair the ability of the Advisor to use derivatives when it wishes to do so.

 

·Short Position Risk – A Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause a Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss

 

The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. A Fund incurs transaction costs in opening and closing positions in derivative instruments. There can be no assurance that the use of derivative instruments will be advantageous.

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Derivative Management Risk. If the Advisor incorrectly predicts stock market and interest rate trends, a Fund may lose money by investing in derivatives. For example, if a Fund were to write a call option based on its Advisor’s expectation that the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, a Fund could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price.

 

Hedging Risk. Each Fund may use derivative instruments to offset the risks, or to “hedge” the risks, associated with other Fund holdings. For example, derivatives may be used to hedge against movements in interest rates, currency exchange rates and the equity markets through the use of options, futures transactions and options on futures. Derivatives may also be used to hedge against duration risk in fixed-income investments. Losses on one Fund investment may be substantially reduced by gains on a derivative that reacts to the same market movements in an opposite manner. However, while hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative offsets the advantage of the hedge.

 

Among other risks, hedging involves correlation risk, which is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match (i.e., will not offset) changes in the value of the holdings being hedged as expected by a Fund. In such a case, any losses on the Fund holdings being hedged may not be reduced or may even be increased as a result of the use of the derivative. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s ability effectively to hedge its portfolio.

 

There can be no assurance that the use of hedging transactions will be effective. No Fund is required to engage in hedging transactions, and each Fund may choose not to do so. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

 

The Funds might not employ any of the derivatives strategies described below, and there can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. A Fund’s success in employing derivatives strategies may depend on the portfolio managers correctly forecasting interest rates, market values or other economic factors, and there can be no assurance that the portfolio managers’ forecasts will be accurate. If the portfolio managers’ forecasts are not accurate, the Fund may end up in a worse position than if derivatives strategies had not been employed at all. A Fund’s ability to use certain derivative transactions may be limited by tax considerations and certain other legal considerations. Further, suitable derivative transactions might not be available at all times or in all circumstances. Described below are certain derivative instruments and trading strategies the Funds may use (either separately or in combination) in seeking to achieve their overall investment objectives.

 

Regulatory Aspects of Derivatives and Hedging Instruments. As a result of amendments to rules under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) by the CFTC, HFMC must either operate within certain guidelines and restrictions with respect to the Fund’s use of futures, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps, or be subject to registration with the CFTC as a “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) with respect to the Fund and be required to operate the Fund in compliance with certain disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.

 

Previously, the CFTC permitted unlimited futures transactions and options thereon, so long as a fund had claimed an exclusion from registration as a CPO, and swap contracts were not formerly regulated by the CFTC. Under the amended rules, the investment adviser of a registered investment company may claim an exemption from registration as a CPO only if the registered investment company that it advises uses futures contracts, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps solely for “bona fide hedging purposes,” or limits its use of such instruments for non-bona fide hedging purposes to certain de minimis amounts.

 

[The Funds have filed a notice of eligibility claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term CPO and therefore such Funds are not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO under the CEA. Under such exclusion, the use of futures contracts, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps is limited to bona fide hedging purposes and, otherwise, to de minimis amounts provided under the CFTC rules. In the event that a Fund not currently registered with or regulated by the CFTC engages in transactions that require registration as a CPO in the future, the Fund will comply with applicable regulations. If the Fund operates subject to CFTC regulation, it may incur additional expenses.]

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Equity Options

 

Each Fund may purchase a call on securities to effect a “closing purchase transaction,” which is the purchase of a call covering the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as a call previously written by a Fund on which it wishes to terminate its obligation. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the call previously written by the Fund expires (or until the call is exercised and the Fund delivers the underlying security).

 

Each Fund may also purchase put options (“puts”). When a Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium in return for the right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period. If any put is not exercised or sold, it will become worthless on its expiration date.

 

Purchasing Put and Call Options. When a Fund purchases a put option, it buys the right to sell the instrument underlying the option at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, a Fund pays the current market price for the option (known as the “option premium”). A Fund may purchase put options to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of its securities (“protective puts”) or to benefit from a decline in the price of securities that it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and transaction costs. However, if the price of the underlying instrument does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer would lose the premium and related transaction costs.

 

Call options are similar to put options, except that a Fund obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option’s strike price. A Fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities it owns or wants to buy. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying instrument exceeded the exercise price plus the premium paid and related transaction costs. Otherwise, a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

 

The purchaser of an option may terminate its position by:

 

·Allowing it to expire and losing its entire premium;
·Exercising the option and either selling (in the case of a put option) or buying (in the case of a call option) the underlying instrument at the strike price; or
·Closing it out in the secondary market at its current price.

 

Options on Securities Indices. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash settlement payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market, rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

 

Options on Futures. An option on a futures contract provides the holder with the right to buy a futures contract (in the case of a call option) or sell a futures contract (in the case of a put option) at a fixed time and price. Upon exercise of the option by the holder, the contract market clearing house establishes a corresponding short position for the writer of the option (in the case of a call option) or a corresponding long position (in the case of a put option). If the option is exercised, the parties will be subject to the futures contracts. In addition, the writer of an option on a futures contract is subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position. Options on futures contracts are traded on the same contract market as the underlying futures contract.

 

The buyer or seller of an option on a futures contract may terminate the option early by purchasing or selling an option of the same series (i.e., the same exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously purchased or sold. The difference between the premiums paid and received represents the trader’s profit or loss on the transaction.

 

A Fund may purchase put and call options on futures contracts instead of selling or buying futures contracts. A Fund may buy a put option on a futures contract for the same reason it would sell a futures contract. It also may purchase such put options in order to hedge a long position in the underlying futures contract. Each Fund may buy call options on futures contracts for the same purpose as the actual purchase of the futures contracts, such as in anticipation of favorable market conditions.

 

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Caps and Floors. Each Fund may enter cap and floor agreements. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying options. In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level. The seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

 

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

 

A futures contract, which is a type of derivative, is a standardized, exchange-traded contract that obligates the purchaser to take delivery, and the seller to make delivery, of a specified quantity of an Underlying Instrument at a specified price and specified future time. The Funds are generally permitted to invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts with respect to, but not limited to, equity and debt securities and foreign currencies, aggregates of equity and debt securities (aggregates are composites of equity or debt securities that are not tied to a commonly known index), interest rates, indices, commodities and other financial instruments.

 

No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Rather, when a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract it is required to post margin (“initial margin”) with the futures commission merchant (“FCM”) executing the transaction. The margin required for a futures contract is usually less than ten percent of the contract value, but it is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may by modified during the term of the contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the FCM, will then be made daily as the currency, financial instrument or securities index underlying the futures contract fluctuates (a process known as “marking to market”). If a Fund has insufficient cash available to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. Futures involve substantial leverage risk.

 

An option on a futures contract (“futures option”) gives the option holder the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell its position in the underlying futures contract at a specified price on or before a specified expiration date. As with a futures contract itself, a Fund is required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to futures options it writes. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option and other futures positions held by the Fund.

 

The sale of a futures contract limits a Fund’s risk of loss, prior to the futures contract’s expiration date, from a decline in the market value of portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract. In the event the market values of the portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract increase rather than decrease, however, a Fund will realize a loss on the futures position and a lower return on the portfolio than would have been realized without the purchase of the futures contract.

 

Positions taken in the futures markets are usually not held to maturity but instead liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a profit or loss. While the Fund’s futures contracts will usually be liquidated in this manner, a Fund may instead make or take delivery of the Underlying Instrument whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so.

 

A Fund is permitted to enter into a variety of futures contracts, including interest rate futures, index futures, currency futures and commodity futures, and options on such futures contracts. A Fund may also invest in instruments that have characteristics similar to futures contracts, such as debt securities with interest or principal payments determined by reference to the value of a security, an index of securities or a commodity or currency at a future point in time. The risks of such investments reflect the risks of investing in futures and derivatives generally, including volatility and illiquidity.

 

Risks Associated with Futures and Futures Options. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are: (a) imperfect correlation between the change in market value of instruments held by a Fund and the price of the futures contract or option; (b) the possible lack of an active market for a futures contract or

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option, or the lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures option, and the resulting inability to close the futures contract or option when desired; (c) losses, which are potentially unlimited, caused by unanticipated market movements; (d) the Advisor’s failure to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance in its obligations. Futures contracts and futures options also involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating a Fund to purchase securities or currencies, require the fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and options. Moreover, futures are inherently volatile, and a Fund’s ability to engage in futures transactions may be limited by tax considerations and other legal considerations.

 

U.S. futures exchanges and some foreign exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation in futures contract prices which may occur in a single business day (generally referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits”). The maximum or minimum price of a contract as a result of these limits is referred to as a “limit price.” If the limit price has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made beyond the limit price. Limit prices have the effect of precluding trading in a particular contract or forcing the liquidation of contracts at disadvantageous times or prices.

 

Additional Considerations of Commodity Futures Contracts. In addition to the risks described above, there are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts. In particular, the costs to store underlying physical commodities are reflected in the price of a commodity futures contract. To the extent that storage costs for an underlying commodity change while a Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately. Further, the commodities that underlie commodity futures contracts may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments and may be subject to broad price fluctuations.

 

Other Considerations Related to Options and Futures Options. Each Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) for maintaining qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Swap Agreements and Swaptions

 

A swap agreement, or a swap, is a type of derivative instrument. Swap agreements are entered into for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard swap, two parties exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an Underlying Instrument. The gross returns to be exchanged (or “swapped”) between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” which is a predetermined dollar principal that represents the hypothetical underlying quantity upon which the parties’ payment obligations are computed. The notional amount may be, among other things, a specific dollar amount invested, for example, at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or in a “basket” of securities or commodities that represents a particular index. The notional amount itself normally is not exchanged between the parties, but rather it serves as a reference amount from which to calculate the parties’ obligations under the swap.

 

A Fund will usually enter into swap agreements on a “net basis,” which means that the two payment streams are netted out with each party receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the payments. A Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement are generally accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund), and accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a counterparty are covered by segregating liquid assets, marked to market daily, to avoid leveraging the Fund’s portfolio. If a Fund enters into a swap on other than a net basis, the Fund will segregate the full amount of its obligations under such swap. A Fund may enter into swaps, caps, collars, floors and related instruments with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, members of the New York Stock Exchange or other entities determined by the Advisor to be creditworthy. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, a Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction documents, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws that could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor.

 

A Fund may engage in a wide variety of swap transactions, including, but not limited to, credit- and event-linked swaps, interest rate swaps, swaps on specific securities or indices, swaps on rates (such as mortgage prepayment rates) and other types of swaps, such as caps, collars, and floors. In addition, to the extent a Fund is

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permitted to invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, it may invest in currency swaps. A Fund may also enter into options on swap agreements (“swaptions”). Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and its share price and yield. The sections below describe certain swap arrangements and related techniques that the Funds may use.

 

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. An interest rate swap is an OTC contract in which the parties exchange interest rate exposures (e.g., exchange floating rate payments for fixed rate payments or vice versa). For example, a $10 million LIBOR swap requires one party to pay the equivalent of the London Interbank Offered Rate of Interest (which fluctuates) on the $10 million principal amount in exchange for the right to receive from the other party the equivalent of a stated fixed rate of interest on the $10 million principal amount.

 

Among other techniques, a Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate and duration risk on fixed-income securities or portfolios, which can be particularly sensitive to interest rate changes. Duration measures the sensitivity in prices of fixed-income securities to changes in interest rates; the duration of a portfolio or basket of bonds is the weighted average of the individual component durations. Longer maturity bonds typically have a longer duration than shorter maturity bonds and, therefore, higher sensitivity to interest rate changes. In an environment where interest rates are expected to rise, a Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate and duration risk across a portfolio at particular duration points (such as two-, five- and 10-year duration points).

 

A Fund may also purchase or sell interest rate caps or floors. In a typical interest rate cap, the buyer receives payments from the seller to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds a predetermined level. In a typical interest rate floor, the buyer receives payments from the seller to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below a predetermined level. An interest rate collar combines elements of purchasing a cap and selling a floor and is usually employed to preserve a certain return within a predetermined range of values.

 

Commodity Swaps. A commodity swap agreement is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of a commodity-based Underlying Instrument (such as a specific commodity or commodity index) in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from another commodity-based Underlying Instrument. In a total return commodity swap, a Fund receives the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of a commodity index or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. As with other types of swap agreements, if the commodity swap lasts for a finite period of time, the swap may be structured such that the Fund pays a single fixed fee established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is ongoing, with interim swap payments, the Fund may pay a variable or “floating” fee. Such a variable fee may be pegged to a base rate, such as LIBOR, and is adjusted at specific intervals. As such, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.

 

Currency Swaps. A currency swap agreement is a contract in which two parties exchange one currency (e.g., U.S. dollars) for another currency (e.g., Japanese yen) on a specified schedule. The currency exchange obligations under currency swaps could be either interest payments calculated on the notional amount or payments of the entire notional amount (or a combination of both). The Funds may engage in currency swap agreements as a tool to protect against uncertainty and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of securities. However, the use of currency swap agreements does not eliminate, or even always mitigate, potential losses arising from fluctuations in exchange rates. In the case of currency swaps that involve the delivery of the entire notional amount of currency in exchange for another currency, the entire notional principal of the currency swap is subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

 

Credit Default Swaps. A credit default swap (“CDS”) is an agreement between two parties whereby one party (the “protection buyer”) makes an up-front payment or a stream of periodic payments over the term of the CDS to the other party (the “protection seller”), provided generally that no event of default or other credit-related event (a “credit event”) with respect to an Underlying Instrument occurs. In return, the protection seller agrees to make a payment to the protection buyer if a credit event does occur with respect to the Underlying Instrument. The CDS market allows a Fund to manage credit risk through buying and selling credit protection on a specific issuer, asset or basket of assets. Credit default swaps typically last between six months and three years, provided that no credit event occurs. Credit default swaps may be physically settled or cash settled.

  S-15
 

 

A Fund may be either the protection buyer or the protection seller in a CDS. A Fund generally will not buy protection on issuers that are not currently held by the Fund. However, a Fund may engage in credit default swap trades on single names, indices and baskets to manage asset class exposure and to capitalize on spread differentials in instances where there is not complete overlap between the Fund’s holdings or exposures and the reference entities in the credit default swap. If the Fund is the protection buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund loses its entire investment in the CDS (i.e., an amount equal to the aggregate amount of payments made by the Fund to the protection seller over the term of the CDS). However, if a credit event does occur, the Fund (as protection buyer), will deliver the Underlying Instrument to the protection seller and is entitled to a payment from the protection seller equal to the full notional value of the Underlying Instrument, even though the Underlying Instrument at that time may have little or no value. If the Fund is the protection seller and no credit event occurs, the Fund receives a fixed income throughout the term of the CDS (or an up-front payment at the beginning of the term of the CDS) in the form of payments from the protection buyer. However, if the Fund is the protection seller and a credit event occurs, the Fund is obligated to pay the protection buyer the full notional value of the Underlying Instrument in return for the Underlying Instrument (which may at that time be of little or no value).

 

A Fund may also invest in the Dow Jones CDX (“CDX”), which is a family of indices that track credit derivative indices in various countries around the world. The CDX provides investors with exposure to specific reference baskets of issuers of bonds or loans in certain segments, such as North American investment grade credit derivatives or emerging markets. CDX reference baskets are generally priced daily and rebalanced every six months in conjunction with leading market makers in the credit industry. While investing in CDXs increases the universe of bonds and loans to which a Fund is exposed, such investments entail risks that are not typically associated with investments in other debt instruments (rather, they entail risks more associated with derivative instruments). The liquidity of the market for CDXs is also subject to liquidity in the secured loan and credit derivatives markets.

 

Total return swaps, asset swaps, inflation swaps and similar instruments. A Fund may enter into total return swaps, asset swaps, inflation swaps and other types of swap agreements. In a total return swap, the parties exchange the total return (i.e., interest payments plus any capital gains or losses) of an Underlying Instrument (or basket of such instruments) for the proceeds of another Underlying Instrument (or basket of such instruments). Asset swaps combine an interest rate swap with a bond and are generally used to alter the cash flow characteristics of the Underlying Instrument. For example, the parties may exchange a fixed investment, such as a bond with guaranteed coupon payments, for a floating investment like an index. Inflation swaps are generally used to transfer inflation risk.

 

Swaptions. A Fund may also enter into swap options, or “swaptions.” A swaption is a contract that gives one party the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of the option premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time and on specified terms. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the option premium it paid should it decide not to exercise the option. When a Fund writes a swaption, however, it is obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement if the option holder exercises the option.

 

Risks Associated with Swaps and Swaptions. Investing in swaps and swaptions, and utilizing these and related techniques in managing a Fund portfolio, are highly specialized activities that involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio transactions. These investments involve significant risk of loss. Whether a Fund’s use of swaps will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the Advisor’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. If the Advisor is incorrect in its forecast of market values, the Advisor’s utilization of swap arrangements and related techniques could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

 

The swaps market is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. Also, certain restrictions imposed by the Code may limit the Fund’s ability to use swap agreements.

  S-16
 

 

If the creditworthiness of a Fund’s swap counterparty declines, it becomes more likely that the counterparty will fail to meet its obligations under the contract, and consequently the Fund will suffer losses. Although there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to do so, a Fund may be able to reduce or eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or another creditworthy party. However, a Fund may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a credit default swap if the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has declined. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to enter into swap transactions at prices or on terms the Advisor believes are advantageous to the Fund. In addition, although the terms of swaps, caps, collars and floors may provide for termination, there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to terminate a swap or to sell or offset caps, collars or floors that it has purchased. Investing in swaps and related techniques involves the risks associated with investments in derivative instruments.

 

Short Selling

 

All of the Funds may invest, in part, in short positions in equity securities. As opposed to taking long positions in which an investor seeks to profit from increases in the price of a stock, short selling (or “selling short”) is a technique used by the Funds to try and profit from the falling price of a stock. Short selling involves selling stock that has been borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical stock back at a later date to return to that third party. The basic principle of short selling is that selling stock now at a high price, to buy later at a lower price, is profitable. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the price of the assets between the sale and the repurchase, as the seller will pay less to buy the assets than it received on selling them.

 

If a Fund effects a short sale of financial instruments at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the instruments, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the instruments (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with instruments other than the appreciated instruments held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which a Fund may effect short sales.

 

A Fund may be required to close short portfolio security positions in order to facilitate the redemption process. If a Fund recognizes gain on such transactions, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize gain it might not otherwise have recognized, or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise be required if it were to distribute portfolio securities in kind. The Funds generally intend to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in a different ETF.

 

A Fund may also obtain short exposure to a security through a derivative instrument, such as a total return swap.

 

Debt and High-Yield Securities

 

Debt securities include traditional debt securities issued by corporations, such as bonds and debentures and debt securities that are convertible into common stock and interests. Debt securities that will be eligible for purchase by the Funds include investment grade and high-yield corporate debt securities. Investment grade securities are those rated BBB or better by Standard & Poor’s ® Ratings Group (“S&P®”) and those rated Baa or better by Moody’s Investors Service©, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or their equivalent. Securities rated BBB by S&P® are considered investment grade, but Moody’s considers securities rated Baa to have speculative characteristics. High-yield debt securities, or “junk bonds,” are rated less than investment grade.

 

Each Fund that invests primarily in equities may invest up to 20% of its net assets in high-yield debt securities. High-yield debt securities generally offer a higher current yield than that available for higher-grade issues. However, lower-rated securities involve higher risks in that they are especially subject to adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial condition of the issuers and to price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the possibility of default.

  S-17
 

 

The market for high-yield debt securities is generally thinner and less active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit a Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of lower-rated securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

 

Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their quality, but are not a guarantee of quality and may be reduced after a Fund has acquired the security. If a security’s rating is reduced while it is held by a Fund, the Advisor will consider whether the Fund should continue to hold the security but is not required to dispose of it. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an issuer’s current financial condition may be better or worse than the rating indicates. The ratings for debt securities are described in Appendix A.

 

Debt securities with longer maturities generally entail greater risk than those with shorter maturities.

 

Short-Term, Temporary, and Cash Investments

 

Each Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:

 

Commercial Paper, Short Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short term notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.

 

Commercial paper and short term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by S&P, “Prime-1” by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality. These rating symbols are described in Appendix A.

 

Government Obligations

 

Each Fund may make short term investments in U.S. Government obligations. Such obligations include Treasury bills, certificates of indebtedness, notes and bonds, and issues of such entities as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Export Import Bank of the United States, Tennessee Valley Authority, Resolution Funding Corporation, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), and the Student Loan Marketing Association.

 

Some of these obligations, such as those of the GNMA, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury Department; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the FNMA, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law.

 

Each Fund may invest in sovereign debt obligations of foreign countries. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest in a timely manner may be affected by a number of factors, including its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and the political constraints to which it may be subject. Emerging market governments could default on their sovereign debt. Such sovereign debtors also may be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities abroad to reduce principal and

  S-18
 

interest arrearages on their debt. The commitments on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a sovereign debtor’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to meet such conditions could result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debt in a timely manner.

 

When-Issued Securities

 

Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, for payment and delivery at a later date, generally within one month. The price and yield are generally fixed on the date of commitment to purchase, and the value of the security is thereafter reflected in the Fund’s NAV. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund and no interest accrues to the Fund. At the time of settlement, the market value of the security may be more or less than the purchase price. When the Fund purchases securities on a when-issued basis, it maintains liquid assets in a segregated account with its custodian in an amount equal to the purchase price as long as the obligation to purchase continues.

 

Illiquid Securities

 

Each Fund may hold up to 15 % of its net assets in securities that are illiquid, which means that there may be legal or contractual restrictions on their disposition, or that there are no readily available market for such a security. Illiquid securities present the risks that a Fund may have difficulty valuing these holdings and/or may be unable to sell these holdings at the time or price desired. There are generally no restrictions on a Fund’s ability to invest in restricted securities (that is, securities that are not registered pursuant to the Securities Act), except to the extent such securities may be considered illiquid. Securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act (“Rule 144A securities”) will be considered liquid if determined to be so under procedures adopted by the Board. The Advisor is responsible for making the determination as to the liquidity of restricted securities (pursuant to the procedures adopted by the Board). A Fund will determine a security to be illiquid if it cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at the value at which the Fund has valued the security. Factors considered in determining whether a security is illiquid may include, but are not limited to: the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; the number of dealers willing to purchase and sell the security and the number of potential purchasers; the number of dealers who undertake to make a market in the security; the nature of the security, including whether it is registered or unregistered, and the market place; whether the security has been rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”); the period of time remaining until the maturity of a debt instrument or until the principal amount of a demand instrument can be recovered through demand; the nature of any restrictions on resale; and with respect to municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation, there is reasonable assurance that the obligation will remain liquid throughout the time the obligation is held and, if unrated, an analysis similar to that which would be performed by an NRSRO is performed. If a restricted security is determined to be liquid, it will not be included within the category of illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of a Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that a Fund, at a particular point in time may be unable to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing the securities. Each Fund is permitted to sell restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers.

 

Lending Portfolio Securities

 

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not exceeding one-third of its total assets to financial institutions such as banks and brokers if the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable regulations. Under the present regulatory requirements which govern loans of portfolio securities, the loan collateral must, on each business day, at least equal the value of the loaned securities and must consist of cash, letters of credit of domestic banks or domestic branches of foreign banks, or securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies. To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by the Funds if the demand meets the terms of the letter. Such terms and the issuing bank would have to be satisfactory to the Funds. Any loan might be secured by any one or more of the three types of collateral. The terms of the Funds’ loans must permit a Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five days’ notice or in time to vote on any serious matter and must meet certain tests under the Code.

  S-19
 

 

A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the securities loaned. A Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities. A Fund cannot vote proxies for securities on loan, but will recall loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Distributions received on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments (i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income. Each Fund will call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the investment is to be voted upon. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, a Fund may experience delays in recovering the securities or exercising its rights in the collateral.

 

A Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to one or more Board-approved securities lending agents who administer the lending program for the Funds in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. In such capacity, the lending agent causes the delivery of loaned securities from a Fund to borrowers, arranges for the return of loaned securities to the Fund at the termination of a loan, requests deposit of collateral, monitors the daily value of the loaned securities and collateral, requests that borrowers add to the collateral when required by the loan agreements, and provides recordkeeping and accounting services necessary for the operation of the program. The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYMellon”) has been approved by the Board to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds and the Trust has entered into an agreement with BNYMellon for such services. Among other matters, the Trust has agreed to indemnify BNYMellon for certain liabilities. The fees that each Fund pays to BNYMellon are not reflected in the Fund’s fees but instead are calculated in the NAV of each Fund.

 

The primary risk in securities lending is a default by the borrower during a sharp rise in price of the borrowed security resulting in a deficiency in the collateral posted by the borrower. The Funds will seek to minimize this risk by requiring that the value of the securities loaned be computed each day and additional collateral be furnished each day if required. In addition, the Funds are exposed to the risk of delay in recovery of the loaned securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower become insolvent. As well, all investments made with the collateral received are subject to the risks associated with such investments. If such investments lose value, the Funds will have to cover the loss when repaying the collateral.

 

Borrowing

 

Though the Funds do not currently intend to borrow money, each Fund is authorized to borrow money from time to time for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of transactions, and not for the purpose of leveraging its investments, in amounts not to exceed at any time 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings, as allowed under the 1940 Act. The use of borrowing by a Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and policies. Since substantially all of a Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, while the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the terms of a Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV per share of a Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if a Fund did not borrow. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, a Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.

 

Commodities Risk

 

Direct and indirect investments in commodities markets may be subject to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors. These include changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds. Prices of various commodities may also be affected by factors such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and other regulatory developments. Many of these factors are very unpredictable. The prices of commodities can also fluctuate widely due to supply and demand disruptions in major producing or consuming regions. Certain commodities may be produced in a limited number of countries and may be controlled by a small number of producers. As a result, political, economic and supply related events in such countries could have a disproportionate impact on the prices of such commodities.

  S-20
 

 

Authorized Participant Concentration Risk

 

Only certain large institutions that enter into agreements with the Distributor (each, an “Authorized Participant”) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with a Fund. Each Fund has a limited number of intermediaries that act as Authorized Participants, and none of these Authorized Participants are or will be obligated to engage in creation or redemption transactions. To the extent that these intermediaries exit the business or are unable to or choose not to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to a Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. This risk may be enhanced to the extent the securities held by the Fund are traded outside of a collateralized settlement system.

 

Cash Transactions Risk

 

The Fund may effect creations and redemptions partly or wholly for cash, rather than in kind. As a result, to the extent the Fund creates or redeems Shares in part or wholly for cash, an investment in a Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a more conventional ETF. ETFs generally are able to make in kind redemptions and avoid being taxed on gain on the distributed portfolio securities at the Fund level. Because each Fund may effect redemptions partly or wholly for cash, rather than in kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. If a Fund recognizes gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize gain it might not otherwise have recognized, or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise be required if it were to distribute portfolio securities in kind. Each Fund generally distributes these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in a different ETF. Moreover, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if each Fund sold and redeemed its shares solely in kind, will be passed on to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees. In addition, these factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of a Fund’s shares than for more conventional ETFs.

Continuous Offering

The method by which Creation Units of Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued and sold by the 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, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Shares of a Fund 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.

  S-21
 

 

Cyber Security Risk

 

With the increasing use of the Internet and technology in connection with the Funds’ operations, the Funds have become potentially more susceptible to greater operational and information security risks through breaches in cyber security. Cyber security breaches include, without limitation, infection by computer viruses and unauthorized access to the Funds’ systems through “hacking” or other means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operations to be disrupted. Cyber security breaches may also occur in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as denial-of-service attacks or situations where authorized individuals intentionally or unintentionally release confidential information stored on the Funds’ systems. A cyber security breach may cause disruptions and impact a Fund’s business operations, which could potentially result in financial losses, inability to determine the Fund’s NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of shareholders to transact business, violation of applicable law, regulatory penalties and/or fines, compliance and other costs. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

 

Further, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent future cyber incidents. In addition, because the Funds work closely with third-party service providers (e.g., custodians and unaffiliated sub-advisers), indirect cyber security breaches at such third-party service providers may subject Fund shareholders to the same risks associated with direct cyber security breaches. Further, indirect cyber security breaches at an issuer of securities in which a Fund invests may similarly negatively impact Fund shareholders because of a decrease in the value of these securities. There can be no assurances that measures taken by the Funds and their services providers to reduce risks to cyber security will be successful, particularly since the Funds do not control the cyber security systems of issuers or third-party service providers. Each Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

 

Liquidation Of Funds Risk.

 

The Board may determine to close and liquidate a Fund at any time. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, shareholders will receive a liquidating distribution in cash or in kind equal to their proportionate interest in the Fund. A liquidating distribution may be a taxable event for shareholders and, depending on a shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund shares, may result in the recognition of a gain or loss for tax purposes.

 

Tax Risk

 

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

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

The Funds generally will invest for long-term trading purposes, although some securities may be held for less than one year. Portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (2) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in a Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to higher transaction costs and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions. High portfolio turnover generally results in the distribution of short-term capital gains which are taxed at the higher ordinary income tax rates.

  S-22
 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

The Role of the Board

 

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board, which provides oversight of the management and operations of the Trust. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and its service providers, including the agreements with the Advisor, distributor, administrator, custodian and transfer agent, each of whom are discussed in greater detail in this SAI. Like all mutual funds and ETFs, the day-to-day responsibility for the management and operation of the Trust, including the day-to-day management of risk, is the responsibility of such service providers to the Trust. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, has oversight responsibility with respect to the risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and eliminate or mitigate the potential effects of risks such as events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust or the Funds. The Board’s role in risk management oversight begins before the inception of an investment portfolio, at which time the Advisor presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the investment portfolio. Additionally, the Advisor provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, the respective firm’s investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board oversees the risk management of the investment portfolio’s operations, in part, by requesting periodic reports from and otherwise communicating with various personnel of the service providers, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and the independent registered public accounting firm of the Trust. The Board and, with respect to identified risks that relate to its scope of expertise, the Audit Committee of the Board, oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Funds may be exposed. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Trust’s investments, operations or activities.

 

Under the overall supervision of the Board (discussed in more detail below), the service providers to the Trust employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks relevant to the operations of the Trust and the Funds to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust’s business and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that activity.

 

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Advisor and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on at least an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Advisory Agreement with the Advisor, the Board receives detailed information from the Advisor. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Advisor’s adherence to each Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various policies and procedures of the Trust and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about each Fund’s performance and investments.

 

The Trust’s CCO meets regularly with the Board to review and discuss compliance and other issues. At least annually, the Trust’s CCO provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Advisor. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

 

The Board receives reports from the Trust’s service providers regarding operational risks, portfolio valuation and other matters. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the financial statements of the Funds, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Trust and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust’s internal controls.

 

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 each Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, despite the periodic reports the Board receives and the Board’s discussions with the service providers to the Trust, it may not be made aware of all of the relevant information of a particular risk. Most of the Trust’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Advisor 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 Trust’s 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.

  S-23
 

 

There is an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee of the Board, each of which is comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The chair of the Audit Committee is [Audit chair], an Independent Trustee. The chair of the Nominating Committee is [Nominating chair], an Independent Trustee. The Committee chair for each Committee is responsible for running the Committee meeting, formulating agendas for those meetings, and coordinating with management to serve as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management on matters within the scope of the responsibilities of such Committee as set forth in its Board-approved charter. There is a Valuation Committee, which is comprised of an Independent Trustee and representatives of the Advisor to take action in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by a Fund in accordance with the Board-approved Valuation Procedures. The Funds have determined that this leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Funds. The Funds made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees of the Funds constitute a majority of the Board, the assets under management of the Funds, the number of portfolios overseen by the Board and the total number of trustees on the Board.

 

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares and Other Interests

 

As of [June 21], 2017, no Trustee beneficially owned shares of the Funds.

 

As of [June 21], 2017, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate family, own securities beneficially or of record in the Advisor and the Distributor, as defined below, or an affiliate of the Advisor or the Distributor. Accordingly, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate family, have direct or indirect interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Advisor, the Distributor or any of their affiliates.

 

Control Persons, Principal Shareholders, and Management Ownership

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders with a controlling interest could affect the outcome of voting or the direction of management of the Funds.

 

Since the Funds were not operational prior to the date of this SAI, there were no principal shareholders or control persons and the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group did not own more than 1% of the Funds’ outstanding shares.

 

Members of the Board and Officers of the Trust. Set forth below are the names, years of birth, position with the Trust, term of office, portfolios supervised and the principal occupations and other directorships for a minimum of the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as members of the Board and as Executive Officers of the Trust. Also included below is the term of office for each of the Executive Officers of the Trust. The members of the Board serve as Trustees for the life of the Trust or until retirement, removal, or their office is terminated pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.

  S-24
 

TRUSTEES

 

           

NAME, ADDRESS

AND YEAR OF BIRTH (a)

 

POSITION(S)

WITH FUNDS

 

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST
5 YEARS

 

NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE

 

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

         

[Trustee]

([Birth Year])

[Position]

Term: Unlimited

Served as

Trustee: since

[__, 2017]

 

[Bio]  [4]

[Bio]

 

[Trustee]

([Birth Year])

[Position]

Term: Unlimited

Served as

Trustee: since

[__, 2017]

 

[Bio]  [4]

[Bio]

 

           
INTERESTED TRUSTEE          

Matthew J. Clements, CPA

(1989)

Trustee

Term: Unlimited

Served as

Trustee: since

August 2016

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director, Active Weighting Advisors LLC (2016 to present); Senior Tax Accountant, Ernst & Young (2013 to 2016).  [4]

None

 

 

(a) The address of each Trustee is c/o Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust, 490 Royal Lake Drive, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701.

 

  S-25
 

OFFICERS

 

       

NAME, ADDRESS

AND YEAR OF BIRTH

 

POSITION(S)

WITH FUNDS

 

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST
5 YEARS

 

[Officer]

[Address]

([Birth Year])

[Office]

Term: Unlimited

Served: since

[___, 2017]

[Bio].

 

 

 

       

[Officer]

[Address]

([Birth Year])

[Office]

Term: Unlimited

Served: since

[___, 2017]

[Bio].

 

 

 

[Officer]

[Address]

([Birth Year])

[Office]

Term: Unlimited

Served: since

[___, 2017]

[Bio].

 

 

 

[Officer]

[Address]

([Birth Year])

[Office]

Term: Unlimited

Served: since

[___, 2017]

[Bio].

 

 

 

 

 

The Sole Trustee, Matthew J. Clements, CPA, is an interested person of the Trust as that term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (“Interested Trustee”) because of his affiliation with the Advisor. [Additional Trustee information to be included in a subsequent pre-effective amendment.]

 

Description of Standing Board Committees

 

Audit Committee. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Trust’s independent auditors, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between Trust management and such independent auditors. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal control over financial reporting of certain third-party service providers; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Funds’ financial statements and the independent audits thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent auditors; and (vi) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent auditors and the full Board. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Trust’s Audit Committee.

 

Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee has been established to (i) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its Advisor or Distributor (as defined by the 1940 Act); and (ii) advise the Board on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Nominating Committee. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and should be directed to the attention of the Trust’s Nominating Committee.

 

Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by each of the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures.

  S-26
 

 

Individual Trustee Qualifications

 

The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of their ability to review and understand information about the Trust and the Funds provided to them by management, to identify and request other information they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise their business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on their own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

 

The Board has concluded that [Trustee] should serve as Trustee because of the experience [he/she] has gained serving as [•].

 

The Board has concluded that [Trustee] should serve as Trustee because of the experience [he/she] has gained serving as [•].

 

The Board has concluded that [Trustee] should serve as Trustee because of the experience [he/she] has gained serving as [•].

 

Board Compensation

 

Each Independent Trustee receives an annual stipend of $[stipend] and reimbursement for all reasonable travel expenses relating to their attendance at the Board Meetings. The chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual stipend of $[stipend], and each Independent Trustee serving on the Audit Committee (except the chairman thereof) and the Valuation Committee receives an annual stipend of $[stipend]. Interested Trustees are not compensated for their service as Trustees or as members of Board committees.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Advisor, and Foreside Financial Group, LLC, on behalf of the Distributor and its affiliates, have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. They are designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Advisor, 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).

 

There can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each code of ethics, filed as exhibits to this registration statement, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

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

 

The Advisor will adopt Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures which provided that proxies on securities will be voted for the exclusive benefit, and in the best economic interest of, the Fund’s shareholders, as determined by the Advisor in good faith, subject to any restrictions or directions of the Fund. Such voting responsibilities will be exercised in a manner that is consistent with the general anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, as well as the Advisor’s fiduciary duties under federal and state law to act in the best interest of its clients.

  S-27
 

 

On certain routine proposals (for example, those which do not change the structures, bylaws or operations of a company), the Advisor will generally vote in the manner recommended by management. Non-routine proposals, (such as those affecting corporate governance, compensation and other corporate events) and shareholder proposals, will generally be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Advisor expects to engage an unbiased third party proxy voting service to make proxy voting recommendations to the Advisor. The Advisor will generally vote proxies in accordance with these recommendations, but reserves the right to exercise its own judgment on a case-by-case basis. If the Advisor determines that voting a particular proxy would create a material conflict of interest between its interest or the interests of any of its affiliated parties and the interests of the Fund, the Advisor will vote such proxy based upon the recommendations of the independent third party proxy voting service.

 

The Trust is required to file a Form N-PX, with each Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the 12 months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. Each Fund’s proxy voting record will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-[Phone] and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or acknowledges the existence of control. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds are newly formed and do not have any shares outstanding.

 

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

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

 

Advisor

 

Active Weighting Advisors LLC acts as investment adviser to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust. As of December 31, 2016, the Advisor was newly formed for the purpose of advising the Funds and had no other accounts under management. The Advisor anticipates that it will manage accounts other than the Funds. The Advisor’s principal office is located at 490 Royal Lake Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

 

In consideration of the services to be provided by the Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to receive from each Fund an investment advisory fee computed daily and payable monthly, based on a rate equal to a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets for each of their Shares.

 

After its initial two year term, the Advisory Agreement continues in effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds), and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Advisory Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either party to the Advisory Agreement upon a 60-day written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its “assignment,” as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

In addition to the management fees payable to the Advisor, each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses, including: fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, registration and transfer of its shares; brokerage and commission expenses; all expenses of transfer, receipt, safekeeping, servicing and accounting for the cash, securities and other property of the Trust for the benefit of each Fund including all fees and expenses of its custodian and accounting services agent; interest charges on any borrowings; costs and expenses of pricing and calculating its daily NAV per share and of maintaining its books of account required under the 1940 Act; taxes, if any; a pro rata portion of expenditures in connection with meetings of the Funds’ shareholders and the Trust’s Board that are properly payable by the Funds; salaries and expenses of officers and fees and expenses of members of the Board or members of any advisory board or committee who are not members of, affiliated with or interested persons of the Advisor or the Administrator; insurance premiums on property or personnel of the Funds which inure to their

  S-28
 

benefit, including liability and fidelity bond insurance; the cost of preparing and printing reports, proxy statements, prospectuses and the statement of additional information of the Funds or other communications for distribution to existing shareholders; legal counsel, auditing and accounting fees; trade association membership dues (including membership dues in the Investment Company Institute allocable to the Funds); fees and expenses (including legal fees) of registering and maintaining registration of its shares for sale under federal and applicable state and foreign securities laws; all expenses of maintaining shareholder accounts, including all charges for transfer, shareholder recordkeeping, dividend disbursing, redemption, and other agents for the benefit of each Fund, if any; and all other charges and costs of its operation plus any extraordinary and non-recurring expenses, except as otherwise prescribed in the Advisory Agreement.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

The Advisor manages the Funds using a team of investment professionals. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Advisor will supervise and manage the investment portfolios of the Fund and will direct the purchase and sale of its investments. The team meets regularly to review portfolio holdings and to discuss purchase and sale activity. The team adjusts holdings in the portfolio as they deem appropriate in the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective.

 

The professionals who are currently jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of each Fund are Jonathon Clements and Matthew Clements, CPA. Mr. Clements and Mr. Clements are brothers and have no prior experience managing a portfolio of securities on behalf of an ETF.

 

The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each of the key professionals involved in the day-to-day portfolio management for each Fund and assets under management in those accounts.

 

Other Accounts Managed as of June 21, 2017

 

Portfolio Manager Registered Investment Company Accounts Assets Managed (millions) Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts Assets Managed (millions) Other Accounts Assets Managed (millions)*
Jonathon Clements 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
Matthew Clements 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0

 

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Fund Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Securities Lending Agent

 

The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYMellon”), located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as administrator, transfer agent and securities lending agent. Pursuant to a Fund Administration Servicing Agreement and a Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between the Trust and BNYMellon, BNYMellon provides the Trust with administrative and management services (other than investment advisory services) and accounting services, including portfolio accounting services, tax accounting services and furnishing financial reports. In this capacity, BNYMellon does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Funds, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Funds’ Shares. As compensation for the administration, accounting and management services, the Advisor pays BNYMellon a fee based on each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, including pricing expenses. The Funds are new, and the Advisor has not paid BNYMellon any fees for services to the Funds as of the date of this SAI.

 

Pursuant to a Custody Agreement, BNYMellon serves as the custodian of the Funds’ assets. The custodian holds and administers Fund assets. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the custodian receives an annual fee from the Advisor based on the Trust’s total average daily net assets, subject to a minimum annual fee and certain settlement charges. The custodian also is entitled to certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

  S-29
 

The Funds’ securities lending agent is BNYMellon. BNYMellon receives a fee for its services as securities lending agent. Investments of the cash collateral received from borrowers of the Funds’ securities are made by BNYMellon in accordance with applicable guidelines.

 

Distributor

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) the Funds’ distributor, is located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

 

Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in whole Creation Units, as described in the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Distributor also acts as an agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Funds or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Funds.

 

[The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Rule 12b-1 Plan”) under the 1940 Act.] No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Funds and there are no plans to impose these fees. See “Distribution and Service Plan” below.

 

The Advisor and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Funds. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Trustees have selected the firm of [Registered Public Accounting Firm], to serve as independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds for the current fiscal year and to audit the annual financial statements of the Funds, prepare the Funds’ federal, state and excise tax returns, and consult with the Funds on matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation. The independent registered public accounting firm will audit the financial statements of the Funds at least once each year. Shareholders will receive annual audited and semi-annual (unaudited) reports when published and written confirmation of all transactions in their account. A copy of the most recent Annual Report will accompany the SAI whenever a shareholder or a prospective investor requests it.

 

Legal Counsel

 

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, 250 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Funds and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Funds’ portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally be executed directly with a “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.

 

Purchases of portfolio securities for the Funds also may be made directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize in the types of securities which the Funds will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principal for their own accounts. Purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer or underwriter that has provided research or other services as discussed below.

  S-30
 

 

In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will seek best execution. The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Advisor that it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Agreement with the Funds, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Funds subject to rules adopted by FINRA and the SEC.

 

While it is the Funds’ general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Funds, in accordance with Section 28(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, when it is determined that more than one broker can deliver best execution, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Funds or to the Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Funds and may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Funds may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer.

 

The practice of using a portion of a Fund’s commission dollars to pay for brokerage and research services provided to the Advisor is sometimes referred to as “soft dollars.” Section 28(e) is sometimes referred to as a “safe harbor,” because it permits this practice, subject to a number of restrictions, including the Advisor’s compliance with certain procedural requirements and limitations on the type of brokerage and research services that qualify for the safe harbor.

 

Research products and services may include, but are not limited to, general economic, political, business and market information and reviews, industry and company information and reviews, evaluations of securities and recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities, financial data on a company or companies, performance and risk measuring services and analysis, stock price quotation services, computerized historical financial databases and related software, credit rating services, analysis of corporate responsibility issues, brokerage analysts’ earnings estimates, computerized links to current market data, software dedicated to research, and portfolio modeling. Research services may be provided in the form of reports, computer-generated data feeds and other services, telephone contacts, and personal meetings with securities analysts, as well as in the form of meetings arranged with corporate officers and industry spokespersons, economists, academics and governmental representatives. Brokerage products and services assist in the execution, clearance and settlement of securities transactions, as well as functions incidental thereto, including but not limited to related communication and connectivity services and equipment, software related to order routing, market access, algorithmic trading, and other trading activities. On occasion, a broker-dealer may furnish the Advisor with a service that has a mixed use (that is, the service is used both for brokerage and research activities that are within the safe harbor and for other activities). In this case, the Advisor is required to reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that any portion of the service that does not qualify for the safe harbor is paid for by the Advisor from its own funds, and not by portfolio commissions paid by the Fund.

 

Research products and services provided to the Advisor by broker-dealers that effect securities transactions for the Funds may be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its Funds. Accordingly, not all of these services may be used by the Advisor in connection with the Funds. Some of these products and services are also available to the Advisor for cash, and some do not have an explicit cost or determinable value. The research received does not reduce the advisory fees paid to the Advisor for services provided to the Funds. The Advisor’s expenses would likely increase if the Advisor had to generate these research products and services through its own efforts, or if it paid for these products or services itself.

 

Investment decisions for the Funds are made independently from those of other Funds managed or advised

  S-31
 

by the Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be acceptable for multiple Funds. In such event, the position of the Funds and such client account(s) or mutual funds in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these Funds seek to acquire the same security as the Funds at the same time, each Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, the Funds may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time. If one or more Funds simultaneously purchases or sells the same, each day’s transactions in such security will be allocated between the respective Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor, taking into account the respective sizes of the Funds and the amount of cash available for investment, the investment objective of the Fund, and the ease with which a Fund’s appropriate amount can be bought, as well as the liquidity and volatility of the account and the urgency involved in making an investment decision for the client. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Funds are concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of a Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the Fund.

 

The Funds will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation. The aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Funds have not commenced investment operations as of the date of this SAI.

 

Each Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which it may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Fund’s portfolio transactions; (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Funds; or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Funds Shares.

 

Holdings in Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers for the most recent fiscal year have been omitted because the Funds have not commenced investment operations as of the date of this SAI.

 

Frequent Trading

 

The Board has not adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares by Fund shareholders (“market timing”). In determining not to adopt market timing policies and procedures, the Board noted that the Funds are expected to be attractive to active institutional and retail investors interested in buying and selling Fund Shares on a short-term basis. In addition, the Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, a Fund’s Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants, and that the vast majority of trading in a Fund’s Shares occurs on the Secondary Market. Because Secondary Market trades do not involve a Fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in a Fund’s trading cots and the realization of capital gains. With respect to trades directly with the Funds, to the extent effected in kind (namely, for securities), those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction costs (a Fund may impose higher transaction fees to offset these increased costs), which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading on a short-term basis by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that a Fund’s Shares trade at or close to NAV. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is not necessary to adopt market timing policies and procedures. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time and reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive or excessive trading in Creation Units.

 

The Board has instructed the officers of the Trust to review reports of purchases and redemptions of Creation Units on a regular basis to determine if there is any unusual trading in the Funds.

 

The officers of the Trust will report to the Board any such unusual trading in Creation Units that is disruptive to the Funds. In such event, the Board may reconsider its decision not to adopt market timing policies and procedures.

 

  S-32
 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

Portfolio Disclosure Policy

 

The Trust has adopted a Portfolio Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) designed to govern the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings and the use of material non-public information about Fund holdings. The Policy applies to all officers, employees and agents of the Funds, including the Advisor. The Policy is designed to ensure that the disclosure of information about each Fund’s portfolio holdings is consistent with applicable legal requirements and otherwise in the best interest of each Fund.

 

As ETFs, information about each Fund’s portfolio holdings is made available on a daily basis in accordance with the provisions of any Order of the SEC applicable to the Funds, regulations of the Funds’ listing Exchange and other applicable SEC regulations, orders and no-action relief. Such information typically reflects all or a portion of a Fund’s anticipated portfolio holdings as of the next Business Day (as defined below). This information is used in connection with the creation and redemption process and is disseminated on a daily basis through the facilities of the Exchange, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”) and/or third party service providers.

 

Each Fund will disclose on the Funds’ website www.[website].com at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by each Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on the Business Day. Online disclosure of such holdings is publicly available at no charge.

 

Daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings is permitted to personnel of the Advisor, the Distributor and the Funds’ administrator, custodian and accountant and other agents or service providers of the trust who have need of such information in connection with the ordinary course of their respective duties to the Funds.

 

Each Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Fund’s fiscal year, within sixty (60) days of the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.

 

No person is authorized to disclose a Fund’s portfolio holdings or other investment positions except in accordance with the Policy. The Trust’s Board reviews the implementation of the Policy on a periodic basis.

 

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

 

[The Board has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan.] In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 Plan, each Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of each Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid (or will, for the first 12 months after the effective date of the registration statement of which this SAI is a part, be paid) by the Funds and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the respective Fund’s assets, and over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.

 

Under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Board will receive and review after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.

 

The Advisor and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for the distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Funds. The making of these payments could create a conflict of interest for a financial intermediary receiving such payments.

 

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INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE

 

The approximate value of the Funds’ investments on a per-Share basis, the Indicative Intra-Day Value or IIV, is disseminated by the Exchange every 15 seconds during hours of trading on the Exchange. The IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of NAV because the IIV will be calculated by an independent third party calculator and may not be calculated in the exact same manner as NAV, which is computed daily.

 

The Exchange calculates the IIV for each Fund during hours of trading on the Exchange by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares of such Fund. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in a Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owing to a Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in a Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on the Funds’ website. In determining the estimated value for each of the component securities, the IIV will use last sale, market prices or other methods that would be considered appropriate for pricing equity securities held by registered investment companies.

 

Although the Funds provide the independent third party calculator with information to calculate the IIV, the Funds are not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and are not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Funds make no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES

 

Organization and Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust and will be a registered investment company. The Trust was organized on August 28, 2016, and has authorized capital of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of no par value that may be issued in more than one class or series.

 

Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual shareholders meeting if the 1940 Act does not require such a meeting. Generally, there will not be annual meetings of Trust shareholders. If requested by shareholders of at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, the Trust will call a meeting of the Trust’s shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a Trustee and will assist in communications with other Trust shareholders. Shareholders holding two-thirds of Shares outstanding may remove Trustees from office by votes cast at a meeting of Trust shareholders or by written consent.

 

All Shares will be freely transferable; provided, however, that Shares may not be redeemed individually, but only in Creation Units. The Shares will not have preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights, and none of the Shares will have any preference to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirements, liquidation, redemption or any other feature. Shares have equal voting rights, except that, if the Trust creates additional funds, only Shares of that fund may be entitled to vote on a matter affecting that particular fund. Trust shareholders are entitled to require the Trust to redeem Creation Units if such shareholders are Authorized Participants. The Declaration of Trust confers upon the Board the power, by resolution, to alter the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit or to specify that Shares of the Trust may be individually redeemable. The Trust reserves the right to adjust the stock prices of Shares to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any such adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits which would have no effect on the net assets of the Funds.

 

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders or the officers of the Trust for acts or obligations of the Trust which are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the Trust for all loss and expense of the Funds’ shareholders held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. The risk of a Trust’s shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Funds themselves would not be able to meet the Trust’s obligations and this risk should be considered remote. If a Fund does not grow to a size to permit it to be economically viable, the Fund may cease operations. In such an event, shareholders may be required to liquidate or transfer their Shares at an inopportune time and shareholders may lose money on their investment.

 

Book Entry Only System

 

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

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DTC has advised the Trust as follows: DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments (from over 100 countries). DTC was created to hold securities of its participants (“DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges in accounts of DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, the NSCC and Debt Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. More specifically, DTCC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the Bats BZX and FINRA.

 

Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC agrees with and represents to DTC Participants that it will administer its book-entry system in accordance with its rules and bylaws and requirements of law. Beneficial ownership of Shares will be limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership will be 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 DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in Shares.

 

Beneficial Owners of Shares will not be entitled to have Shares registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and are not considered the registered holders of the Shares. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of DTC, DTC Participants and any Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests in order to exercise any rights of a holder of Shares. The Trust understands that under existing industry practice, in the event the Trust requests any action of holders of Shares, or a Beneficial Owner desires to take any action that DTC, as the record owner of all outstanding Shares, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the DTC Participants to take such action and that the DTC Participants would authorize the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners acting through such DTC Participants to take such action and would otherwise act upon the instructions of Beneficial Owners owning through them. DTC, through its nominee Cede & Co., is the record owner of all outstanding Shares.

 

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners will be effected as follows. DTC will make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of Shares holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust will provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number 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 a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Beneficial Owners may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to Shares by providing their names and addresses to the DTC registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

 

Distributions of Shares shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’

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accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of 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 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 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 Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.

 

DTC rules applicable to DTC Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org.

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

 

Creation Units

 

The Trust issues and sells Shares of each Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The Distributor processes purchase orders only on a day that the Exchange is open for trading (a “Business Day”). The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday except for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

Generally, the Trust will issue and sell Creation Units at NAV for “in kind” consideration, meaning the initiator of a creation or redemption order will deposit or receive as consideration a portfolio of all or some of the securities held in the relevant Fund’s portfolio, plus a cash amount (an “In Kind Creation” and “In Kind Redemption”). At the discretion of the Advisor, the Fund may elect at any time, and from time to time, that the consideration for the purchase and redemption of Creation Units will be made entirely in a cash amount equal to the NAV of the shares that constitute the Creation Unit(s) (an “All Cash Amount”).

 

Creation Orders

 

The consideration for an In Kind Creation generally consists of the Deposit Securities for each Creation Unit constituting a substantial replication, or representation, of the securities included in the relevant Fund’s portfolio as selected by the Advisor (“Fund Securities”) and the Cash Component computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum investment amount for a Creation Unit of a Fund. The Cash Component serves to compensate the Trust or the Authorized Participant, as applicable, for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit) and the “Deposit Amount,” an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component.

 

In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (that is a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the

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Clearing Process (discussed below) or for other similar reasons. The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require a “cash in lieu” amount where the delivery of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant (as described below) would be restricted under the securities laws or where delivery of Deposit Securities to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of Deposit Securities by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, and in certain other situations.

 

The Custodian through the NSCC (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time), the list of the name and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security (if any) to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for each Fund. This Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, to orders to effect creations of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available, or unless the Advisor elects to receive an All Cash Amount in connection with the creation of Creation Units.

 

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for each Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by the Advisor, with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit the substitution of an amount of cash – i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount – to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below), or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. In addition to the list of names and number of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit of the Fund.

 

The process for a creation order involving an All Cash Amount will be the same as the process for an In Kind Creation, except that the Cash Component will be the entirety of the amount deposited as consideration for the Creation Unit(s).

 

Procedures for Creation of Creation Units

 

All orders to create Creation Units must be placed with the Distributor either (1) through Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (“Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, by a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process; or (2) outside the Clearing Process by a DTC Participant (see the section of this SAI entitled “Additional Information Concerning Shares—Book Entry Only System”). In each case, the Participating Party or the DTC Participant must have executed an agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”); such parties are collectively referred to as “APs” or “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. All Fund Shares, whether created through or outside the Clearing Process, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

 

The Distributor will process orders to purchase Creation Units received by U.S. mail, telephone, facsimile and other electronic means of communication by the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange (“Closing Time”) (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time), as long as they are in proper form. Mail is received periodically throughout the day. An order sent by U.S. mail will be opened and time stamped when it is received. If an order to purchase Creation Units is received in proper form by Closing Time, then it will be processed that day. Purchase orders received in proper form after Closing Time will be processed on the following Business Day and will be priced at the NAV determined on that day. Custom orders must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on the trade date. In the case of an In Kind Creation, a custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized

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Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below in the sections of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”

 

All orders to create Creation Units from investors who are not Authorized Participants shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the 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, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Fund 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.

 

Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Units that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of the Fund Deposit. For more information about Clearing Process and DTC, see the sections of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process” and “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process.”

 

Placement of Creation Orders Using the Clearing Process

 

The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Units through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. All Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the Custodian to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

 

Placement of Creation Orders Outside the Clearing Process

 

All Fund Deposits and/or Cash Component, as applicable, made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of cash and securities directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date (“DTC Cut-Off-Time”).

 

All questions as to the amount of an All Cash Amount, the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, or the amount of a Cash Component, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component (including All Cash Amounts) 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 2:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (2)

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all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component or the All Cash Amount, as applicable, by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day following the Transmittal Date, such order will be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Fund Deposits and/or Cash Components as newly constituted to reflect the then-current Deposit Securities and Cash Component, or the All Cash Amount, as applicable. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected through a DTC participant outside the Clearing Process and in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. See the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Sale of Creation Units—Creation Transaction Fee.”

 

Creation Units of an In Kind Creation may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV 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 (1) the Cash Component plus (2) 125% of the then-current market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (“Additional Cash Deposit”). 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 Closing Time and funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by Closing Time or funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending receipt of the undelivered Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 125% of the daily marked-to-market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities. To the extent that undelivered Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor, or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the undelivered Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and the Fund for 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 Distributor 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 undelivered Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee will be charged in all cases. See the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Creation Transaction Fee.” The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units

 

The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if: (1) the order is not in proper form; (2) if the Cash Component paid is incorrect; (3) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of any Fund; (4) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (5) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (6) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (7) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Advisor, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (8) there exist circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Distributor and the Advisor that make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; 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 Advisor, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process and similar extraordinary events. The

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Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. 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.

 

Creation Units typically are issued on a “T+3 basis” (that is, three Business Days after trade date).

 

To the extent contemplated by an Authorized Participant’s agreement with the Distributor, the Trust will issue Creation Units of an In Kind Creation to such Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Portfolio Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value equal to 110%, which the Advisor may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities in accordance with the Trust’s then-effective procedures. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date. The only collateral that is acceptable to the Trust is cash in U.S. Dollars or an irrevocable letter of credit in form, and drawn on a bank, that is satisfactory to the Trust. The cash collateral posted by the Authorized Participant may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and income, if any, on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Trust’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor. The Authorized Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral or the amount that may be drawn under any letter of credit.

 

In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units (whether by In Kind Creation/Redemption or for an All Cash Amount) on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis. All questions as to the amount of cash required to be delivered, 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, as applicable, shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

 

Creation Transaction Fee

 

Authorized Participants will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Creation Transaction Fee”) in connection with creation orders that is intended to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Creation Transaction Fee charged by each Fund for each creation order is $[fee].

 

An additional variable fee of up to three (3) times the fixed Transaction Fee plus all commission and fees payable to the Fund in connection with the purchase of the Deposit Securities (expressed as a percentage of the value of such Deposit Securities) may be imposed for (1) creations effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) creations made in an All Cash Amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.

 

In order to seek to replicate the In Kind Creation order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an In Kind Creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Creation Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Creation Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.

 

The Creation Transaction Fee may be waived for a Fund when the Advisor believes that waiver of the

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Creation Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Creation Transaction Fee, the Advisor considers a number of factors including whether waiving the Creation Transaction Fee will: facilitate the initial launch of a Fund; facilitate portfolio rebalancings in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for a Fund’s shares; and not result in a Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.

 

Redemption Orders

 

The process to redeem Creation Units is essentially the reverse of the process by which Creation Units are created, as described above. To redeem Shares directly from the Funds, an investor must be an Authorized Participant or must redeem through an Authorized Participant. The Trust redeems Creation Units on a continuous basis on any Business Day through the Distributor at the Shares’ NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. A Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Authorized Participants must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such 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.

 

Generally, Creation Units of the Funds will also be redeemed at NAV principally in kind, although the Funds reserve the right to redeem for an All Cash Amount, in each case less a transaction fee as described below. With respect to In Kind Redemptions, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. New York time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units. The redemption proceeds for an In Kind Redemption of a Creation Unit consists of Fund Securities – as announced on the Business Day the request for redemption is received in proper form – plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (“Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee (see the section of this SAI entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units—Redemption Transaction Fee”).

 

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to any Fund (1) for any period during which the Bats BZX 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 Shares of the Fund or determination of a Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.

 

Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made within three Business Days (that is “T+3”). However, as discussed in Appendix B, the Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions and deliver redemption proceeds on a basis other than T+3 to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (that is the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances.

 

The process for a redemption order involving an All Cash Amount will be the same as the process for an In Kind Redemption, except that the proceeds of the redemption will be paid entirely in cash. Proceeds of redemptions of Creation Units payable in an All Cash Amount will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption (within seven calendar days thereafter).

 

Placement of Redemption Orders Using the Clearing Process

 

Orders to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process must be delivered through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements with an Authorized Participant for an order to redeem. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are

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properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the relevant Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Distributor after Closing Time will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, will be transferred by the third NSCC business day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

 

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process

 

Orders to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor not later than Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; (2) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Fund Shares, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than the DTC Cut-Off-Time, and the Cash Redemption Amount, if owed to the Fund, which delivery must be made by 2:00 p.m. New York Time; and (3) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Distributor receives an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process, the Distributor will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any, by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date.

 

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received upon redemption (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth the section of this SAI entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value” computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Distributor. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Distributor by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received (by the Authorized Participant or the Trust, as applicable) will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (1) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (2) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and/or the Cash Redemption Amount, as applicable, to be delivered or received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. New York time the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

 

The Trust may in its discretion at any time, or from time to time, exercise its option to redeem Fund Shares solely for consideration in the form of an All Cash Amount, and the redeeming Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Trust may permit, in its sole discretion. In either case, the investor will receive an All Cash Amount payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a transaction fee which will include an additional charge for cash redemptions to offset the Fund’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, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Redemption Amount, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the 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 that is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund

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Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

 

Redemption Transaction Fee

 

Investors will be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (“Redemption Transaction Fee”) to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an investor on the applicable Business Day. The Redemption Transaction Fee charged by each Fund for each redemption order is $[fee].

 

An additional variable fee of up to three (3) times the fixed Transaction Fee plus all commission and fees payable to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Fund Securities (expressed as a percentage value of such Fund Securities) may be imposed for (1) redemptions effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) redemptions made in an All Cash Amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the sale of Fund Securities). Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.

 

In order to seek to replicate the In Kind Redemption order process for creation orders executed in whole or in part with cash, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Participating Party as a result of an In Kind Redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the Trust and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.

 

 

Regardless of form, the Redemption Transaction Fee (including any reimbursements related to in cash redemptions or additional variable fees for In Kind Redemptions) will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities (currently, no more than 2% of the value of the shares redeemed).

 

The Redemption Transaction Fee may be waived for a Fund when the Advisor believes that waiver of the Redemption Transaction Fee is in the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Redemption Transaction Fee, the Advisor considers a number of factors including whether waiving the Redemption Transaction Fee will: facilitate portfolio rebalancings in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for a Fund’s shares; and not result in a Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of the waiver.

 

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

 

The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units 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, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

 

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Broker-dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus-delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an over-allotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, 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 the 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.

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value (NAV).”

 

The NAV per share for each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including the management fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the Exchange (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.

 

In computing each Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s portfolio securities are valued based on market quotations. When market quotations are not readily available for a portfolio security a Fund must use such security’s fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures which are approved by the Board.

 

The value of each Fund’s portfolio securities is based on such securities’ closing price on local markets when available. If a portfolio security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately reflect the fair value of such security, the portfolio security will be valued by another method that the Advisor believes will better reflect fair value in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board. Each Fund may use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations when the value of a Fund’s portfolio security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which such security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of such security) or trading in such security has been suspended or halted. In addition, each Fund may fair value foreign equity portfolio securities each day the Fund calculates its NAV. Accordingly, a Fund’s NAV may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a portfolio security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of such security. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

General Policies

 

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

 

Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid at least annually by each Fund. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make

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distributions on a more frequent basis for each Fund to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust may distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield on the underlying portfolio securities of the Funds, net of expenses of the Funds, as if each Fund owned such underlying portfolio securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital for tax purposes for certain shareholders.

 

Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust. The Trust makes additional distributions to the minimum extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of each Fund as a “regulated investment company” under the Code or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Service

 

No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Funds through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. If this service is used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Funds. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.

 

 

 

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

 

 

Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon the Code, U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices, all as in effect as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”

Except to the extent discussed below, this summary assumes that a Fund’s shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code, and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares, and does not address the tax consequences to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, tax-exempt shareholders, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), those who hold Fund Shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, “non-U.S. shareholders” (as defined below). This discussion does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. Furthermore, this discussion is not intended or written to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in a Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or relied on, and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares based on their particular circumstances.

The Funds have not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective investors should consult their own tax

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advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, non-U.S. country or other taxing jurisdiction.

Tax Treatment of the Funds

In General. Each Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code. As a RIC, a Fund generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders.

To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, each Fund must meet certain income, asset and distribution requirements, described in more detail below. Specifically, each Fund must (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or 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 (“QPTPs”) (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive at least 90% of their income from interest, dividends, and other qualifying RIC income described above), and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock of each such issuer is held by the Fund and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more QPTPs. Furthermore, each Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if any.

Failure to Maintain RIC Status. If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Code), the Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless of whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to a Fund’s shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, possibly eligible for (i) in the case of an individual Fund shareholder, treatment as a qualified dividend (as discussed below) subject to tax at preferential long-term capital gains rates or (ii) in the case of a corporate Fund shareholder, a dividends-received deduction. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Funds will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.

Excise Tax. A Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year (taking into account certain deferrals and elections), 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year (or later if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within such calendar year. Each Fund intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

Phantom Income. With respect to some or all of its investments, a Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment. For example, under the “wash sale” rules, a Fund may not be able to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a portfolio security. As a result, a Fund may be required to make an annual income distribution greater than the total cash actually received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling portfolio securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in which event the Fund’s shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions. (See also —“Certain Debt Instruments” below.)

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Certain Debt Instruments. Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund (such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment in-kind interest) may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of original issue discount is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.

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

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

The Fund may invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable.

 

Commodities. As noted above, in order to qualify as a RIC, each Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain qualifying sources of income. On December 16, 2005, the IRS issued Revenue Ruling 2006-1, which concluded that income derived from certain commodity-linked swaps is not qualifying income. As such, the Funds’ ability to utilize commodity-linked derivatives is limited by the requirement that it receive no more than 10% of its gross income from investments that generate non-qualifying income.

 

In Revenue Ruling 2006-31, the IRS subsequently indicated that income from alternative investment instruments that create commodity exposure (such as certain commodity index-linked notes) may be considered qualifying income under the Code. The IRS subsequently issued private letter rulings to other taxpayers in which the IRS concluded that income from certain commodity index-linked notes constituted qualifying income. PLRs, however, cannot be used or cited as precedent, and are binding only with respect to the taxpayer(s) to whom they are issued. The Funds have not been issued any such PLRs by the IRS. Furthermore, in 2011, the IRS announced that it was suspending the issuance of PLRs relating to the tax treatment of income and gain from investments in commodity-linked notes. Thus, to the extent that the Funds treat any income from commodity-linked notes as qualifying income based on the analysis in the PLRs previously issued by the IRS and the IRS changes its historic position or otherwise determines that income derived by the Funds from commodity-linked notes do not constitute qualifying income, the Funds may cease to qualify as RICs and/or may be required to reduce their exposure to such commodity-linked investments.

 

Investments in Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. As a result of the Code’s restrictions on RICs with respect to investments in commodities, the Funds may seek to gain exposure to commodity markets by investing in wholly-owned subsidiaries. Such subsidiaries themselves may be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax. The IRS historically has issued PLRs to other RICs in which it held that income derived from a wholly-owned non-U.S. subsidiary will constitute qualifying income, even if the subsidiary itself invests in commodities. To the extent applicable, the Funds intend to treat income they derive from their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries as qualifying income based on the analysis in the above-mentioned PLRs, notwithstanding the fact that PLRs can only

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be relied upon by the taxpayers(s) to whom they are issued, and the Funds themselves have not been issued any such PLRs by the IRS. Furthermore, in 2011, the IRS suspended the issuance of PLRs in this area while it considers the issues raised by them.

 

If a Fund’s subsidiary is a non-U.S. entity, the subsidiary will be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” (“CFC”) and the Fund will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” therein. As a result, the Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the subsidiary’s “Subpart F income,” whether or not such income is distributed by the subsidiary. The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s Subpart F income will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the subsidiary. Distributions by the subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund's tax basis in the subsidiary.  “Subpart F income” generally is treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the subsidiary's underlying income.  Although undistributed Subpart F income does not technically qualify as a dividend, the above-mentioned PLRs concluded that income from a fund’s investment in a CFC that invests in commodity-linked derivatives constitutes qualifying income to the fund. However, as noted above, the IRS suspended the issuance of such PLRs in 2011. Furthermore, in September 2016, the IRS issued Proposed Treasury Regulations which would treat Subpart F income derived by the Funds from any CFC as qualifying income only to the extent that such income is currently distributed. These proposed regulations will be effective for taxable years that begin on or after the date that is 90 days after their publication as final regulations.  If these Proposed Treasury Regulations become effective, income derived by the Funds from any wholly-owned non-U.S. subsidiary will only be treated as qualifying RIC income to the extent that it is currently distributed to the Funds. 

 

PFIC Investments. A Fund may purchase shares in a non-U.S. corporation treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax (plus charges in the nature of interest on previously-deferred income taxes on the PFIC’s income) on any “excess distributions” made on, or gain from a sale (or other disposition) of, the PFIC shares even if the Fund distributes such income to its shareholders.

 

In lieu of the increased income tax and deferred tax interest charges on excess distributions on, and dispositions of, a PFIC’s shares, the Fund can elect to treat the underlying PFIC as a “qualified electing fund,” provided that the PFIC agrees to provide the Fund with certain information on an annual basis. With a “qualified electing fund” election in place, the Fund must include in its income each year its share (whether distributed or not) of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the PFIC.

In the alternative, a Fund can elect, under certain conditions, to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year its PFIC shares. The Fund would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of the PFIC shares and as an ordinary loss (up to any prior net income resulting from the mark-to-market election) any decrease in the value of the PFIC shares.

With a “mark-to-market” or “qualified election fund” election in place on a PFIC, a Fund might be required to recognize in a year income in excess of the sum of the actual distributions received by it on the PFIC shares and the proceeds from its dispositions of the PFIC’s shares. Any such income generally would be subject to the RIC distribution requirements and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above).

 

Section 1256 Contracts. A Fund may be required to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on so-called “Section 1256 contracts,” such as certain futures contracts and most non-U.S. currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market. Section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in a Fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by a Fund from positions in Section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a “hedging transaction” or a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by a Fund. In addition, a Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by the Fund. Income from futures contracts generally would be subject to the RIC distribution requirements and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above).

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Swaps. As a result of entering into swap contracts, a Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. A Fund also may make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments generally will constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap generally will result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if a Fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, a Fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss. The tax treatment of many types of credit default swaps is uncertain.

 

Short Sales. In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when a Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. If, however, a Fund already owns property that is identical to the kind it borrows and sells pursuant to a short sale “against the box,” and such pre-existing ownership position has appreciated (i.e., the fair market value exceeds the Fund’s tax basis), the Fund may be required to recognize such gain at the time the borrowed stock is sold. Any gain or loss realized upon closing out a short sale generally is considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by a Fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules generally would treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules also may terminate the running of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by a Fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by a Fund for more than one year. In general, a Fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time a Fund accrues income, expenses or other items denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects or pays such items generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options and futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, generally are also treated as ordinary income or loss, unless a Fund were to elect otherwise where such an election is permitted.

Non-U.S. Investments. Dividends, interest and proceeds from the direct or indirect sale of non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding tax and other taxes, including financial transaction taxes. Even if a Fund is entitled to seek a refund in respect of such taxes, it may not have sufficient information to do so or may choose not to do so. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Non-U.S. taxes paid by a Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.

Special or Uncertain Tax Consequences. A Fund’s investment or other activities could be subject to special and complex tax rules that may produce differing tax consequences, such as disallowing or limiting the use of losses or deductions, causing the recognition of income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, affecting the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur or altering the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.

A Fund may engage in investment or other activities the treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. In particular, the tax treatment of swaps and certain other derivatives and income from foreign currency transactions is unclear for purposes of determining a Fund’s status as a RIC. If a final determination on the tax treatment of a Fund’s investment or other activities differs from the Fund’s original expectations, the final determination could adversely affect the Fund’s status as a RIC or the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell assets, alter its portfolio or take other action in order to comply with the final determination.

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Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

Fund Distributions. In general, Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property and regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received by each Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following calendar year.

Distributions of a Fund’s net investment income and a Fund’s net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses (collectively referred to as “ordinary income dividends”) are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (subject to an exception for “qualified dividend income,” as discussed below). Corporate shareholders of a Fund may be eligible to take a dividends-received deduction with respect to such distributions, provided the distributions are attributable to dividends received by the Fund on stock of U.S. corporations with respect to which the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements. To the extent designated as “capital gain dividends” by a Fund, distributions of a Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net capital gain”) are taxable at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, regardless of a Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Such dividends will not be eligible for a dividends-received deduction by corporate shareholders.

A Fund’s net capital gain is computed by taking into account the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 can be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. To the extent that these carryforwards are available to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders. In the event that a Fund were to experience an ownership change as defined under the Code, the Fund’s loss carryforwards, if any, may be subject to limitation.

Distributions of “qualified dividend income” (defined below) are taxed to certain non-corporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gain to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks. Dividends subject to these special rules, however, are not actually treated as capital gains and, thus, are not included in the computation of a non-corporate shareholder’s net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses. The portion of distributions that a Fund may report as qualified dividend income generally is limited to the amount of qualified dividend income received by the Fund, but if for any Fund taxable year 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (exclusive of net capital gain from sales of stock and securities) consist of qualified dividend income, all distributions of such income for that taxable year may be reported as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” generally means income from dividends received by a Fund from U.S. corporations and qualified non-U.S. corporations. Income from dividends received by a Fund from a REIT or another RIC generally is qualified dividend income only to the extent that the dividend distributions are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other RIC.

To the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by such Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

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Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (assuming the shareholder holds its Shares of the Fund as capital assets).

Each Fund intends to distribute its net capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end, a Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and each Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, each Fund shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital gain and increase the shareholder’s tax basis in the Fund Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such net capital gain may be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon timely filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.

With respect to non-corporate Fund shareholders (i.e., individuals, trusts and estates), ordinary income and short-term capital gain are taxed at a current maximum rate of 39.6% and long-term capital gain is taxed at a current maximum rate of 20%. Corporate shareholders are taxed at a current maximum rate of 35% on their income and gain.

In addition, high-income individuals (and certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income,” in addition to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including capital gain dividends) received from a Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult your tax advisor regarding this tax.

If a Fund is a “qualified fund of funds” (i.e., a RIC at least 50% of the total assets of which, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, is represented by interests in other RICs) or more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of a taxable year consist of non-U.S. stock or securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders certain non-U.S. income taxes paid by the Fund. This means that each shareholder will be required to (i) include in gross income, even though not actually received, the shareholder’s pro rata share of the Fund’s non-U.S. income taxes, and (ii) either take a corresponding deduction (in calculating U.S. federal taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income tax), subject to certain limitations.

Investors considering buying Shares just prior to a distribution should be aware that, although the price of the Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming distribution, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).

Exempt-Interest Dividends. If at the end of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, (i) the Fund is a qualified fund of funds (as defined above), or (ii) 50% or more of the Fund’s assets, by value, consist of certain obligations exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 103(a) of the Code (relating generally to obligations of a state or local governmental unit), the Fund shall be qualified to designate a portion of its dividends as “exempt-interest dividends.” Exempt-interest dividends generally will be excludable from a shareholder’s gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Exempt-interest dividends will be included, however, in determining the portion, if any, of a person’s social security and railroad retirement benefit payments subject to U.S. federal income tax. Interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry shares of a Fund that pays exempt-interest dividends will not be deductible by the shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent attributable to exempt-interest dividends.

Furthermore, exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund could subject certain shareholders in the Fund to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. Under the Code, corporations are subject to an alternative minimum tax based, in part, on certain differences between taxable income as adjusted for other tax preferences and the corporation’s “adjusted current earnings,” which more closely reflect a corporation’s economic income. Because an exempt-interest dividend paid by a Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a corporate shareholder of such Fund may be required to pay alternative minimum tax on exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, if a Fund invests in “private activity bonds,” a portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by such Fund

  S-51
 

may be treated as an item of “tax preference” and, therefore, could subject certain shareholders of the Fund to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.

REIT/REMIC Investments. A Fund may invest in REITs owning residual interests in REMICs. Certain income from a REIT that is attributable to a REMIC residual interest (known as “excess inclusion” income) is allocated to a Fund’s shareholders in proportion to the dividends received from the Fund, producing the same income tax consequences as if the Fund shareholders directly received the excess inclusion income. In general, excess inclusion income (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) constitutes “unrelated business taxable income” to certain entities (such as a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity), and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, does not qualify for any withholding tax reduction or exemption. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year certain types of entities own Shares, the Fund will be subject to a tax equal to the product of (i) the excess inclusion income allocable to such entities and (ii) the highest U.S. federal income tax rate imposed on corporations (currently 35%). A Fund also is subject to information reporting with respect to any excess inclusion income.

Sale or Exchange of Shares. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares held for one year or less generally is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Fund Shares will be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules if substantially identical shares are purchased (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the Fund Shares. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Legislation passed by Congress requires reporting to the IRS and to taxpayers of adjusted cost basis information for “covered securities,” which generally include shares of a RIC acquired on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders should contact their brokers to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and available elections for their accounts.

Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions. On an issue of Shares as part of a Creation Unit, made by means of an in-kind deposit, an Authorized Participant generally recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind by a payment of Fund Securities, an Authorized Participant generally recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position, that any loss on an issue or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.

In general, any capital gain or loss recognized upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss, if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term

capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Fund Shares.

Reportable Transactions. If a Fund shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Shares of $2 million or more (for an individual Fund shareholder) or $10 million or more (for a corporate shareholder) in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the Fund shareholder may be required file a disclosure statement with the IRS. Significant penalties may be imposed upon the failure to comply with these reporting rules.

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Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these rules in light of their individual circumstances.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.” For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder (as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following discussion addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income taxation applicable to non-U.S. shareholders.

Dividends. With respect to non-U.S. shareholders of a Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty). A Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. However, ordinary income dividends that are “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” (each as defined below) and capital gain dividends generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding (or income) tax, provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnishes the Fund with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means dividends designated by a Fund as attributable to such Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital gain dividends” generally means dividends designated by a Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. Depending on its circumstances, a Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, special rules apply in certain cases, including as described below. For example, in cases where dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder conducted in the United States, the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be exempt from withholding tax, but will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. federal income tax return. Furthermore, such income also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation. In addition, if a non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, any gain incurred by such shareholder with respect to his or her capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends would be subject to a 30% U.S. federal income tax (which, in the case of short-term capital gain dividends, may, in certain instances, be withheld at source by a Fund). Lastly, special rules apply with respect to dividends that are subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act (“FIRPTA”), discussed below (see—“Investments in U.S. Real Property”).

 

Sale or Exchange of Shares. Under current law, gain on a sale or exchange of Shares generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax (including withholding at the source) unless (i) the non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who was physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder would incur a 30% U.S. federal income tax on his capital gain, (ii) the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. shareholder (in which case the non-U.S. shareholder generally would be taxable on such gain at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders, would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and, in the case of a corporate non-U.S. shareholder, may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax), or (iii) the gain is subject to FIRPTA, as discussed below (see —“Investments in U.S. Real Property”).

Credits or Refunds. To claim a credit or refund for any Fund-level taxes on any undistributed long-term capital gains (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through withholding, a non-U.S. Fund shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. Fund shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.

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Investments in U.S. Real Property. Subject to the exemptions described below, a non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA on any gain from the sale or exchange of Shares if the Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (as defined below) at any time during the shorter of the period during which the non-U.S. shareholder held such Shares and the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of those Shares. Any such gain will be taxed in the same manner as for a U.S. Fund shareholder and in certain cases will be collected through withholding at the source in an amount equal to 15% of the sales proceeds. A Fund will be a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) (which includes shares of U.S. real property holding corporations and certain participating debt securities) equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United States plus any other assets used or held for use in a business.

An exemption from FIRPTA applies if either (i) the class of Shares disposed of by the non-U.S. shareholder is regularly traded on an established securities market (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the non-U.S. shareholder did not actually or constructively hold more than 5% of such class of Shares at any time during the five-year period prior to the disposition, or (ii) the Fund is a “domestically-controlled RIC.” A “domestically-controlled RIC” is any RIC in which at all times during the relevant testing period 50% or more in value of the RIC’s stock is owned by U.S. persons.

Furthermore, special rules apply under FIRPTA in respect of distributions attributable to gains from USRPIs. In general, if a Fund is a U.S. real property holding corporation (taking certain special rules into account), distributions by such Fund attributable to gains from USRPIs will be treated as income effectively connected with a trade or business within the United States, subject generally to tax at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders and, in the case of a corporation that is a non-U.S. shareholder, a “branch profits” tax at a rate of 30% (or other applicable lower treaty rate). Such distributions will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and generally will give rise to an obligation on the part of the non-U.S. shareholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return.

Even if a Fund is treated as a U.S. real property holding corporation, distributions on the Fund’s Shares will not be treated, under the rule described above, as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that owns (for the applicable period) 5% or less (by class) of Shares and such class is regularly traded on an established securities market for U.S. federal income tax purposes (but such distribution will be treated as ordinary dividends subject to a 30% withholding tax or lower applicable treaty rate).

Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain “wash sale” and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions from the Fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business will be treated as having received such distributions.

All shareholders of the Fund should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the rules described above.

Back-Up Withholding

A Fund (or a financial intermediary such as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in a Fund) may be required to report certain information on a Fund shareholder to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a 28% rate from taxable distributions and redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

  S-54
 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act ("FATCA") generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on "withholdable payments" (defined below) made to (i) a "foreign financial institution" ("FFI"), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other specified requirements, and (ii) a "non-financial foreign entity" (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain information to the withholding agent about certain of its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” or certifies that it has no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a "withholdable payment" may be eligible for a refund or credit of the withheld tax. The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to provide an alternative, and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.

"Withholdable payments" generally include, among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring on or after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.

A Fund may be required to impose a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. A Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. A Fund may disclose any shareholder information, certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.

The requirements of, and exceptions from, FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA with respect to their own situation.

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has the right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund if the purchaser (or any group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of a given Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, that Fund would have a basis in the Deposit Securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Bats BZX. Bats BZX makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of the Funds to achieve their objective. Bats BZX has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Funds.

 

For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Funds are registered investment companies, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment companies and companies relying on exemption from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to invest in the Funds beyond those limitations.

 

Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o Active Weighting Advisors LLC, 490 Royal Lake Drive, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701.

 

  S-55
 

 

APPENDIX A

Corporate Bond Ratings

 

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

 

Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations or protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

 

A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

 

Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

 

Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

 

B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

 

Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

 

Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

 

C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospectus of ever attaining any real investment standing. Moody’s applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The modified 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group

 

AAA: Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only in small degree.

 

A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

 

  S-56
 

BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in this category than for bonds in the A category.

 

BB, B, CCC, CC, C: Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded on balance as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

 

BB: Bonds rated BB have less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.

 

B: Bonds rated B have a greater vulnerability to default but currently have the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB-rating.

 

CCC: Bonds rated CCC have a currently identifiable vulnerability to default and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.

 

CC: The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

 

CI: The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

 

D: Bonds rated D are in payment default. The D rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments are jeopardized.

 

Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing with the major categories.

 

Commercial Paper Ratings

 

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Prime-1--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated “Prime-1” have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. “Prime-1” repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries, high rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

 

Prime-2--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated “Prime-2” have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.

 

  S-57
 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group

 

A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign designation.

 

A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated “A-1”.

 

  S-58
 

APPENDIX B

LOCAL MARKET HOLIDAY SCHEDULES

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). 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 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:

                     
Argentina   Australia   Austria   Bahrain   Belgium   Brazil

February 27-28

March 24

April 13-14

May 1, 25

June 20

August 21

October 9

November 6, 27

December 8, 25

 

January 2, 26

April 14, 17, 25

June 12

December 25-26

 

January 6

April 14, 17

May 1, 25

June 5, 15

August 15

October 26

November 1

December 8,

25-26

 

January 1

May 1

June 25-27

September 1-3, 21, 29-30

November 30

December 17

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

April 14, 17

May 1

December 25, 26

 

January 25

February 27-28

March 1

April 14, 21

May 1

June 15

September 7

October 12

November 2, 15, 20

December 25, 29

           
Canada   Chile   China   Colombia   Czech Republic   Denmark

January 2

February 20

April 14

May 22

July 3

August 7

September 4

October 9

December 25, 26

 

January 2

April 14

May 1

June 26

August 15

September 18-19

October 9, 27

November 1

December 8, 25

 

January 2, 27, 30-31

February 1-2

April 3-4

May 1, 29-30

October 2-6

 

January 9

March 20

April 13-14

May 1, 29

June 19, 26

July 3, 20

August 7, 21

October 16 November 6, 13

December 8, 25

 

April 14, 17

May 1, 8

July 5-6

September 28

November 17

December 25-26

 

April 13-14, 17

May 12, 25-26

June 5

December 25-26

           

  S-59
 

Egypt   Finland   France   Germany   Greece   Hong Kong

January 1, 7, 25

April 25

May 1-2

June 30

July 7-9, 23

September 13-16

October 3, 6

December 12

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

January 6

April 14, 17

May 1, 25

December 6, 25-26

 

April 14, 17

May 1

December 25, 26

 

April 14, 17

May 1

June 5

October 3, 31

December 25, 26

 

January 1

February 27

April 14, 17

May 1

June 5

August 15

December 25, 26

 

January 2, 27, 30, 31

April 4, 14, 17

May 1, 3, 30

October 2, 5

December 25, 26

                     
Hungary   India   Indonesia   Ireland   Israel   Italy

March 15

April 14, 17

May 1

June 5

October 23

November 1

December 25, 26

 

January 26

February 24

March 24

April 4, 14

May 1

June 26

August 15, 25

October 2, 19, 20

December 25

 

January 2

March 28

April 14, 24

May 1, 11, 25

June 1, 26-30

August 17

September 1, 21

December 1, 25-26

 

January 2

April 14, 17

May 1

June 5

December 22, 25, 26, 29

 

March 12

April 10-13, 16, 17

May 1, 2, 30, 31

August

September 20, 21

October 4, 5, 8-12

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

April 14, 17

May 1

August 15

December 25, 26

 

Japan   Jordan   Kuwait   Lebanon   Malaysia   Mauritius

January 2, 3, 9

May 1, 25

June 25-28

August 31

September 1-4, 21

November 30

December 25

 

January 1

March 25, 28

May 5

May 16, 20, 31

July 14-15

August 15

October 31

November 1, 11

December 26

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

January 1

February 26

April 24

June 26-28

September 3-4

December 31

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

January 6

February 9

April 14, 25

May 1

August 15

November 22

December 25

 

January 2, 30

February 1, 9

May 1, 10

June 12, 26, 27

August 31

September 1, 21

October 18

December 1, 25

 

January 2

February 1, 9, 24

March 29

May 1

June 26

July 4-8

October 19

November 1, 2

December 1, 25

           
Mexico   Morocco   Netherlands   New Zealand   Norway   Oman

February 6

March 20

April 13, 14

May 1

November 2, 20

December 12, 25

 

January 11

May 1

June 26

August 14, 21

September 1, 22

 

April 14, 17

May 1

December 25, 26

 

January 2, 3

February 6

April 14, 17, 25

June 5

October 23

 

April 12-14, 17

May 1, 17, 25

June 5

December 25, 26

 

April 24

June 26

July 23

September 1, 22

November 19

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

           

 

  S-60
 

Peru   Philippines   Poland   Portugal   Qatar   Russia

April 13-14

May 1

June 29

July 28

August 30

November 1

December 8, 25

 

January 2

April 13, 14

May 1

June 12

August 21, 28

October 31

November 1, 30

December 25

 

January 6

April 14, 17

May 1, 3

June 15

August 15

November 1

December 25, 26

 

April 14, 17

May 1

December 25, 26

April 13, 14

May 1

November 3, 10, 28

December 8, 25

 

January 1

February 14

March 5

June 25-27

September 1-3

December 18

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

January 2

February 23

March 8

May 1, 8, 9

November 6

                     
Singapore   South Africa   South Korea   Spain   Sweden   Switzerland

January 2, 30

April 14

May 1, 10

June 26

August 9

September 1

October 18

December 25

 

January 2

March 21

April 14, 17, 27

May 1

June 16

August 9

September 25

December 25, 26

 

January 27, 30

March 1

May 1, 3, 5

June 6

August 15

October 3, 4-6, 9

December 20, 25, 29

 

April 14, 17

May 1

December 25, 26

 

January 5-6

April 13, 14, 17

May 1, 24, 25

June 6, 23

November 3

December 25, 26

 

January 2

April 14, 17

May 1, 25

June 5

August 1

December 25, 26

                 
Taiwan   Thailand   Turkey   U.A.E.   United Kingdom

January 2,25-27,30,31

February 1,27,28

April 3, 4

May 1, 29, 30

October 4, 9, 10

 

January 2,3

February13

April 6,13,14

May 1, 5, 10

July 10

August 14

October 23

December 5, 11

 

May 1, 19

June 25-27

August 30, 31

September 1, 4

 

January 1

May 5

July 7-9

September 12-15

October 3

November 30

December 2, 12

*Market closed every Friday and open on every Sunday

 

January 2

April 14, 17

May 1, 29

August 28

December 22, 25,26,29

 

 

 

  S-61
 

PART C
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a) Declaration of Trust of Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust (“Registrant”), filed previously with the Registration Statement on Form N-1A on January 17, 2017.

 

(b)

By-Laws of Registrant filed previously with the Registration Statement on Form N-1A on January 17, 2017.

 

(c) Articles IV, VII and VIII of the Declaration of Trust, Exhibit 28(a) above, define the rights of holders of the securities being registered. (Certificates for shares are not issued.)

 

(d)(1) Form of Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Active Weighting Advisors LLC (“Advisor”), as investment adviser for the Registrant and each of its investment portfolios (the “Funds”).*

 

(e)(1) Form of Distribution Agreement.*

 

(e)(2) Form of Authorized Participant Agreement.*

 

(f) Not applicable.

 

(g) Form of Custody Agreement.*

 

(h)(1) Form of Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement.*

 

(h)(2) Form of Transfer Agency Agreement.*

 

(h)(3) Form of Authorized Participant Agreement.*

 

(h)(4) Form of Securities Lending Agreement.*

 

(i) Opinion and Consent of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Registrant.*

 

(j) Consent of independent registered public accounting firm.*

 

(k) Not applicable.

 

(l) Not applicable.

 

(m) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1.*

 

(n) Not applicable.

 

(o) Reserved.

 

(p)(1) Code of Ethics for the Registrant.*

 

(p)(2) Code of Ethics for the Advisor.*

 

(p)(3) Code of Ethics for the Distributor.*

 

(q)

Powers of Attorney executed by [__].*

 

  * to be filed in a subsequent Pre-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement.
   

 

 

  C-1
 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

Under Delaware law, Section 3817 of the Treatment of Delaware Statutory Trusts empowers Delaware business trusts to indemnify and hold harmless any trustee or beneficial owner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, subject to such standards and restrictions as may be set forth in the governing instrument of the business trust. The Registrant’s Declaration of Trust contains the following provisions:

 

Section 8.1.1 General Limitation of Liability. No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Trustee of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment advisor, subadvisor, principle underwriter or custodian of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee. Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any Trustee in connection with Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to their, his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon

 

Section 8.2 Liability of Trustee. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder shall be binding upon the Trust, the Shareholders and any other person dealing with the Trust. The liability of the Trustees, however, shall be limited by this Section 8.2.

 

Section 8.2.1 Liability for Own Actions. A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust or the Shareholders only for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law.

 

Section 8.2.2 Liability for Actions of Others. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, consultant, advisor, administrative distributor, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, Shareholder servicing agent or accounting agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for any act or omission of any other Trustee.

 

Section 8.2.3 Advice of Experts and Reports of Others. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and their duties as Trustees hereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. In discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officers appointed by them, any independent public accountant and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of any other party to any contract entered into hereunder.

 

Section 8.4 Liability of Shareholders. Without limiting the provisions of this Section 8.4 or the DSTA, the Shareholders shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations organized for profit under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 8.4.1 Limitation of Liability. No personal liability for any debt or obligation

  C-2
 

of the Trust shall attach to any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust, and neither the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.

 

Section 8.4.2 Indemnification of Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a Shareholder and not because of such Shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or, in the case of a natural person, his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the Trust to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability; provided, however, there shall be no liability or obligation of the Trust arising hereunder to reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by reason of such Shareholder’s ownership of any Shares or for losses suffered by reason of any changes in value of any Trust assets. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.

 

Section 8.5 Indemnification.

 

Section 8.5.1 Indemnification of Covered Persons. Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Section 8.5.2, every person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each, a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been such a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in settlement thereof.

 

Section 8.5.2 Exceptions. No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(a) for any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising out of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that the Covered Persons engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office;

(b) with respect to any matter as to which the Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8.5.2) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or position by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by: (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.2) acting on the matter (provided that a majority of Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or (ii) a written opinion of independent legal counsel.

 

Section 8.5.3 Rights of Indemnification. The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, and shall be severable, shall

  C-3
 

not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

 

Section 8.5.4 Expenses of Indemnification. Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 8.5 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.5, provided that either:

(a) Such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security of the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or

(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to the facts available upon a full trial), that there is a reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

Section 8.5.5 Certain Defined Terms Relating to Indemnification. As used in this Section 8.5, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “Claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened;

(b) a “Disinterested Trustee” is one (i) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (ii) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending; and

(c) “Liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

 

Section 8.6 Jurisdiction, Venue, and Waiver of Jury Trial. In accordance with Section 3804(e) of the DSTA, any suit, action or proceeding brought by or in the right of any Shareholder or any person claiming any interest in any Shares seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of, or in connection with, this Declaration of Trust or the Trust, any Series or Class or any Shares, including any claim of any nature against the Trust, any Series or Class, the Trustees or officers of the Trust, shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware to the extent there is subject matter jurisdiction in such court for the claims asserted or, if not, then in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, and all Shareholders and other such Persons hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection they may make now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and further, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, ALL SHAREHOLDERS AND ALL OTHER SUCH PERSONS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. All Shareholders and other such persons agree that service of summons, complaint or other process in connection with any proceedings may be made by registered or certified mail or by overnight courier addressed to such person at the address shown on the books and records of the Trust for such person or at the address of the person shown on the books and records of the Trust with respect to the Shares that such person claims an interest in. Service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding against the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust may be made at the address of the Trust’s registered agent in the State of Delaware. Any service so made shall be effective as if personally made in the State of Delaware.

  C-4
 

 

In addition, the Registrant has entered into an Advisory Agreement with its Advisor and a Distribution Agreement with its Distributor. These agreements provide indemnification for those entities and their affiliates. The Advisor’s and Distributor’s personnel may serve as trustees and officers of the Trust. The Advisory Agreement with the Fund provides that the Advisor will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Advisor or from reckless disregard by the Advisor of its obligations or duties under the Agreement. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Registrant will indemnify Foreside Fund Services, LLC against certain liabilities.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.

 

Trustees and officers liability policies purchased by the Registrant insure the Registrant and their respective trustees, partners, officers and employees, subject to the policies’ coverage limits and exclusions and varying deductibles, against loss resulting from claims by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor.

 

The description of the Investment Advisor is found under the caption “Management—Investment Advisor” in the Prospectus and under the caption “Management Services—Advisor” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated by reference herein. The Investment Advisor may provide investment advisory services to persons or entities other than the Registrant.

 

Item 32. Distributor

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”).

  C-5
 

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

All accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder are maintained at:

     
Advisor:  

Active Weighting Advisors LLC

490 Royal Lake Drive

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

   
Custodian:  

Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

New York, New York 10286

   
Administrator:  

Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

New York, New York 10286

   
Distributor:  

Foreside Fund Services, LLC

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100

Portland, ME 04101

 

 

Item 34. Management Services

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

Not applicable.

 

  C-6
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this amended Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cape Girardeau, and State of Missouri on this 21st day of June, 2017.

     
Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust
   
    By:  /s/ Matthew J. Clements
    Matthew J. Clements
    Sole Trustee

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this amended Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

         
Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Matthew J. Clements  Sole Trustee  Jun 21, 2017
Matthew J. Clements    

 

 

 

 

  C-7