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As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
28, 2023
Securities
Act File No. 333-227545
Investment Company Act File No. 811-23382
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
N-1A
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
|
☐ |
|
Pre-Effective
Amendment No. |
|
☐ |
|
Post-Effective
Amendment No. 26 |
|
☒ |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
|
☐ |
SPROTT
FUNDS TRUST
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
200
Bay Street, Suite 2600,
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5J2J1
(Address
of Principal Executive Office)
416-943-8099
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)
The
Corporation Trust Company
Corporation
Trust Center
New
Castle County
Wilmington,
DE 19801
(Name
and address of agent for service)
Copies
of communications to:
John
A. Ciampaglia
Chief
Executive Officer
Sprott
Asset Management LP
200
Bay Street, Suite 2600
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5J2J1
Bibb
L. Strench, Esq.
Thompson
Hine LLP
1919
M Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington,
D.C. 20036-1600
It
is proposed that this filing will become effective:
☒ |
Immediately
upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
☐ |
On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
☐ |
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
☐ |
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
☐ |
On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
☐ |
On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If
appropriate, check the following box:
☐ |
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed post-effective amendment |
Prospectus
April
28, 2023
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund Institutional Class
(Nasdaq: SGDIX)
The
Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 1 |
|
Summary
Information — Sprott Gold Equity Fund
Investment
Objective
The
Sprott Gold Equity Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation.
Fund
Fees and Expenses
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example
below.
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment) |
|
Institutional Class
|
Redemption
Fee (as a % of
amount redeemed within 90 days of purchase) |
|
2.00%
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year
as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
|
|
Management
Fee |
|
0.88%
|
Other
Expenses |
|
0.28%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses1
|
|
1.16%
|
Example
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% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the
same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would
be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
3
Years |
|
5
Years |
|
10
Years |
$118
|
|
$368
|
|
$638
|
|
$1,409
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).
A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and 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, may affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund had a portfolio turnover rate equal to 24%
of the average value of its portfolio.
|
|
|
2 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund
The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings
for investment purposes, in securities of companies located throughout the world, in both developed and emerging markets, that are primarily
engaged in mining or processing gold (“Gold Related Securities”). A company is primarily engaged if it earns over 50%
of its revenue or profit; or has over 50% of its assets related to the mining or processing gold. The Fund may also invest in gold bullion
and other precious metals, i.e. silver and platinum (“Other Precious Metals”). However, no more than 20% of the Fund’s
total assets may be invested directly in gold bullion and other precious metals.
The
investment strategy of the Fund is value oriented and contrarian. The Fund seeks to invest in companies that have good long-term
business fundamentals but are temporarily out of favor with investors, and hence have a market value lower than their intrinsic value.
The fundamental research based value orientation of the adviser helps the portfolio managers find companies which have good businesses;
the adviser’s contrarian orientation enables the portfolio managers to buy them at what the portfolio managers believe to be attractive
prices.
Value
oriented means that the portfolio managers seek to invest in companies that are selling at a discount to their intrinsic value, and where
business fundamentals are improving or expected to improve. In assessing intrinsic value, the portfolio managers’ judgments will
be based on a comparison of a company’s stock market value with various financial parameters, including historical and projected
cash flow, book earnings, and net asset value (“NAV”). In general, the portfolio managers seek companies that are characterized
by strong management, business franchise, competitive position and financial structure, a clear strategy, free cash flow, large insider
ownership, and shareholder oriented policies, among other things.
Contrarian
means that the portfolio managers seek investment opportunities in stocks and sectors that are out of favor with investors. The portfolio
managers consider a stock to be out of favor when its price has declined significantly or has lagged the relevant market index for an
extended period of time and the consensus among investors does not expect improvement.
In
general, the portfolio managers acquire their investment ideas by identifying companies whose stock prices are down, or have lagged the
market. The portfolio managers then analyze the quality of their business franchise and long-term fundamentals and make a judgment regarding
their intrinsic value. Alternatively, the portfolio managers may identify companies with strong long-term business fundamentals and then
wait for them to fall out of favor with investors in order to buy them at a discount to intrinsic
value.
The
portfolio managers will purchase stocks for the Fund’s portfolio when they meet the above criteria and when the portfolio managers
believe that they have a limited risk of further decline. The portfolio managers will sell stocks when they are no longer considered to
be good values.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Principal
Risks of Investing in the Fund
There
is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return
you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You
may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Therefore,
you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. An
investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
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. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks
before investing in the Fund.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 3 |
|
Gold
Risk. Gold is subject to the special risks associated with investing in gold and other precious metals, including: (1)
the price of gold or other precious metals may be subject to wide fluctuation; (2) the market for gold or other precious metals is relatively
limited; (3) the sources of gold or other precious metals are concentrated in countries that have the potential for instability; and (4)
the market for gold and other precious metals is unregulated.
Gold
Mining Industry Risk. The Fund is sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend
to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold mining industry. In times of stable economic growth, traditional equity and
debt investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious metals may be adversely affected,
which could in turn affect the Fund’s returns. The gold and precious metals industry can be significantly affected by competitive
pressures, central bank operations, events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity
prices, adverse environmental developments and tax and government regulations.
Credit
(or default) Risk. The issuer of a debt security may be unable to make timely payments of principal or interest, or may default
on the debt. Prices of the Fund’s investments may be adversely affected if any of the issuers
or counterparties it is invested in are subject to an actual or perceived deterioration in their credit quality. Credit spreads may increase,
which may reduce the market values of the Fund’s securities. Credit spread risk is the risk that economic and market conditions
or any actual or perceived credit deterioration may lead to an increase in the credit spreads (i.e.,
the difference in yield between two securities of similar maturity but different credit quality) and a decline in price of the issuer’s
securities.
Currency
Risk. Currencies and securities denominated in foreign currencies may be affected by changes in exchange rates between those
currencies and the U.S. dollar. Currency exchange rates may be volatile and may fluctuate in response to interest rate changes, the general
economic conditions of a country, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments, central banks, or supranational entities such as the
International Monetary Fund, the imposition of currency controls, other political or regulatory conditions in the U.S. or abroad, speculation,
or other factors. A decline in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of the Fund’s
investments in that foreign currency and investments denominated in that foreign currency.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Investing in emerging markets involves not only the risks described below with respect to investing in foreign
securities, but also other risks, including exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and mature, limited availability
and reliability of information material to an investment decision, and exposure to political systems that can be expected to have less
stability than those of developed countries. The market for the securities of issuers in emerging market
typically is small, and a low or nonexistent trading volume in those securities may result in a lack of liquidity and price
volatility.
Equity
Securities Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s
financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A stock or stocks selected for the Fund’s
portfolio may fail to perform as expected. A value stock may decrease in price or may not increase in price as anticipated by the portfolio
managers if other investors fail to recognize the company’s value or the factors that the portfolio managers believe will cause
the stock price to increase do not occur.
Expropriation
Risk. Foreign governments may expropriate the Fund’s investments either directly by restricting the Fund’s ability
to sell a security or imposing exchange controls that restrict the sale of a currency, or indirectly by taxing the Fund’s investments
at such high levels as to constitute confiscation of the security. There may be limitations on the
ability of the Fund to pursue and collect a legal judgment against a foreign government.
Interest
Rate Risk. This risk refers to the decline in the prices of fixed-income securities that
may accompany a rise in the overall level of interest rates. A sharp and unexpected rise in interest rates could cause a money market
fund’s share price to drop below a dollar. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield
or paying fund expenses out of fund assets and could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value. This risk may
be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels. It is likely that there
will be less governmental action in the near future to maintain low interest rates. The negative impact on fixed-income securities from
the resulting rate increases for that and other reasons may be swift and significant.
|
|
|
4 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
Foreign
Securities Risk. The value of foreign currencies may decline relative to the U.S. dollar.
A foreign government may expropriate the Fund’s assets. Political, social or economic instability in a foreign country in which
the Fund invests may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. These risks associated with non-U.S. securities are more
likely in the securities of companies located in emerging markets.
Investments
in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is heavily dependent
on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive to fluctuations
in certain commodity markets.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation will erode the purchasing power of the cash flows generated by debt securities held by the Fund. Fixed-rate debt
securities are more susceptible to this risk than floating rate debt securities.
Information
Risk. Key information about an issuer, security or market may be inaccurate or unavailable.
Securities issued in initial public offerings, or IPOs, involve greater information risk than other equity securities due to the lack
of public information.
Legal
and Regulatory Risk. The laws and regulations of foreign countries may provide investors with less protection or may be less
favorable to investors than the U.S. legal system. For example, there may be less publicly available
information about a foreign company than there would be about a U.S. company. The auditing and reporting requirements that apply to foreign
companies may be less stringent than U.S. requirements. Additionally, government oversight of foreign stock exchanges and brokerage industries
may be less stringent than in the U.S.
Liquidity
Risk. Foreign stock exchanges generally have less volume than U.S. stock exchanges. Therefore,
it may be more difficult to buy or sell shares of foreign securities, which increases the volatility of share prices on such markets.
Additionally, trading on foreign stock markets may involve longer settlement periods and higher transaction
costs.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood
that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular
products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental
or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the
world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and
may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the
U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s)
could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and
the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the
imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to,
many retail and other businesses, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known
how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged
period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term
market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes
may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.
In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment.
Manager
Risk. The Fund’s portfolio managers may use an investment strategy that does not achieve the Fund’s objective or
may fail to execute the Fund’s investment strategy effectively. In addition, a portfolio manager’s
strategy may produce returns that are different from other mutual funds that invest in similar
securities.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 5 |
|
Non-Diversification
Risk. A non-diversified mutual fund and therefore, compared to a diversified mutual fund,
the Gold Fund is able to invest a greater portion of its assets in any one particular issuer. The risk of investing in a non-diversified
mutual fund is that the fund may be more sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer. The impact of a simple economic,
political or regulatory occurrence may have a greater adverse impact on the Gold Fund’s net asset value. Investors should consider
this greater risk versus the safety that comes with a more diversified portfolio.
Opportunity
Risk. The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are invested
in less profitable investments.
Political
Risk. Political or social instability or revolution in certain countries in which the Fund invests, in particular, emerging market
countries, may result in the loss of some or all of the Fund’s investment in these countries.
Reinvestment
Risk. When interest income is reinvested, interest rates will have declined so that income must be reinvested at a lower interest
rate. Generally, interest rate risk and reinvestment risk have offsetting effects.
Restricted
Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities have contractual or legal restrictions on
their resale. They may include private placement securities that the Fund buys directly from the issuer. Private placement and other restricted
securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. Restricted securities may be illiquid. The Fund may
be unable to sell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value. The Fund may get only limited
information about the issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities
holdings, 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, the Fund will bear the risk
of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have a more limited track record, narrower markets,
less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established
companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s
portfolio.
Tax
Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that it could fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue
Code, as amended (the “Code”) if it derives more than 10% its gross income from investment in gold bullion or other precious
metals. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in consequences to the Fund and its shareholders. In order to
ensure that it qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to make investment decisions that are less than optimal
or forego the opportunity to realize gains.
Valuation
Risk. The risk that the Fund has valued certain securities at a higher price than the price at which they can be sold.
This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become
illiquid.
Value
Stock Risk. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market
fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth, or the expected value was misgauged. They also
may decline in price even though they are already undervalued.
Who
may want to invest in the Sprott Gold Equity Fund?
•investors
who want a diversified portfolio; however diversified is not intended to indicate that the Gold Fund is a diversified fund under the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)
•long-term
investors with a particular goal, such as saving for retirement
•investors
who want potential growth over time
|
|
|
6 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
•investors
who can tolerate short-term fluctuations in net asset value (“NAV”) per share; and
•investors
seeking long-term preservation of capital (sufficient growth to outpace inflation over an extended period of time) and growth of
capital.
Keep
in mind that mutual fund shares:
•are
not deposits of any bank;
•are
not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency;
and
•are
subject to investment risks, including the possibility that you could lose money.
Performance
The
Tocqueville Gold Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”) was reorganized on January 17, 2020, then a series of The Tocqueville Trust,
into a series of Sprott Funds Trust. The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor Fund and therefore, the performance information prior
to January 17, 2020 is that of the Predecessor Fund. The
following chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s
performance from year to year (on a calendar year basis), and the table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for the 1 year
and since inception period ended December 31, 2022 compare with those of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Total
Return Index and the S&P 500® Index. Please
note that the Fund’s performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.sprott.com
or by calling 1-844-940-4653.
Annual
Total Returns (calendar year ended 12/31)
|
|
2020 |
32.12 |
2021 |
-11.55 |
2022 |
-12.97 |
|
|
|
Highest
Quarterly Return |
59.26%
|
(June
30, 2020) |
Lowest
Quarterly Return |
-26.83%
|
(June
30, 2022) |
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 7 |
|
The
after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and
do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and
may differ from those shown below. After-tax
returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts.
In
certain cases, the figure representing “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than the
other return figures for the same period. A
higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax benefit to the investor.
Average
Annual Total Returns
For
periods ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund* |
|
1 Year
|
|
Since Inception (April
8, 2019) |
|
|
|
|
|
Institutional
Class - Return Before Taxes |
|
-12.97%
|
|
7.18%
|
Institutional
Class - Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
-12.99%
|
|
7.18%
|
Institutional
Class - Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
-7.52%
|
|
5.62%
|
Philadelphia
Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Total Return Index1 (reflects
no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-6.86%
|
|
14.15%
|
S&P
500® Index1 (reflects
no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-18.11%
|
|
9.70%
|
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP is the investment adviser to the Fund (the “Adviser”).
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Fund (the “Sub-Adviser”).
Portfolio
Managers
John
Hathaway, Senior Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management USA Inc., was a portfolio manager or a co-portfolio manager of the Predecessor
Fund since its inception in 1997, and has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in January 2020. Douglas Groh, Senior
Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management USA Inc., was a co-portfolio manager of the Predecessor Fund since 2012 and has been a portfolio
manager of the Fund since its inception in January 2020. Maria Smirnova, Senior Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management LP, has served
as a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020. Shree Kargutkar, Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management LP, has served as
portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020.
|
|
|
8 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
Purchase
and Sale of Fund Shares
You
may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares by mail to Sprott Funds Trust, (name of Fund and
share class, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701 (for regular mail) or 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
(for overnight or express mail), Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), or by telephone at 1-844-940-4653, on any day the New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”) is open for trading. Investors who wish to purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares through a financial intermediary
should contact the financial intermediary directly. Institutional Class shares of the Fund are available to an investor that makes an
initial investment in the Fund of at least $1 million. The Fund reserves the right to waive minimum investment amounts, if deemed appropriate
by the Trust’s officers. There is no minimum for additional Institutional Class investments.
Tax
Information
Fund
distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement,
such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, that does not employ borrowed funds in which case you may be taxed upon withdrawal
of monies from the tax-deferred arrangement.
Payments
to Broker-Dealer and Other Financial Intermediaries
If
you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or other related companies may pay the intermediary
for the sale of Shares or 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.
More
Information About the Fund
Investment
Objectives
The
investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
The
Fund’s investment objective is fundamental and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote. The Fund’s investment policy
is not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote. Where an investment policy or restriction has a percentage limitation,
such limitation is applied at the time of investment, unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”). Changes in the market value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio after they are purchased by the Fund will
not cause the Fund to be in violation of such limitation.
Additional
Information About Investment Strategies
The
investment strategy of the Fund is value oriented and contrarian.
The
Fund seeks companies that have good long-term business fundamentals but are temporarily out of favor with investors, and hence have a
market value lower than their intrinsic value. The fundamental research based value orientation of the Adviser helps the portfolio managers
find companies which have good businesses; the Adviser’s contrarian orientation enables the portfolio managers to buy them at what
the portfolio managers believe to be attractive prices.
Value
oriented means that the portfolio managers seek to invest in companies that are selling at a discount to their intrinsic value, and where
business fundamentals are improving or expected to improve. In assessing intrinsic value, the portfolio managers’ judgments will
be based on a comparison of a company’s stock market value with various financing parameters, including, historical and projected
cash flow, book earnings, and net asset value. In general, the portfolio managers seek companies that are characterized by strong management,
business franchise, competitive position and financial structure, clear strategy, free cash flow, large insider ownership, and shareholder
oriented policies, among other things.
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Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 9 |
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Contrarian
means that the portfolio managers seek investment opportunities in stocks and sectors that are out of favor with investors. We consider
a stock to be out of favor when its price has declined significantly or has lagged the relevant market index for an extended period of
time and the consensus among investors does not expect improvement.
In
general, the portfolio managers acquire their investment ideas by identifying companies whose stock prices are down, or have lagged the
market. The portfolio managers then analyze the quality of their business franchise and long-term fundamentals and make a judgment regarding
their intrinsic value. Alternatively, the portfolio managers may identify companies with strong long-term business fundamentals and then
wait for them to fall out of favor with investors in order to buy them at a discount to intrinsic
value.
The
Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes in securities of
companies located throughout the world that are engaged in mining or processing gold (“gold related securities”). The Fund
will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy. A company is primarily engaged
if it earns over 50% of its revenue or profit; or has over 50% of its assets related to the mining or processing gold. The Fund may also
invest in gold bullion and other precious metals, i.e., silver and platinum and securities of companies that are engaged in mining or
processing other precious metals (“other precious metal securities”). However, no more than 20% of the Fund’s total
assets may be invested directly in gold bullion and other precious metals. The Fund’s investments may include foreign securities,
both in developed and emerging markets, and small capitalization issuers.
The
Fund will invest primarily in common stock, investment grade debt convertible into common stock, depository receipts and warrants. However,
the Fund may also invest in preferred stock and investment grade debt securities if the Adviser believes that they will provide greater
potential for capital appreciation than investment in the above-listed securities.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Diversification
Status
The
Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company and is not subject to these percentage restrictions. The Fund’s classification
as a non-diversified investment company is a non-fundamental policy and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without obtaining shareholder
approval.
Borrowing
The
Fund, from time to time, may borrow from banks at prevailing interest rates as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes.
Any such borrowings will be consistent with the restrictions set out in this Prospectus and applicable 1940 Act rules and
regulations.
Temporary
Investments
When
current market, economic, or political conditions are unsuitable for the Fund’s investment objective, or in other appropriate circumstances,
the Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high quality short-term money market instruments.
The result of employing this type of temporary defensive strategy is that the Fund may not achieve its investment
objective.
Additional
Investment Techniques
In
addition to the techniques described above, the Fund may employ investment techniques that are not principal investment strategies of
the Fund. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, invest in illiquid and restricted securities and invest in other investment companies.
The Fund may sell securities short “against the box”. The Fund may invest in futures and options on securities, indices and
currencies and use such securities to hedge risk. Each of these investment techniques and other non-principal investment strategies is
subject to certain limitations and restrictions and involves additional risks which are described in more detail in the
SAI.
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10 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
Additional
Information About the Fund’s Principal Risks
The
following section provides additional information regarding certain of the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks”
in the Fund’s summary.
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. Therefore,
you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.
Gold
Risk. Gold is subject to the special risks associated with investing in gold and other precious metals, including: (1) the
price of gold or other precious metals may be subject to wide fluctuation; (2) the market for gold or other precious metals is relatively
limited; (3) the sources of gold or other precious metals are concentrated in countries that have the potential for instability;
and (4) the market for gold and other precious metals is unregulated.
Gold
Mining Industry Risk. The Fund may be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will
depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold mining industry. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect
on the financial condition of such companies in the gold mining industry. Also, gold mining companies are highly dependent on the price
of gold bullion. These prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time so the Fund’s share price may be more volatile
than other types of investments. In times of significant inflation or great economic uncertainty, gold, and other precious metals may
outperform traditional investments such as bonds and stocks. However, in times of stable economic growth, traditional equity and debt
investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, and other precious metals may be adversely affected, which
could in turn affect the Fund’s returns. The production and sale of precious metals by governments or central banks or other large
holders can be affected by various economic, financial, social and political factors, which may be unpredictable and may have a significant
impact on the supply and prices of precious metals. Economic and political conditions in those countries that are the largest producers
of gold may have a direct effect on the production and marketing of gold and on sales of central bank gold holdings. Some gold and precious
metals mining operation companies may hedge their exposure to falls in gold and precious metals prices by selling forward future production,
which may result in lower returns during periods when the price of gold and precious metals increases. The gold and precious metals industry
can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity
prices and tax and government regulations. If a natural disaster or other event with a significant economic impact occurs in a region
where the companies in which the Fund invests operate, such disaster or event could negatively affect the profitability of such companies
and, in turn, a Fund’s investment in them.
Credit
(or default) Risk. The issuer of a debt security may be unable to make timely payments of principal or interest, or may default
on the debt. Prices of the Fund’s investments may be adversely affected if any of the issuers or counterparties it is invested in
are subject to an actual or perceived deterioration in their credit quality. Credit spreads may increase, which may reduce the market
values of the Fund’s securities. Credit spread risk is the risk that economic and market conditions or any actual or perceived credit
deterioration may lead to an increase in the credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between two securities of similar maturity
but different credit quality) and a decline in price of the issuer’s securities.
Currency
Risk. Currencies and securities denominated in foreign currencies may be affected by changes in exchange rates between those
currencies and the U.S. dollar. Currency exchange rates may be volatile and may fluctuate in response to interest rate changes, the general
economic conditions of a country, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments, central banks, or supranational entities such as the
International Monetary Fund, the imposition of currency controls, other political or regulatory conditions in the U.S. or abroad, speculation,
or other factors. A decline in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of the Fund’s
investments in that foreign currency and investments denominated in that foreign currency.
Emerging
Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in countries with newly organized or less developed securities markets.
Investments in emerging markets typically involves greater risks than investing in more developed markets. Generally, economic structures
in these countries are less diverse and mature than those in developed countries and their political systems tend to be less stable. Emerging
market countries may have different regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial
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Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 11 |
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reporting
and record keeping standards and may have material limitations on Public Company Account Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) inspection,
investigation, and enforcement. Therefore, the availability and reliability of information, particularly financial information, material
to an investment decision in emerging market companies may be limited in scope and reliability as compared to information provided by
U.S. companies. Emerging market economies may be based on only a few industries. As a result, security issuers, including governments,
may be more susceptible to economic weakness and more likely to default. Emerging market countries also may have relatively unstable governments,
weaker economies, and less-developed legal systems with fewer security holder rights. Investments in emerging markets countries may be
affected by government policies that restrict foreign investment in certain issuers or industries. The potentially smaller size of securities
markets in emerging market countries and lower trading volumes can make investments relatively illiquid and potentially more volatile
than investments in developed countries, and such securities may be subject to abrupt and severe price declines. Due to this relative
lack of liquidity, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell a portfolio security at all. An inability to sell
a portfolio position can adversely affect a Fund’s value or prevent a Fund from being able to meet cash obligations or take advantage
of other investment opportunities.
Equity
Securities Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s
financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A stock or stocks selected for the Fund’s
portfolio may fail to perform as expected. A value stock may decrease in price or may not increase in price as anticipated by the portfolio
managers if other investors fail to recognize the company’s value or the factors that the portfolio managers believe will cause
the stock price to increase do not occur.
Expropriation
Risk. Foreign governments may expropriate the Fund’s investments either directly by restricting the Fund’s ability
to sell a security or imposing exchange controls that restrict the sale of a currency, or indirectly by taxing the Fund’s investments
at such high levels as to constitute confiscation of the security. There may be limitations on the
ability of the Fund to pursue and collect a legal judgment against a foreign government.
Foreign
Securities Risk. The value of foreign currencies may decline relative to the U.S. dollar.
A foreign government may expropriate the Fund’s assets. Political, social or economic instability in a foreign country in which
the Fund invests may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. These risks associated with non-U.S. securities are more
likely in the securities of companies located in emerging markets.
Investments
in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is heavily
dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive
to fluctuations in certain commodity markets.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation will erode the purchasing power of the cash flows generated by debt securities held by the Fund.
Fixed-rate debt securities are more susceptible to this risk than floating rate debt securities.
Information
Risk. Key information about an issuer, security or market may be inaccurate or unavailable.
Securities issued in initial public offerings, or IPOs, involve greater information risk than other equity securities due to the lack
of public information.
Interest
Rate Risk. This risk refers to the decline in the prices of fixed-income securities that may accompany a rise in the overall
level of interest rates. A sharp and unexpected rise in interest rates could cause a money market fund’s
share price to drop below a dollar. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying fund
expenses out of fund assets and could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value. This risk may be greater in
the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels. It is likely that there will be less governmental
action in the near future to maintain low interest rates. The negative impact on fixed-income securities from the resulting rate increases
for that and other reasons may be swift and significant.
Legal
and Regulatory Risk. The laws and regulations of foreign countries may provide investors with less protection or may be less
favorable to investors than the U.S. legal system. For example, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company
than there would be about a U.S. company. The auditing and reporting requirements that apply to foreign companies may be less stringent
than U.S. requirements. Additionally, government oversight of foreign stock exchanges and brokerage industries may be less stringent than
in the U.S.
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12 | Sprott
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Liquidity
Risk. Foreign stock exchanges generally have less volume than U.S. stock exchanges. Therefore, it may be more difficult to buy
or sell shares of foreign securities, which increases the volatility of share prices on such markets. Additionally, trading on foreign
stock markets may involve longer settlement periods and higher transaction costs.
Manager
Risk. The Fund’s portfolio managers may use an investment strategy that does not achieve the Fund’s objective or
may fail to execute the Fund’s investment strategy effectively. In addition, a portfolio manager’s
strategy may produce returns that are different from other mutual funds that invest in similar
securities.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood
that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular
products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental
or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the
world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and
may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the
U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s)
could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and
the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the
imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to,
many retail and other businesses, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known
how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged
period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term
market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes
may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.
In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment.
Non-Diversification
Risk. A non-diversified mutual fund and therefore, compared to a diversified mutual fund, the Gold Fund is able to invest a greater
portion of its assets in any one particular issuer. The risk of investing in a non-diversified mutual
fund is that the fund may be more sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer. The impact of a simple economic, political
or regulatory occurrence may have a greater adverse impact on the Gold Fund’s net asset value. Investors should consider this greater
risk versus the safety that comes with a more diversified portfolio.
Opportunity
Risk. The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are invested
in less profitable investments.
Political
Risk. Political or social instability or revolution in certain countries in which the Fund invests, in particular, emerging market
countries, may result in the loss of some or all of the Fund’s investment in these countries.
Reinvestment
Risk. When interest income is reinvested, interest rates will have declined so that income must be reinvested at a lower interest
rate. Generally, interest rate risk and reinvestment risk have offsetting
effects.
Restricted
Securities. The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities have contractual
or legal restrictions on their resale. They may include private placement securities that the Fund buys directly from the issuer. Private
placement and other restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. Restricted securities
may be illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value.
The Fund may get only limited information about the issuer, so it may be less able to predict a
loss.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, 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 a Fund). In addition, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral
that it invests.
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Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 13 |
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Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have a more limited track record, narrower markets,
less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established
companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of
the Fund’s portfolio.
Tax
Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that it could fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue
Code, as amended (the “Code”) if it derives more than 10% its gross income from investment in gold bullion or other precious
metals. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in consequences to the Fund
and its shareholders. In order to ensure that it qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to make investment
decisions that are less than optimal or forego the opportunity to realize gains.
Valuation
Risk. The risk that the Fund has valued certain securities at a higher price than the price at which they can be sold. This risk
may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become
illiquid.
Value
Stock Risk. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market
fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth, or the expected value was misgauged. They also
may decline in price even though they are already undervalued.
Other
Risks
The
following section provides information regarding certain other risks of investing in the Fund.
Exclusion
from the Definition of a Commodity Pool Operator Risk. With respect to the Fund, the Adviser
has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange
Act, as amended (“CEA”), and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and, therefore, is
not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, the Adviser is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition
of “commodity trading advisor” (“CTA”) under the CEA and the rules of the
CFTC.
The
terms of the CPO exclusion require the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.”
Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps. Because the Adviser and the Fund intend to comply with the
terms of the CPO exclusion, the Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment objective(s),
to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Fund is not intended as vehicles for trading in the commodity futures, commodity
options or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Adviser’s reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its
investment strategies or this Prospectus.
Operational
Risk. The Fund is exposed to operational risk 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 seeks to reduce these operational risks through
controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that they are
intended to address.
Disclosure
of Portfolio Holdings
The
Fund discloses its calendar quarter end portfolio holdings on the Fund’s website, www.sprott.com, no earlier than 5 calendar days
after the end of each quarter. The Fund also discloses its top ten holdings on its website no earlier than 15 calendar days after the
end of each month. The top ten and quarter-end portfolio schedules will remain available on the Fund’s website at least until it
is updated for the next month or quarter, respectively, or until the Fund files with the SEC its semi-annual or annual shareholder reports
or Form N-PORT that includes such period. The most recent portfolio schedules are available on the Fund’s website, as noted above,
or by calling toll free at 1-844-940-4653. The Fund may terminate or modify this policy at any time without further notice to
shareholders. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities
is available in the SAI. Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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14 | Sprott
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Fund
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP, located at 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.
As of December 31, 2022, Sprott and its affiliates has $23.4 billion assets under management. Subject to the authority of the Trust’s
Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser invests the
assets of the Fund, according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own expense
all of the necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel required for managing the assets of the
Fund.
For
the performance of its services under the investment advisory agreements, the Adviser receives a fee from the Fund, calculated daily and
payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% on the first $500 million of the average daily net assets of the Fund, 0.75% of the average
daily net assets in excess of $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion, and 0.65% of the average daily net assets in excess of $1
billion.
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for the most recent approval of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund
is available in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the period ended December 31,
2022.
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA Inc., located at 320 Post Road, Suite 230, Darien, Connecticut 06820, serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. As of
December 31, 2022, the Sub-Adviser has $2.0 billion in assets under management.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund, and pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement
is responsible for the recommendation of the purchase, retention and sale of the Fund’s portfolio securities, subject to the supervision
of the Adviser and the oversight of the Board. The sub-advisory fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Fund is not responsible for the payment
of this sub-advisory fee. The sub-advisory fee is 30% of the advisory fee.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising
under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940
Act).
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for the most recent approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the
Fund is available in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the period ended December 31,
2022.
Portfolio
Managers
The
portfolio managers listed below are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Please refer to the SAI
for additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and their
ownership of Shares of the Fund.
John
Hathaway has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in January
2020. Mr. Hathaway is a Portfolio Manager of Sprott Hathaway Special Situations Strategy and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Sprott Gold
Equity Fund. Previously, Mr. Hathaway joined Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. in 1997 where he was a Co-Portfolio Manager of the
Tocqueville Gold Fund as well as other investment vehicles in the Tocqueville Gold Equity Strategy. He was also the Portfolio Manager
of private funds. Prior to joining Tocqueville, Mr. Hathaway co-founded and managed Hudson Capital Advisors followed by seven years
with Oak Hall Advisors as the Chief Investment Officer in 1986. In 1976, he joined the investment advisory firm David J. Greene and Company,
where he became a Partner. Mr. Hathaway began his career in 1970 as an Equity Analyst with Spencer Trask & Co. Mr. Hathaway
earned a B.A. from Harvard College and an MBA from the University of Virginia. Mr. Hathaway was also
the Chairman of Tocqueville Management Corporation, the General Partner of Tocqueville. He also holds the
CFA® designation.
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Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 15 |
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Douglas
B. Groh has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in January
2020. He serves as a Co-Portfolio Manager of the Sprott Gold Equity Fund as well as other investment vehicles in the Sprott Gold Equity
Strategy. Previously, Mr. Groh was a Portfolio Manager at Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. Prior to joining Tocqueville, he was
Director of Investment Research at Grove Capital from 2001-2003. From 1990-2001, he held investment research and banking positions at
J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch, and ING Bank. During the late 1980s, Mr. Groh served as a portfolio manager of gold mining equity funds
for U.S. Global Investors and IDS Financial Services, after beginning his career as a mining and precious metals analyst in 1985 at U.S.
Global Investors. Mr. Groh earned a B.S. in Geology/Geophysics from the University of Wisconsin — Madison and an M.A. from
the University of Texas at Austin, where he focused on mineral economics.
Maria
Smirova has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020. She has 20 years
of investment experience. She first joined Sprott Asset Management LP in 2005 as a research associate supporting the metals and mining
team. She currently serves as Lead Portfolio Manager of Sprott Silver Equities Class and Co-Portfolio Manager of Sprott Gold and Precious
Minerals Fund. Prior to joining Sprott, Maria served as a Product Development Analyst at Fidelity Investments. Ms. Smirnova holds a Master
of Business Administration degree from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from
the University of Toronto. She has been a CFA®
charterholder since 2002.
Shree
Kargutkar has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020. He has more than
10 years of investment experience. He began his career at Sprott Asset Management in May 2010. During his time at Sprott, he has run both
long-only and long-short strategies. Mr. Kargutkar specializes in precious metals and commodities investing. He also leverages his expertise
in derivatives across various mandates and implements strategies for risk mitigation, income generation and improving upside capture.
He obtained his MBA from the University of Toronto in 2011. Mr. Kargutkar holds a B.A. Hons (Psychology) from York University and is a
CFA®
charterholder.
Shareholder
Information
How
the Fund Values Shares
The
NAV, multiplied by the number of Fund shares you own, gives you the value of your
investment.
The
Fund’s share price, called its net asset value (“NAV”), is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a “Fund
Business Day”). It is expected that the NYSE will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther
King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. The NAV per share is determined by dividing the market value of the Fund’s investments as of the close of
trading, plus any cash or other assets less all liabilities by the number of Fund shares outstanding. The Fund will process any shares
that you purchase, redeem or exchange at the next share price calculated after it receives your investment instructions. Purchase orders
received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE are priced according to the NAV per share next determined on that day. Purchase orders
received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE are priced according to the NAV per share next determined on the following day.
If the NYSE closes early, the Fund will calculate the NAV at the closing time on that day. If an emergency exists as permitted by the
SEC, the NAV may be calculated at a different time.
The
Adviser has been designated by the Board of Trustees of the Sprott Funds Trust as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule
2a-5 under the Investment Company Act.
Fund
securities that are listed primarily on foreign exchanges may trade on weekends or on other days on which the Fund does not price its
shares. In this case, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may change on days when you are not able to purchase or redeem your
shares.
The
Adviser as the Fund’s Valuation Designee generally values short-term fixed income securities with remaining maturities of 60 days
or less at amortized cost. The Fund values money market securities at market price. Securities for which market quotations are readily
available are valued at their current market value, as determined by such quotations. Securities
for
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16 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
which
market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with policies and procedures
established by the Board of Trustees. In determining fair value, the Fund will seek to assign a value to the security which it believes
represents the amount that the Adviser could reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale. With respect to securities that are actively
traded on U.S. exchanges, the Fund expects that market quotations will generally be available and that fair value might be used only in
limited circumstances, such as when trading for a security is halted during the trading day. For securities traded principally on foreign
exchanges, the Adviser may use fair value pricing if an event occurs after the close of trading of the principal foreign exchange on which
a security is traded, but before calculation of the Fund’s NAV, which the Fund believes affects the value of the security since
its last market quotation. Such events may involve situations relating to a single issuer (such as news related to the issuer announced
after the close of the principal foreign exchange), or situations relating to sectors of the market or the markets in general (such as
significant fluctuations in the U.S. or foreign markets or significant changes in exchange rates, natural disasters, armed conflicts,
or governmental actions). In determining whether a significant event has occurred with respect to securities traded principally in foreign
markets, the Adviser on behalf of the Fund may engage a third-party fair value service provider to systematically recommend the adjustment
of closing market prices of non-U.S. securities based upon changes in a designated U.S. securities market index occurring from the time
of close of the relevant foreign market and the close of the NYSE. Fair value pricing may also be used to value restricted securities
held by the Fund or securities with little or no trading activity for extended periods of time. Fair value pricing involves judgments
that are inherently subjective and inexact and it is not possible to determine with certainty when, and to what extent, an event will
affect a market price. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value and it is possible
that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the sale of the
security.
The
value of any shares of open-end funds held by the Fund will be calculated using the NAV of such funds. The prospectuses for any such open-end
funds should explain the circumstances under which these funds use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value
pricing.
Gold
bullion is valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices from the New York Mercantile
Exchange.
You
can obtain the NAV of the Fund by calling 1-844-940-4653, or by visiting the Fund’s website at
www.sprott.com.
Investment
Minimums
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Minimum
initial investment: |
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$1,000,000*
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*The
Fund reserves the right to waive the minimum investment amounts, if deemed appropriate by the Trust’s
officers.
The
Fund may reduce or waive the minimum investment requirement in some
cases.
Distribution
of Fund Shares
The
Distributor or an affiliate may, from time to time, at its expense and out of its own resources, make cash payments to some but not all
brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries (“securities dealers”) for shareholder services, as an incentive to sell shares
of the Fund and/or to promote retention of their customers’ assets in the Fund. These payments may be referred to as “revenue
sharing,” but do not change the price paid by investors to purchase the Fund’s shares or the amount the Fund receives as proceeds
from such sales. Revenue sharing payments may be made to securities dealers that provide services to the Fund or its shareholders, including
(without limitation) shareholder servicing, transaction processing, sub-accounting or marketing support. The Distributor negotiates the
level of payments described above to any particular securities dealers with each firm, based on, among other things, the nature and level
of services provided by such securities dealers and the significance of the overall relationship of the securities dealers to the Distributor
and its affiliate. The amount of these payments may be significant and may create an incentive for the securities dealers to sell shares
of the Fund to you or to recommend one fund complex over another. Please speak with your securities dealer to learn more about payments
made to them by the Distributor or an affiliate.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 17 |
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In
addition, in certain cases, intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions, may have
agreements pursuant to which shares of the Fund owned by its clients are held of record on the books of the Fund in omnibus accounts maintained
by each intermediary, and the intermediaries provide those Fund shareholders with sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services.
Pursuant to the Trust’s transfer agency agreement, the Trust pays the transfer agent a charge for each shareholder account. As a
result, the use of one omnibus account for multiple beneficial shareholders can create a cost savings to the Trust. The Board of Trustees
may, from time to time, authorize the Trust to pay a portion of the fees charged by these intermediaries to the extent of any transfer
agency savings to the Trust as a result of the use of the omnibus account. These payments compensate these intermediaries for the provision
of sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services associated with their clients whose shares are held of record in this
manner.
How
to Buy and Sell Shares
How
to Purchase Shares of the Fund
You
may purchase shares of the Fund through:
•The
Fund’s distributor, Sprott Global Resource Investments, LTD
•Authorized
securities dealers
•The
Fund’s transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Transfer Agent”)
Shares
of the Fund have not been registered for sale outside of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Fund generally
does not sell shares to investors residing outside the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, even if they are
United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with United States military APO or FPO
addresses.
You
may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Class shares, which
are not reflected in the fee table or expense example above.
Institutional
Class (Class I) shares may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with Sprott Funds Trust to offer such
shares when acting solely on an agency basis for the purchase or sale of such shares. If you transact in Institutional Class (Class I)
shares through one of these platforms, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares
of the Sprott Gold Equity Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and
expenses.
Methods
of Payment
By
Check: All checks must be drawn on U.S. banks and payable in U.S. dollars. The Fund will
not accept payment in cash or money orders. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit
card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Fund is unable to accept postdated checks or any
conditional order or payment. The Fund may refuse to accept certain other forms of payment at its discretion. Note that there is a $25
fee for any returned payment. To purchase by check, you should:
•Complete
and sign the account application
•Write
a check payable to Sprott Funds Trust — Sprott Gold Equity Fund
•Send
your account application and check or exchange request to one of the following addresses:
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18 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
Regular
Mail:
Sprott Funds Trust — Sprott Gold Equity Fund — Institutional Class
c/o
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701
Overnight
Mail or Express:
Sprott Funds Trust — Sprott Gold Equity Fund — Institutional
Class
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Mutual Fund Services, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, WI
53202-5207
To
make additional investments once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the Invest
by Mail form from your most recent confirmation statement received from the Transfer Agent. If you do not have the Invest by Mail form,
include the Fund name, your name, address, and account number on a separate piece of paper along with your
check.
The
Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail
or with such services, or receipt at the Transfer Agent’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the Fund. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at
the Transfer Agent’s offices.
By
Wire: To purchase by wire, the Transfer Agent must have received a completed account
application before your wire is sent. A purchase order will not be accepted until the Fund has received the completed application and
any requested documentation in proper form. Wired funds must be received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE to be eligible for
same day pricing. The Fund and U.S. Bank, N.A. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal
Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions. Call the Transfer Agent at 1-844-940-4653 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on any day the NYSE is open for business to advise of your intent to wire. This will ensure proper credit. Instruct your
bank to wire funds to:
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U.S.
Bank, N.A. 777 E. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202 ABA# 075-000022
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Credit:
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services Account #: [INSERT NUMBER] Further credit: Sprott Gold Equity Fund Shareholder name and
account number: |
By
Internet: Log onto www.sprott.com, print and complete the application and send it along
with a check payable to Sprott Gold Equity Fund. Please mail your application and your check via regular, overnight or express mail to
the addresses listed under Methods of Payment — By Check.
By
Telephone: To purchase additional shares by telephone, the Transfer Agent must have received
a completed account application where you accepted telephone transaction privileges. You must also have submitted a voided check or a
savings deposit slip to have banking information established on your account. After your account has been open for up to 7 business days,
you may purchase additional shares by calling 1-844-940-4653. Telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your
bank account through the ACH network. Each purchase must be $100 or more. You must have banking information established on your account
prior to making a purchase. The Fund will process your purchase order for same day pricing if received by the close of regular trading
on the NYSE.
By
Automatic Investment Plan: With a pre-authorized investment plan, your personal bank
account is automatically debited at regular intervals to purchase shares of the Fund. The minimum
is $100 per transaction. To establish an Automatic Investment Account complete and sign the appropriate section of the Purchase Application
and send it to the Transfer Agent. In order to participate in the Automatic Investment Plan, your bank must be a member of the ACH network.
If your bank rejects your payment, the Transfer Agent will charge a $25 fee to your account. Any request to change or terminate your Automatic
Investment Plan should be submitted to the Transfer Agent at least 5 days prior to the effective
date.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 19 |
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The
Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase or exchange order. In addition, the Fund and its agents reserve the right to “freeze”
or “block” (that is, disallow any further purchases or redemptions from any account) or suspend account services in certain
instances as permitted or required by applicable laws and regulations, including applicable anti-money laundering regulations. Examples
of such instances include, but are not limited to: (i) where an accountholder appears on the list of “blocked” entities
and individuals maintained pursuant to Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) regulations; (ii) where the Fund or
its agents detect suspicious activity or suspect fraudulent or illegal activity; or (iii) when notice has been received by the Fund
or its agents that there is a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners.
The
Fund does not issue certificates evidencing shares purchased. Instead, the Fund will send investors a written confirmation for all
purchases of shares.
Anti-Money
Laundering Program: In compliance with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”), please note that the Transfer
Agent will verify certain information on your account application as part of the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested
on the account application, you must supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. If you
are opening the account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, etc.),
you must also supply the identity of the beneficial owners. Accounts opened by entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies,
partnerships or trusts will require additional documentation. Mailing addresses containing only a P. O. Box will not be accepted. Please
contact the Transfer Agent at 1-844-940-4653 if you need additional assistance when completing your account
application.
Householding:
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund will reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses and other similar documents you receive by sending
only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. Call toll-free 1-844-940-4653 to request individual copies of
these documents or if your shares are held through a financial institution please contact them directly. The Fund will begin sending individual
copies thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
Lost
Shareholders, Inactive Accounts and Unclaimed Property: It is important that the Fund
maintain a correct address for each shareholder. An incorrect address may cause a shareholder’s account statements and other mailings
to be returned to the Fund. Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Fund will attempt to locate the shareholder or rightful
owner of the account. If the Fund is unable to locate the shareholder, then it will determine whether the shareholder’s account
can legally be considered abandoned. Your mutual fund account may be transferred to the state government of your state of residence if
no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your state’s abandoned property laws.
The Fund is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator
in accordance with statutory requirements. The shareholder’s last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.
Please proactively contact the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-844-940-4653 at least annually to ensure your account remains in active
status.
If
you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative to receive notifications that, due to inactivity, your mutual
fund account assets may be delivered to the Texas Comptroller. Please contact the Transfer Agent if you wish to complete a Texas Designation
of Representative form.
How
to Redeem Shares
You
may redeem shares by mail or telephone. Payment for shares redeemed will typically be sent on the following business day, but no later
than the seventh calendar day after receipt of the redemption request provided the request is in “good order.” A redemption
request is in “good order” if it complies with the following:
•if
you have not elected to permit telephone redemptions, your request must be in writing and sent to the Transfer Agent as described below;
and
•your
request must include any additional legal documents concerning authority and related matters in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships,
custodianships, partnerships and corporations.
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20 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
If
you purchased your shares by check or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, the payment of your redemption proceeds may be
delayed for up to 15 calendar days or until the purchase amount clears, whichever occurs
first.
You
may receive proceeds of your sale in a check sent to the address of record, electronically via the ACH network using the previously established
bank instructions or federal wire transfer to your pre-established bank account. The Fund typically expects that it will take one to three
business days following the receipt of your redemption request to pay out redemption proceeds, regardless of whether the redemption proceeds
are paid by check, ACH transfer or wire. Please note that wires are subject to a $15 fee. There is no charge to have proceeds sent via
ACH; however, funds are typically credited to your bank within two to three business days after redemption. Proceeds will be sent within
seven calendar days after the Fund receives your redemption request unless the Fund has suspended your right of redemption. The Fund may
stop redeeming its shares or postpone payment beyond seven days when the NYSE is closed, when trading on NYSE is restricted (as determined
by the SEC), when an emergency exists (as determined by the SEC) and the Fund cannot sell its portfolio securities or accurately determine
the values of its assets, or the SEC orders the Fund to suspend redemptions.
The
Fund typically expects it will hold cash or cash equivalents to meet redemption requests. The Fund may also use the proceeds from the
sale of portfolio securities to meet redemption requests if consistent with the management of the Fund. These redemption methods will
be used regularly and may also be used in stressed market conditions.
The
Fund reserves the right to redeem in-kind as described below. Redemptions in-kind are typically used to meet redemption requests that
represent a large percentage of the Fund’s net assets in order to minimize the effect of large redemptions on the Fund and its remaining
shareholders. Redemptions in-kind may be used in circumstances as described above, and may also be used during periods of stressed market
conditions. The Fund also has in place a line of credit that may be used to meet redemption requests during periods of stressed market
conditions.
In
accordance with the Trust’s frequent trading policies and procedures (see below under “Frequent Trading”), the Fund
assesses a 2.00% redemption fee on redemptions of shares held 90 days or less. The redemption fee will not apply to redemptions of shares
where: (i) the redemption (including a redemption resulting from an exchange) is made from any
employer-sponsored retirement plans, deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans; (ii) the shares were purchased through
certain intermediaries that charge an overall fee on client accounts that hold such shares through programs that the Adviser has determined
have appropriate anti-short-term trading policies in place or as to which the Adviser has received assurances that effective anti-short-term
trading policies and procedures are in place; (iii) the shares were purchased through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions;
(iv) the redemption results from a shareholder’s death or disability, provided, however, that the Fund or its agents receives notification
at the time of the redemption that the shareholder is entitled to such waiver (and any requested documentation confirming such entitlement),
(v) the shares are redeemed pursuant to the Systematic Withdrawal Plan; (vi) the shares redeemed were purchased as part of an Automatic
Investment Plan; (vii) the shares were purchased through a broker/dealer sponsored wrap program and/or a fee-based account maintained
for clients of certain financial intermediaries who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor including programs
and/or fee based accounts that make available single share classes; and (viii) a redemption is initiated by the Fund. Shareholders who
purchase shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries may be charged a separate redemption fee by those
intermediaries.
In
connection with redemptions in the Fund, the Trust will use the first-in, first out (“FIFO”) method to determine the 90 day
holding period. Under this method, the date of the redemption will be compared to the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account.
If this holding period is 90 days or less, the redemption fee will be assessed. In determining “90 days” the first day after
a purchase of shares will be day one of the holding period for such shares. Thus, Fund shares purchased on March 29, 2023, for example,
will be subject to the fee if they are redeemed on or prior to June 27, 2023. If they are redeemed after June 27, 2023, the
shares will not be subject to the redemption fee.
Shareholders
who have a Retirement Account must indicate on their written redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption
requests failing to indicate an election not to have tax withheld will generally be subject to 10% withholding. Shares held in IRA accounts
may also be redeemed by telephone at 1-844-940-4653. IRA investors will be asked whether or not to withhold taxes from any distribution.
For additional information regarding Retirement Account redemptions, please call the Transfer Agent at
1-844-940-4653.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 21 |
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The
Transfer Agent charges a $15 service fee for each payment of redemption proceeds made by wire.
By
Mail: To redeem by mail, please:
•Provide
your name and account number;
•Specify
the number of shares or dollar amount and the Fund name and class;
•Sign
the redemption request (the signature must be the same as the one on your account application);
•Make
sure all parties that are required by the account registration sign the request; and
•Send
your request to the appropriate address above under purchasing by mail.
A
signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program member or a non-Medallion program member, of each owner is required to redeem shares
in the following situations:
•If
ownership is being changed on your account;
•When
redemption proceeds are payable to or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;
•When
a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent and the account address has been changed within the last 15 calendar
days;
•For
all redemptions in excess of $1,000,000 from any shareholder account.
Non-financial
transactions, including establishing or modifying certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification
from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution
source.
In
addition to the situations described above, the Fund and/or the Transfer Agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee or other
acceptable signature verification in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation. The Fund reserves
the right to waive any signature requirement at their discretion. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the
order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.
Signature
guarantees can be obtained from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities
associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature
Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”), but
not from a notary public.
By
Telephone: You may redeem your shares of the Fund in any amount up to $1,000,000 by telephone
if you accepted telephone privileges on your account application, or if you provided a written request for telephone redemption. A signature
guarantee or other acceptable signature authentication may be required to add this service. If an account has more than one owner or authorized
person, the Fund will accept telephone instructions from any one owner or authorized person. To redeem by telephone, call the Transfer
Agent at 1-844-940-4653 and provide your name and account number, amount of redemption and name of the Fund. Once a telephone transaction
has been placed, it cannot be canceled or modified after the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time).
For your protection against fraudulent telephone transactions, the Fund will use reasonable procedures to verify your identity including
requiring you to provide your account number and recording telephone redemption transactions. As long as these procedures were followed,
the Fund will not be liable for any loss or cost to you if they act on instructions to redeem your account that are reasonably believed
to be authorized by you. You will be notified if a telephone redemption or exchange is refused. Telephone trades must be received by or
prior to market close to receive that day’s NAV. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone
transaction.
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22 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
Telephone
exchanges or redemptions may be difficult during periods of extreme market or economic conditions. If this is the case, please send your
exchange or redemption request by mail or overnight courier. Redemption requests exceeding $1,000,000 must be made in writing (see “By
mail” above).
Investments
Through Securities Dealers: Securities dealers may impose charges, limitations, minimums
and restrictions in addition to or different from those applicable to shareholders who invest in the Fund directly. Accordingly, the net
yield to investors who invest through securities dealers may be less than an investor would receive by investing in the Fund directly.
Securities dealers may also set deadlines for receipt of orders that are earlier than the order deadline of the Fund due to processing
or other reasons. An investor purchasing through securities dealers should read this Prospectus in conjunction with the materials provided
by the securities dealers describing the procedures under which Fund shares may be purchased and redeemed through the securities dealers.
For any questions concerning the purchase or redemption of Fund shares through a securities dealer, please call your securities dealer
or the Fund (toll free) at 1-844-940-4653.
Certain
qualified securities dealers may transmit an investor’s purchase or redemption order to the Fund’s Transfer Agent after the
close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Fund Business Day, on the day the order is received from the investor, as long as the investor
has placed his order with the securities dealer by the close of regular trading on the NYSE
on that day. The investor will then receive the net asset value of the Fund’s shares determined by the close of regular trading
on the NYSE, on the day he placed his order with the qualified securities dealer. Orders received after such time will not result in execution
until the following Fund Business Day. Securities dealers are responsible for instituting procedures to insure that purchase orders by
their respective clients are processed expeditiously.
Frequent
Trading
Sprott
Funds Trust discourages short-term or excessive trading (“frequent trading”) of its Fund’s shares by shareholders (including
by means of exchanges) and maintains procedures reasonably designed to detect and deter such frequent trading. Frequent trading is sometimes
referred to as market timing. Market timing may take many forms but commonly refers to arbitrage activity involving the frequent buying
and selling of mutual fund shares in order to take advantage of the fact that there may be a lag between a change in the value of a mutual
fund’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund’s share price. Frequent trading may dilute the value
of fund shares held by long-term shareholders. Frequent trading may also interfere with the efficient management of a fund’s portfolio,
as it may result in a fund maintaining higher cash balances than it otherwise would or cause a fund to sell portfolio securities at a
time it otherwise would not. Frequent trading may further result in increased portfolio transaction (or brokerage) costs, administrative
and other operating costs and may cause a fund to realize taxable capital gains or harvest capital losses at a time that it otherwise
would not. For these reasons, frequent trading poses the risk of lower returns for long-term shareholders of the Fund. There is no guarantee
that policies and procedures will be effective in detecting and preventing frequent trading in whole or in
part.
In
addition, to the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities traded primarily on markets that close prior to the time the Fund determines
its NAV, frequent trading by some shareholders may, in certain circumstances, dilute the value of Fund shares held by other shareholders.
This may occur when an event that affects the value of the foreign security takes place after the close of the primary foreign market,
but before the time that the Fund determines its NAV. Certain investors may seek to take advantage of the fact that there will be a delay
in the adjustment of the market price for a security caused by this event until the foreign market reopens (referred to as price arbitrage).
If this occurs, market timers who attempt this type of price arbitrage may dilute the value of the Fund’s shares to the extent they
receive shares or proceeds based upon NAVs that have been calculated using the closing market prices for foreign securities, if those
prices have not been adjusted to reflect a change in the fair value of the foreign securities. In an effort to prevent price arbitrage,
the Trust has procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities before the Fund calculates its NAV when it believes
such an event has occurred. Prices are adjusted to reflect what the Fund believes are the fair values of these foreign securities at the
time the Fund determines its NAV (called fair value pricing). Fair value pricing, however, involves judgments that are inherently subjective
and inexact, since it is not possible to always be sure when an event will affect a market price and to what extent. As a result, there
can be no assurance that fair value pricing will always eliminate the risk of price arbitrage. The risk of price arbitrage also exists
with thinly-traded securities in the U.S., such as high yield bonds and some small cap equity securities. The Fund may employ fair value
pricing to these types of securities if it determines that the last quoted market price no longer represents the fair value of the
security.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 23 |
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Shareholders
seeking to engage in frequent trading may deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and despite the efforts of the Fund, there
is no guarantee that the Fund’s procedures will in fact be able to identify all frequent trading or that such activity can be completely
eliminated. The ability of the Fund and its agents to detect and curtail frequent trading practices is limited by operational systems
and technological limitations. For example, a significant portion of the assets in the Fund may be invested by financial intermediaries
on behalf of their clients, often in omnibus accounts where individual shareholder investments are aggregated by the intermediary and
a single account is opened with the Fund. Omnibus accounts are common among financial intermediaries and may be established for a variety
of legitimate purposes, including promoting efficiency of account administration and the privacy of customer financial information. When
a financial intermediary maintains an omnibus account with the Fund, the identity of the particular shareholders that make up the omnibus
account is often not known to the Fund.
The
Fund does not always know and cannot always reasonably detect frequent trading which may occur or be facilitated by financial intermediaries,
particularly with regard to trading by shareholders in omnibus accounts. There may exist multiple tiers of omnibus accounts within a financial
intermediary, which may further compound the difficulty to the Fund and its agents of detecting frequent trading in omnibus accounts.
In addition, some financial intermediaries, particularly with respect to group retirement plans, do not have the ability to apply the
Fund’s frequent trading policies and procedures to the underlying shareholders investing in the Fund, either because they do not
have the systems capability to monitor such trades or they do not have access to relevant information concerning the underlying accounts.
In these cases, the Fund will not be able to determine whether frequent trading by the underlying shareholders is occurring. Accordingly,
the ability of the Fund to monitor and detect frequent trading through omnibus accounts is extremely limited, and there is no guarantee
that the Fund will be able to identify shareholders who may be engaging in frequent trading through omnibus accounts or to curtail such
trading. In seeking to identify and prevent frequent trading in omnibus accounts, the Fund will consider the information that is actually
available to them at the time and attempt to identify suspicious trading patterns on the omnibus account
level.
As
indicated above under “How to Purchase Shares of the Fund,” the Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase or exchange
order for their shares for any reason, including transactions deemed by the Fund to represent frequent trading activity. The Trust may
change its policies relating to frequent trading at any time without prior notice to shareholders.
Additional
Shareholder Services
Systematic
Withdrawal Plan: As another convenience, you may redeem your Fund through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“Plan”). Under the
Plan, you may choose to receive a specified dollar amount, generated from the redemption of shares in your account, on a monthly, quarterly
or annual basis. In order to participate in the Plan, your account balance must be at least $10,000 and each payment must be a minimum
of $500. If you elect this method of redemption, the Fund will send a check to your address of record, or will send the payment via electronic
funds transfer through the ACH network, directly to your bank account. For payment through the ACH network, your bank must be an ACH member
and your bank account information must be maintained on your Fund account. This Program may be terminated at any time by the Fund. You
may also elect to terminate your participation in this Plan at any time by contacting the Transfer
Agent in writing or by telephone at least five days prior to the effective date.
A
withdrawal under the Plan involves redemption of shares and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In addition,
if the amount withdrawn exceeds the dividends credited to your account, the account ultimately may be
depleted.
Additional
Exchange and Redemption Information
Small
Accounts: The Fund has the right to redeem an account that has dropped below $500 in
value for a period of three months or more due to redemptions. You will be given at least 60 days prior written notice of any proposed
redemption and you will be given the option to purchase additional shares to avoid the redemption.
Redemption
Clearance: The proceeds from a redemption request may be delayed up to 15 calendar days
if any portion of the shares to be redeemed represents a recent investment made by check or electronic funds transfer through the ACH
network. U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s Transfer Agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account
for any
|
|
|
24 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
payment
returned. The shareholder will also be responsible for any losses suffered by the Fund as a result. This delay can be avoided by purchasing
shares by wire.
Exchange
Limit: In order to limit expenses, or pursuant to the Fund’s frequent trading policies,
we reserve the right to limit the total number of exchanges you can make in any calendar year.
Suspension
of Redemptions: We may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times
when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), during which trading on the NYSE is restricted or under certain
emergency circumstances or for such other periods as determined by the SEC.
Verification
of Identity: In accordance with applicable customer identification regulations, the Fund
reserves the right to redeem the shares of any shareholder and close the shareholder’s account if the Fund and its agents are unable
to verify the shareholder’s identity within a reasonable time after the shareholder’s account is opened. If the Fund closes
a shareholder’s account in this manner, the shares will be valued in accordance with the net asset value next calculated after the
Fund decides to close the account. The value of the shares at the time of redemption may be more or less than what the shareholder paid
for such shares.
Dividends,
Distributions and Tax Matters
Dividends
and Capital Gains Distributions: The Fund distributes all or most of its net investment
income and net capital gains to shareholders. Dividends of net investment income for the Fund are normally declared and paid at least
annually. Net capital gains (if any) for the Fund are also normally declared and paid at least
annually.
Any
dividends and/or capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested at the next determined NAV unless you elect otherwise. These
reinvestments will not be subject to a sales charge. You may choose to have dividends and capital gains distributions paid to you in cash.
Dividends and capital gains distributions generally will be taxable regardless of the manner in which you choose to receive them. If you
elect to receive distributions and/or capital gains paid in cash, and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check
remains outstanding for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account, at the Fund’s
current net asset value, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions. You may authorize either of these options by calling the Transfer
Agent at 1-844-940-4653. You may also submit a written request or an account option change form to change your distribution option to
the Fund’s Transfer Agent at P.O. Box 701 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701. Any changes should be received by the Transfer Agent at least
five days before the record date in order for the change to be effective for that dividend or capital gains
distribution.
Buying
Before a Dividend: If you own shares of the Fund on the record date, you will receive
a dividend or capital gains distribution. The distribution will lower the NAV per share on that date and may represent, in substance,
a partial return of basis (your cost); however the distribution will be subject to federal, and possibly state and local income
taxes.
Tax
Matters
The
following tax information is based on tax laws and regulations in effect on the date of this prospectus. These laws and regulations are
subject to change. You should consult a tax professional concerning the tax consequences of investing in our Fund as well as for information
on foreign, state and local taxes which may apply. A statement that provides the federal income tax status of the Fund’s distributions
will be sent to shareholders at the end of each year.
Qualification
as a Regulated Investment Company: The Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify
to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be
subject to federal income tax law if it distributes its income as required by the law and satisfies certain other requirements that are
described in the SAI. If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be subject to tax as a regular corporation.
There can be no assurance that the distributions of the Fund will eliminate all taxes in all periods at the Fund
level.
Distributions
to Shareholders: Distributions to shareholders may consist of ordinary income distributions,
capital gain distributions and/or returns of capital. Some dividends received by individuals that consist of reported distributions from
the Fund’s investment company taxable income may be eligible for the lower tax rates currently applicable to qualified
dividends
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 25 |
|
under
federal income tax law, for which the maximum federal tax rate is 20% if derived from taxable U.S. corporations or certain foreign corporations
and if certain holding periods and other conditions are met. Distributions from the Fund in particular may not qualify as dividends eligible
for the preferential tax rate. Short-term capital gains and foreign currency gains derived from sales of securities by the Fund are taxed
to shareholders as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions are distributions of the Fund’s net long-term capital gains derived
from selling stocks within its portfolio that have satisfied the long-term holding period. Such capital gain distributions qualify for
the reduced rate of tax on long-term capital gains for non-corporate holders regardless how long you have held your shares. Dividends
and net capital gains generally are subject to the 3.8% federal tax on net investment income for shareholders in the higher income tax
brackets. You will incur taxable income from distributions even if you have them automatically reinvested. A distribution declared in
October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but made in January will be treated for tax
purposes as having been distributed on December 31 of the prior year. the Fund may make taxable distributions even during periods
in which its share price has declined. State and local income taxes also may apply to distributions from the
Fund.
Gain
or Loss on Sale of Shares of the Fund: You will generally recognize a gain or loss when
you sell your shares of the Fund. The gain or loss is the difference between the proceeds of the sale (generally the NAV of the Fund
on the date of sale times the number of shares sold) and your adjusted tax basis. Any loss realized on a taxable sale of shares within
six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net capital gain distributions
received with respect to the shares. If you sell shares of the Fund at a loss and repurchase shares of the same Fund
within 30 days before or after the sale (a wash sale), a deduction for the loss is generally disallowed. If you hold your shares as a
capital asset, you generally will be eligible for the tax treatment applicable to capital gains with respect to any gain on such sales
of shares in the Fund. Generally, the current maximum federal income tax rate on long-term capital gains for non-corporate holders is
20%. State and local capital gains taxes also may apply.
Foreign
Source income and Withholding Taxes: Some of the Fund’s investment income may be
subject to foreign income taxes, some of which may be withheld at the source. If the Fund qualifies and meets certain legal requirements
(generally holding more than 50 percent of its assets in foreign securities subject to exceptions for fund of funds structures), it may
elect to pass-through to shareholders deductions or credits for foreign taxes paid. Shareholders may then claim a foreign tax credit or
a foreign tax deduction for their share of foreign taxes paid. You should consult with your own tax adviser regarding the impact to you
of foreign source income.
Additional
information concerning taxation of the Fund and its shareholders is contained in the SAI. You should consult your own tax adviser concerning
federal, state and local taxation of distributions from the Fund.
Index
Descriptions
S&P
500® Total
Return Stock Index: The S&P 500® Total
Return Stock Index is a good indicator of general stock market performance. You may not invest directly in the S&P 500® Total
Return Stock Index.
Philadelphia
Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Index: The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Index is a good indicator of performance
of the common stock of companies in the gold and silver mining industry. You may not invest directly in the Philadelphia Stock Exchange
Gold and Silver Index.
Financial
Highlights
The
financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance of the Institutional Class shares
for the period of the Fund’s operations. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or
lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment if all dividends and distributions). The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor
Fund and, therefore, the financial information includes results of the Predecessor Fund. The information for each fiscal period prior
to the Fund’s reorganization in January 2020 was audited by the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting
firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Predecessor Fund’s Annual Report for those
periods.
|
|
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26 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
For
a share outstanding throughout the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund |
Per
share operating performance (For a share outstanding throughout the period) |
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
For
the Period November 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020(1)
|
|
Year
Ended October 31, 2020 |
|
April 8, 2019(2) through October
31, 2019 |
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
|
$48.71
|
|
$55.08
|
|
$53.98
|
|
$38.81
|
|
$32.73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
(0.06
|
)(3)
|
0.06
|
(3)
|
(0.03
|
)(3)
|
(0.30
|
)(3)
|
(0.10
|
)(4)
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
(6.25
|
)
|
(6.43
|
)
|
1.13
|
|
15.47
|
|
6.18
|
|
Total
from investment operations* |
|
(6.31
|
)
|
(6.37
|
)
|
1.10
|
|
15.17
|
|
6.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
TO SHAREHOLDERS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
from net investment income |
|
(0.22
|
)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Distributions
from net realized gain |
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
(0.22
|
)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Change
in net asset value for the year |
|
(6.53
|
)
|
(6.37
|
)
|
1.10
|
|
15.17
|
|
6.08
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$42.18
|
|
$48.71
|
|
$55.08
|
|
$53.98
|
|
$38.81
|
|
*
Includes redemption fees per share of |
|
0.00
|
(5)
|
0.00
|
(5)
|
0.00
|
(5)
|
0.02
|
|
—
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN |
|
(12.97
|
)%
|
(11.57
|
)%(6)
|
1.97
|
%(7)
|
39.05
|
%
|
18.58
|
%(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, end of year (‘000) |
|
$239,068
|
|
$271,212
|
|
$262,378
|
|
$248,686
|
|
$39,732
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio
to average net assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense
|
|
1.15
|
%
|
1.11
|
%
|
1.09
|
%(8)
|
1.11
|
%
|
1.28
|
%(8)
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
(0.15
|
)%
|
0.13
|
%
|
(0.29
|
)%(8)
|
(0.63
|
)%
|
(0.93
|
)%(8)
|
Portfolio
turnover rate |
|
24
|
%
|
15
|
%
|
1
|
%(7)
|
34
|
%
|
12
|
%(7)
|
(1)With
the approval of the Board effective October 31, 2020, the Fund’s fiscal year end was changed from October 31 to December
31.
(2)Institutional
Class shares commenced operation on April 8, 2019.
(3)Net
investment income (loss) per share is calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
(4)Net
investment income (loss) per share is calculated using the ending accumulated net investment income balances prior to consideration or
adjustments for permanent book-to-tax differences.
(5)Represents
less than $0.01.
(6)Includes
adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
(7)Not
annualized.
(8)Annualized.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus | 27 |
|
For
More Information:
Existing
Shareholders or Prospective Investors
Sprott
Funds Trust
c/o Sprott Global Resource Investments LTD
1910 Palomar Point Way
Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA
92008
Dealers
Sprott
Global Resource Investments, LTD - 800.477.7853
Investment
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP
200 Bay Street, Suite 2600
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA, Inc.
320 Post Road,
Darien, CT 06820
Distributor
Sprott
Global Resource Investments Ltd.
1910 Palomar Point Way
Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA
92008
Custodian
U.S.
Bank, N.A.
1555 N. River Center Drive
Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Legal
Counsel
Thompson
Hine LLP
1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
Transfer
Agent
U.S.
Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
777 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait,
Weller & Baker LLP
50 South 16th Street
Suite 2900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102
|
|
|
28 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Institutional Class Prospectus |
This
Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Fund’s
Shares. The Fund’s Registration Statement, including this Prospectus, the SAI and the exhibits may be examined on the EDGAR database
at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at
the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov. These documents and other information concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the
offices of Sprott Asset Management LP, 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. These documents and other information
concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the offices of U.S. Bank,
N.A., 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
The
SAI for the Fund, which has been filed with the SEC, provides more information about the Fund. The SAI is incorporated herein by reference
and is legally part of this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s
annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, when available, you will find a discussion of the market
conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI and
the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee,
WI 53202 or by calling 1-844-940-4653.
Investment
Company Act file no. 811-23382.
Prospectus
April
28, 2023
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund Investor Class
(Nasdaq: SGDLX)
The
Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 1 |
|
Summary
Information — Sprott Gold Equity Fund
Investment
Objective
The
Sprott Gold Equity Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation.
Fund
Fees and Expenses
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example
below.
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees
paid directly from your investment) |
|
Investor Class
|
Redemption
Fee (as
a % of amount redeemed within 90 days of purchase) |
|
2.00%
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year
as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
|
|
Management
Fee |
|
0.88%
|
Distribution
and Service (12b-1) Fee |
|
0.25%
|
Other
Expenses |
|
0.32%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses1
|
|
1.45%
|
Example
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% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the
same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would
be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
3
Years |
|
5
Years |
|
10
Years |
$148
|
|
$459
|
|
$792
|
|
$1,735
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).
A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and 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, may affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund had a portfolio turnover rate equal to 24%
of the average value of its portfolio.
|
|
|
2 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund
The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings
for investment purposes, in securities of companies located throughout the world, in both developed and emerging markets, that are primarily
engaged in mining or processing gold (“Gold Related Securities”). A company is primarily engaged if it earns over 50%
of its revenue or profit; or has over 50% of its assets related to the mining or processing gold. The Fund may also invest in gold bullion
and other precious metals, i.e. silver and platinum (“Other Precious Metals”). However, no more than 20% of the Fund’s
total assets may be invested directly in gold bullion and other precious metals.
The
investment strategy of the Fund is value oriented and contrarian. The Fund seeks to invest in companies that have good long-term
business fundamentals but are temporarily out of favor with investors, and hence have a market value lower than their intrinsic value.
The fundamental research based value orientation of the adviser helps the portfolio managers find companies which have good businesses;
the adviser’s contrarian orientation enables the portfolio managers to buy them at what the portfolio managers believe to be attractive
prices.
Value
oriented means that the portfolio managers seek to invest in companies that are selling at a discount to their intrinsic value, and where
business fundamentals are improving or expected to improve. In assessing intrinsic value, the portfolio managers’ judgments will
be based on a comparison of a company’s stock market value with various financial parameters, including historical and projected
cash flow, book earnings, and net asset value (“NAV”). In general, the portfolio managers seek companies that are characterized
by strong management, business franchise, competitive position and financial structure, a clear strategy, free cash flow, large insider
ownership, and shareholder oriented policies, among other things.
Contrarian
means that the portfolio managers seek investment opportunities in stocks and sectors that are out of favor with investors. The portfolio
managers consider a stock to be out of favor when its price has declined significantly or has lagged the relevant market index for an
extended period of time and the consensus among investors does not expect improvement.
In
general, the portfolio managers acquire their investment ideas by identifying companies whose stock prices are down, or have lagged the
market. The portfolio managers then analyze the quality of their business franchise and long-term fundamentals and make a judgment regarding
their intrinsic value. Alternatively, the portfolio managers may identify companies with strong long-term business fundamentals and then
wait for them to fall out of favor with investors in order to buy them at a discount to intrinsic
value.
The
portfolio managers will purchase stocks for the Fund’s portfolio when they meet the above criteria and when the portfolio managers
believe that they have a limited risk of further decline. The portfolio managers will sell stocks when they are no longer considered to
be good values.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Principal
Risks of Investing in the Fund
There
is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return
you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You
may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Therefore,
you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. An
investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
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. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks
before investing in the Fund.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 3 |
|
Gold
Risk. Gold is subject to the special risks associated with investing in gold and other precious metals, including: (1) the price
of gold or other precious metals may be subject to wide fluctuation; (2) the market for gold or other precious metals is relatively limited;
(3) the sources of gold or other precious metals are concentrated in countries that have the potential for instability; and (4) the market
for gold and other precious metals is unregulated.
Gold
Mining Industry Risk. The Fund is sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a
greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold mining industry. In times of stable economic growth, traditional equity and debt
investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious metals may be adversely affected,
which could in turn affect the Fund’s returns. The gold and precious metals industry can be significantly affected by competitive
pressures, central bank operations, events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity
prices, adverse environmental developments and tax and government regulations.
Credit
(or default) Risk. The issuer of a debt security may be unable to make timely payments of principal or interest, or may default
on the debt. Prices of the Fund’s investments may be adversely affected if any of the issuers
or counterparties it is invested in are subject to an actual or perceived deterioration in their credit quality. Credit spreads may increase,
which may reduce the market values of the Fund’s securities. Credit spread risk is the risk that economic and market conditions
or any actual or perceived credit deterioration may lead to an increase in the credit spreads (i.e.,
the difference in yield between two securities of similar maturity but different credit quality) and a decline in price of the issuer’s
securities.
Currency
Risk. Currencies and securities denominated in foreign currencies may
be affected by changes in exchange rates between those currencies and the U.S. dollar. Currency
exchange rates may be volatile and may fluctuate in response to interest rate changes, the general economic conditions of a country, the
actions of the U.S. and foreign governments, central banks, or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, the imposition
of currency controls, other political or regulatory conditions in the U.S. or abroad, speculation, or other factors. A decline in the
value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of the Fund’s investments in that foreign
currency and investments denominated in that foreign currency.
Emerging
Markets Risk. Investing in emerging markets involves not only the risks described below with respect to investing in foreign
securities, but also other risks, including exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and mature, limited availability
and reliability of information material to an investment decision, and exposure to political systems that can be expected to have less
stability than those of developed countries. The market for the securities of issuers in emerging market
typically is small, and a low or nonexistent trading volume in those securities may result in a lack of liquidity and price
volatility.
Equity
Securities Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s
financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A stock or stocks selected for the Fund’s
portfolio may fail to perform as expected. A value stock may decrease in price or may not increase in price as anticipated by the portfolio
managers if other investors fail to recognize the company’s value or the factors that the portfolio managers believe will cause
the stock price to increase do not occur.
Expropriation
Risk. Foreign governments may expropriate the Fund’s investments either directly by restricting the Fund’s ability
to sell a security or imposing exchange controls that restrict the sale of a currency, or indirectly by taxing the Fund’s investments
at such high levels as to constitute confiscation of the security. There may be limitations on the ability of the Fund to pursue and collect
a legal judgment against a foreign government.
Foreign
Securities Risk. The value of foreign currencies may decline relative to the U.S. dollar.
A foreign government may expropriate the Fund’s assets. Political, social or economic instability in a foreign country in which
the Fund invests may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. These risks associated with non-U.S. securities are more
likely in the securities of companies located in emerging markets.
|
|
|
4 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Investments
in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is heavily dependent
on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive to fluctuations
in certain commodity markets.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation will erode the purchasing power of the cash flows generated by debt securities held by the Fund.
Fixed-rate debt securities are more susceptible to this risk than floating rate debt securities.
Information
Risk. Key information about an issuer, security or market may be inaccurate or unavailable. Securities issued in initial public offerings,
or IPOs, involve greater information risk than other equity securities due to the lack of public information.
Interest
Rate Risk. This risk refers to the decline in the prices of fixed-income securities that
may accompany a rise in the overall level of interest rates. A sharp and unexpected rise in interest rates could cause a money market
fund’s share price to drop below a dollar. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield
or paying fund expenses out of fund assets and could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value. This risk may
be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels. It is likely that there
will be less governmental action in the near future to maintain low interest rates. The negative impact on fixed-income securities from
the resulting rate increases for that and other reasons may be swift and significant.
Legal
and Regulatory Risk. The laws and regulations of foreign countries may provide investors with less protection or may be less
favorable to investors than the U.S. legal system. For example, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company
than there would be about a U.S. company. The auditing and reporting requirements that apply to foreign companies may be less stringent
than U.S. requirements. Additionally, government oversight of foreign stock exchanges and brokerage industries may be less stringent than
in the U.S.
Liquidity
Risk. Foreign stock exchanges generally have less volume than U.S. stock exchanges. Therefore, it may be more difficult to buy
or sell shares of foreign securities, which increases the volatility of share prices on such markets. Additionally, trading on foreign
stock markets may involve longer settlement periods and higher transaction costs.
Manager
Risk. The Fund’s portfolio managers may use an investment strategy that does not achieve the Fund’s objective or
may fail to execute the Fund’s investment strategy effectively. In addition, a portfolio manager’s
strategy may produce returns that are different from other mutual funds that invest in similar
securities.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood
that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular
products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental
or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the
world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and
may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the
U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s)
could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and
the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the
imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to,
many retail and other businesses, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known
how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged
period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term
market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes
may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.
In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire
investment.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 5 |
|
Non-Diversification
Risk. A non-diversified mutual fund and therefore, compared to a diversified mutual fund,
the Gold Fund is able to invest a greater portion of its assets in any one particular issuer. The risk of investing in a non-diversified
mutual fund is that the fund may be more sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer. The impact of a simple economic,
political or regulatory occurrence may have a greater adverse impact on the Gold Fund’s net asset value. Investors should consider
this greater risk versus the safety that comes with a more diversified portfolio.
Opportunity
Risk. The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are invested
in less profitable investments.
Political
Risk. Political or social instability or revolution in certain countries in which the Fund invests, in particular, emerging market
countries, may result in the loss of some or all of the Fund’s investment in these countries.
Reinvestment
Risk. When interest income is reinvested, interest rates will have declined so that income must be reinvested at a lower interest
rate. Generally, interest rate risk and reinvestment risk have offsetting effects.
Restricted
Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities have
contractual or legal restrictions on their resale. They may include private placement securities that the Fund buys directly from the
issuer. Private placement and other restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. Restricted
securities may be illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current
value. The Fund may get only limited information about the issuer, so it may be less able to predict a
loss.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, 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, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral
that it invests.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have a more limited track record, narrower markets,
less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established
companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of
the Fund’s portfolio.
Tax
Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that it could fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue
Code, as amended (the “Code”) if it derives more than 10% its gross income from investment in gold bullion or other precious
metals. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in consequences to the Fund
and its shareholders. In order to ensure that it qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to make investment
decisions that are less than optimal or forego the opportunity to realize gains.
Valuation
Risk. The risk that the Fund has valued certain securities at a higher price than the price at which they can be sold. This risk
may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become
illiquid.
Value
Stock Risk. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market
fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth, or the expected value was misgauged. They also
may decline in price even though they are already undervalued.
Who
may want to invest in the Sprott Gold Equity Fund?
•investors
who want a diversified portfolio; however diversified is not intended to indicate that the Gold Fund is a diversified fund under the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)
•long-term
investors with a particular goal, such as saving for retirement
•investors
who want potential growth over time
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6 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
•investors
who can tolerate short-term fluctuations in net asset value (“NAV”) per share; and
•investors
seeking long-term preservation of capital (sufficient growth to outpace inflation over an extended period of time) and growth of
capital.
Keep
in mind that mutual fund shares:
•are
not deposits of any bank;
•are
not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency;
and
•are
subject to investment risks, including the possibility that you could lose money.
Performance
The
Tocqueville Gold Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”) was reorganized on January 17, 2020, then a series of The Tocqueville
Trust, into a series of Sprott Funds Trust. The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the performance information
prior to January 17, 2020 is that of the Predecessor Fund. The following chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of
investing in the Fund. The
bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year (on a calendar year basis), and the table shows how the Fund’s
average annual returns for the 1 year, 5 years and 10 years ended December 31, 2022 compare with those of the Philadelphia Stock
Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Total Return Index and the S&P 500® Index. Please
note that the Fund’s performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
In particular, in 2016, the performance of the Fund was achieved during a period of unusually favorable market conditions. Such performance
may not be sustainable. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.sprott.com
or by calling 1-844-940-4653.
Annual
Total Returns (calendar year ended 12/31)
|
|
2013 |
-48.26 |
2014 |
-2.67 |
2015 |
-24.89 |
2016 |
40.42 |
2017 |
8.91 |
2018 |
-16.37 |
2019 |
35.24 |
2020 |
31.76 |
2021 |
-11.79 |
2022 |
-13.21 |
|
|
|
Highest
Quarterly Return |
59.10%
|
(June
30, 2020) |
Lowest
Quarterly Return |
-33.34%
|
(June
30, 2013) |
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 7 |
|
The
after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and
do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and
may differ from those shown below. After-tax
returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts.
In
certain cases, the figure representing “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than the
other return figures for the same period. A
higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax benefit to the investor.
Average
Annual Total Returns
For
periods ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund |
|
1 Year
|
|
5 Years
|
|
10
Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor
Class - Return Before Taxes |
|
-13.21%
|
|
2.67%
|
|
-4.07%
|
Investor
Class - Return After Taxes on Distributions |
|
-13.15%
|
|
2.68%
|
|
-4.07%
|
Investor
Class - Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
-7.72%
|
|
2.08%
|
|
-2.95%
|
Philadelphia
Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Total Return Index1 (reflects
no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-6.86%
|
|
8.61%
|
|
-1.95%
|
S&P
500® Index1
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-18.11%
|
|
9.42%
|
|
12.56%
|
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP is the investment adviser to the Fund (the “Adviser”).
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Fund (the “Sub-Adviser”).
Portfolio
Managers
John
Hathaway, Senior Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management USA Inc., was a portfolio manager or a co-portfolio manager of the Predecessor
Fund since its inception in 1997, and has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in January 2020. Douglas Groh, Senior
Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management USA Inc., was a co-portfolio manager of the Predecessor Fund since 2012 and has been a portfolio
manager of the Fund since its inception in January 2020. Maria Smirnova, Senior Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management LP, has served
as a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020. Shree Kargutkar, Portfolio Manager of Sprott Asset Management LP, has served as
portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020.
Purchase
and Sale of Fund Shares
You
may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares by mail to Sprott Funds Trust, (name of Fund and share class, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund
Services, P.O. Box 701 (for regular mail) or 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor (for overnight or express mail), Milwaukee,
WI 53201-0701), or by telephone at 1-844-940-4653, on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. Investors
who wish to purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact the financial intermediary
directly.
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8 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Tax
Information
Fund
distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement,
such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, that does not employ borrowed funds in which case you may be taxed upon withdrawal
of monies from the tax-deferred arrangement.
Payments
to Broker-Dealer and Other Financial Intermediaries
If
you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or other related companies may pay the intermediary
for the sale of Shares or 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.
More
Information About the Fund
Investment
Objectives
The
investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
The
Fund’s investment objective is fundamental and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote. The Fund’s investment policy
is not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote. Where an investment policy or restriction has a percentage limitation,
such limitation is applied at the time of investment, unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”). Changes in the market value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio after they are purchased by the Fund will
not cause the Fund to be in violation of such limitation.
Additional
Information About Investment Strategies
The
investment strategy of the Fund is value oriented and contrarian.
The
Fund seeks companies that have good long-term business fundamentals but are temporarily out of favor with investors, and hence have a
market value lower than their intrinsic value. The fundamental research based value orientation of the Adviser helps the portfolio managers
find companies which have good businesses; the Adviser’s contrarian orientation enables the portfolio managers to buy them at what
the portfolio managers believe to be attractive prices.
Value
oriented means that the portfolio managers seek to invest in companies that are selling at a discount to their intrinsic value, and where
business fundamentals are improving or expected to improve. In assessing intrinsic value, the portfolio managers’ judgments will
be based on a comparison of a company’s stock market value with various financing parameters, including, historical and projected
cash flow, book earnings, and net asset value. In general, the portfolio managers seek companies that are characterized by strong management,
business franchise, competitive position and financial structure, clear strategy, free cash flow, large insider ownership, and shareholder
oriented policies, among other things.
Contrarian
means that the portfolio managers seek investment opportunities in stocks and sectors that are out of favor with investors. We consider
a stock to be out of favor when its price has declined significantly or has lagged the relevant market index for an extended period of
time and the consensus among investors does not expect improvement.
In
general, the portfolio managers acquire their investment ideas by identifying companies whose stock prices are down, or have lagged the
market. The portfolio managers then analyze the quality of their business franchise and long-term fundamentals and make a judgment regarding
their intrinsic value. Alternatively, the portfolio managers may identify companies with strong long-term business fundamentals and then
wait for them to fall out of favor with investors in order to buy them at a discount to intrinsic
value.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 9 |
|
The
Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes in securities of
companies located throughout the world that are engaged in mining or processing gold (“gold related securities”). The Fund
will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy. A company is primarily engaged
if it earns over 50% of its revenue or profit; or has over 50% of its assets related to the mining or processing gold. The Fund may also
invest in gold bullion and other precious metals, i.e., silver and platinum and securities of companies that are engaged in mining or
processing other precious metals (“other precious metal securities”). However, no more than 20% of the Fund’s total
assets may be invested directly in gold bullion and other precious metals. The Fund’s investments may include foreign securities,
both in developed and emerging markets, and small capitalization issuers.
The
Fund will invest primarily in common stock, investment grade debt convertible into common stock, depository receipts and warrants. However,
the Fund may also invest in preferred stock and investment grade debt securities if the Adviser believes that they will provide greater
potential for capital appreciation than investment in the above-listed securities.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Diversification
Status
The
Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company and is not subject to these percentage restrictions. The Fund’s classification
as a non-diversified investment company is a non-fundamental policy and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without obtaining shareholder
approval.
Borrowing
The
Fund, from time to time, may borrow from banks at prevailing interest rates as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes.
Any such borrowings will be consistent with the restrictions set out in this Prospectus and applicable 1940 Act rules and
regulations.
Temporary
Investments
When
current market, economic, or political conditions are unsuitable for the Fund’s investment objective, or in other appropriate circumstances,
the Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or high quality short-term money market instruments.
The result of employing this type of temporary defensive strategy is that the Fund may not achieve its investment
objective.
Additional
Investment Techniques
In
addition to the techniques described above, the Fund may employ investment techniques that are not principal investment strategies of
the Fund. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, invest in illiquid and restricted securities and invest in other investment companies.
The Fund may sell securities short “against the box”. The Fund may invest in futures and options on securities, indices and
currencies and use such securities to hedge risk. Each of these investment techniques and other non-principal investment strategies is
subject to certain limitations and restrictions and involves additional risks which are described in more detail in the
SAI.
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10 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Additional
Information About the Fund’s Principal Risks
The
following section provides additional information regarding certain of the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks”
in the Fund’s summary.
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. Therefore, you should consider
carefully the following risks before investing in the
Fund.
Gold
Risk. Gold is subject to the special risks associated with investing in gold and other precious metals, including: (1) the
price of gold or other precious metals may be subject to wide fluctuation; (2) the market for gold or other precious metals is relatively
limited; (3) the sources of gold or other precious metals are concentrated in countries that have the potential for instability;
and (4) the market for gold and other precious metals is unregulated.
Gold
Mining Industry Risk. The Fund may be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall
condition of the gold mining industry. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of such companies
in the gold mining industry. Also, gold mining companies are highly dependent on the price of gold bullion. These prices may fluctuate
substantially over short periods of time so the Fund’s share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In times
of significant inflation or great economic uncertainty, gold, and other precious metals may outperform traditional investments such as
bonds and stocks. However, in times of stable economic growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation
potential and the value of gold, and other precious metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect the Fund’s returns.
The production and sale of precious metals by governments or central banks or other large holders can be affected by various economic,
financial, social and political factors, which may be unpredictable and may have a significant impact on the supply and prices of precious
metals. Economic and political conditions in those countries that are the largest producers of gold may have a direct effect on the production
and marketing of gold and on sales of central bank gold holdings. Some gold and precious metals mining operation companies may hedge their
exposure to falls in gold and precious metals prices by selling forward future production, which may result in lower returns during periods
when the price of gold and precious metals increases. The gold and precious metals industry can be significantly affected by events relating
to international political developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices and tax and government regulations. If
a natural disaster or other event with a significant economic impact occurs in a region where the companies in which the Fund invests
operate, such disaster or event could negatively affect the profitability of such companies and, in turn, a Fund’s investment in
them.
Credit
(or default) Risk. The issuer of a debt security may be unable to make timely payments of principal or interest, or may default on
the debt. Prices of the Fund’s investments may be adversely affected if any of the issuers or
counterparties it is invested in are subject to an actual or perceived deterioration in their credit quality. Credit spreads may increase,
which may reduce the market values of the Fund’s securities. Credit spread risk is the risk that economic and market conditions
or any actual or perceived credit deterioration may lead to an increase in the credit spreads (i.e.,
the difference in yield between two securities of similar maturity but different credit quality) and a decline in price of the issuer’s
securities.
Currency
Risk. Currencies and securities denominated in foreign currencies may be affected by changes in exchange rates between those
currencies and the U.S. dollar. Currency exchange rates may be volatile and may fluctuate in response
to interest rate changes, the general economic conditions of a country, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments, central banks,
or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, the imposition of currency controls, other political or regulatory
conditions in the U.S. or abroad, speculation, or other factors. A decline in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar
reduces the value in U.S. dollars of the Fund’s investments in that foreign currency and investments denominated in that foreign
currency.
Emerging
Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in countries with newly organized or less developed securities markets.
Investments in emerging markets typically involves greater risks than investing in more developed markets. Generally, economic structures
in these countries are less diverse and mature than those in developed countries and their political systems tend to be less stable. Emerging
market countries may have different regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and record keeping standards and may have
material limitations on Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 11 |
|
(“PCAOB”)
inspection, investigation, and enforcement. Therefore, the availability and reliability of information, particularly financial information,
material to an investment decision in emerging market companies may be limited in scope and reliability as compared to information provided
by U.S. companies. Emerging market economies may be based on only a few industries. As a result, security issuers, including governments,
may be more susceptible to economic weakness and more likely to default. Emerging market countries also may have relatively unstable governments,
weaker economies, and less-developed legal systems with fewer security holder rights. Investments in emerging markets countries may be
affected by government policies that restrict foreign investment in certain issuers or industries. The potentially smaller size of securities
markets in emerging market countries and lower trading volumes can make investments relatively illiquid and potentially more volatile
than investments in developed countries, and such securities may be subject to abrupt and severe price declines. Due to this relative
lack of liquidity, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell a portfolio security at all. An inability to sell
a portfolio position can adversely affect a Fund’s value or prevent a Fund from being able to meet cash obligations or take advantage
of other investment opportunities.
Equity
Securities Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s
financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A stock or stocks selected for the Fund’s
portfolio may fail to perform as expected. A value stock may decrease in price or may not increase in price as anticipated by the portfolio
managers if other investors fail to recognize the company’s value or the factors that the portfolio managers believe will cause
the stock price to increase do not occur.
Expropriation
Risk. Foreign governments may expropriate the Fund’s investments either directly by restricting the Fund’s ability
to sell a security or imposing exchange controls that restrict the sale of a currency, or indirectly by taxing the Fund’s investments
at such high levels as to constitute confiscation of the security. There may be limitations on the
ability of the Fund to pursue and collect a legal judgment against a foreign government.
Interest
Rate Risk. This risk refers to the decline in the prices of fixed-income securities that may accompany a rise in the overall
level of interest rates. A sharp and unexpected rise in interest rates could cause a money market fund’s
share price to drop below a dollar. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying fund
expenses out of fund assets and could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value. This risk may be greater in
the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels. It is likely that there will be less governmental
action in the near future to maintain low interest rates. The negative impact on fixed-income
securities from the resulting rate increases for that and other reasons may be swift and significant.
Foreign
Securities Risk. The value of foreign currencies may decline relative to the U.S. dollar.
A foreign government may expropriate the Fund’s assets. Political, social or economic instability in a foreign country in which
the Fund invests may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. These risks associated with non-U.S. securities are more
likely in the securities of companies located in emerging markets.
Investments
in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is heavily dependent
on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive to fluctuations
in certain commodity markets.
Inflation
Risk. Inflation will erode the purchasing power of the cash flows generated by debt securities held by the Fund.
Fixed-rate debt securities are more susceptible to this risk than floating rate debt securities.
Information
Risk. Key information about an issuer, security or market may be inaccurate or unavailable.
Securities issued in initial public offerings, or IPOs, involve greater information risk than other equity securities due to the lack
of public information.
Legal
and Regulatory Risk. The laws and regulations of foreign countries may provide investors with less protection or may be less
favorable to investors than the U.S. legal system. For example, there may be less publicly available
information about a foreign company than there would be about a U.S. company. The auditing and reporting requirements that apply to foreign
companies may be less stringent than U.S. requirements. Additionally, government oversight of foreign stock exchanges and brokerage industries
may be less stringent than in the U.S.
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12 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Liquidity
Risk. Foreign stock exchanges generally have less volume than U.S. stock exchanges. Therefore,
it may be more difficult to buy or sell shares of foreign securities, which increases the volatility of share prices on such markets.
Additionally, trading on foreign stock markets may involve longer settlement periods and higher transaction
costs.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood
that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular
products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental
or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the
world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and
may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the
U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s)
could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and
the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the
imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to,
many retail and other businesses, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known
how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged
period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term
market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes
may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.
In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment
Manager
Risk. The Fund’s portfolio managers may use an investment strategy that does not achieve the Fund’s objective or
may fail to execute the Fund’s investment strategy effectively. In addition, a portfolio manager’s
strategy may produce returns that are different from other mutual funds that invest in similar
securities.
Non-Diversification
Risk. A non-diversified mutual fund and therefore, compared to a diversified mutual fund, the Gold Fund is able to invest a greater
portion of its assets in any one particular issuer. The risk of investing in a non-diversified mutual
fund is that the fund may be more sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer. The impact of a simple economic, political
or regulatory occurrence may have a greater adverse impact on the Gold Fund’s net asset value. Investors should consider this greater
risk versus the safety that comes with a more diversified portfolio.
Opportunity
Risk. The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are invested
in less profitable investments.
Political
Risk. Political or social instability or revolution in certain countries in which the Fund invests, in particular, emerging market
countries, may result in the loss of some or all of the Fund’s investment in these countries.
Reinvestment
Risk. When interest income is reinvested, interest rates will have declined so that income must be reinvested at a lower interest
rate. Generally, interest rate risk and reinvestment risk have offsetting
effects.
Restricted
Securities. The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities have contractual
or legal restrictions on their resale. They may include private placement securities that the Fund buys directly from the issuer. Private
placement and other restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. Restricted securities
may be illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value.
The Fund may get only limited information about the issuer, so it may be less able to predict a
loss.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities
holdings, 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 a Fund). In addition, the Fund will bear the risk
of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 13 |
|
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have a more limited track record, narrower markets,
less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established
companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of
the Fund’s portfolio.
Tax
Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that it could fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue
Code, as amended (the “Code”) if it derives more than 10% its gross income from investment in gold bullion or other precious
metals. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in consequences to the Fund
and its shareholders. In order to ensure that it qualifies as a regulated investment company,
the Fund may be required to make investment decisions that are less than optimal or forego the opportunity to realize
gains.
Valuation
Risk. The risk that the Fund has valued certain securities at a higher price than the price at which they can be sold.
This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become
illiquid.
Value
Stock Risk. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market
fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth, or the expected value was misgauged. They also
may decline in price even though they are already undervalued.
Other
Risks
The
following section provides information regarding certain other risks of investing in the Fund.
Exclusion
from the Definition of a Commodity Pool Operator Risk. With respect to the Fund, the Adviser
has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange
Act, as amended (“CEA”), and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and, therefore, is
not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, the Adviser is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition
of “commodity trading advisor” (“CTA”) under the CEA and the rules of the
CFTC.
The
terms of the CPO exclusion require the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.”
Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps. Because the Adviser and the Fund intend to comply with the
terms of the CPO exclusion, the Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment objective(s),
to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Fund is not intended as vehicles for trading in the commodity futures, commodity
options or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Adviser’s reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its
investment strategies or this Prospectus.
Operational
Risk. The Fund is exposed to operational risk 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 seeks to reduce these operational risks through
controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that they are
intended to address.
Disclosure
of Portfolio Holdings
The
Fund discloses its calendar quarter end portfolio holdings on the Fund’s website, www.sprott.com, no earlier than 5 calendar days
after the end of each quarter. The Fund also discloses its top ten holdings on its website no earlier than 15 calendar days after the
end of each month. The top ten and quarter-end portfolio schedules will remain available on the Fund’s website at least until it
is updated for the next month or quarter, respectively, or until the Fund files with the SEC its semi-annual or annual shareholder reports
or Form N-PORT that includes such period. The most recent portfolio schedules are available on the Fund’s website, as noted above,
or by calling toll free at 1-844-940-4653. The Fund may terminate or modify this policy at any time without further notice to
shareholders. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities
is available in the SAI. Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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14 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Fund
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP, located at 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.
As of December 31, 2022, Sprott and its affiliates has $23.4 billion assets under management. Subject to the authority of the Trust’s
Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser invests the
assets of the Fund, according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own expense
all of the necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel required for managing the assets of the
Fund.
For
the performance of its services under the investment advisory agreements, the Adviser receives a fee from the Fund, calculated daily and
payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% on the first $500 million of the average daily net assets of the Fund, 0.75% of the average
daily net assets in excess of $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion, and 0.65% of the average daily net assets in excess of $1
billion.
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for the most recent approval of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund
is available in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the period ended December 31,
2022.
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA Inc., located at 320 Post Road, Suite 230, Darien, Connecticut 06820, serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. As of
December 31, 2022, the Sub-Adviser has $2.0 billion in assets under management.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund, and pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement
is responsible for the recommendation of the purchase, retention and sale of the Fund’s portfolio securities, subject to the supervision
of the Adviser and the oversight of the Board. The sub-advisory fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Fund is not responsible for the payment
of this sub-advisory fee. The sub-advisory fee is 30% of the advisory fee.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising
under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940
Act).
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for the most recent approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the
Fund is available in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the period ended December 31,
2022.
Portfolio
Managers
The
portfolio managers listed below are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Please refer to the SAI
for additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and their
ownership of Shares of the Fund.
John
Hathaway has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in January
2020. Mr. Hathaway is a Portfolio Manager of Sprott Hathaway Special Situations Strategy and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Sprott Gold
Equity Fund. Previously, Mr. Hathaway joined Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. in 1997 where he was a Co-Portfolio Manager of the
Tocqueville Gold Fund as well as other investment vehicles in the Tocqueville Gold Equity Strategy. He was also the Portfolio Manager
of private funds. Prior to joining Tocqueville, Mr. Hathaway co-founded and managed Hudson Capital Advisors followed by seven years
with Oak Hall Advisors as the Chief Investment Officer in 1986. In 1976, he joined the investment advisory firm David J. Greene and Company,
where he became a Partner. Mr. Hathaway began his career in 1970 as an Equity Analyst with Spencer Trask & Co. Mr. Hathaway
earned a B.A. from Harvard College and an MBA from the University of Virginia. Mr. Hathaway was also the Chairman of Tocqueville
Management Corporation, the General Partner of Tocqueville. He also holds the CFA® designation.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 15 |
|
Douglas
B. Groh has served as portfolio manager of
the Fund since its inception in January 2020. He serves as a Co-Portfolio Manager of the Sprott Gold Equity Fund as well as other investment
vehicles in the Sprott Gold Equity Strategy. Previously, Mr. Groh was a Portfolio Manager at Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. Prior
to joining Tocqueville, he was Director of Investment Research at Grove Capital from 2001-2003. From 1990-2001, he held investment research
and banking positions at J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch, and ING Bank. During the late 1980s, Mr. Groh served as a portfolio manager
of gold mining equity funds for U.S. Global Investors and IDS Financial Services, after beginning his career as a mining and precious
metals analyst in 1985 at U.S. Global Investors. Mr. Groh earned a B.S. in Geology/Geophysics from the University of Wisconsin —
Madison and an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, where he focused on mineral economics.
Maria
Smirova has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020. She has 20 years
of investment experience. She first joined Sprott Asset Management LP in 2005 as a research associate supporting the metals and mining
team. She currently serves as Lead Portfolio Manager of Sprott Silver Equities Class and Co-Portfolio Manager of Sprott Gold and Precious
Minerals Fund. Prior to joining Sprott, Maria served as a Product Development Analyst at Fidelity Investments. Ms. Smirnova holds a Master
of Business Administration degree from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from
the University of Toronto. She has been a CFA®
charterholder since 2002.
Shree
Kargutkar has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2020. He has more than
10 years of investment experience. He began his career at Sprott Asset Management in May 2010. During his time at Sprott, he has run both
long-only and long-short strategies. Mr. Kargutkar specializes in precious metals and commodities investing. He also leverages his expertise
in derivatives across various mandates and implements strategies for risk mitigation, income generation and improving upside capture.
He obtained his MBA from the University of Toronto in 2011. Mr. Kargutkar holds a B.A. Hons (Psychology) from York University and is a
CFA®
charterholder.
Shareholder
Information
How
the Fund Values Shares
The
NAV, multiplied by the number of Fund shares you own, gives you the value of your
investment.
The
Fund’s share price, called its net asset value (“NAV”), is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a “Fund
Business Day”). It is expected that the NYSE will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther
King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. The NAV per share is determined by dividing the market value of the Fund’s investments as of the close of
trading, plus any cash or other assets less all liabilities by the number of Fund shares outstanding. The Fund will process any shares
that you purchase, redeem or exchange at the next share price calculated after it receives your investment instructions. Purchase orders
received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE are priced according to the NAV per share next determined on that day. Purchase orders
received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE are priced according to the NAV per share next determined on the following day.
If the NYSE closes early, the Fund will calculate the NAV at the closing time on that day. If an emergency exists as permitted by the
SEC, the NAV may be calculated at a different time.
The
Adviser has been designated by the Board of Trustees of the Sprott Funds Trust as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule
2a-5 under Investment Company Act.
Fund
securities that are listed primarily on foreign exchanges may trade on weekends or on other days on which the Fund does not price its
shares. In this case, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may change on days when you are not able to purchase or redeem your
shares.
The
Adviser as the Fund’s Valuation Designee generally values short-term fixed income securities with remaining maturities of 60 days
or less at amortized cost. The Fund values money market securities at market price. Securities for which market quotations are readily
available are valued at their current market value, as determined by such quotations. Securities
for
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16 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
which
market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with policies and procedures
established by the Board of Trustees. In determining fair value, the Adviser will seek to assign a value to the security which it believes
represents the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale. With respect to securities that are actively
traded on U.S. exchanges, the Fund expects that market quotations will generally be available and that fair value might be used only in
limited circumstances, such as when trading for a security is halted during the trading day. For securities traded principally on foreign
exchanges, the Adviser may use fair value pricing if an event occurs after the close of trading of the principal foreign exchange on which
a security is traded, but before calculation of the Fund’s NAV, which the Fund believes affects the value of the security since
its last market quotation. Such events may involve situations relating to a single issuer (such as news related to the issuer announced
after the close of the principal foreign exchange), or situations relating to sectors of the market or the markets in general (such as
significant fluctuations in the U.S. or foreign markets or significant changes in exchange rates, natural disasters, armed conflicts,
or governmental actions). In determining whether a significant event has occurred with respect to securities traded principally in foreign
markets, the Adviser of behalf of the Fund may engage a third-party fair value service provider to systematically recommend the adjustment
of closing market prices of non-U.S. securities based upon changes in a designated U.S. securities market index occurring from the time
of close of the relevant foreign market and the close of the NYSE. Fair value pricing may also be used to value restricted securities
held by the Fund or securities with little or no trading activity for extended periods of time. Fair value pricing involves judgments
that are inherently subjective and inexact and it is not possible to determine with certainty when, and to what extent, an event will
affect a market price. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value and it is possible
that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the sale of the
security.
The
value of any shares of open-end funds held by the Fund will be calculated using the NAV of such funds. The prospectuses for any such open-end
funds should explain the circumstances under which these funds use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value
pricing.
Gold
bullion is valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices from the New York Mercantile
Exchange.
You
can obtain the NAV of the Fund by calling 1-844-940-4653, or by visiting the Fund’s website at
www.sprott.com.
Investment
Minimums
|
|
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Minimum
Initial Investment |
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Regular
(non-retirement) |
|
$1,000*
|
Retirement
Account |
|
$250
|
Minimum
Subsequent Investment |
|
$100
|
*The
Fund may reduce or waive the minimum investment requirement in some cases.
Distribution
of Fund Shares
The
Fund has adopted a distribution and service plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (each a “Plan”). Pursuant to the
Plan, the Fund will pay Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net
assets to Sprott Global Resource Investments LTD (the “Distributor”). The Plan compensates the Distributor regardless of expenses
actually incurred by the Distributor. The fees are used to pay for distribution activities and for providing shareholders with personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts. These fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis and, therefore,
over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales
charges.
The
Distributor or an affiliate may, from time to time, at its expense and out of its own resources, make cash payments to some but not all
brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries (“securities dealers”) for shareholder services, as an incentive to sell shares
of the Fund and/or to promote retention of their customers’ assets in the Fund. These payments may be
referred
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 17 |
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to
as “revenue sharing,” but do not change the price paid by investors to purchase the Fund’s shares or the amount the
Fund receives as proceeds from such sales. Revenue sharing payments may be made to securities dealers that provide services to the Fund
or its shareholders, including (without limitation) shareholder servicing, transaction processing, sub-accounting or marketing support.
The Distributor negotiates the level of payments described above to any particular securities dealers with each firm, based on, among
other things, the nature and level of services provided by such securities dealers and the significance of the overall relationship of
the securities dealers to the Distributor and its affiliate. The amount of these payments may be significant and may create an incentive
for the securities dealers to sell shares of the Fund to you or to recommend one fund complex over another. Please speak with your securities
dealer to learn more about payments made to them by the Distributor or an affiliate.
In
addition, in certain cases, intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions, may have
agreements pursuant to which shares of the Fund owned by its clients are held of record on the books of the Fund in omnibus accounts maintained
by each intermediary, and the intermediaries provide those Fund shareholders with sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services.
Pursuant to the Trust’s transfer agency agreement, the Trust pays the transfer agent a charge for each shareholder account. As a
result, the use of one omnibus account for multiple beneficial shareholders can create a cost savings to the Trust. The Board of Trustees
may, from time to time, authorize the Trust to pay a portion of the fees charged by these intermediaries to the extent of any transfer
agency savings to the Trust as a result of the use of the omnibus account. These payments compensate these intermediaries for the provision
of sub-administration and sub-transfer agency services associated with their clients whose shares are held of record in this
manner.
How
to Buy and Sell Shares
How
to Purchase Shares of the Fund
You
may purchase shares of the Fund through:
•The
Fund’s distributor, Sprott Global Resource Investments, LTD
•Authorized
securities dealers
•The
Fund’s transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Transfer Agent”)
Shares
of the Fund have not been registered for sale outside of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Fund generally
does not sell shares to investors residing outside the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, even if they are
United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, except to investors with United States military APO or FPO
addresses.
Methods
of Payment
By
Check: All checks must be drawn on U.S. banks and payable in U.S. dollars. The Fund will
not accept payment in cash or money orders. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit
card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. The Fund is unable to accept postdated checks or any
conditional order or payment. The Fund may refuse to accept certain other forms of payment at its discretion. Note that there is a $25
fee for any returned payment. To purchase by check, you should:
•Complete
and sign the account application
•Write
a check payable to Sprott Funds Trust — Sprott Gold Equity Fund
•Send
your account application and check or exchange request to one of the following addresses:
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18 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Regular
Mail:
Sprott Funds Trust — Sprott Gold Equity Fund — Investor Class
c/o
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701
Overnight
Mail or Express:
Sprott Funds Trust — Sprott Gold Equity Fund — Investor
Class
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Mutual Fund Services, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, WI
53202-5207
To
make additional investments once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the Invest
by Mail form from your most recent confirmation statement received from the Transfer Agent. If you do not have the Invest by Mail form,
include the Fund name, your name, address, and account number on a separate piece of paper along with your
check.
The
Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail
or with such services, or receipt at the Transfer Agent’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the Fund. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at
the Transfer Agent’s offices.
By
Wire: To purchase by wire, the Transfer Agent must have received a completed account
application before your wire is sent. A purchase order will not be accepted until the Fund has received the completed application and
any requested documentation in proper form. Wired funds must be received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE to be eligible for
same day pricing. The Fund and U.S. Bank, N.A. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal
Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions. Call the Transfer Agent at 1-844-940-4653 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on any day the NYSE is open for business to advise of your intent to wire. This will ensure proper credit. Instruct your
bank to wire funds to:
|
|
U.S.
Bank, N.A.
777
E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee,
WI 53202
ABA#
075-000022 |
Credit:
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
Account
#: [INSERT NUMBER]
Further
credit: Sprott Gold Equity Fund
Shareholder
name and account number: |
By
Internet: Log onto www.sprott.com, print and complete the application and send it along
with a check payable to Sprott Gold Equity Fund. Please mail your application and your check via regular, overnight or express mail to
the addresses listed under Methods of Payment — By Check.
By
Telephone: To purchase additional shares by telephone, the Transfer Agent must have received
a completed account application where you accepted telephone transaction privileges. You must also have submitted a voided check or a
savings deposit slip to have banking information established on your account. After your account has been open for up to 7 business days,
you may purchase additional shares by calling 1-844-940-4653. Telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your
bank account through the ACH network. Each purchase must be $100 or more. You must have banking information established on your account
prior to making a purchase. The Fund will process your purchase order for same day pricing if received by the close of regular trading
on the NYSE.
By
Automatic Investment Plan: With a pre-authorized investment plan, your personal bank
account is automatically debited at regular intervals to purchase shares of the Fund. The minimum is $100 per transaction. To establish
an Automatic Investment Account complete and sign the appropriate section of the Purchase Application and send it to the Transfer Agent.
In order to participate in the Automatic Investment Plan, your bank must be a member of the
ACH network. If your bank rejects your payment, the Transfer Agent will charge a $25 fee to your account. Any request to change or terminate
your Automatic Investment Plan should be submitted to the Transfer Agent at least 5 days prior to the effective
date.
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Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 19 |
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The
Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase or exchange order. In addition, the Fund and its agents reserve the right to “freeze”
or “block” (that is, disallow any further purchases or redemptions from any account) or suspend account services in certain
instances as permitted or required by applicable laws and regulations, including applicable anti-money laundering regulations. Examples
of such instances include, but are not limited to: (i) where an accountholder appears on the list of “blocked” entities
and individuals maintained pursuant to Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) regulations; (ii) where the Fund or
its agents detect suspicious activity or suspect fraudulent or illegal activity; or (iii) when notice has been received by the Fund
or its agents that there is a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners.
The
Fund does not issue certificates evidencing shares purchased. Instead, the Fund will send investors a written confirmation for all
purchases of shares.
Anti-Money
Laundering Program: In compliance with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”), please note that the Transfer
Agent will verify certain information on your account application as part of the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested
on the account application, you must supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. If you
are opening the account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, etc.),
you must also supply the identity of the beneficial owners. Accounts opened by entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies,
partnerships or trusts will require additional documentation. Mailing addresses containing only a P. O. Box will not be accepted. Please
contact the Transfer Agent at 1-844-940-4653 if you need additional assistance when completing your account
application.
Householding:
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund will reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses and other similar documents you receive by sending
only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. Call toll-free 1-844-940-4653 to request individual copies of
these documents or if your shares are held through a financial institution please contact them directly. The Fund will begin sending individual
copies thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
Lost
Shareholders, Inactive Accounts and Unclaimed Property: It is important that the Fund
maintain a correct address for each shareholder. An incorrect address may cause a shareholder’s account statements and other mailings
to be returned to the Fund. Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Fund will attempt to locate the shareholder or rightful
owner of the account. If the Fund is unable to locate the shareholder, then it will determine whether the shareholder’s account
can legally be considered abandoned. Your mutual fund account may be transferred to the state government of your state of residence if
no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your state’s abandoned property laws.
The Fund is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator
in accordance with statutory requirements. The shareholder’s last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.
Please proactively contact the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-844-940-4653 at least annually to ensure your account remains in active
status.
If
you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative to receive notifications that, due to inactivity, your mutual
fund account assets may be delivered to the Texas Comptroller. Please contact the Transfer Agent if you wish to complete a Texas Designation
of Representative form.
How
to Redeem Shares
You
may redeem shares by mail or telephone. Payment for shares redeemed will typically be sent on the following business day, but no later
than the seventh calendar day after receipt of the redemption request provided the request is in “good order.” A redemption
request is in “good order” if it complies with the following:
•if
you have not elected to permit telephone redemptions, your request must be in writing and sent to the Transfer Agent as described below;
and
•your
request must include any additional legal documents concerning authority and related matters in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships,
custodianships, partnerships and corporations.
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20 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
If
you purchased your shares by check or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, the payment of your redemption proceeds may be
delayed for up to 15 calendar days or until the purchase amount clears, whichever occurs
first.
You
may receive proceeds of your sale in a check sent to the address of record, electronically via the ACH network using the previously established
bank instructions or federal wire transfer to your pre-established bank account. The Fund typically expects that it will take one to three
business days following the receipt of your redemption request to pay out redemption proceeds, regardless of whether the redemption proceeds
are paid by check, ACH transfer or wire. Please note that wires are subject to a $15 fee. There is no charge to have proceeds sent via
ACH; however, funds are typically credited to your bank within two to three business days after redemption. Proceeds will be sent within
seven calendar days after the Fund receives your redemption request unless the Fund has suspended your right of redemption. The Fund may
stop redeeming its shares or postpone payment beyond seven days when the NYSE is closed, when trading on NYSE is restricted (as determined
by the SEC), when an emergency exists (as determined by the SEC) and the Fund cannot sell its portfolio securities or accurately determine
the values of its assets, or the SEC orders the Fund to suspend redemptions.
The
Fund typically expects it will hold cash or cash equivalents to meet redemption requests. The Fund may also use the proceeds from the
sale of portfolio securities to meet redemption requests if consistent with the management of the Fund. These redemption methods will
be used regularly and may also be used in stressed market conditions.
The
Fund reserves the right to redeem in-kind as described below. Redemptions in-kind are typically used to meet redemption requests that
represent a large percentage of the Fund’s net assets in order to minimize the effect of large redemptions on the Fund and its remaining
shareholders. Redemptions in-kind may be used in circumstances as described above, and may also be used during periods of stressed market
conditions. The Fund also has in place a line of credit that may be used to meet redemption requests during periods of stressed market
conditions.
In
accordance with the Trust’s frequent trading policies and procedures (see below under “Frequent Trading”), the Fund
assesses a 2.00% redemption fee on redemptions of shares held 90 days or less. The redemption fee will not apply to redemptions of shares
where: (i) the redemption (including a redemption resulting from an exchange) is made from any employer-sponsored retirement plans, deferred
compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans; (ii) the shares were purchased through certain intermediaries that charge an overall
fee on client accounts that hold such shares through programs that the Adviser has determined
have appropriate anti-short-term trading policies in place or as to which the Adviser has received assurances that effective anti-short-term
trading policies and procedures are in place; (iii) the shares were purchased through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions;
(iv) the redemption results from a shareholder’s death or disability, provided, however, that the Fund or its agents receives notification
at the time of the redemption that the shareholder is entitled to such waiver (and any requested documentation confirming such entitlement),
(v) the shares are redeemed pursuant to the Systematic Withdrawal Plan; (vi) the shares redeemed were purchased as part of an Automatic
Investment Plan; (vii) the shares were purchased through a broker/dealer sponsored wrap program and/or a fee-based account maintained
for clients of certain financial intermediaries who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor including programs
and/or fee based accounts that make available single share classes; and (viii) a redemption is initiated by the Fund. Shareholders who
purchase shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries may be charged a separate redemption fee by those
intermediaries.
In
connection with redemptions in the Fund, the Trust will use the first-in, first out (“FIFO”) method to determine the 90 day
holding period. Under this method, the date of the redemption will be compared to the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account.
If this holding period is 90 days or less, the redemption fee will be assessed. In determining “90 days” the first day after
a purchase of shares will be day one of the holding period for such shares. Thus, Fund shares purchased on March 29, 2023, for example,
will be subject to the fee if they are redeemed on or prior to June 27, 2023. If they are redeemed after June 27, 2023, the
shares will not be subject to the redemption fee.
Shareholders
who have a Retirement Account must indicate on their written redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption
requests failing to indicate an election not to have tax withheld will generally be subject to 10% withholding. Shares held in IRA accounts
may also be redeemed by telephone at 1-844-940-4653. IRA investors will be asked whether or not to withhold taxes from any distribution.
For additional information regarding Retirement Account redemptions, please call the Transfer Agent at
1-844-940-4653.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 21 |
|
The
Transfer Agent charges a $15 service fee for each payment of redemption proceeds made by wire.
By
Mail: To redeem by mail, please:
•Provide
your name and account number;
•Specify
the number of shares or dollar amount and the Fund name and class;
•Sign
the redemption request (the signature must be the same as the one on your account application);
•Make
sure all parties that are required by the account registration sign the request; and
•Send
your request to the appropriate address above under purchasing by mail.
A
signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program member or a non-Medallion program member, of each owner is required to redeem shares
in the following situations:
•If
ownership is being changed on your account;
•When
redemption proceeds are payable to or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;
•When
a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent and the account address has been changed within the last 15 calendar
days;
•For
all redemptions in excess of $1,000,000 from any shareholder account.
Non-financial
transactions, including establishing or modifying certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification
from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution
source.
In
addition to the situations described above, the Fund and/or the Transfer Agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee or other
acceptable signature verification in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation. The Fund reserves
the right to waive any signature requirement at their discretion. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the
order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.
Signature
guarantees can be obtained from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities
associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature
Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”), but
not from a notary public.
By
Telephone: You may redeem your shares of the Fund in any amount up to $1,000,000 by telephone
if you accepted telephone privileges on your account application, or if you provided a written request for telephone redemption. A signature
guarantee or other acceptable signature authentication may be required to add this service. If an account has more than one owner or authorized
person, the Fund will accept telephone instructions from any one owner or authorized person. To redeem by telephone, call the Transfer
Agent at 1-844-940-4653 and provide your name and account number, amount of redemption and name of the Fund. Once a telephone transaction
has been placed, it cannot be canceled or modified after the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time).
For your protection against fraudulent telephone transactions, the Fund will use reasonable procedures to verify your identity including
requiring you to provide your account number and recording telephone redemption transactions. As long as these procedures were followed,
the Fund will not be liable for any loss or cost to you if they act on instructions to redeem your account that are reasonably believed
to be authorized by you. You will be notified if a telephone redemption or exchange is refused. Telephone trades must be received by or
prior to market close to receive that day’s NAV. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction. Telephone exchanges
or redemptions may be difficult during periods of extreme market or economic conditions. If this is the case, please send your exchange
or redemption request by mail or overnight courier. Redemption requests exceeding $1,000,000 must be made in writing (see “By mail”
above).
|
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22 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Investments
Through Securities Dealers: Securities dealers may impose charges, limitations, minimums
and restrictions in addition to or different from those applicable to shareholders who invest in the Fund directly. Accordingly, the net
yield to investors who invest through securities dealers may be less than an investor would receive by investing in the Fund directly.
Securities dealers may also set deadlines for receipt of orders that are earlier than the order deadline of the Fund due to processing
or other reasons. An investor purchasing through securities dealers should read this Prospectus in conjunction with the materials provided
by the securities dealers describing the procedures under which Fund shares may be purchased and redeemed through the securities dealers.
For any questions concerning the purchase or redemption of Fund shares through a securities dealer, please call your securities dealer
or the Fund (toll free) at 1-844-940-4653.
Certain
qualified securities dealers may transmit an investor’s purchase or redemption order to the Fund’s Transfer Agent after the
close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Fund Business Day, on the day the order is received from the investor, as long as the investor
has placed his order with the securities dealer by the close of regular trading on the NYSE on that day. The investor will then receive
the net asset value of the Fund’s shares determined by the close of regular trading on the NYSE, on the day he placed his order
with the qualified securities dealer. Orders received after such time will not result in execution
until the following Fund Business Day. Securities dealers are responsible for instituting procedures to insure that purchase orders by
their respective clients are processed expeditiously.
Frequent
Trading
Sprott
Funds Trust discourages short-term or excessive trading (“frequent trading”) of its Fund’s shares by shareholders (including
by means of exchanges) and maintains procedures reasonably designed to detect and deter such frequent trading. Frequent trading is sometimes
referred to as market timing. Market timing may take many forms but commonly refers to arbitrage activity involving the frequent buying
and selling of mutual fund shares in order to take advantage of the fact that there may be a lag between a change in the value of a mutual
fund’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund’s share price. Frequent trading may dilute the value
of fund shares held by long-term shareholders. Frequent trading may also interfere with the efficient management of a fund’s portfolio,
as it may result in a fund maintaining higher cash balances than it otherwise would or cause a fund to sell portfolio securities at a
time it otherwise would not. Frequent trading may further result in increased portfolio transaction (or brokerage) costs, administrative
and other operating costs and may cause a fund to realize taxable capital gains or harvest capital losses at a time that it otherwise
would not. For these reasons, frequent trading poses the risk of lower returns for long-term shareholders of the Fund. There is no guarantee
that policies and procedures will be effective in detecting and preventing frequent trading in whole or in
part.
In
addition, to the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities traded primarily on markets that close prior to the time the Fund determines
its NAV, frequent trading by some shareholders may, in certain circumstances, dilute the value of Fund shares held by other shareholders.
This may occur when an event that affects the value of the foreign security takes place after the close of the primary foreign market,
but before the time that the Fund determines its NAV. Certain investors may seek to take advantage of the fact that there will be a delay
in the adjustment of the market price for a security caused by this event until the foreign market reopens (referred to as price arbitrage).
If this occurs, market timers who attempt this type of price arbitrage may dilute the value of the Fund’s shares to the extent they
receive shares or proceeds based upon NAVs that have been calculated using the closing market prices for foreign securities, if those
prices have not been adjusted to reflect a change in the fair value of the foreign securities. In an effort to prevent price arbitrage,
the Trust has procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign securities before the Fund calculates its NAV when it believes
such an event has occurred. Prices are adjusted to reflect what the Fund believes are the fair values of these foreign securities at the
time the Fund determines its NAV (called fair value pricing). Fair value pricing, however, involves judgments that are inherently subjective
and inexact, since it is not possible to always be sure when an event will affect a market price and to what extent. As a result, there
can be no assurance that fair value pricing will always eliminate the risk of price arbitrage. The risk of price arbitrage also exists
with thinly-traded securities in the U.S., such as high yield bonds and some small cap equity securities. The Fund may employ fair value
pricing to these types of securities if it determines that the last quoted market price no longer represents the fair value of the
security.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 23 |
|
Shareholders
seeking to engage in frequent trading may deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and despite the efforts of the Fund, there
is no guarantee that the Fund’s procedures will in fact be able to identify all frequent trading or that such activity can be completely
eliminated. The ability of the Fund and its agents to detect and curtail frequent trading practices is limited by operational systems
and technological limitations. For example, a significant portion of the assets in the Fund may be invested by financial intermediaries
on behalf of their clients, often in omnibus accounts where individual shareholder investments are aggregated by the intermediary and
a single account is opened with the Fund. Omnibus accounts are common among financial intermediaries and may be established for a variety
of legitimate purposes, including promoting efficiency of account administration and the privacy of customer financial information. When
a financial intermediary maintains an omnibus account with the Fund, the identity of the particular shareholders that make up the omnibus
account is often not known to the Fund.
The
Fund does not always know and cannot always reasonably detect frequent trading which may occur or be facilitated by financial intermediaries,
particularly with regard to trading by shareholders in omnibus accounts. There may exist multiple tiers of omnibus accounts within a financial
intermediary, which may further compound the difficulty to the Fund and its agents of detecting frequent trading in omnibus accounts.
In addition, some financial intermediaries, particularly with respect to group retirement plans, do not have the ability to apply the
Fund’s frequent trading policies and procedures to the underlying shareholders investing in the Fund, either because they do not
have the systems capability to monitor such trades or they do not have access to relevant information concerning the underlying accounts.
In these cases, the Fund will not be able to determine whether frequent trading by the underlying shareholders is occurring. Accordingly,
the ability of the Fund to monitor and detect frequent trading through omnibus accounts is extremely limited, and there is no guarantee
that the Fund will be able to identify shareholders who may be engaging in frequent trading through omnibus accounts or to curtail such
trading. In seeking to identify and prevent frequent trading in omnibus accounts, the Fund will consider the information that is actually
available to them at the time and attempt to identify suspicious trading patterns on the omnibus account
level.
As
indicated above under “How to Purchase Shares of the Fund,” the Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase or exchange
order for their shares for any reason, including transactions deemed by the Fund to represent frequent trading activity. The Trust may
change its policies relating to frequent trading at any time without prior notice to shareholders.
Additional
Shareholder Services
Systematic
Withdrawal Plan: As another convenience, you may redeem your Fund through the Systematic
Withdrawal Plan (“Plan”). Under the Plan, you may choose to receive a specified dollar amount, generated from the redemption
of shares in your account, on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. In order to participate in the Plan, your account balance must be
at least $10,000 and each payment must be a minimum of $500. If you elect this method of redemption, the Fund will send a check to your
address of record, or will send the payment via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, directly to your bank account. For
payment through the ACH network, your bank must be an ACH member and your bank account information must be maintained on your Fund account.
This Program may be terminated at any time by the Fund. You may also elect to terminate your participation in this Plan at any time by
contacting the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone at least five days prior to the effective
date.
A
withdrawal under the Plan involves redemption of shares and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
In addition, if the amount withdrawn exceeds the dividends credited to your account, the account ultimately may be
depleted.
Additional
Exchange and Redemption Information
Small
Accounts: The Fund has the right to redeem an account that has dropped below $500 in
value for a period of three months or more due to redemptions. You will be given at least 60 days prior written notice of any proposed
redemption and you will be given the option to purchase additional shares to avoid the redemption.
|
|
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24 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
Redemption
Clearance: The proceeds from a redemption request may be delayed up to 15 calendar days
if any portion of the shares to be redeemed represents a recent investment made by check or electronic funds transfer through the ACH
network. U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s Transfer Agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account
for any payment returned. The shareholder will also be responsible for any losses suffered by the Fund as a result. This delay can be
avoided by purchasing shares by wire.
Exchange
Limit: In order to limit expenses, or pursuant to the Fund’s frequent trading policies,
we reserve the right to limit the total number of exchanges you can make in any calendar year.
Suspension
of Redemptions: We may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times
when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), during which trading on the NYSE is restricted or under certain
emergency circumstances or for such other periods as determined by the SEC.
Verification
of Identity: In accordance with applicable customer identification regulations, the Fund
reserves the right to redeem the shares of any shareholder and close the shareholder’s account if the Fund and its agents are unable
to verify the shareholder’s identity within a reasonable time after the shareholder’s account is opened. If the Fund closes
a shareholder’s account in this manner, the shares will be valued in accordance with the net asset value next calculated after the
Fund decides to close the account. The value of the shares at the time of redemption may be more or less than what the shareholder paid
for such shares.
Dividends,
Distributions and Tax Matters
Dividends
and Capital Gains Distributions: The Fund distributes all or most of its net investment
income and net capital gains to shareholders. Dividends of net investment income for the Fund are normally declared and paid at least
annually. Net capital gains (if any) for the Fund are also normally declared and paid at least
annually.
Any
dividends and/or capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested at the next determined NAV unless you elect otherwise. These
reinvestments will not be subject to a sales charge. You may choose to have dividends and capital gains distributions paid to you in cash.
Dividends and capital gains distributions generally will be taxable regardless of the manner in which you choose to receive them. If you
elect to receive distributions and/or capital gains paid in cash, and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check
remains outstanding for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account, at the Fund’s
current net asset value, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions. You may authorize either of these options by calling the Transfer
Agent at 1-844-940-4653. You may also submit a written request or an account option change form to change your distribution option to
the Fund’s Transfer Agent at P.O. Box 701 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701. Any changes should be received by the Transfer Agent at least
five days before the record date in order for the change to be effective for that dividend or capital gains
distribution.
Buying
Before a Dividend: If you own shares of the Fund on the record date, you will receive
a dividend or capital gains distribution. The distribution will lower the NAV per share on that date and may represent, in substance,
a partial return of basis (your cost); however the distribution will be subject to federal, and possibly state and local income
taxes.
Tax
Matters
The
following tax information is based on tax laws and regulations in effect on the date of this prospectus. These laws and regulations are
subject to change. You should consult a tax professional concerning the tax consequences of investing in our Fund as well as for information
on foreign, state and local taxes which may apply. A statement that provides the federal income tax status of the Fund’s distributions
will be sent to shareholders at the end of each year.
Qualification
as a Regulated Investment Company: The Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify
to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be
subject to federal income tax law if it distributes its income as required by the law and satisfies certain other requirements that are
described in the SAI. If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be subject to tax as a regular corporation.
There can be no assurance that the distributions of the Fund will eliminate all taxes in all periods at the Fund
level.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 25 |
|
Distributions
to Shareholders: Distributions to shareholders may consist of ordinary income distributions,
capital gain distributions and/or returns of capital. Some dividends received by individuals that consist of reported distributions from
the Fund’s investment company taxable income may be eligible for the lower tax rates currently applicable to qualified dividends
under federal income tax law, for which the maximum federal tax rate is 20% if derived from taxable U.S. corporations or certain foreign
corporations and if certain holding periods and other conditions are met. Distributions from the Fund in particular may not qualify as
dividends eligible for the preferential tax rate. Short-term capital gains and foreign currency gains derived from sales of securities
by the Fund are taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions are distributions of the Fund’s net long-term
capital gains derived from selling stocks within its portfolio that have satisfied the long-term holding period. Such capital gain distributions
qualify for the reduced rate of tax on long-term capital gains for non-corporate holders regardless how long you have held your shares.
Dividends and net capital gains generally are subject to the 3.8% federal tax on net investment income for shareholders in the higher
income tax brackets. You will incur taxable income from distributions even if you have them automatically reinvested. A distribution declared
in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month but made in January will be treated for
tax purposes as having been distributed on December 31 of the prior year. the Fund may make taxable distributions even during periods
in which its share price has declined. State and local income taxes also may apply to distributions from the
Fund.
Gain
or Loss on Sale of Shares of the Fund: You will generally recognize a gain or loss when
you sell your shares of the Fund. The gain or loss is the difference between the proceeds of the sale (generally the NAV of the Fund
on the date of sale times the number of shares sold) and your adjusted tax basis. Any loss realized on a taxable sale of shares within
six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net capital gain distributions
received with respect to the shares. If you sell shares of the Fund at a loss and repurchase shares of the same Fund within 30 days before
or after the sale (a wash sale), a deduction for the loss is generally disallowed. If you hold your shares as a capital asset, you generally
will be eligible for the tax treatment applicable to capital gains with respect to any gain on such
sales of shares in the Fund. Generally, the current maximum federal income tax rate on long-term capital gains for non-corporate holders
is 20%. State and local capital gains taxes also may apply.
Foreign
Source income and Withholding Taxes: Some of the Fund’s investment income may be
subject to foreign income taxes, some of which may be withheld at the source. If the Fund qualifies and meets certain legal requirements
(generally holding more than 50 percent of its assets in foreign securities subject to exceptions for fund of funds structures), it may
elect to pass-through to shareholders deductions or credits for foreign taxes paid. Shareholders may then claim a foreign tax credit or
a foreign tax deduction for their share of foreign taxes paid. You should consult with your own tax adviser regarding the impact to you
of foreign source income.
Additional
information concerning taxation of the Fund and its shareholders is contained in the SAI. You should consult your own tax adviser concerning
federal, state and local taxation of distributions from the Fund.
Index
Descriptions
S&P
500® Total
Return Stock Index: The S&P 500® Total
Return Stock Index is a good indicator of general stock market performance. You may not invest directly in the S&P 500® Total
Return Stock Index.
Philadelphia
Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Sector Index: The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Gold and Silver Index is a good indicator of performance
of the common stock of companies in the gold and silver mining industry. You may not invest directly in the Philadelphia Stock Exchange
Gold and Silver Index.
Financial
Highlights
The
financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the Investor Class shares for
the period of the Fund’s operations. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost)
on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment if all dividends and distributions). The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor
Fund and, therefore, the financial information includes results of the Predecessor Fund. The information for each fiscal period prior
to the Fund’s reorganization in January 2020 was audited by the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting
firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Predecessor Fund’s Annual Report for those
periods.
|
|
|
26 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
For
a share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund |
Per
share operating performance (For a share outstanding throughout the period) |
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
For
the Period November 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020(1)
|
|
Years
Ended October 31, |
2020
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
|
$48.34
|
|
$54.81
|
|
$53.75
|
|
$38.74
|
|
$29.01
|
|
$35.64
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
(0.20
|
)(2)
|
(0.09
|
)(2)
|
(0.05
|
)(2)
|
(0.42
|
)(2)
|
(0.43
|
)(3)
|
(0.38
|
)(3)
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
(6.18
|
)
|
(6.38
|
)
|
1.11
|
|
15.43
|
|
10.16
|
|
(6.25
|
)
|
Total
from investment operations* |
|
(6.38
|
)
|
(6.47
|
)
|
1.06
|
|
15.01
|
|
9.73
|
|
(6.63
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
TO SHAREHOLDERS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
from net investment income |
|
(0.05
|
)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Distributions
from net realized gain |
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
(0.05
|
)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Change
in net asset value for the year |
|
(6.43
|
)
|
(6.47
|
)
|
1.06
|
|
15.01
|
|
9.73
|
|
(6.63
|
)
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$41.91
|
|
$48.34
|
|
$54.81
|
|
$53.75
|
|
$38.74
|
|
$29.01
|
|
*
Includes redemption fees per share of
|
|
0.01
|
|
0.01
|
|
0.00
|
(4)
|
0.01
|
|
0.02
|
|
0.00
|
(4)
|
TOTAL
RETURN |
|
(13.21
|
)%
|
(11.80
|
)%(5)
|
2.04
|
%(6)
|
38.71
|
%
|
33.54
|
%
|
(18.60
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, end of year (‘000) |
|
$598,641
|
|
$748,684
|
|
$964,071
|
|
$965,963
|
|
$998,076
|
|
$859,394
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio
to average net assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
1.40
|
%
|
1.37
|
%(7)
|
1.39
|
%
|
1.47
|
%
|
1.42
|
%
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
(0.45
|
)%
|
(0.18
|
)%
|
(0.57
|
)%(7)
|
(0.93
|
)%
|
(0.94
|
)%
|
(0.88
|
)%
|
Portfolio
turnover rate |
|
24
|
%
|
15
|
%
|
1
|
%(6)
|
34
|
%
|
12
|
%
|
9
|
%
|
(1)With
the approval of the Board effective October 31, 2020, the Fund’s fiscal year end was changed from October 31 to December
31.
(2)Net
investment income (loss) per share is calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
(3)Net
investment income (loss) per share is calculated using the ending accumulated net investment income balances prior to consideration or
adjustments for permanent book-to-tax differences.
(4)Represents
less than $0.01.
(5)Includes
adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
(6)Not
annualized.
(7)Annualized.
|
|
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus | 27 |
|
For
More Information:
Existing
Shareholders or Prospective Investors
Sprott
Funds Trust
c/o Sprott Global Resource Investments LTD
1910 Palomar Point Way - #200
Carlsbad, CA
92008
Dealers
Sprott
Global Resource Investments, LTD - 800.477.7853
Investment
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP
200 Bay Street, Suite 2600
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA, Inc.
320 Post Road,
Darien, CT 06820
Distributor
Sprott
Global Resource Investments Ltd.
1910 Palomar Point Way
Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA
92008
Custodian
U.S.
Bank, N.A
1555 N. River Center Drive
Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Legal
Counsel
Thompson
Hine LLP
1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
Transfer
Agent
U.S.
Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
777 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait,
Weller & Baker LLP
50 South 16th Street
Suite 2900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102
|
|
|
28 | Sprott
Gold Equity Fund – Investor Class Prospectus |
This
Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Fund’s
Shares. The Fund’s Registration Statement, including this Prospectus, the SAI and the exhibits may be examined on the EDGAR database
at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at
the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov. These documents and other information concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the
offices of Sprott Asset Management LP, 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. These documents and other information
concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the offices of U.S. Bank,
N.A., 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
The
SAI for the Fund, which has been filed with the SEC, provides more information about the Fund. The SAI is incorporated herein by reference
and is legally part of this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s
annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, when available, you will find a discussion of the market
conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI and
the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at 777 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee,
WI 53202 or by calling 1-844-940-4653.
Investment
Company Act file no. 811-23382.
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April 28,
2023
Sprott
Gold Equity Fund
Institutional
Class
(SGDIX)
Investor
Class
(SGDLX)
The
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy
of this Prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with the applicable share
class prospectus of Sprott Gold Equity Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Sprott Funds Trust (the “Trust”) dated April 28,
2023 (“Prospectus”).
Capitalized
terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus, SAI
and the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust c/o U.S. Bank Global
Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701 or by calling 1.844.940.4653 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time).
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The
Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust currently consists of the Sprott Gold Equity Fund (the “Fund”)
and eight other investment portfolios. The Fund is a non-diversified management investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on January 3, 2018. The
shares of the Fund are referred to herein as “Shares.” Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”) acts as investment
adviser to the Fund. Sprott Asset Management USA Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”) acts as sub-adviser to the Fund.
The Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of Tocqueville Gold Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of The Tocqueville
Trust, in a tax-free reorganization on January 17, 2020 (the “Reorganization”). The Predecessor Fund had the
same investment objectives, strategies and policies as the Fund at the time of the Reorganization.
The
Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation which it seeks to achieve by investing in gold, securities of companies
located throughout the world that are engaged in mining or processing gold (“gold related securities”), other precious metals
and securities of companies located throughout the world that are engaged in mining or processing such other precious metals (“other
precious metal securities”). Much of the information contained in this SAI expands on subjects discussed in the Prospectus. No
investment in shares of the Fund should be made without first reading the Fund’s Prospectus.
With
respect to the Fund, the Trust may offer more than one class of shares. Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate
interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted a multiple
class plan under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, detailing the attributes of the Fund’s share classes. The Fund offers
two classes of shares: Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares.
INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND RISKS
A
discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus under the headings “Summary Information—Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund, “Summary Information—Principal Risks of Investing
in the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund and “Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategies
and Risks.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
Borrowing
The
Fund may enter into repurchase agreements subject to resale to a bank or dealer at an agreed upon price which reflects a net interest
gain for the Fund. Repurchase agreements entail the Fund’s purchase of a fund eligible security from a bank or broker-dealer
that agrees to repurchase the security at the Fund’s cost plus interest within a specified time (normally one day). Repurchase
agreements permit an investor to maintain liquidity and earn income over periods of time as short as overnight. The term of such
an agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days, although it may extend over a number of months (up to one
year) from the date of delivery. The Fund will receive interest from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur.
Under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by the purchaser
collateralized by the underlying securities. The Fund will receive as collateral U.S. “government securities,” as such
term is defined in the 1940 Act, including securities of U.S. government agencies, or other collateral that the Fund’s investment
advisor (the “Adviser”) deems appropriate, whose market value is equal to at least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund,
and the Fund will make payment for such securities only upon the physical delivery or evidence by book entry transfer to the account of
its custodian. If the seller institution defaults, the Fund might incur a loss or delay in the realization of proceeds if the value
of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines and it might incur disposition costs in liquidating the collateral. The
Fund attempts to minimize such risks by entering into such transactions only with well-capitalized financial institutions and specifying
the required value of the underlying collateral.
Convertible
Securities
The
Fund may invest in convertible securities which may include corporate notes or preferred stock but are ordinarily long-term debt obligations
of the issuer convertible at a stated exchange rate into common stock of the issuer. Convertible securities, until converted, have
general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. As with all debt securities, the market value of convertible
securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. Convertible securities
generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. However, when the
market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security
tends to reflect the value of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible
security tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not depreciate to the same extent as the underlying common stock. Convertible
securities rank senior to common stocks on an issuer’s capital structure and are consequently of higher quality and generally entail
less risk than the issuer’s common stock.
Cyber
Security
The
Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber security risks that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring,
release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential and highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access
to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that the Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund’s operations;
or operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. Cyber-attacks
against or security breakdowns of the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting
in, among other things, financial losses; the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions;
inability to calculate the Fund’s NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or additional compliance costs. The Fund may incur additional costs for cyber
security risk management and remediation purposes. In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in which
the Fund invests, which may cause the Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Fund
or its service providers will not suffer losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches in the future.
Debt
Securities
With
respect to investment by the Fund in debt securities, there is no requirement that all such securities be rated by a recognized rating
agency. However, it is the policy of the Fund that investments in debt securities, whether rated or unrated, will be made only if
they are, in the opinion of the Adviser, of equivalent quality to “investment grade” securities. “Investment grade”
securities are those rated within the four highest quality grades as determined by Moody’s or S&P. Securities rated Aaa
by Moody’s and AAA by S&P are judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of risk. Securities rated
Baa by Moody’s and BBB by S&P lack high quality investment characteristics and, in fact, have speculative characteristics as
well. Debt securities are interest-rate sensitive; therefore their value will tend to decrease when interest rates rise and increase
when interest rates fall. Such increase or decrease in value of longer-term debt instruments as a result of interest rate movement
will be larger than the increase or decrease in value of shorter-term debt instruments.
Foreign
Investments
Direct
and indirect investments in securities of foreign issuers may involve risks that are not present with domestic investments and there can
be no assurance that the Fund’s foreign investments will present less risk than a portfolio of domestic securities. Compared
to United States issuers, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign issuers and there may be less governmental
regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies. Foreign issuers are not generally subject to
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic
issuers. Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and their prices are more volatile than securities of comparable domestic
issuers. Settlement of transactions in some foreign markets may be delayed or less frequent than in the United States, which could
affect the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. Fixed brokerage commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher
than in the United States. Income from foreign securities may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source or other foreign taxes. In
some countries, there may also be the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other
assets of the Fund, political or social instability or revolution, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in those
countries.
American
Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence ownership of securities
in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust company’s office or agent in a foreign country. European
Depository Receipts (“EDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of
shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”) are negotiable certificates
held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. Canadian
Depository Receipts (“CDRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a Canadian bank or trust company that evidence ownership of
securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust company’s office or agent in a foreign country.
Investing
in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs presents risks that may not be equal to the risk inherent in holding the equivalent shares of the same companies
that are traded in the local markets even though the Fund will purchase, sell and be paid dividends on ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs in U.S.
Dollars. These risks include fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which are affected by international balances of payments and
other economic and financial conditions; government intervention; speculation; and other factors. With respect to certain foreign
countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political and social upheaval,
and economic instability. The Fund may be required to pay foreign withholding or other taxes on certain ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, or CDRs
that it owns, but investors may or may not be able to deduct their pro-rata share of such taxes in computing their taxable income,
or take such shares as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax. ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs may be sponsored by the foreign
issuer or may be unsponsored. Unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the
foreign issuer of the underlying securities. Unsponsored GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs are offered by companies which are not prepared
to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. While readily exchangeable with stock in local markets,
unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs may be less liquid than sponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs. Additionally, there generally
is less publicly available information with respect to unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs.
The
value of the Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies may depend in part on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar,
and the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rate between foreign
currencies and the U.S. dollar. When the Fund invests in foreign securities they will usually be denominated in foreign currency. The
Fund may also directly hold foreign currencies and purchase and sell foreign currencies. Thus, the Fund’s net asset value per
share will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates also may affect the value
of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to
be distributed to shareholders by the Fund. The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is determined by the
forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. In addition, with regard to foreign securities, a significant event
occurring after the close of trading but before the calculation of the Fund’s net asset value may mean that the closing price for
the security may not constitute a readily available market quotation and may accordingly require that the security be priced at its fair
value in accordance with the fair value procedures established by the Trust. The Adviser will continuously monitor for significant
events that may call into question the reliability of market quotations. Such events may include: situations relating to a single
issue in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; natural disasters, armed conflicts, governmental actions
or other developments not tied directly to the securities markets. Where the Adviser determines that an adjustment should be made
in the security’s value because significant intervening events have caused the Fund’s net asset value to be materially inaccurate,
the Adviser as the Fund’s Valuation Designee will “fair value” the subject security in accordance with the Trust’s
fair value procedures.
Risks
Related to Investment in Canada. Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the
Canadian economy is heavily dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian
economy is sensitive to fluctuations in certain commodity markets.
Emerging
Markets. In addition to the risks described above, the economies of emerging market countries may differ unfavorably from
the United States economy in such respects as growth of domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency
and balance of payments positions. Further, such economies generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly,
have been and may continue to be adversely affected by any trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist
measures imposed or negotiated by countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be adversely
affected by economic conditions in countries with which they trade.
Each
of the emerging market countries, including those located in Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe, and frontier markets
(emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development) may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political
and social instability and disruption than is the case in the U.S., Japan and most developed markets countries. This instability
may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic
decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated
with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with
neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures
governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal
financial markets in which the Fund may invest and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s assets. The Fund’s investments
could in the future be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments, including the
impact of any economic sanctions. Investment opportunities within certain emerging markets, such as countries in Eastern Europe,
may be considered “not readily marketable” for purposes of the limitation on illiquid securities set forth above.
Futures
and Options Transactions
The
Fund may enter into hedging transactions. Hedging is a means of transferring risk which an investor does not desire to assume during
an uncertain market environment. The Fund is permitted to enter into the transactions solely (a) to hedge against changes in
the market value of portfolio securities or (b) to close out or offset existing positions. The transactions must be appropriate
to the reduction of risk; they cannot be for speculation. In particular, the Fund may (i) write covered call options on securities
and stock indices; (ii) purchase put and call options on securities and stock indices; (iii) enter into futures contracts, options
on futures contracts and stock index futures contracts and options thereon, as described under “Writing Covered Call Options on
Securities and Stock Indices,” “Purchasing Put and Call Options on Securities and Stock Indices” and “Futures
Contracts” (“Hedging Instruments”), respectively. The Fund can employ new Hedging Instruments and strategies when
they are developed, if those investment methods are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and are permissible under applicable
regulations governing the Fund.
To
the extent the Fund uses Hedging Instruments which do not involve specific portfolio securities, offsetting price changes between the
hedging instruments and the securities being hedged will not always be possible, and market value fluctuations of the Fund may not be
completely eliminated. When using hedging instruments that do not specifically correlate with securities in the Fund, the Adviser
will attempt to create a very closely correlated hedge.
The
use of hedging instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the exchanges
upon which they are traded and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). In addition, the Fund’s ability
to use Hedging Instruments may be limited by tax considerations.
Hedging
strategies can be broadly categorized as “short hedges” and “long hedges.” A short hedge is the purchase
or sale of a Hedging Instrument intended partially or fully to offset potential declines in the value of one or more investments held
in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Thus, in a short hedge, a fund takes a position in a Hedging Instrument whose price is
expected to move in the opposite direction of the price of the investment being hedged. A long hedge is the purchase or sale of a
Hedging Instrument intended partially or fully to offset potential increases in the acquisition cost of one or more investments that the
fund intends to acquire. Thus, in a long hedge, the Fund takes a position in a Hedging Instrument whose price is expected to move
in the same direction as the price of the prospective investment being hedged.
Hedging
Instruments on securities generally are used to hedge against price movements in one or more particular securities positions that the
Fund owns or intends to acquire. Hedging Instruments on indices may be used to hedge broad market sectors.
Special
Risks of Hedging Strategies. The use of Hedging Instruments involves special considerations and risks, as described below. Risks
pertaining to particular Hedging Instruments are described in the sections that follow.
(1)
Successful use of most Hedging Instruments depends upon the Adviser’s ability to predict movements of the overall securities and
interest rate markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. While the
Adviser is experienced in the use of Hedging Instruments, there can be no assurance that any particular hedging strategy adopted will
succeed.
(2)
There might be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of a Hedging Instrument and price movements of the
investments being hedged. For example, if the value of a Hedging Instrument used in a short hedge increased by less than the decline
in value of the hedged investment, the hedge would not be fully successful. Such a lack of correlation might occur due to factors
unrelated to the value of the investments being hedged, such as speculative or other pressures on the markets in which Hedging Instruments
are traded. The effectiveness of hedges, using Hedging Instruments on indices, will depend on the degree of correlation between price
movements in the index and price movements in the securities being hedged.
To
compensate for imperfect correlation, the Fund may purchase or sell Hedging Instruments in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities
or currency if the volatility of the hedged securities or currency is historically greater than the volatility of the Hedging Instruments. Conversely,
the Fund may purchase or sell fewer contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged securities or currency is historically less
than that of the Hedging Instruments.
(3)
Hedging strategies, if successful, can reduce risk of loss by wholly or partially offsetting the negative effect of unfavorable price
movements in the investments being hedged. However, hedging strategies also can reduce opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive
effect of favorable price movements in the hedged investments. For example, if the Fund entered into a short hedge because the Adviser
projected a decline in the price of a security in the Fund’s investment portfolio, and the price of that security increased instead,
the gain from that increase might be wholly or partially offset by a decline in the price of the Hedging Instrument. Moreover, if
the price of the Hedging Instrument declines by more than the increase in the price of the security, the Fund could suffer a loss. In
either such case, the Fund would have been in a better position had it not hedged at all.
(4)
As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts or make margin
payments when it takes positions in Hedging Instruments involving obligations to third parties. If the Fund was unable to close out
its positions in such Hedging Instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments
until the position expired or matured. These requirements might impair the Fund’s ability to sell a portfolio security or make
an investment at a time when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous
time. The Fund’s ability to close out a position in a Hedging Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence
of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (“counterparty”)
to enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no assurance that any hedging position can be closed out
at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.
Cover
for Hedging Strategies. Some Hedging Instruments expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter
into any such transactions unless it owns either (1) an offsetting (“covered”) position in securities, options, futures
contracts or forward contracts or (2) cash and other liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient at
all times to cover its potential obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply with SEC
guidelines regarding cover for instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or other liquid assets in an account
with the Fund’s custodian, in the prescribed amount.
Assets
used as cover or otherwise held in an account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding Hedging Instrument is open, unless
they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets to cover
in segregated accounts could impede its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Writing
Covered Call Options on Securities and Stock Indices. The Fund may write covered call options on optionable securities or stock
indices of the types in which it is permitted to invest from time to time as the Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking to attain
their objective. A call option written by the Fund gives the holder the right to buy the underlying securities or index from the
Fund at a stated exercise price. Options on stock indices are settled in cash.
The
Fund may write only covered call options, which means that, so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own
the underlying securities subject to the option (or comparable securities or cash satisfying the cover requirements of securities exchanges).
The
Fund will receive a premium for writing a covered call option, which increases the return of the Fund in the event the option expires
unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium will reflect, among other things, the relationship of the market
price of the underlying security or index to the exercise price of the option, the term of the option and the volatility of the market
price of the underlying security or index. By writing a covered call option, the Fund limits its opportunity to profit from any increase
in the market value of the underlying security or index above the exercise price of the option.
The
Fund may terminate an option it has written prior to the option’s expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction in
which an option is purchased having the same terms as the option written. The Fund will realize a profit or loss from such transaction
if the cost of such transaction is less or more than the premium received from the writing of the option. Because increases in the
market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security or index, any loss resulting
from the repurchase of a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security
(or securities) owned by the Fund.
Purchasing
Put and Call Options on Securities and Stock Indices. The Fund may purchase put options on securities and stock indices to protect
its portfolio holdings in an underlying stock index or security against a decline in market value. Such hedge protection is provided
during the life of the put option since the Fund, as holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security or index at the
put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying market price of the security or index. In order for a put option to
be profitable, the market price of the underlying security or index must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium
and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in its
underlying security or index by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs, but it will retain the ability to benefit
from future increases in market value.
The
Fund also may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in prices of stock indices or securities that it ultimately wants to
buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since the Fund, as holder of the call option, is able to
buy the underlying security or index at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying market price of the security or
index. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security or index must rise sufficiently above
the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. By using call options in this manner, the Fund will reduce any profit
it might have realized had it bought the underlying security or index at the time it purchased the call option by the premium paid for
the call option and by transaction costs, but it limits the loss it will suffer if the security or index declines in value to such premium
and transaction costs.
The
Fund also may purchase puts and calls on gold and other precious metals that are traded on a securities or commodities exchange or quoted
by major recognized dealers in such options for the purpose of protecting against declines in the dollar value of gold and other precious
metals and against increases in the dollar cost of gold and other precious metals to be acquired.
Risk
Factors in Options Transactions. In considering the use of options, particular note should be taken of the following:
(1)
The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market price of the underlying security, index or futures
contract, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price, the historical price volatility
of the underlying instrument and general market conditions. For this reason, the successful use of options depends upon the Adviser’s
ability to forecast the direction of price fluctuations in the underlying instrument.
(2)
At any given time, the exercise price of an option may be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying instrument.
Purchased options that expire unexercised have no value. Unless an option purchased by the Fund is exercised or unless a closing
transaction is effected with respect to that position, a loss will be realized in the amount of the premium paid.
(3)
A position in an exchange-listed option may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for identical options. Most
exchange-listed options relate to futures contracts, stocks and currencies. The ability to establish and close out positions on the
exchanges is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund intends to purchase or write only those options
for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular
option at any specific time. In such event, it may not be possible to effect closing transactions with respect to certain options,
with the result that the Fund would have to exercise those options that it has purchased in order to realize any profit.
Unlike
exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price,
the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option
contract. While this type of arrangement allows the Fund greater flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, over the counter
(“OTC”) options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization
of the exchanges where they are traded. Since closing transactions may be effected with respect to options traded in the OTC markets
(currently the primary markets of options on debt securities) only by negotiating directly with the other party to the option contract,
or in a secondary market for the option if such market exists, there can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out
an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be
unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.
With
respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to it. For
example, because the Fund may maintain a covered position with respect to any call option it writes on a security, it may not sell the
underlying security during the period it is obligated under such option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to
sell a portfolio security or make an investment at a time when such a sale or investment might be advantageous.
(4)
Activities in the options market may result in a higher portfolio turnover rate and additional brokerage costs; however, the Fund also
may save on commissions by using options as a hedge rather than buying or selling individual securities in anticipation of market movements.
(5)
The risks of investment in options on indices may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, when
the Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the
underlying securities. The Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of
securities similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, the Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and
hold an investment portfolio containing exactly the same securities as underlie the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value
of the securities held will vary from the value of the index.
Even
if the Fund could assemble an investment portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not
be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the “timing risk” inherent in writing index options. When an index
option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price
and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, the Fund as the call writer
will not learn that it has been assigned until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between exercise and notice of
assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security, such as common stock, because there the writer’s
obligation is to deliver the underlying security, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already
owns the underlying security, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering it, and the risk that its value may have
declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds securities
that exactly match the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those
securities against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index
value on the exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding decline
in the value of its investment portfolio. This “timing risk” is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers
to cover their risk exposure by holding securities positions.
If
the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that
the level of the underlying index subsequently may change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the
Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable
multiplier) to the assigned writer.
Futures
Contracts. The Fund may enter into futures contracts, options on futures contracts and stock index futures contracts and options
thereon for the purposes of remaining fully invested and reducing transaction costs or for hedging purposes as previously discussed. Futures
contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security, class of
securities, currency or an index at a specified future time and at a specified price. A stock index futures contract is a bilateral
agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the
difference between the stock index value at the close of trading of the contracts and the price at which the futures contract is originally
struck. Futures contracts which are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument are traded on national futures
exchanges. Futures exchanges and trading are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act by the CFTC, a U.S. Government agency.
Although
futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery and acceptance of the underlying securities, in most cases the contracts are
closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking
an opposite position (buying a contract which has previously been “sold” or “selling” a contract previously purchased)
in an identical contract to terminate the position. A futures contract on a securities index is an agreement obligating either party
to pay, and entitling the other party to receive, while the contract is outstanding, cash payments based on the level of a specified securities
index. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will, respectively, give the Fund the right (but not the obligation),
for a specified price, to sell or to purchase the underlying futures contract, upon exercise of the option, at any time during the option
period. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold.
Futures
traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain
open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of
the underlying security) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Minimal initial margin requirements are established
by the futures exchange and may be changed. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Initial
margin deposits on futures contracts are customarily set at levels much lower than the prices at which the underlying securities are purchased
and sold, typically ranging upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
After
a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price
changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin
will be required. Conversely, change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin
to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. The
Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
In
addition to the margin restrictions discussed above, transactions in futures contracts may involve the segregation of funds pursuant to
requirements imposed by the CFTC. Under those requirements, where the Fund has a long position in a futures contract, it may be required
to establish a segregated account (not with a futures commission merchant or broker, except as may be permitted under CFTC rules) containing
cash or certain liquid assets equal to the purchase price of the contract (less any margin on deposit). For a short position in futures
or forward contracts held by the Fund, those requirements may mandate the establishment of a segregated account (not with a futures commission
merchant or broker, except as may be permitted under CFTC rules) with cash or certain liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited
as margin, equal the market value of the instruments underlying the futures contracts (but are not less than the price at which the short
positions were established). However, segregation of assets is not required if the Fund covers a long position. For example,
instead of segregating assets, the Fund, when holding a long position in a futures contract, could purchase a put option on the same futures
contract with a strike price as high as or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund. In addition, where the Fund takes
short positions, or engages in sales of call options, it need not segregate assets if it covers these positions. For example, where
the Fund holds a short position in a futures contract, it may cover by owning the instruments underlying the contract. The Fund may
also cover such a position by holding a call option permitting it to purchase the same futures contract at a price no higher than the
price at which the short position was established. Where the Fund sells a call option on a futures contract, it may cover either
by entering into a long position in the same contract at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option or by owning the instruments
underlying the futures contract. The Fund could also cover this position by holding a separate call option permitting it to purchase
the same futures contract at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option sold by the Fund.
When
interest rates are expected to rise or market values of portfolio securities are expected to fall, the Fund can seek through the sale
of futures contracts to offset a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. When interest rates are expected to fall or market
values are expected to rise, the Fund, through the purchase of such contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices for the Fund
than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases.
The
Fund will only sell futures contracts to protect securities and currencies it owns against price declines or purchase contracts to protect
against an increase in the price of securities it intends to purchase.
The
Fund’s ability to effectively utilize futures trading depends on several factors. First, it is possible that there will not
be a perfect price correlation between the futures contracts and their underlying stock index. Second, it is possible that a lack
of liquidity for futures contracts could exist in the secondary market, resulting in an inability to close a futures position prior to
its maturity date. Third, the purchase of a futures contract involves the risk that the Fund could lose more than the original margin
deposit required to initiate a futures transaction.
Risk
Factors in Futures Transactions. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary
market for such futures. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures
contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures position. In the event of adverse price movements,
the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain the required margin. In such situations, if the Fund
has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous
to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it holds. The
inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the ability to effectively hedge them. The
Fund will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts which are traded
on national futures exchanges and for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
The
risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be substantial, due both to the low margin deposits required, and the
extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. Because the deposit requirements in the futures markets are less onerous
than margin requirements in the securities market, there may be increased participation by speculators in the futures market which also
may cause temporary price distortions. A relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial
loss (as well as gain) to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited
as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any
deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of
the original margin deposit if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses
in excess of the amount invested in the contract. However, because the futures strategies engaged in by the Fund are only for hedging
purposes, the Adviser does not believe that the Fund is subject to the risks of loss frequently associated with futures transactions. The
Fund would presumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the futures contract, it had invested in the underlying financial
instrument and sold it after the decline.
Utilization
of futures transactions by the Fund does involve the risk of imperfect or no correlation where the securities underlying the futures contract
have different maturities than the portfolio securities being hedged. It is also possible that the Fund could both lose money on
futures contracts and also experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund
of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in a futures contract or related option.
Exclusion
from Definition of Commodity Pool Operator. Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”),
the Trust has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The
Fund and the Trust are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA. In order to claim the
Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options, certain currency transactions, swaps (including
securities futures, broad-based stock index futures and financial futures contracts). As a result, in the future, the Fund will be
more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability
of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.
Forward
Foreign Currency Transactions
The
Fund may invest in forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contract”). Forward contracts involve an obligation
to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon
by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts generally are established
in the interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks or other financial institutions) on behalf of
their customers. Certain types of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are now regulated as swaps by the CFTC and, although
they may still be established in the interbank market by currency traders on behalf of their customers, such instruments now must be executed
in accordance with applicable federal regulations. The regulation of such forward foreign currency exchange contracts as swaps is
a recent development and there can be no assurance that the additional regulation of these types of derivatives will not have an adverse
effect on the Fund that utilizes these instruments. A forward contract generally has no margin deposit requirement, and no commissions
are charged at any stage for trades.
The
Fund may enter into forward contracts for a variety of purposes in connection with the management of the foreign securities portion of
its portfolio. The Fund’s use of such contracts will include, but not be limited to, the following situations:
First,
when the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in or exposed to a foreign currency, it may desire
to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for
a fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund will be able to
protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign
currency during the period between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received.
Second,
when the Adviser believes that one currency may experience a substantial movement against another currency, including the U.S. dollar,
it may enter into a forward contract to sell or buy the amount of the former foreign currency, approximating the value of some or all
of the Fund’s portfolio securities denominated in or exposed to such foreign currency. Alternatively, where appropriate, the
Fund may hedge all or part of its foreign currency exposure through the use of a basket of currencies, multinational currency units or
a proxy currency where such currency or currencies act as an effective proxy for other currencies. In such a case, the Fund may enter
into a forward contract where the amount of the foreign currency to be sold exceeds the value of the securities denominated in or exposed
to such currency. The use of this basket hedging technique may be more efficient and economical than entering into separate forward
contracts for each currency held in the Fund.
The
precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the future
value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between
the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of short-term currency market movement is extremely
difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. Under normal circumstances, consideration
of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into the diversification strategies. However, the Adviser to the Fund
believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into such forward contracts when it determines that the best interests
of the Fund will be served.
The
Fund may enter into forward contracts for any other purpose consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and program. However,
the Fund will not enter into a forward contract, or maintain exposure to any such contract(s), if the amount of foreign currency required
to be delivered thereunder would exceed the Fund’s holdings of liquid securities and currency available for cover of the forward
contract(s). In determining the amount to be delivered under a contract, the Fund may net offsetting positions.
At
the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain
the security and either extend the maturity of the forward contract (by “rolling” that contract forward) or may initiate a
new forward contract. If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund will incur a
gain or a loss (as described below) to the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices. If the Fund engages in
an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to sell the foreign currency.
Should
forward prices decline during the period between the Fund’s entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency
and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent
the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices
increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency
it has agreed to sell.
Although
the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, they do not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.
dollars on a daily basis. The Fund will convert foreign currencies to U.S. dollars and vice versa from time to time, and investors
should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do
realize a profit based on the difference (“spread”) between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus,
a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire
to resell that currency to the dealer.
Gold
Bullion and Other Precious Metals
The
Fund is subject to the special risks associated with investing in gold and other precious metals, including (i) the price of gold
or other precious metals may be subject to wide fluctuation; (ii) the market for gold or other precious metals is relatively limited;
(iii) the sources of gold or other precious metals are concentrated in countries that have the potential for instability; and (iv) the
market for gold and other precious metals is unregulated.
Gold
bullion and other precious metals have at times been subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected
by unpredictable monetary and political policies such as currency devaluations or revaluations, economic and social conditions within
a country, trade imbalances, or trade or currency restrictions between countries. The prices of gold bullion and other precious metals,
however, are less subject to local and company-specific factors than securities of individual companies. As a result, gold bullion
and other precious metals may be more or less volatile in price than securities of companies engaged in precious metals-related businesses. Investments
in gold bullion and other precious metals can present concerns such as delivery, storage and maintenance, possible illiquidity, and the
unavailability of accurate market valuations. The Fund may incur higher custody and transaction costs for gold bullion and other
precious metals than for securities. Also, gold bullion and other precious metals investments do not pay income.
The
majority of producers of gold bullion and other precious metals are domiciled in a limited number of countries. Currently, the five
largest producers of gold are China, Australia, Russia, the United States and Canada. Economic and political conditions in those
countries may have a direct effect on the production and marketing of gold and on sales of central bank gold holdings.
The
Fund is also subject to the risk that it could fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code if it
derives more than 10% of its gross income from investment in gold bullion or other precious metals. Failure to qualify as a regulated
investment company would result in adverse tax consequences to the Fund and its shareholders. In order to ensure that it qualifies
as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to make investment decisions that are less than optimal or forego the opportunity
to realize gains.
Gold
and Silver Mining Industry Risk
The
Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold and silver
mining industry. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of such companies in the gold and silver
mining industry. Also, gold and silver mining companies are highly dependent on the price of gold and silver bullion. These prices may
fluctuate substantially over short periods of time so the Fund’s Share price may be more volatile than other types of investments.
In times of significant inflation or great economic uncertainty, gold, silver and other precious metals may outperform traditional investments
such as bonds and stocks. However, in times of stable economic growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation
potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect the Fund’s
returns. The production and sale of precious metals by governments or central banks or other large holders can be affected by various
economic, financial, social and political factors, which may be unpredictable and may have a significant impact on the supply and prices
of precious metals. Economic and political conditions in those countries that are the largest producers of gold may have a direct effect
on the production and marketing of gold and on sales of central bank gold holdings. Some gold and precious metals mining operation companies
may hedge their exposure to falls in gold and precious metals prices by selling forward future production, which may result in lower returns
during periods when the price of gold and precious metals increases. The gold and precious metals industry can be significantly affected
by events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices and tax and government
regulations. If a natural disaster or other event with a significant economic impact occurs in a region where the companies in which the
Fund invests operate, such disaster or event could negatively affect the profitability of such companies and, in turn, the Fund’s
investment in them.
Government
Intervention in Financial Markets
Global
economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region
may adversely affect companies in a different country or region. In the past, instability in the financial markets has led governments
and regulators around the world to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments
of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Governments, their regulatory
agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or
the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund
itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Governments
or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The
implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects
on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose
the Fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Fund.
The
SEC and its staff are reportedly engaged in various initiatives and reviews that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure
governing investment companies. These efforts appear to be focused on risk identification and controls in various areas, including
imbedded leverage through the use of derivatives and other trading practices, cybersecurity, liquidity, enhanced regulatory and public
reporting requirements and the evaluation of systemic risks. Any new rules, guidance or regulatory initiatives resulting from these
efforts could increase the Fund’s expenses and impact its returns to shareholders or, in the extreme case, impact or limit the Fund’s
use of various portfolio management strategies or techniques and adversely impact the Fund.
In
particular, in October 2016, the SEC adopted a liquidity risk management rule requiring open-end funds, such as the Fund to
establish a liquidity risk management program and enhance disclosures regarding fund liquidity. Certain aspects of the rule went
into effect on December 1, 2018, while implementation of other aspects of the rule became effective June 1, 2019. Additionally,
the SEC adopted new monthly portfolio holdings reporting requirements that were applicable to the Fund as of May 30, 2019. The effect
these new rules will have on the Fund is not yet known, but may impact the Fund’s performance and ability to achieve their investment
objectives.
The
Trump administration called for substantial changes to U.S. fiscal and tax policies, including comprehensive corporate and individual
tax reform. In addition, the Trump administration called for significant changes to U.S. trade, healthcare, immigration, foreign,
and government regulatory policy. The transition to a new presidential administration in 2021 will impact many of these policies.
In this regard, there is significant uncertainty with respect to legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal level, as
the new administration may unwind or reverse some of these polices, as well as the state and local levels. Recent events have created
a climate of heightened uncertainty and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with potentially
far-reaching implications. There has been a corresponding meaningful increase in the uncertainty surrounding interest rates, inflation,
foreign exchange rates, trade volumes and fiscal and monetary policy. Although it is impossible to predict the impact, if any, of
these changes to the Fund’s business, they may adversely affect the Fund’s business, financial condition, operating results
and cash flows.
In
addition, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) makes substantial changes to the Code. Among those changes are a significant
permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers
that generally but not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to “sunset” provisions, the elimination
or modification of various previously allowed deductions (including substantial limitations on the deductibility of interest and, in the
case of individuals, the deduction for personal state and local taxes), certain additional limitations on the deduction of net operating
losses, certain preferential rates of taxation on certain dividends and certain business income derived by non-corporate taxpayers
in comparison to other ordinary income recognized by such taxpayers, and significant changes to the international tax rules. The
effect of these, and the many other changes made in the Act is highly uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect on the taxation
of an investment in the Fund’s shares and their indirect effect on the value of their assets, Fund’s shares or market conditions
generally. Furthermore, many of the provisions of the Act will require guidance through the issuance of Treasury regulations in order
to assess their effect. There may be a substantial delay before such regulations are promulgated, increasing the uncertainty as to
the ultimate effect of the statutory amendments on the Fund. It is also likely that there will be technical corrections legislation
proposed with respect to the Act, the effect of which cannot be predicted and may be adverse to the Fund, or Fund shareholders.
Illiquid
or Restricted Securities
The
Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable
or cannot be disposed of promptly within seven days and in the usual course of business without taking a materially reduced price. Illiquid
securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid securities
may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for a fair price as well as its ability to
take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity will be particularly acute where the Fund’s operations
require cash, such as when the Fund redeems shares or pays dividends, and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet short term cash requirements
or incurring capital losses on the sale of illiquid investments.
The
Fund may invest in securities that are not registered (“restricted securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “1933 Act”). Restricted securities may be sold in private placement transactions between issuers and their purchasers
and may be neither listed on an exchange nor traded in other established markets. In many cases, privately placed securities may
not be freely transferable under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or due to contractual restrictions on resale. As a result
of the absence of a public trading market, privately placed securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded
securities. To the extent that privately placed securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized
from the sales, due to illiquidity, could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than their fair market value. In
addition, issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements
that may be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If any privately placed securities held by the Fund are required
to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Fund may be required to bear the expenses
of registration. Certain of the Fund’s investments in private placements may consist of direct investments and may include
investments in smaller, less seasoned issuers, which may involve greater risks. These issuers may have limited product lines, markets
or financial resources, or they may be dependent on a limited management group. In making investments in such securities, the Fund
may obtain access to material nonpublic information, which may restrict the Fund’s ability to conduct portfolio transactions in
such securities.
Although
securities which may be resold only to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144A under
the 1933 Act are technically considered “restricted securities,” the Fund may each purchase Rule 144A securities without regard
to the limitation on investments in illiquid securities described above, provided that a determination is made that such securities have
a readily available trading market. The Fund may also purchase certain commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from
regulations in Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act (“4(a)(2) Paper”). The Adviser will determine the liquidity of Rule
144A securities and 4(a)(2) Paper under the supervision of the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”). The liquidity of Rule
144A securities and 4(a)(2) Paper will be monitored by the Adviser, and if as a result of changed conditions, it is determined that a
Rule 144A security or 4(a)(2) Paper is no longer liquid, the Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities will be reviewed to determine
what, if any, action is required to assure that the Fund does not exceed its applicable percentage limitation for investments in illiquid
securities.
Limited
Partnerships and Master Limited Partnerships
The
Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in limited partnerships. A limited partnership interest entitles the Fund to participate
in the investment return of the partnership’s assets as defined by the agreement among the partners. As a limited partner,
the Fund generally is not permitted to participate in the management of the partnership. However, unlike a general partner whose
liability is not limited, a limited partner’s liability is generally limited to the amount of its commitment to the partnership.
The
Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in equity securities of master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), and their affiliates. An
MLP generally has two classes of partners, the general partner and the limited partners. The general partner normally controls the
MLP through an equity interest plus units that are subordinated to the common (publicly traded) units for an initial period and then only
converting to common if certain financial tests are met. As a motivation for the general partner to successfully manage the MLP and
increase cash flows, the terms of most MLPs typically provide that the general partner receives a larger portion of the net income as
distributions reach higher target levels. As cash flow grows, the general partner receives a greater interest in the incremental
income compared to the interest of limited partners. The general partner’s incentive compensation typically increases to up
to 50% of incremental income. Nevertheless, the aggregate amount distributed to limited partners will increase as MLP distributions
reach higher target levels. Given this incentive structure, the general partner has an incentive to streamline operations and undertake
acquisitions and growth projects in order to increase distributions to all partners.
MLP
common units represent an equity ownership interest in a partnership, providing limited voting rights and entitling the holder to a share
of the company’s success through distributions and/or capital appreciation. Unlike shareholders of a corporation, common unit
holders do not elect directors annually and generally have the right to vote only on certain significant events, such as mergers, a sale
of substantially all of the assets, removal of the general partner or material amendments to the partnership agreement. MLPs are
required by their partnership agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. Common unit holders
generally have first right to a minimum quarterly distribution prior to distributions to the convertible subordinated unit holders or
the general partner (including incentive distributions). Common unit holders typically have arrearage rights if the minimum quarterly
distribution is not met. In the event of liquidation, MLP common unit holders have first right to the partnership’s remaining
assets after bondholders, other debt holders, and preferred unit holders have been paid in full. MLP common units trade on a national
securities exchange or over-the-counter. Some limited liability companies (“LLCs”) may be treated as MLPs for
federal income tax purposes. Similar to MLPs, LLCs typically do not pay federal income tax at the entity level and are required by
their operating agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. In contrast to MLPs, LLCs have no
general partner and there are no incentives that entitle management or other unit holders to increased percentages of cash distributions
as distributions reach higher target levels. In addition, LLC common unit holders typically have voting rights with respect to the
LLC, whereas MLP common units have limited voting rights. MLP common units and other equity securities can be affected by macroeconomic
and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or a MLP’s
business sector, changes in a particular issuer’s financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a particular
issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common units of individual MLPs and
other equity securities can also be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including earnings power and coverage
ratios.
MLP
convertible subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets
to the MLP, and institutional investors, and may be purchased in direct placements from such persons. The purpose of the convertible
subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed to
common unit holders. Convertible subordinated units generally are not entitled to distributions until holders of common units have
received specified minimum quarterly distributions, plus any arrearages, and may receive less in distributions upon liquidation. Convertible
subordinated unit holders generally are entitled to a minimum quarterly distribution prior to the payment of incentive distributions to
the general partner, but are not entitled to arrearage rights. Therefore, they generally entail greater risk than MLP common units. They
are generally convertible automatically into the senior common units of the same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage
of time or the satisfaction of certain financial tests. These units do not trade on a national exchange or over-the-counter, and
there is no active market for convertible subordinated units. The value of a convertible security is a function of its worth if converted
into the underlying common units.
Convertible
subordinated units generally have similar voting rights to MLP common units. Because convertible subordinated units generally convert
to common units on a one-to-one ratio, the price that the Fund could be expected to pay upon purchase or to realize upon resale
is generally tied to the common unit price less a discount. The size of the discount varies depending on a variety of factors including
the likelihood of conversion, and the length of time remaining to conversion, and the size of the block purchased.
MLP I-Shares represent
an indirect investment in MLP I-units. I-units are equity securities issued to affiliates of MLPs, typically a limited
liability company, that own an interest in and manage the MLP. The issuer has management rights but is not entitled to incentive
distributions. The I-Share issuer’s assets consist exclusively of MLP I-units. Distributions by MLPs
to I-unit holders are made in the form of additional I-units, generally equal in amount to the cash received by common
unit holders of MLPs. Distributions to I-Shareholders are made in the form of additional I-Shares, generally
equal in amount to the I-units received by the I-Share issuer. The issuer of the I-Share is taxed as
a corporation for federal income tax purposes; however, the MLP does not allocate income or loss to the I-Share issuer. Accordingly,
investors receive a Form 1099, are not allocated their proportionate share of income of the MLPs and are not subject to state income tax
filing obligations. The price of I-Shares and their volatility tend to be correlated to the price of common units, although
the price correlation is not precise.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk
Overall
market risks may also affect the value of the Fund. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels
and political events affect the securities markets.
Market
risk is the risk that one or more markets in which a Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will
go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic
trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer
or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional
or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue, e.g. COVID-19, recessions,
or other events could have a significant impact on a Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected
by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment
objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
The
Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions,
including those arising from war, terrorism, market manipulation, government interventions, defaults and shutdowns, political changes
or diplomatic developments, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics) and natural/environmental
disasters, which can all negatively impact the securities markets and cause a Fund to lose value. These events can also impair the technology
and other operational systems upon which a Fund’s service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, rely, and could otherwise
disrupt the Funds’ service providers’ ability to fulfill their obligations to the Funds.
COVID-19
has adversely affected and other infectious illness outbreaks, that may arise in the future could adversely affect the economies of many
nations and the entire global economy, individual issuers, and capital markets that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact
of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health
crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of these
effects cannot be determined with certainty.
Money
Market Instruments
The
Fund may invest in “money market instruments,” which include, among other things, obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, commercial paper rated in the highest grade by any nationally recognized
rating agency, and certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances issued by domestic banks having total assets in excess of one
billion dollars. Commercial paper may include variable and floating rate instruments. While there may be no active secondary
market with respect to a particular instrument purchased by the Fund, the Fund may, from time to time as specified in the instrument,
demand payment of the principal of the instrument or may resell the instrument to a third party. The absence of an active secondary
market, however, could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of the instrument if the issuer defaulted on its payment obligation or
during periods when the Fund is not entitled to exercise its demand rights, and the Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss
with respect to such instrument.
Other
Investment Companies
The
Fund may invest in other investment companies. Under the 1940 Act, subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may not own more than
3% of the outstanding voting stock of an investment company, invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, or
invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of investment companies. Such investments may include open-end investment
companies, closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts (“UITs”) and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). These
limitations do not apply to investments in securities of companies that are excluded from the definition of an investment company under
the 1940 Act, such as hedge funds or private investment funds. As the shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear,
along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. Such
expenses are in addition to the expenses the Fund pays in connection with its own operations.
Exchange-Traded
Funds. The Fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Most ETFs are investment companies. Therefore,
the Fund’s purchases of ETF shares generally are subject to the limitations on, and the risks of, the Fund’s investments in
other investment companies, which are described above under the heading “Investments In Other Investment Companies.”
An
investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange
traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range,
and the Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs are
subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade
at a discount to their net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained;
or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the
shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large
decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
Repurchase
Agreements
The
Fund may enter into repurchase agreements subject to resale to a bank or dealer at an agreed upon price which reflects a net interest
gain for the Fund. Repurchase agreements entail the Fund’s purchase of a fund eligible security from a bank or broker-dealer that
agrees to repurchase the security at the Fund’s cost plus interest within a specified time (normally one day). Repurchase agreements
permit an investor to maintain liquidity and earn income over periods of time as short as overnight. The term of such an agreement is
generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days, although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year) from the
date of delivery. The Fund will receive interest from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by the purchaser collateralized
by the underlying securities. The Fund will receive as collateral U.S. “government securities,” as such term is defined in
the 1940 Act, including securities of U.S. government agencies, or other collateral that the Fund’s investment advisor deems appropriate,
whose market value is equal to at least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund, and the Fund will make payment for such securities only
upon the physical delivery or evidence by book entry transfer to the account of its custodian. If the seller institution defaults, the
Fund might incur a loss or delay in the realization of proceeds if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines
and it might incur disposition costs in liquidating the collateral. The Fund attempts to minimize such risks by entering into such transactions
only with well-capitalized financial institutions and specifying the required value of the underlying collateral.
Securities
Lending
The
Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain borrowers. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal
to the current market value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities
loaned. The Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities. Distributions received
on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments (i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income.
With
respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral.
The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower.
In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value
of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending
Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, which may include those managed by the Adviser.
The
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 securities
lending agents approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) who administer the lending program for the Fund
in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. In such capacity, the lending agent causes the delivery of loaned securities from
the 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.
Securities
lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement
and accounting process), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and
the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower does not return
the Fund’s securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not
at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing
replacement securities. Investing cash collateral subjects the Fund to greater market risk, including losses on the collateral and, should
the Fund need to look to the collateral in the event of the borrower’s default, losses on the loan secured by that collateral.
Short
Sales
The
Fund will not make short sales of securities or maintain a short position unless, at all times when a short position is open, the Fund
owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration,
for securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. This is a technique known as selling short
“against the box.” Any gain realized by the Fund on such sales will be recognized at the time the Fund enters into the short
sales.
Small
Unseasoned Companies
The
Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in small, less well-known companies, which (including predecessors) have operated less than
three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity.
Temporary
Investments
The
Fund does not intend to engage in short-term trading on an ongoing basis. Current income is not an objective of the Fund, and any
current income derived from the Fund’s portfolio will be incidental. For temporary defensive purposes, when deemed necessary
by the Adviser, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in U.S. Government obligations or “high-quality” debt obligations
of companies incorporated and having principal business activities in the United States. When the Fund’s assets are so invested,
they are not invested so as to meet the Fund’s investment objective. High-quality short-term obligations are those obligations
which, at the time of purchase, (1) possess a rating in one of the two highest ratings categories from at least one nationally recognized
statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) (for example, commercial paper rated “A-1” or “A-2” by
Standard & Poor’s Rating Services(“S&P”) or “P-1” or “P-2” by
Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)) or (2) are unrated by an NRSRO but are determined by the Adviser to
present minimal credit risks and to be of comparable quality to rated instruments eligible for purchase by the Fund under guidelines adopted
by the Trustees.
U.S.
Government Securities
The
Fund may invest in some or all of the following U.S. government securities:
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● |
U.S. Treasury Bills - Direct obligations
of the U.S. Treasury that are issued in maturities of one year or less. No interest is paid on Treasury bills; instead, they are
issued at a discount and repaid at full face value when they mature. They are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. |
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● |
U.S. Treasury Notes and Bonds -
Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury issued in maturities that vary between one and thirty years, with interest normally payable every
six months. These obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. |
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● |
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
(“TIPS”) – Fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The
interest rate on TIPS is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal
value that has been adjusted for inflation. Although repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed, the market
value of TIPS is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. |
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● |
“Ginnie Maes” –
Debt securities issued by a mortgage banker or other mortgagee which represent an interest in a pool of mortgages insured by the Federal
Housing Administration or the Rural Housing Service or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. GNMA guarantees the timely payment of
principal and interest when such payments are due, whether or not these amounts are collected by the issuer of these certificates on the
underlying mortgages. It is generally understood that a guarantee by GNMA is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Mortgages included in single family or multi-family residential mortgage pools backing an issue of Ginnie Maes have a maximum maturity
of 30 years. Scheduled payments of principal and interest are made to the registered holders of Ginnie Maes (such as the Fund) each month.
Unscheduled prepayments may be made by homeowners, or as a result of a default. Prepayments are passed through to the registered holder
(such as the Fund, which reinvest any prepayments) of Ginnie Maes along with regular monthly payments of principal and interest. |
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● |
“Fannie Maes” –
The FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders that purchases residential mortgages from a list
of approved seller/servicers, including state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial
banks, credit unions and mortgage banks. Fannie Maes are pass-through securities issued by FNMA that are guaranteed as to timely payment
of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. |
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● |
“Freddie Macs” –
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) is a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government. Freddie Macs are
participation certificates issued by FHLMC that represent an interest in residential mortgages from FHLMC’s National Portfolio.
FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but Freddie Macs are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Government. |
Risks. U.S.
Government securities generally do not involve the credit risks associated with investments in other types of fixed-income securities,
although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than the yields available from corporate
fixed-income securities. Like other debt securities, however, the values of U.S. Government securities change as interest rates fluctuate.
Fluctuations in the value of portfolio securities will not affect interest income on existing portfolio securities but will be reflected
in the Fund’s NAV. Since the magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater at times when the Fund’s average maturity
is longer, under certain market conditions the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, accept lower current income from short-term
investments rather than investing in higher yielding long-term securities.
Government-related
guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA, a federally chartered
and privately-owned corporation, issues pass-through securities representing interests in a pool of conventional mortgage loans. FNMA
guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest but this guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. FNMA
is a government sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Treasury. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any
government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally-chartered savings
and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions, and mortgage bankers. FHLMC, a federally chartered
and privately-owned corporation, was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for
residential housing. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”) which represent interests in conventional mortgages
from FHLMC’s national fund. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal and maintains
reserves to protect holders against losses due to default, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. As
is the case with GNMA certificates, the actual maturity of and realized yield on particular FNMA and FHLMC pass-through securities will
vary based on the prepayment experience of the underlying pool of mortgages.
In
September 2008, FNMA and FHLMC were each placed into conservatorship by the U.S. government under the authority of the Federal Housing
Finance Agency (“FHFA”), an agency of the U.S. government, with a stated purpose to preserve and conserve FNMA’s and
FHLMC’s assets and property and to put FNMA and FHLMC in a sound and solvent condition. No assurance can be given that the
purposes of the conservatorship and related actions under the authority of FHFA will be met.
FHFA
has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by FNMA or FHLMC prior to FHFA’s appointment if FHFA determines that performance
of the contract is burdensome and the repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of FNMA’s or FHLMC’s
affairs. FHFA has indicated that it has no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of FNMA or FHLMC. FHFA also has the
right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of FNMA or FHLMC without any approval, assignment or consent, although FHFA has stated
that is has no present intention to do so. In addition, holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC may not enforce
certain rights related to such securities against FHFA, or the enforcement of such rights may be delayed, during the conservatorship.
The
values of TIPS generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal
interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates
might decline, leading to an increase in value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate
than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of TIPS. If inflation is lower than expected during
the period the Fund holds TIPS, the Fund may earn less on the TIPS than on a conventional bond. If interest rates rise due to reasons
other than inflation (for example, changes in currency exchange rates), investors in TIPS may not be protected to the extent that the
increase is not reflected in the bonds’ inflation measure. There can be no assurance that the inflation index for TIPS will
accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.
Warrants
The
Fund may invest in warrants (issued by U.S. and foreign issuers) which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price
for a specific period of time. Warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do
not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities which may be purchased nor do they represent any rights
in the assets of the issuing company. Moreover, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying
securities. Also, a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. Warrants issued by foreign
issuers may also be subject to the general risk associated with an investment in a foreign issuer, as set forth under “Foreign Investments.”
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES
The
Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to the Fund. These restrictions cannot be
changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940
Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders
of the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund. Under these restrictions:
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1. |
The Fund may not make loans, except
that the Fund may: (i) lend portfolio securities; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; (iii) purchase all or a portion
of an issue of debt securities, bank loan or participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, debentures
or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities; and (iv) participate in an
interfund lending program with other registered investment companies; |
|
2. |
The Fund may not borrow money, except
as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time; |
|
3. |
The Fund may not issue senior securities,
except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time; |
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4. |
The Fund may not purchase or sell
real estate, except that the Fund may: (i) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein; (ii) invest
in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; and (iii) hold and sell
real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities; |
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5. |
The Fund may not engage in the business
of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with
its investments in other investment companies; |
|
6. |
The Fund may not purchase or sell
commodities other than gold bullion, silver, and platinum, unless acquired as a result of owning securities or other instruments, but
it may purchase, sell or enter into financial options and futures, forward and spot currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial
contracts or derivative instruments and may invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities; and |
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7. |
The Fund will not concentrate its
investments in particular industries with the exception of the mining or processing of gold. This limit does not apply to securities issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. |
The
Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as non-fundamental policies with respect to the Fund, which may be changed
by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Pursuant to such restrictions, the Fund will not:
|
1. |
make short sales of securities,
other than short sales “against the box,” or purchase securities on margin except for short-term credits necessary for clearance
of portfolio transactions, provided that this restriction will not be applied to limit the use of options, futures contracts and related
options, in the manner otherwise permitted by the investment restrictions, policies and investment program of the Fund; |
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2. |
purchase the securities of any other
investment company, if a purchasing Fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, owns in the aggregate, (i) more than 3%
of the total outstanding voting stock of such investment company, (ii) securities issued by such investment company having an aggregate
value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; except if rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission
allow the Fund to exceed such limits; or |
|
3. |
securities issued by such investment
company and all other investment companies having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; and invest
more than 15% of its total net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable or cannot
be disposed of promptly within seven days and in the usual course of business without taking a materially reduced price. Such securities
include, but are not limited to, time deposits and repurchase agreements with maturities longer than seven days. Securities that may be
resold under Rule 144A or securities offered pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, as amended, shall not be deemed illiquid
solely by reason of being unregistered. |
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 will be continuously complied with.
The
Fund’s policy to, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes)
(“Assets”) in gold and securities of companies located throughout the world, in both developed and emerging markets, that
are engaged in mining or processing gold is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders
will be provided with at least sixty days’ notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the Fund’s policy
to invest at least 80% of its Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
Portfolio
turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates may result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund had a portfolio turnover rate equal to 24% of the average value of its portfolio.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund had a portfolio turnover rate equal to 15% of the average value of its portfolio.
DISCLOSURE
OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The
Trust’s Board of Trustees has adopted the Adviser’s policies and procedures relating to the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings
information (the “Policy”). The Policy prohibits the disclosure of portfolio holdings unless: (1) the disclosure is in
response to a regulatory request and the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of the Fund has authorized such disclosure; (2) the
disclosure is to a mutual fund rating or statistical agency or person performing similar functions where there is a legitimate business
purpose for such disclosure and such entity has signed a confidentiality or similar agreement with the Fund or its agents and the CCO
of the Fund has authorized such disclosure (procedures to monitor the use of any non-public information by these entities may
include (a) annual certifications relating to the confidentiality of such information, or (b) the conditioning of the receipt
of such information along with other representations, including an undertaking not to trade based on the information where such representations
precede the transmittal of the information); (3) the disclosure is made to service providers involved in the investment process, administration
or custody of the Trust, including its Board of Trustees; or (4) the disclosure is made pursuant to prior written approval of the
CCO of the Fund. In determining whether to grant such approval, the CCO shall consider, among other things, whether there is a legitimate
business purpose for the disclosure and whether the recipient of such information is subject to an agreement or other requirement to maintain
the confidentiality of such information and to refrain from trading based on such information. Any disclosure made pursuant to Item (4) above
shall be reported to the Board at the next quarterly meeting. This policy also permits the Adviser and the Trust to disclose portfolio
holdings in connection with (a) quarterly, semi-annual or annual report that is available to the public, or (b) other periodic
disclosure that is publicly available. Subject to Items (1) to (4) above, executive officers of the Trust and Adviser are authorized
to release portfolio holdings information. The Adviser, the Trust and their respective executive officers shall not accept on behalf of
themselves, their affiliates or the Fund any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings
of the Fund. This Policy may change at any time without prior notice to shareholders. Any suspected breach of this obligation is required
to be reported immediately to the Trust’s CCO and to the reporting person’s supervisor. Currently, the Trust does not maintain
any ongoing arrangements with third parties pursuant to which non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio securities
holdings, including information derived from such holdings (e.g., breakdown of portfolio holdings by securities type) is provided. Portfolio
holdings information may be provided to the Trust’s service providers on an as-needed basis in connection with the services
provided to the Fund by such service providers. Information may be provided to these parties without a time lag. Service providers that
may be provided with information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings include the Adviser and its affiliates, legal counsel,
independent registered public accounting firm, custodian, fund accounting agent, financial printers, proxy voting service providers, broker-dealers
who are involved in executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund, and pricing information vendors. Portfolio holdings information
may also be provided to the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
The
Board of the Trust consists of five Trustees, four of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act), of the
Trust (“Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Trust, including
the general oversight of the duties and responsibilities performed by the Adviser and other service providers to the Trust. The Adviser
is responsible for the day-to-day administration, operation, and business affairs of the Trust.
The
Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with
those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite skills and attributes to carry out its oversight
responsibilities with respect to the Trust. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review, critically evaluate, question
and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, the Trust’s other service providers, counsel
and independent auditors, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, support this conclusion. In
reaching its conclusion, the Board also has considered the (i) experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, among others,
of its members, (ii) each member’s character and integrity, (iii) the length of service as a board member of the Trust,
(iv) each person’s willingness to serve and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee, and (v) as
to each Independent Trustee, such Trustee’s status as not being an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of the Trust.
References
to the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute the holding
out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability
on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
The
Trustees of the Trust, their addresses, positions with the Trust, ages, term of office and length of time served, principal occupations
during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Trustee and other directorships, if any, held
by the Trustees, are set forth below.
The
Board is also responsible for overseeing the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser and
receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis (following the initial two-year period),
in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser or Sub-Advisory Agreement
with the Sub-Adviser, the Board or its designee may meet with the Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board
regularly considers the Adviser’s adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies
and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s performance and the
Fund’s investments, including, for example, portfolio holdings schedules.
The
Trust’s CCO reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues and Fund or Adviser risk assessments. At least
annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer 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 Adviser. The report addresses the operation of
the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any 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 any material
compliance matters since the date of the last report.
The
Board receives reports from the Fund’s service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity
of portfolio securities. Annually, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its
audit of the Fund’s financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Fund and noting any significant deficiencies
or material weaknesses in the Fund’s internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees
Fund management’s implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to
be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time
periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the
Trust’s financial statements.
From
their review of these reports and discussions with the Adviser, the CCO, the independent registered public accounting firm and other service
providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the Fund, thereby facilitating a dialogue about
how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The
Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective
to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the
Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness.
Moreover, reports received by the Board as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the
Fund’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Adviser, and other service providers, each of
which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions
are carried out may differ from the Fund’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 ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical
matter, is subject to limitations.
The
Board met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Independent
Trustees
Name,
Address 1
and Year
of Birth |
|
Position(s)
Held with
the Trust |
|
Term of
Office 2 and
Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
the
Fund
Complex
Overseen |
|
Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee
During the Past
Five Years |
Leslie
Barrett, 1965 |
|
Trustee |
|
Since
April, 2022 |
|
Senior
Software Engineer at Bloomberg LP specializing in Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning since 2012. |
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
W. Clark,
1959
|
|
Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Head of Executive Committee, and member of Board of Directors of Chilton Investment Company
since 2005. |
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peyton
T. Muldoon,
1969
|
|
Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Licensed
salesperson, Sotheby’s International Realty, a global real estate brokerage firm (since 2011). |
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
Name,
Address 1
and Year
of Birth |
|
Position(s)
Held with
the Trust |
|
Term of
Office 2 and
Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
the
Fund
Complex
Overseen |
|
Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee
During the Past
Five Years |
James
R. Pierce, Jr.,
1956
|
|
Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Chairman,
Marsh, insurance broker and risk management, from 2020 to 2022; Chairman of JLT Specialty Insurance Services, Inc. from 2018 to 2019.
|
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
|
1. |
The address for each Trustee is 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. |
|
2. |
Each Trustee serves until resignation, death, retirement or
removal. |
Interested
Trustee and Officer
Name,
Address 1 and
Year
of Birth |
|
Position(s)
Held with
the Trust |
|
Term of
Office 2 and
Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
the Fund
Complex
Overseen |
|
Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee
During the Past Five
Years |
John
Ciampaglia,
1970
|
|
President
and Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Senior
Managing Partner of Sprott Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Sprott Asset Management, Inc. (Since 2010). |
|
8 |
|
None. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
W. Ulrich,
1963
|
|
Secretary,
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Managing
Partner, Sprott Inc. group of companies since January 2018, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Sprott Asset Management USA
Inc. (since October, 2012); General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Sprott Global Resource Investments Ltd. (since October, 2012). |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Name,
Address 1 and
Year
of Birth |
|
Position(s)
Held with
he Trust |
|
Term of
Office 2 and
Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
the Fund
Complex
Overseen |
|
Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee
During the Past Five
Years |
Varinder
Bhathal,
1971
|
|
Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer of Sprott Asset Management LP (since Dec 2018); Managing Partner, Corporate Finance and Investment Operations of Sprott
Inc. (since Oct 2017); Chief Financial Officer of Sprott Capital Partners (since Oct 2016); Vice President, Finance of Sprott Inc. (Dec
2015 to Oct 2017). |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
1. |
The address for each Trustee and officer is 200 Bay Street,
Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. |
|
2. |
Each Trustee serves until resignation, death, retirement or
removal. |
Board
Committees
The
Board has an Audit Committee consisting of all Trustees who are Independent Trustees. Mr. Michael Clark currently serves as a member
of the Audit Committee and has been designated as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Mr. Clark, an Independent Trustee, is the Chairman
of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the responsibility, among other things, to: (i) oversee the accounting and financial
reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the
Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist the Board’s
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 audit; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the
Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence
and performance of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s
independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Audit Committee
met two times.
The
Board also has a Nominating Committee consisting of all Trustees who are Independent Trustees. Mr. Pierce, an Independent Trustee,
is the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending qualified candidates to the Board
in the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating Committee would consider recommendations by shareholders if a vacancy
were to exist. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence to the Secretary of the Trust
at the Trust’s address and the shareholder communication will be forwarded to the Committee Chairperson for evaluation In considering
Trustee nominee candidates, the Nominating Committee takes into account a wide variety of factors, including the overall diversity of
the Board’s composition. The Nominating Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of background, experience
and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific
policy in this regard. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Nominating Committee did not meet.
The
Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate given the business and nature of the Trust. In connection with its determination,
the Board considered that the Chairman of the Board is an interested Trustee. The Chairman of the Board can play an important role in
setting the agenda of the Board and also serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the other Independent Trustees.
The Independent Trustees believe that the Chairman’s relationship with the Adviser facilitates meaningful dialogue between the Adviser
and the Independent Trustees. The Board also considered that the Chairman of the Audit Committee is an Independent Trustee, which yields
similar benefits with respect to the functions and activities of the various Board committees. The Independent Trustees also regularly
meet outside the presence of management. The Board has determined that its committees help ensure that the Trust has effective and independent
governance and oversight. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information
to the Independent Trustees from management of the Trust, including the Adviser. The Board reviews its structure on an annual basis.
As
an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the Trust in the interests of shareholders, the Board, as a general matter, oversees
risk management of the Trust’s investment programs and business affairs. The function of the Board with respect to risk management
is one of oversight and not active involvement in, or coordination of, day-to-day risk management activities for the Trust.
The Board recognizes that (i) not all risks that may affect the Trust can be identified, (ii) it may not be practical or cost-effective
to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, (iii) it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve
the Trust’s goals, and (iv) the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their
effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees that may relate to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant
information.
The
Board exercises oversight of the risk management process primarily through the Audit Committee, and through oversight by the Board itself.
The Trust faces a number of risks, such as investment-related and compliance risks. The Adviser’s personnel seek to identify and
address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services,
investment performance or reputation of the Trust. Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable Committee of the Board,
the Trust, and Adviser employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify such possible events or circumstances, to lessen
the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes,
procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance
Officer, as well as various personnel of the Adviser and other service providers such as the Trust’s independent accountants, may
report to the Audit Committee and/or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events and circumstances
that have arisen and responses thereto.
As
of December 31, 2022, the officers and Trustees of the Trust, in the aggregate, own less than 1% of the Shares of the Fund.
For
each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Trust and in all registered investment companies
advised by the Adviser (“Family of Investment Companies”) that are overseen by the Trustee is shown below.
Name of
Trustee |
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in
the Fund (as of December 31, 2022) |
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities
in all Registered Investment Companies
Overseen
By Trustee In Family of
Investment Companies (as of December 31,
2022) |
Leslie
Barrett |
|
None |
|
None |
Michael W. Clark |
|
None |
|
None |
Peyton
T. Muldoon |
|
None |
|
$10,001
- $50,000 |
James
R. Pierce, Jr. |
|
$10,001
- $50,000 |
|
Over
$100,000 |
John
Ciampaglia |
|
None |
|
None |
As
to each Independent Trustee and his immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities in the Adviser or Sprott
Global Resource Investments Ltd. (“Distributor”), or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.
Shareholder
Communications to the Board
Shareholders
may send communications to the Board by addressing the communications directly to the Board (or individual Board members) and/or otherwise
clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board (or individual Board members). The shareholder may send the
communication to either the Trust’s office or directly to such Board members at the address specified for each Trustee. Other shareholder
communications received by the Trust not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management.
Such communications will be forwarded to the Board at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.
Remuneration
of Trustees
Effective
July 1, 2022, each current Independent Trustee is paid an annual retainer of $65,000 for his or her services as a Board member to the
Fund, together with out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with the Board’s policy on travel and other business expenses
relating to attendance at meetings.
Annual
Trustee fees may be reviewed periodically and changed by the Board.
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2022.
Name
of Trustee |
Aggregate
Compensation
From
the
Fund |
Pension
or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued
as
Part
of Fund
Expenses |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits
Upon
Retirement |
Total
Compensation
from
Trust
and
the
Fund
Complex(1)
Paid
to
Trustees |
Leslie
Barrett |
$16,858 |
$0 |
$0 |
$36,767 |
Michael W. Clark |
$19,571 |
$0 |
$0 |
$42,685 |
Peyton
T. Muldoon |
$19,571 |
$0 |
$0 |
$42,685 |
James
R. Pierce, Jr. |
$19,571 |
$0 |
$0 |
$42,685 |
John
Ciampaglia |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
(1) |
The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and another
registered investment company for which Sprott Asset Management LP provides investment advisory services. |
Limitation
of Trustees’ Liability
The
Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable 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 shall not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent,
employee, adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee.
The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Trust, any person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as a Trustee, officer, trustee, employee or agent
of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise to the extent and in the manner provided
in the Amended and Restated By-laws. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against
any liability for his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of the office of Trustee. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee’s individual liability in any manner
inconsistent with the federal securities laws.
MANAGEMENT
AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
The
following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Management of the
Fund.”
Investment
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP acts as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Adviser
with respect to the Fund (“Advisory Agreement”) and, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, is responsible for the day-to-day investment
management of the Fund. The Adviser is owned and controlled by Sprott Asset Management GP Inc. and Sprott, Inc.
Subject
to the authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business
affairs. The Adviser invests the assets of the Fund, either directly or through the use of sub-advisers, according to the Fund’s
investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own expense all of the necessary office facilities, equipment
and personnel required for managing the assets of the Fund.
For
the performance of its services under the Agreements, the Adviser receives a fee from the Fund, calculated daily and payable monthly,
at an annual rate of 1.00% on the first $500 million of the average daily net assets of the Gold Fund, 0.75% of the average daily
net assets in excess of $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion, and 0.65% of the average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion.
A
discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ most recent approval of the advisory agreements for the Fund is available
in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended December 31, 2022.
Pursuant
to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising
under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Advisory Agreement is terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Board and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The
Fund changed its fiscal year-end from October 31 to December 31, effective with the two-month period ended December 31, 2020. The table
below sets forth for the fiscal periods indicated, the management fees payable to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, the amount of
the advisory fees and Fund operating expenses waived or recouped by the Adviser and the total advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser
under the Advisory Agreement:
Advisory
Fee Payable to Sprott Asset Management LP |
Fiscal
Period |
Advisory
Fee |
(Waiver) |
Advisory
Fee After Waiver |
December
31, 2022 |
$8,031,972 |
$0 |
$8,031,972 |
December
31, 2021 |
$9,351,377 |
$0 |
$9,351,377 |
November
1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 |
$1,679,560 |
$0 |
$1,679,560 |
October
31, 2020 |
$9,428,083 |
$0 |
$9,428,083 |
Sub-Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management USA Inc. acts as investment sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Sub-Adviser and
the Adviser with respect to the Fund (“Sub-Advisory Agreement”) and, pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, is responsible
for the recommendation of the purchase, retention and sale of the Fund’s portfolio securities, subject to the oversight of the Adviser
and the Board. The sub-advisory fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Fund is not responsible for the payment of this sub-advisory fee.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities
arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable
upon 60 days’ notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for approving the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is
available in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the period ended December 31, 2022.
Other
Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
|
|
Other Accounts Managed
(As of December
31, 2022) |
|
Accounts with respect to which the
advisory fee is based on the
performance of the account |
Name of
Portfolio
Manager |
|
Category
of Account |
|
Number of
Accounts in
Category |
|
Total
Assets in
Accounts
in
Category |
|
Number
of
Accounts
in
Category |
|
Total
Assets in
Accounts
in
Category |
John
Hathaway |
|
Registered
investment companies |
|
3 |
|
$169.1M |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
Other
pooled investment vehicles |
|
2 |
|
$91.9M |
|
2 |
|
$91.9M |
|
Other
accounts |
|
2 |
|
$31.3M |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
Douglas
B. Groh |
|
Registered
investment companies |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
Other
pooled investment vehicles |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
Other
accounts |
|
7 |
|
$275M |
|
1 |
|
$75M |
|
|
Other Accounts Managed
(As of December
31, 2022) |
|
Accounts with respect to which the
advisory fee is based on the
performance of the account |
Name of
Portfolio
Manager |
|
Category
of Account |
|
Number of
Accounts in
Category |
|
Total
Assets in
Accounts
in
Category |
|
Number
of
Accounts
in
Category |
|
Total
Assets in
Accounts
in
Category |
Maria
Smirnova |
|
Registered
investment companies |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
Other
pooled investment vehicles |
|
2 |
|
$179M |
|
2 |
|
$179M |
|
Other
accounts |
|
2 |
|
$36M |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
Shree
Kargutkar |
|
Registered
investment companies |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
|
Other
pooled investment vehicles |
|
2 |
|
$69M |
|
2 |
|
$69M |
|
Other
accounts |
|
2 |
|
$49M |
|
0 |
|
$0 |
Portfolio
Manager Compensation
Compensation. Mr.
Hathaway, Mr. Groh, Ms. Smirnova and Mr. Kargutkar each receive compensation in connection with their management of the Fund and other
accounts identified above, which includes the following components: (1) base remuneration, (2) incentive fee, and (3) a discretionary
annual bonus.
Base
Remuneration. The annual base remuneration can be a fixed or variable amount. Certain Portfolio Managers and the investment team members
are paid a fixed remuneration out of the variable amount, which is discussed below. Mr. Groh, Ms. Smirnova and Mr. Kargutkar each receive
a fixed remuneration. Mr. Hathaway receives a variable remuneration. The variable amount is calculated using the amount of investment
advisory fees collected by the Adviser each month, in arrears, derived from the value of the portfolio assets of accounts (including the
Fund), for which these individuals are Portfolio Managers.
These
Portfolio Managers will receive the balance of any respective variable amounts remaining as their compensation, after payment of the fixed
amounts to the Portfolio Managers mentioned above and other members of the investment team and certain other expenses.
Incentive
Fee. For some accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, a portion of the fees paid to the Adviser may be linked to performance. For
these particular accounts, the Adviser will receive an incentive fee in addition to the standard advisory fee if the performance of the
account raises the value of the account above a predetermined threshold. These Portfolio Managers are then paid a percentage of all these
incentive fees and the Adviser retains the balance. The Fund is not among the accounts included in the incentive fee arrangement and,
consequently, the Fund’s performance does not impact any Portfolio Manager’s receipt of an incentive fee
Bonus.
Each Portfolio Manager is eligible to receive a discretionary annual bonus in addition to his or her base remuneration. The level of the
discretionary bonus is determined by the General Partner based upon a number of factors, including the firm’s profitability, the
expansion of the client account base, the securities market environment for the respective period, the portion of revenue generated by
the work and effort of the Portfolio Manager, the involvement of the Portfolio Manager in the investment management functions of the Adviser,
his or her role in the development of other investment professionals and his or her work relationship with support staff, and his or her
overall contribution to strategic planning and his or her input in decisions for the Adviser’s group of investment managers.
Portfolio
Manager Share Ownership
The
following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Fund’s portfolio managers as of December
31, 2022.
Name
of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
John Hathaway |
Over
$1,000,000 |
Douglas B.
Groh |
$100,001
- $500,000 |
Maria Smirnova |
None |
Shree
Kargutkar |
None |
Conflicts
of Interest
A
conflict of interest may arise as a result of the Portfolio Managers being responsible for multiple accounts, including the Fund that
may have different investment guidelines and objectives. In addition to the Fund, these accounts may include other mutual funds managed
on an advisory or sub-advisory basis, separate accounts and collective trust accounts. An investment opportunity may be suitable
for the Fund as well as for any of the other managed accounts. However, the investment may not be available in sufficient quantity for
all of the accounts to participate fully. In addition, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by the Fund or the
other account. The other accounts may have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Fund, may track the same benchmarks or indices
as the Fund tracks, and may sell securities that are eligible to be held, sold or purchased by the Fund. The Portfolio Managers may be
responsible for accounts that have different advisory fee schedules, such as performance-based fees, which may create an incentive for
the Portfolio Managers to favor one account over another in terms of access to investment opportunities or the allocation of the Portfolio
Managers’ time and resources. The Portfolio Managers may also manage accounts whose investment objectives and policies differ from
those of the Fund, which may cause the Portfolio Managers to effect trading in one account that may have an adverse effect on the value
of the holdings within another account, including the Fund.
To
address and manage these potential conflicts of interest, the Adviser has adopted compliance policies and procedures to allocate investment
opportunities and to ensure that each of their clients is treated on a fair and equitable basis. Such policies and procedures include,
but are not limited to, trade allocation and trade aggregation policies and oversight by investment management and the Compliance team.
The
Adviser supervises administration of the Fund pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement with the Fund. Under the Administrative
Services Agreement, the Adviser supervises the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s operations, including the Fund’s
receipt of services for which the Fund is obligated to pay, provides the Fund with general office facilities and provides, at the Fund’s
expense, the services of persons necessary to perform such supervisory, administrative and clerical functions as are needed to effectively
operate the Fund. Those persons, as well as certain officers and Trustees of the Fund, may be directors, officers or employees of (and
persons providing services to the Fund may include) the Adviser and its affiliates. For these services and facilities, the Adviser receives
a fee computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of: (i) 0.15% on the first $400 million of average daily net assets of the Fund;
(ii) 0.13% on the next $600 million of average daily net assets of the Fund; and (iii) 0.12% on the average daily net assets of the
Fund in excess of $1 billion.
Administration
Fees Paid by the Fund
During
Fiscal Period Ended |
December
31, 2022 |
December
31, 2021 |
November
1, 2020 through
December
31, 2020 |
October
31, 2020 |
$1,257,774 |
$1,490,593 |
$271,284 |
$1,507,049 |
Sub-Administrator
The
Adviser has entered into a Sub-Administration Agreement (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”) with U.S.
Bank Global Fund Services (the “Sub-Administrator”), which is located at 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor,
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701. Under the Sub-Administration Agreement, the Sub-Administrator assists in supervising all
aspects of the Trust’s operations except those performed by the Adviser under its advisory agreements with the Trust. The Sub-Administrator acts
as a liaison among all Fund service providers; coordinates Trustee communication through various means; assists in the audit process;
monitors compliance with the 1940 Act, state “Blue Sky” authorities, the SEC and the Internal Revenue Service; and prepares
financial reports. For the services it provides, the Adviser pays the Sub-Administrator a fee based on the assets of the Fund.
The fee payable to the Sub-Administrator by the Adviser is calculated daily and payable monthly at an annual rate, subject to
a minimum annual fee for the Fund of $60,000. The Sub-Administrator also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend
paying agent and provides the Fund with certain fulfillment, accounting and other services pursuant to agreements.
For
the fiscal period ended December 31, 2022, the Fund paid $365,014 to the Sub-Administrator. For the fiscal period ended December 31, 2021,
the Fund paid $413,627 to the Sub-Administrator. For the fiscal period from November 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Fund paid
$76,868 to the Sub-Administrator. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund paid $215,493 to the Sub-Administrator for services
provided pursuant to the Sub-Administration Agreement.
Distributor
Sprott
Global Resource Investments LTD (the “Distributor”), located at 1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 200. Carlsbad,
CA 92008, serves as the Fund’s distributor and principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement dated and approved by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust on September 4, 2019. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Adviser. The Fund has appointed
the Distributor to act as its underwriter to promote and arrange for the sale of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund to the public
through its sales representatives and to investment dealers as long as it has unissued and/or treasury shares available for sale. The
Distributor shall bear the expenses of printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information (other than those
prospectuses and statements of additional information required by applicable laws and regulations to be distributed to the shareholders
by the Fund and pursuant to any Rule 12b-1 distribution plan), and any other promotional or sales literature which are used
by the Distributor or furnished by the Distributor to purchasers or dealers in connection with the Distributor’s activities. While
the Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of the Trust’s shares, the Distributor has agreed to devote reasonable
time and effort to enlist investment dealers and otherwise promote the sale and distribution of Fund shares as well as act as Distributor
for the sale and distribution of the shares of the Fund as such arrangements may profitably be made. The Distribution Agreement will automatically
terminate in the event of its assignment.
The
Fund has adopted a distribution and service plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act (the “Plan”). The Plan provides
that the Fund pays Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees of a certain percentage per annum of the Fund’s average daily
net assets. The Plan compensates the Distributor regardless of expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Plan is intended to
benefit the Fund, among other things, by supporting the Fund’s distribution, which may increase its assets and reduce its expense
ratio. The Independent Trustees has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Plan provides that the Fund may finance activities which are primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund’s shares,
including, but not limited to, advertising, printing of prospectuses and reports for other than existing shareholders, preparation and
distribution of advertising material and sales literature and payments to dealers and shareholder servicing agents including the Distributor
who enter into agreements with the Fund or the Distributor.
In
approving the Plan in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Trustees (including the disinterested
Trustees) considered various factors and have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and
its shareholders. The Plan will continue in effect from year to year if specifically approved annually by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements relating to the Plan. When the Plan is in effect, the Trust’s
Principal Financial Officer shall prepare and furnish to the Board of Trustees a written report setting forth the amounts spent by the
Fund under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount
to be spent for distribution without shareholder approval and all material amendments to the Plan must be approved by the Board of Trustees
and by the disinterested Trustees cast in person at a meeting called specifically for that purpose. When the Plan is in effect, the selection
and nomination of the disinterested Trustees shall be made by those disinterested Trustees then in office.
The
table below shows the amount of Rule 12b-1 distribution fees incurred and the allocation of such fees by the Investor Class shares of
the Fund for the fiscal periods indicated.
Actual
Rule 12b-1 Expenditures Incurred by the
Investor
Class Shares
During
the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
Total
Dollars Allocated |
Advertising/Marketing |
$0 |
|
Printing/Postage |
$0 |
|
Payment
to Distributor |
$0 |
|
Payment
to dealers |
$1,643,961 |
|
Compensation
to sales personnel |
$0 |
|
Other |
$0 |
|
Total |
$1,643,961 |
|
|
|
|
No Rule 12b-1 fees are
currently paid by the Institutional Class of the Fund, and there are no plans to impose such fees, as the Rule 12b-1 Plan
is not operable for the Class.
The
Fund sells and redeems its shares on a continuing basis at their net asset value. The Fund does not impose a charge for either purchases
or redemptions, except for a redemption fee imposed on shares of the Fund held for 90 days or less. The Distributor does not receive an
underwriting commission for any of shares the Fund. In effecting sales of Fund shares under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor,
as agent for the Fund, will solicit orders for the purchase of the Fund’s shares, provided that any subscriptions and orders will
not be binding on the Fund until accepted by the Fund as principal.
Custodian
and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bank
National Association serves as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. As custodian, U.S. Bank National Association
holds the Fund’s assets, calculates the NAV of Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. U.S. Bank
Global Fund Services also serves as transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. As compensation for
the foregoing services, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based
fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee.
Securities
Lending Agent
To
the extent the Fund engages in securities lending, a securities lending agent for the Fund (the “Securities Lending Agent”)
will be appointed pursuant to a written agreement (the “Securities Lending Agency Agreement”), who will be subject to the
overall supervision of the Adviser.
If
the Fund engages in securities lending, the Fund will retain a portion of the securities lending income and remit the remaining portion
to the Securities Lending Agent as compensation for its services. Securities lending income is generally equal to the total of income
earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment fees), and any fees or other payments to and from
borrowers of securities. The Securities Lending Agent will bear all operational costs directly related to securities lending.
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund earned income and incurred the following costs and expenses as a result of its securities
lending activities:
Gross
income from securities lending activities: |
$514,079 |
Feeds
and/or compensation for securities ending activities and related services: |
|
Fees
paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split |
$(102,816) |
Fees
paid for any cash collateral management service that are not included in the revenue split |
$0 |
Administrative
fees not included in revenue split |
$0 |
Indemnification
fee not included in revenue split |
$0 |
Rebates
(paid to borrower) |
$0 |
Other
fees not included in revenue split (specify) |
$0 |
Aggregate
fees/compensation for securities lending activities: |
$(102,816) |
Net
income from securities lending activities: |
$411,263 |
Counsel
Thompson
Hine LLP is counsel to the Trust, including the Fund and the Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined
in the 1940 Act.
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait,
Weller & Baker LLP serves as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and audits the Fund’s financial
statements and performs other related audit services.
QUARTERLY
PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE
The
Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings
with the SEC on Form N-PORT. The Form N-PORT for the Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
CODE
OF ETHICS
The
Trust and the Adviser have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics are designed
to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust and the Adviser from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection
with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to the codes of ethics). Each Code of Ethics
permits personnel subject to that Code of Ethics to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations,
including limitations related to securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The Distributor (as defined below) relies on the
principal underwriters exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust
or the Adviser, and no officer, director, or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director, or general partner of
the Trust or the Adviser.
There
can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each code of ethics may be examined on the
Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PROXY
VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information
regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30
is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-844-940-4653 or on the Fund’s website, and on the SEC’s
website at http://www.sec.gov. Proxies for the Fund’s portfolio securities
are voted in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, which are set forth in Appendix A to this SAI.
The
Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1
through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for the Fund is available through by writing
to U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701. The Fund’s Form N-PX will
also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
BROKERAGE
TRANSACTIONS
Subject
to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund are made by the Adviser. The Adviser
is authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to such unaffiliated brokers who also provide research or statistical
material, or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions
as the Adviser shall determine and the Adviser will report on said allocations regularly to the Board of Trustees indicating the unaffiliated
brokers to whom such allocations have been made and the basis therefore. The Trustees have authorized the allocation of brokerage
to affiliated broker-dealers on an agency basis to effect portfolio transactions. The Trustees have adopted procedures incorporating
the standards of Rule 17e-1 of the 1940 Act, which require that the commission paid to affiliated broker-dealers must be “reasonable
and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received, or to be received, by other brokers in connection with comparable
transactions involving similar securities during a comparable period of time.” Although the Adviser believes that it properly
discharges its obligations to achieve best execution for the Trust, it does not represent to the Fund that it will necessarily obtain
the lowest possible commission charge on every trade. At times, the Fund may also purchase portfolio securities directly from dealers
acting as principals, underwriters or market makers. As these transactions are usually conducted on a net basis, no brokerage commissions
are paid by the Fund.
In
selecting a broker to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration: the best net price
available; the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker; the size and difficulty in executing the order; and the value
of the expected contribution of the broker to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. Accordingly, the cost
of the brokerage commissions to the Fund in any transaction may be greater than that available from other brokers if the difference is
reasonably justified by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies and procedures as the
Board of Trustees may determine, the Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty solely by reason
of its having caused the Fund to pay an unaffiliated broker that provides research services to the Adviser for the Fund’s use of
an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have
charged for effecting the transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation
to the value of the research service provided by such broker viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser’s
ongoing responsibilities with respect to the Fund. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser has entered into agreements or understandings
with any brokers regarding the placement of securities transactions because of research services they provide. To the extent that
such persons or firms supply investment information to the Adviser for use in rendering investment advice to the Fund, such information
may be supplied at no cost to the Adviser and, therefore, may have the effect of reducing the expenses of the Adviser in rendering advice
to the Fund. While it is difficult to place an actual dollar value on such investment information, its receipt by the Adviser probably
does not reduce the overall expenses of the Adviser to any material extent. The practice of using commission dollars to pay for research
services with execution services is commonly referred to as “soft dollars”.
This
type of investment information provided to the Adviser is of the type described in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and is designed to augment the Adviser’s own internal research and investment strategy capabilities. The nature of research
services provided takes several forms including the following: advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing
in, purchasing or selling securities and the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing analyses
and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts;
and computerized valuation screens. The Adviser’s policy is to make an internal allocation of brokerage commissions to a limited
number of brokers for economic research and for valuation models and screens. Another internal allocation is made to a limited number
of brokers providing broad-based coverage of industries and companies, and also to brokers which provide specialized information on individual
companies. Research services furnished by brokers through which the Fund effects securities transactions are used by the Adviser
in carrying out its investment management responsibilities with respect to all its clients’ accounts.
The
Funds is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers” that the Fund has acquired during its most
recent fiscal year. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund did not acquire any such securities.
The
Fund is also required to identify any brokerage transactions during its most recent fiscal year that were directed to a broker because
of research services provided, along with the amount of any such transactions and any related commissions paid by the Fund. The following
table shows the amount of any such transactions and related commissions paid for research services for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2022.
Commissions |
Transactions |
$148,335 |
$127,681,477 |
The
following table indicates the amount of total brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions paid by the Fund for the last three fiscal
years.
Brokerage
Commissions Paid by the Fund
During
Fiscal Period Ended |
December
31, 2022 |
December
31, 2021 |
November
1, 2020 through
December
31, 2020 |
October
31, 2020 |
$6,529,921 |
$3,928,226 |
$100,093 |
$1,457,309 |
The
following table indicates the aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to the Distributor for the last three
fiscal years.
Brokerage
Commissions Paid to the Distributor
During
Fiscal Period Ended |
December
31, 2022 |
December
31, 2021 |
November
1, 2020 through
December
31, 2020 |
October
31, 2020 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the percentage of the Fund’s brokerage commissions paid to the Distributor and the aggregate
dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of such commissions were as follows:
%
of Total Brokerage Commissions Paid to the Distributor |
|
%
of Total Transactions Involving the Payment of Such Commissions |
0% |
|
0% |
DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE
NAV
for the 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 fees, are accrued
daily and taken into account for purposes of determining net asset value. The net asset value of the Fund is calculated by the Custodian
and determined at the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that such exchange
is open, provided that fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any
day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) announces an early closing time.
The
Adviser has been designated by the Board of Trustees of the Sprott Funds Trust as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule
2a-5 under the Investment Company Act.
In
calculating the Fund’s net asset value per Share, the Fund’s investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market
valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii)
based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker
(or dealer) or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation
means such fund’s published net asset value per share. Securities traded in any other U.S. or foreign market shall be valued in
a manner as similar as possible to the above, or if not so traded, on the basis of the latest available price. Securities sold short “against
the box” will be valued at market as determined above; however, in instances where the Fund has sold securities short against a
long position in the issuer’s convertible securities, for the purpose of valuation, the securities in the short position will be
valued at the “asked” price rather than the mean of the last “bid” and “asked” prices. Investments
in gold will be valued at the spot price of gold determined based on the mean of the last bid and asked prices (Bloomberg symbol “GOLDS”).
Investments in silver will be valued on the basis of the closing spot prices of the New York Commodity Exchange. Investments in other
precious metals will be valued at their respective market values determined on the basis of the mean between the last current bid and
asked prices based on dealer or exchange quotations.
The
Adviser may use various pricing services, or discontinue the use of any pricing service, as approved by the Board from time to time. A
price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation. 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
the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market value, the Trust’s
pricing procedures require the Adviser as the Fund’s Valuation Designee to determine a security’s fair value. In determining
such value the Adviser may consider, among other things, (i) price comparisons among multiple sources, (ii) a review of corporate
actions and news events, and (iii) a review of relevant financial indicators. In these cases, the Fund’s net asset value may
reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments
and it is possible that the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon
the sale of the security. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Fund’s portfolio
securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.
PURCHASE
AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
A
complete description of the manner by which the Fund’s shares may be purchased and redeemed appears in the Prospectus under the
headings “How to Purchase Shares of the Fund” and “How to Redeem Shares” respectively. Investors may, if they
wish, invest in the Fund through securities dealers with which they have accounts. Securities dealers may also designate their agents
and affiliates as intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received
a purchase or redemption order when the securities dealer or its designated agent or affiliate receives the order. Orders will be priced
at the Fund’s net asset value next computed after the orders are received by the securities dealers or their designated agent or
affiliate, subject to certain procedures with which the dealers or their agents must comply when submitting orders to the Fund’s
transfer agent.
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The
following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Distributions.”
General
Policies
The
Fund expects to declare and distribute all of its net investment income, if any, to shareholders as dividends at least annually. The Fund
may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or
income taxes on the Fund.
CONTROL
PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
A
principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of any Class of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
A control person is a shareholder that owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company
or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders owning voting securities in excess of 25% may determine the outcome of any matter
affecting and voted on by shareholders of the Fund. As of March 31, 2023, the following shareholders are considered to be either a control
person or principal shareholder of the Fund:
Institutional
Class |
Name
and Address |
%
Ownership |
Type
of
Ownership |
Parent
Company |
Jurisdiction |
National
Financial Services, LLC
For
the Exclusive Benefit of its Customers
499
Washington Blvd.
Jersey
City, NJ 07310-1995 |
33.29% |
Record |
FMR,
LLC |
DE |
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc.
Special
Custody Account for the Benefit of its Customers
211
Main Street
San
Francisco, CA 94105-1901 |
24.00% |
Record |
The
Charles Schwab Corporation |
DE |
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney, LLC
For
the Exclusive Benefit of its Customers
1
New York Plaza, Floor 12
New
York, NY 10004-1965 |
11.31% |
Record |
Morgan
Stanley |
DE |
Investor
Class |
Name
and Address |
%
Ownership |
Type
of
Ownership |
Parent
Company |
Jurisdiction |
National
Financial Services, LLC
For
the Exclusive Benefit of its Customers
499
Washington Blvd.
Jersey
City, NJ 07310-1995 |
24.77% |
Record |
FMR,
LLC |
DE |
|
|
|
|
|
Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc.
Special
Custody Account for the Benefit of its Customers
211
Main Street
San
Francisco, CA 94105-1901 |
24.76% |
Record |
The
Charles Schwab Corporation |
DE |
|
|
|
|
|
John
Hancock Life Insurance USA
Attn
JHRPS Trading OPS ST6
200
Berkeley Street
Boston,
MA 02116-5023
|
9.11% |
Record |
Manulife
Financial Securities LLC |
MA |
TD
Ameritrade Inc.
For
the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients
P.O.
Box 2226
Omaha,
NE 68103-2226 |
7.66% |
Record |
TD
Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. |
NE |
The
percentage ownership of shares of the Fund changes from time to time depending on purchases and redemptions by shareholders and the total
number of shares outstanding.
TAXES
The
following is a summary of certain additional federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that
are not described in the Prospectuses. This summary is not intended to be a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its
shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectuses are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning.
Qualification
as a Regulated Investment Company
The
Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a regulated investment company, the Fund is not subject to federal income tax on
the portion of its investment company taxable income (i.e., taxable interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses)
and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to shareholders,
provided that it distributes at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (i.e., net investment income and the excess of net
short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) for the taxable year, and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that
are described below. Distributions by the Fund made during the taxable year or, under specified circumstances in January of the subsequent
year, will be considered distributions of income and gains of the taxable year for this purpose.
The
Fund must also satisfy asset diversification tests in order to qualify as a regulated investment company. Under these tests, at the close
of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must consist of cash and
cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of
other issuers (as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets in securities of any one
issuer and does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of its
total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated
investment companies), in two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or
businesses, or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Generally, an option (call or put) with respect
to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the underlying security not the issuer of the option.
In
any given year, the Fund may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some or all cash distributions) for purposes
of satisfying the distribution requirements. The Fund that uses equalization accounting will allocate a portion of its undistributed investment
company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Fund shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and
gain that it distributes in cash. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that the Fund’s allocation is improper and that the
Fund has under-distributed its income and gain for any tax year, the Fund may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax, and, if
the distribution requirement has not been met, may also be unable to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company
(see discussion above on the consequences of the Fund failing to qualify for that treatment).
In
addition to satisfying the requirements described above, a regulated investment company must derive at least 90% of its gross income each
year from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or
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 from qualified publicly traded partnerships.
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) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions
will be taxable to the shareholders as dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such
distributions generally will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.
In
general, gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the disposition of an asset or as a result of certain constructive sales will be a capital
gain or loss. However, there are numerous exceptions to the rule, pursuant to which gain on the disposition of an asset is treated as
ordinary income. For example, gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by the Fund at a market discount will
generally be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount which accrued during the period of time the
Fund held the debt obligation. In addition, gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency
or an option with respect thereto attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and gain or loss recognized on the disposition
of a foreign currency forward contract, futures contract, option or similar financial instrument, or of foreign currency itself, will
generally be treated as ordinary income or loss.
Further,
the Code also treats as ordinary income a portion of the capital gain attributable to certain transactions where substantially all of
the return realized is attributable to the time value of the Fund’s net investment in the transaction.
In
general, for purposes of determining whether capital gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the disposition of an asset is long-term or
short-term, the holding period of the asset may be affected if (1) the asset is used to close a “short sale” (which includes
for certain purposes the acquisition of a put option) or is substantially identical to another asset so used, (2) the asset is otherwise
held by the Fund as part of a “straddle” (which term generally excludes a situation where the asset is stock and the Fund
grants a qualified covered call option (which, among other things, must not be deep-in-the-money) with respect thereto) or (3) the
asset is stock and the Fund grants an in-the-money qualified covered call option with respect thereto. In addition, the Fund
may be required to defer the recognition of a loss on the disposition of an asset held as part of a straddle to the extent of any unrecognized
gain on the offsetting position. Any gain recognized by the Fund on the lapse of, or any gain or loss recognized by the Fund from a closing
transaction with respect to, an option written by the Fund will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss.
For
the fiscal period ended December 31, 2022 the Fund had late year losses of $101,072.
At
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund had tax basis capital losses which may be carried forward to offset future capital gains:
Capital
Losses Expiring
Indefinite
Short-Term |
Capital
Losses Expiring
Indefinite
Long Term |
$(39,144,542) |
$(178,282,456) |
Certain
transactions that may be engaged in by the Fund (such as regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency contracts, and options
on stock indexes and futures contracts) will be subject to special tax treatment as “Section 1256 contracts.” Section 1256
contracts are treated as if they are sold for their fair market value on the last business day of the taxable year, even though a taxpayer’s
obligations (or rights) under such contracts have not terminated (by delivery, exercise, entering into a closing transaction or otherwise)
as of such date. Any gain or loss recognized as a consequence of the year-end deemed disposition of Section 1256 contracts
is taken into account for the taxable year together with any other gain or loss that was previously recognized upon the termination of
Section 1256 contracts during that taxable year. Any capital gain or loss for the taxable year with respect to Section 1256
contracts (including any capital gain or loss arising as a consequence of the year-end deemed sale of such contracts) is generally
treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. The Fund, however, may elect not to have this special
tax treatment apply to Section 1256 contracts that are part of a “mixed straddle” with other investments of the Fund
that are not Section 1256 contracts.
The
Fund may purchase securities of certain foreign investment funds or trusts which constitute passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”)
for federal income tax purposes. If the Fund invests in a PFIC, it has three separate options. First, it may elect to treat the PFIC as
a qualifying electing fund (a “QEF”), in which case it will each year have ordinary income equal to its pro rata share of
the PFIC’s ordinary earnings for the year and long-term capital gain equal to its pro rata share of the PFIC’s net capital
gain for the year, regardless of whether the Fund receives distributions of any such ordinary earnings or capital gains from the PFIC.
Second, the Fund may make a mark-to-market election with respect to its PFIC stock. Pursuant to such an election, the Fund will
include as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of such stock at the close of any taxable year over its adjusted tax basis
in the stock. If the adjusted tax basis of the PFIC stock exceeds the fair market value of such stock at the end of a given taxable year,
such excess will be deductible as ordinary loss in the amount equal to the lesser of the amount of such excess or the net mark-to-market gains
on the stock that the Fund included in income in previous years. The Fund’s holding period with respect to its PFIC stock subject
to the election will commence on the first day of the following taxable year. If the Fund makes the mark-to-market election
in the first taxable year it holds PFIC stock, it will not incur the tax described below under the third option.
Finally,
if the Fund does not elect to treat the PFIC as a QEF and does not make a mark-to-market election, then, in general, (1) any
gain recognized by the Fund upon a sale or other disposition of its interest in the PFIC or any “excess distribution” (as
defined) received by the Fund from the PFIC will be allocated ratably over the Fund’s holding period in the PFIC stock, (2) the
portion of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to the year in which the gain is recognized or the excess distribution is received
shall be included in the Fund’s gross income for such year as ordinary income (and the distribution of such portion by the Fund
to shareholders will be taxable as an ordinary income dividend, but such portion will not be subject to tax at the Fund level), (3) the
Fund shall be liable for tax on the portions of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to prior years in an amount equal to, for
each such prior year, (i) the amount of gain or excess distribution allocated to such prior year multiplied by the highest tax rate
(individual or corporate, as the case may be) in effect for such prior year, plus (ii) interest on the amount determined under clause
(i) for the period from the due date for filing a return for such prior year until the date for filing a return for the year in which
the gain is recognized or the excess distribution is received, at the rates and methods applicable to underpayments of tax for such period,
and (4) the distribution by the Fund to shareholders of the portions of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to prior years
(net of the tax payable by the Fund thereon) will again be taxable to the shareholders as an ordinary income dividend.
The
Fund that realized income from investments in foreign assets may have to report income from foreign currency gains or losses as separate
items of ordinary income or loss.
Treasury
Regulations permit a regulated investment company, in determining its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for any taxable year, to elect (unless it has made a taxable year
election for excise tax purposes as discussed below) to treat all or any part of any net capital loss, any net long-term capital loss
or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year.
Excise
Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
A
4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that fails to distribute in each calendar year an
amount equal to 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year and 98.2% of capital gain net income for the one-year period
ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30
or December 31, for its taxable year). The balance of such income must be distributed during the next calendar year. For the foregoing
purposes, a regulated investment company is treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable
year ending in such calendar year.
The
Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior
to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However, investors should note that the Fund may in certain circumstances
be required to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise tax liability or may incur the excise
tax.
Fund
Distributions
The
Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income for each taxable year. To the extent distributions
from the Fund are attributable to dividends received from U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations, such reported distributions
will be taxable to shareholders as qualified dividend income under current federal law and will qualify for the 20% maximum federal tax
rate currently applicable to dividends received by individuals if certain holding periods are met. Distributions from the Fund, including
distributions attributable to dividends from real estate investment trusts, may not qualify for the 20% dividend tax rate.
The
Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute
any such amounts. Net capital gain that is distributed and reported as a capital gain dividend will be taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his or her shares or whether such gain was recognized by the Fund
prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired his shares. The Code provides, however, that under certain conditions only 50% of
the capital gain recognized upon the Fund’s disposition of domestic “small business” stock will be subject to tax.
Conversely,
if the Fund decides to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss
carryovers) at the 21% federal corporate tax rate although in such a case it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders
of record on the last day of its taxable year treated as if each received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with
the result that each shareholder will be required to report his or her pro rata share of such gain on his tax return as long-term capital
gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for his pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis
for his shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Generally,
a dividend received by the Fund will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (1) if it has been received with respect to any share
of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock), excluding for this purpose under
the rules of the Code any period during which the Fund has an option to sell, is under a contractual obligation to sell, has made and
not closed a short sale of, is the grantor of a deep-in-the-money or otherwise non-qualified option to buy, or has otherwise
diminished its risk of loss by holding other positions with respect to, such (or substantially identical) stock; (2) to the extent
that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially
similar or related property; or (3) to the extent that the stock on which the dividend is paid is treated as debt-financed under
the rules of Code Section 246A. The 46-day holding period must be satisfied during the 91-day period beginning
45 days prior to each applicable ex-dividend date; the 91-day holding period must be satisfied during the 181-day period
beginning 90 days before each applicable ex-dividend date. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction for a corporate shareholder
may be disallowed or reduced if certain provisions of the Code apply.
Investment
income that may be received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes withheld at the source.
The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption
from, taxes on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Fund’s
assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Some of the Fund’s investment income may be subject to foreign income taxes
that are withheld at the source. Unless the Fund qualifies for and makes a special election, foreign taxes reduce net investment income
of the Fund and are borne at the Fund level rather than passed through to shareholders under the applicable tax laws. If the Fund qualifies
and meets certain legal requirements, it may pass-through these foreign taxes to shareholders. Shareholders may then claim a foreign tax
credit or a foreign tax deduction for their share of foreign taxes paid. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets
at the close of its taxable year consists of the stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to “pass through”
to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain exceptions for a fund of funds structure.
If the Fund so elects, each shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his pro rata
share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid his pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore
be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign
tax credit against federal income tax (but not both). For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules of the Code, each shareholder
would treat as foreign source income his pro rata share of such foreign taxes plus the portion of dividends received from the Fund representing
income derived from foreign sources. No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by an individual shareholder who does not itemize
deductions. Each shareholder should consult his own tax advisor regarding the potential application of foreign tax credits.
Distributions
by the Fund that do not constitute dividends or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in
reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares, as discussed
below.
Distributions
by the Fund will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund (or of another fund). Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of additional shares will be treated as receiving
a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date. In addition,
if the net asset value at the time a shareholder purchases shares of the Fund reflects undistributed net investment income or recognized
capital gain net income, or unrealized appreciation in the value of the assets of the Fund, distributions of such amounts will be taxable
to the shareholder in the manner described above, although such distributions economically constitute a return of capital to the shareholder.
The Fund may make taxable distributions even during periods in which share prices have declined. Tax considerations are not of primary
importance in the investment and sale decisions of the Fund. You are responsible for paying your tax liabilities attributable to income
you receive from the Fund.
Ordinarily,
shareholders are required to take distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends
declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be
deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are
actually paid in January of the following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of
distributions made (or deemed made) during the year.
The
Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury backup withholding, currently at a rate set under Section 3406
of the Code for U.S. residents for dividends and capital gains, and the proceeds of redemption of shares, paid to any shareholder (1) who
has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) who is subject to backup withholding for failure to properly
report the receipt of interest or dividend income, or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that it is not subject to backup
withholding or that it is a corporation or other “exempt recipient.” Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts
withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s ultimate federal income tax liability if proper documentation is provided.
Sale
or Redemption of Shares
A
shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund in an amount equal to the difference between the
proceeds of the sale or redemption and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss so recognized
may be disallowed if the shareholder purchases other shares of the Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. In general,
any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered capital gain
or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. A redemption in kind is a taxable
event to you. Under current law, long-term capital gain recognized by an individual shareholder will be taxed at a maximum federal rate
of 20% if the holder has held such shares for more than 12 months at the time of the sale. However, any capital loss arising from the
sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital
gain dividends received on such shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case
of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
Foreign
Shareholders
Taxation
of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign
partnership (“foreign shareholder”), depends on whether the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with
a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder.
If
the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, dividends paid
to a foreign shareholder will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty rate)
upon the gross amount of the dividend. Furthermore, such foreign shareholder may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%
(or lower applicable treaty rate) on the gross income resulting from the Fund’s election to treat any foreign taxes paid by it as
paid by its shareholders, but may not be allowed a deduction against this gross income or a credit against this U.S. withholding tax for
the foreign shareholder’s pro rata share of such foreign taxes which it is treated as having paid. Such a foreign shareholder would
generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on gains realized on the sale of shares of the Fund, capital gain dividends and amounts
retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains.
If
the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income
dividends, capital gain dividends, and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax
at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations.
In
the case of a foreign shareholder other than a corporation, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a backup withholding
rate of 24% on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless such shareholder
furnishes the Fund with proper notification of his foreign status.
The
tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described
herein. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Fund, including the applicability of foreign taxes.
The
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”)
A
30% withholding tax on the Fund’s distributions generally applies if paid to a foreign entity unless: (i) if the foreign entity
is a “foreign financial institution,” it undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding and certification obligations,
(ii) if the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” it identifies certain of its U.S. investors or (iii) the
foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA. If applicable under the rules above and subject to any applicable intergovernmental
agreements, withholding under FATCA is required generally with respect to distributions from the Fund, but under temporary regulations,
not with respect to gross proceeds on sales or capital gain distributions. If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related
to your shares, investors that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of
withholding) on such payment generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefits of such exemption
or reduction. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts in respect to amounts withheld under FATCA. You should consult your tax advisor
regarding the effect of FATCA based on your individual circumstances.
Effect
of Future Legislation; State and Local Tax Considerations
The
foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder
as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions
expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect. The Fund does not intend to seek any rulings from the
IRS or other taxing authorities, or an opinion of tax counsel, with respect to any tax issues.
Rules
of state and local taxation of ordinary income distributions and capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies often differ
from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the consequences
of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Fund.
CAPITAL
STOCK
The
Trust currently is comprised of two investment funds. The Trust issues Shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Board may
designate additional series of the Trust.
Each
Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of the corresponding Fund. Shares have no pre-emptive, exchange,
subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions
declared by the Board with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of such Fund on liquidation.
Each
Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act
and the rules promulgated thereunder and each fractional Share has a proportional fractional vote. Shares of all Fund vote together as
a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund it will be voted on only by that fund, and if a
matter affects a particular fund differently from other Fund, that fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Delaware law, the Trust
is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not
to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust have noncumulative voting
rights for the election of Trustees. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
Under
Delaware law, shareholders of a statutory trust may have similar limitations on liability as shareholders of a corporation.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
You
may obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund’s Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling 1-844-940-4653 during
normal business hours. The Fund was reorganized on January 17, 2020 from the Tocqueville Gold Fund (“the Predecessor Fund”),
a series of the Tocqueville Trust, into a series of Sprott Funds Trust, a Delaware statutory trust. The audited financial statements and
notes thereto in the Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Annual Report”)
are incorporated by reference into this SAI. No other parts of the Annual Reports are incorporated by reference herein. The financial
statements included in the Annual Report has been audited by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports
thereon also appear in the Annual Report and are incorporated by reference into this SAI. Copies of the Annual
Report may be obtained at no charge by writing to the Trust or the Trust’s Distributor, Sprott Global Resource Investments
Ltd., at 1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA or by calling 1-844-940-4653 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern
Time).
APPENDIX
A
SPROTT
ASSET MANAGEMENT LP PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Sprott
Asset Management Proxy Voting Policy
Purpose
A
perceived or potential conflict arises when a manager has the opportunity to vote a proxy in a manner that is in its own interest and
not in the best interest of a fund associated with the proxy.
Policy
Sprott
Asset Management L.P. (the “Manager”), in its capacity as manager to the Fund, is wholly responsible for establishing, monitoring
and amending (if necessary) the policies and procedures relating to the voting of proxies received in connection with the Fund’s
portfolio investments.
The
Manager will vote in favor of the following proxy proposals:
|
a. |
electing and fixing the number of directors |
|
b. |
authorizing directors to fix remuneration of auditors |
|
d. |
approving private placements to insiders exceeding a 10% threshold |
|
e. |
ratifying director actions |
|
f. |
approving private placements exceeding a 25% threshold |
|
g. |
approving special resolutions to change the authorized capital
of a corporation to an unlimited number of common shares without par value |
|
h. |
changing the registered address |
The
Manager will vote against any proposal relating to stock option plans that: (i) exceed 5% of the common shares issued and outstanding
at the time of grant (on a non-diluted basis); or (ii) provide that the maximum number of common shares issuable pursuant
to such plan exceeds a ’‘rolling’’ maximum equal to 5% of the outstanding common shares at the date of the grant
of applicable options.
In
certain cases, proxy votes may not be cast when the Manager determines that it is not in the best interests of security holders of a Fund
to vote such proxies. In the event a proxy raises a potential material conflict of interest between the interests of a Fund and the Manager,
affiliate or associate of the Fund or the manager or portfolio advisor of such affiliate or associate, the conflict will be resolved in
the best interests of the security holders of the Fund.
The
Manager retains the discretion to depart from these policies on any particular proxy vote depending upon the facts and circumstances.
A
copy of the proxy voting guidelines of the Manager is available upon request, free of charge, by contacting the Corporation at Suite 2600,
South Tower, Royal Bank Plaza, 200 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2J1 or through the Manager’s website.
Resolution
of Conflict
By
setting out predetermined guidelines based on industry best practices, this proxy policy reduces the potential for arbitrary voting decisions
that are not made in the best interests of the Fund.
Prospectus
April
28, 2023
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF (NYSE Arca: SGDM)
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE Arca: SGDJ)
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF (NYSE Arca: )
The
Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table
of Contents
|
|
Summary
Information — Sprott Gold Miners ETF |
1
|
Summary
Information — Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF |
9
|
Summary
Information — Sprott Uranium Miners ETF |
18
|
More
Information About the Funds |
26
|
Disclosure
of Portfolio Holdings |
39
|
Fund
Management |
39
|
Information
About each Fund’s Underlying Index, the Underlying Index Provider and the Underlying Index Calculation Agent |
42
|
Shareholder
Information |
44
|
How
to Buy and Sell Shares |
45
|
Distributions
|
47
|
Frequent
Purchases and Redemptions |
48
|
Federal
Income Taxation |
48
|
Disclosure
of Portfolio Holdings |
50
|
General
Information |
55
|
Summary
Information — Sprott Gold Miners ETF
Investment
Objective
The
Sprott Gold Miners ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) to the performance
of its underlying index, the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index (ticker symbol SOLGMCFT) (the “Underlying Gold
Miners Index”).
Fund
Fees and Expenses
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and
example below.
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
|
None
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment) |
|
|
Management
Fee |
|
0.35%
|
Other
Expenses |
|
0.16%
|
Acquired
Fund Fees and Expenses |
|
0.04%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
0.55%
|
Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursement1
|
|
0.01%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/ Expense Reimbursements |
|
0.54%
|
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.
The
example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those
periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the
same. The expense example assumes that the Expense Limit will be terminated after one year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
3
Years |
|
5
Years |
|
10
Years |
Although
your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: |
|
$55
|
|
$175
|
|
$306
|
|
$688
|
1 |
|
. The Adviser will be permitted to recover expenses it has borne through
the agreement described above to the extent that the Fund’s expenses in later periods fall below the annual rates set forth in the
expense agreement. The Fund’s fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangements with the Adviser permit the Adviser to recapture only
if any such recapture payments do not cause the Fund’s expense ratio (after recapture) to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense cap
in effect at the time of the waiver and (ii) the expense cap in effect at the time of the recapture. The Fund will not be obligated to
pay any such deferred fees and expenses more than three years after the particular date in which the fees and expenses was deferred. This
expense agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of Sprott Funds Trust (the “Trust”). |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).
A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These
costs may affect the Fund’s performance. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example,
may affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 73%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund
The
Fund employs a “passive management” — or indexing — investment approach designed to track the performance of the
Underlying Gold Miners Index. The Underlying Gold Miners Index aims to track the performance of gold companies located in the U.S. and
Canada whose common stocks or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York
Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. The Underlying Gold Miners Index is compiled by Solactive AG (the “Index Provider”). In order to
be included in the Underlying Gold Miners Index, companies must be an index component of the Solactive Equal Weights Global Gold Index.
The Solactive Equal Weight Global Gold Index includes all companies classified under any of the following FactSet Revere Business Industry
Classification System (“RBICS”) industries: Americas Gold Mining, Asia/Pacific Gold Mining and Other Gold Mining that are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ in the form on common stocks or American Depositary Receipts
(“ADRs”). On selection days, existing index members of the Solactive Equal Weight Global Gold Index must have free float market
capitalization of USD $375 million. New index members need to have a free float market capitalization of USD $750 million. Furthermore,
new index members must have a minimum Average Daily Traded Value of at least USD $2 million, while existing index members must have a
minimum Average Traded Value of at least USD $1 million over the past 1-month and 6-month periods. The Underlying Gold Miners Index employs
a modified market capitalization weighted methodology such that each constituent comprises no more than 18% of the weight of the Underlying
Gold Miners Index as of each rebalance, no more than 50% of the weight of Underlying Gold Miners Index may consist of constituents comprising
greater than 4.5% of the weight of the Underlying Gold Miners Index. A company in the Underlying Gold Miners Index will be classified
as a gold mining company if it earns over 50% of its revenue from the mining of gold.
The
Underlying Gold Miners Index is reconstituted and rebalanced quarterly five business days after the close of the third Thursday of February,
May, August and November. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment
purposes) will consist of securities issued by gold mining companies, and at least 80% of the Underlying Gold Miners Index will consist
of such companies.
The
Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Gold Miners Index.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Principal
Risks of Investing in the Fund
There
is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return
you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You
may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Therefore,
you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. An
investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
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. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks
before investing in the Fund.
Gold
and Silver Mining Industry Risk. The Fund is sensitive to changes in, and its
performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold and silver mining industry. In times of stable economic
growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious
metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect the Fund’s returns. The gold and precious metals industry can be significantly
affected by competitive pressures, central bank operations, events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration
projects, commodity prices, adverse environmental developments and tax and government regulations.
Relationship
to Gold and Silver Risk. The Underlying Gold Miners Index measures the performance
of equity securities of companies engaged in gold and silver mining and related services in the precious metals sector. The Underlying
Gold Miners Index does not measure the performance of direct investment in gold and silver and, therefore, may not move in the same direction
and to the same extent as the spot prices of gold and silver.
Market
Risk and Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which
the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of
a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically
related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group
of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts
of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue , e.g., COVID-19, recessions, or other events could have a
significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform
the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
This means you may lose money.
Authorized
Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in
the Creations and Redemptions section of the Fund’s prospectus) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit
the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant
is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may trade at a discount to net asset value per share (“NAV”)
and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
Concentration
Risk. The Fund seeks to track the Underlying Gold Miners Index, which itself is
currently concentrated in the gold and silver mining industry. Underperformance or increased risk in such concentrated areas may result
in underperformance or increased risk in the Fund.
Commodity
Exposure Risk. The Fund invests in Uranium Companies, which may be susceptible to fluctuations in the underlying commodities
market. Commodity prices may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors, including, where applicable, high volatility, changes
in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates and monetary and other governmental policies,
action and inaction. Securities of companies held by the Fund that are dependent on a single commodity, or are concentrated on a single
commodity sector, may typically exhibit even higher volatility attributable to commodity prices. The Index measures the performance of
Uranium Companies and not the performance of the price of uranium itself. The securities of Uranium Companies may under- or over-perform
the price of uranium over the short-term or the long-term.
Common
Stock Risk. Common stock holds the lowest priority in the capital structure of a company, and, therefore, takes the largest
share of the company’s risk and its accompanying volatility. The value of the common stock held by the Fund may fall due to general
market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate,
or facts relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Currency
Risk. The Funds may invest its assets in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies.
Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investment and
the value of the Shares. Because a Fund’s NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, a Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency of
the non-U.S. market in which a Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the value of a Fund’s holdings, measured
in the foreign currency, increases. 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.
Cybersecurity
and Disaster Recovery Risks. Information and technology systems relied upon by
the Fund, the Adviser, the Fund’s other service providers (including, but not limited to, the Fund Accountant, Custodian, Transfer
Agent, Administrator, Distributor and index providers), market makers, Authorized Participants, financial intermediaries and/or the issuers
of securities in which the Fund invests may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer
and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons, security breaches, usage errors, power outages and catastrophic
events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Although the Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers
have implemented measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, if these systems are compromised, become inoperable for extended
periods of time or cease to function properly, significant investment may be required to fix or replace them. The failure of these systems
and/or of disaster recovery plans could cause significant interruptions in the operations of the Fund, the Adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc.,
the Fund’s sub-adviser (the “Sub-Adviser”), the Fund’s other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants,
financial intermediaries and/or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests and may result in a failure to maintain the security,
confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value or impede trading.
Depositary
Receipt Risk. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar
risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying
shares in their primary trading market and, if not included in the Underlying Gold Miners Index, may negatively affect the Fund’s
ability to replicate the performance of the Underlying Gold Miners Index.
Early
Close/Trading Halt Risk. An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability
to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell
certain securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to
accurately price its investments and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
Emerging
Markets Securities Risk. Emerging markets are subject to greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and
economic instability, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets and more governmental limitations on foreign investment than
more developed markets. In addition, securities in emerging markets may be subject to greater price fluctuations than securities in more
developed markets. Differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards could impede the
Adviser’s ability to evaluate local companies and impact the Fund’s performance. Investments in securities of issuers in emerging
markets may also be exposed to risks related to a lack of liquidity, greater potential for market manipulation, issuers’ limited
reliable access to capital, and foreign investment structures. Additionally, the Fund may have limited rights and remedies available to
it to pursue claims against issuers in emerging markets.
Fluctuation
of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate
with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance
with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for shares on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Adviser
cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. The Fund’s market price may deviate from the value of
its underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or
receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Fund shares bought or sold. This can be reflected as a spread between the
bid and ask prices for the Fund quoted during the day or a premium or discount in the closing price from the Fund’s NAV. In addition,
transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the NYSE Arca and may, therefore, have
a material effect on the market price of the Fund’s shares.
Foreign
Investment Risk. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. issuers, although limited
to ADRs, may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Adverse political, economic or social developments
could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Countries
with emerging markets may present heightened risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions
on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more
vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.
Where all or a portion of the Fund’s underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market in which the Fund’s
shares are listed and trading in that market is open, there may be changes between the last
quote
from its closed foreign market and the value of such security during the Fund’s domestic trading day. In addition, please note that
this in turn could lead to differences between the market price of the Funds’ shares and the underlying value of those shares.
Geographic
Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its
assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting
that country or region.
Canada:
Investments in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is
heavily dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive
to fluctuations in certain commodity markets.
Index
Management Risk. The Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it
would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from
the Underlying Gold Miners Index. Additionally, the Fund rebalances its portfolio in accordance with its Underlying Gold Miners Index,
and, therefore, any changes to the Underlying Index’s rebalance schedule will result in corresponding changes to the Fund’s
rebalance schedule rebalance schedule.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk including the possible
loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Issuer-Specific
Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be
more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.
Large-Capitalization
Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of
smaller and mid-sized companies. The securities of large-capitalization companies may also be relatively mature compared to smaller companies
and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond
quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.
Liquidity
Risk. It may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts
of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose
of at a fair price at the times when the Sub-Adviser believes it is desirable to do so.
Micro-Capitalization
Risk. The micro-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or
economic events than larger, more established companies, and may underperform other segments of the market or the equity market as a whole.
Securities of micro-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes, are often more vulnerable to market volatility,
and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole.
Non-Correlation
Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of Underlying Gold Miners
Index for a number of reasons, including operating expenses incurred by the Fund not applicable to the Underlying Gold Miners Index, costs
in buying and selling securities, asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Gold
Miners Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies. An active trading market for shares of the Fund
may not develop or be maintained. Please also note that in times of market stress, market makers or authorized participants may step away
from their respective roles in making a market in shares of the Fund and in executing purchase or redemption orders, and that this could
in turn lead to variances between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those shares.
Non-Diversified
Fund Risk. The Fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion
of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment
could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
Portfolio
Turnover Risk. The strategy used by the Fund may result in high portfolio turnover.
A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account.
Operational
Risk. The Fund and its service providers may experience disruptions that arise from human error, processing and communications
errors, counterparty or third-party errors, technology or systems failures, any of which may have an adverse impact on the Fund.
Sector
Focus Risk. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one or more sectors and thus will be more susceptible
to the risks affecting those sectors.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund
will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, 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, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have
a more limited track record, narrower markets, less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified
product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the
volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.
Trading
Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), above (premium) or below (discount)
their NAV. The NAV of shares of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices
of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand and may deviate significantly
from the value of the Fund’s holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay more or receive
less than the underlying value of the Fund shares bought or sold. When buying or selling shares in the secondary market, you may incur
costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and the
lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask), which is known as the bid-ask spread. In addition, although the
Fund’s shares are currently listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop
or be maintained. Trading in Fund shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make
trading in shares of the Fund inadvisable. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid
in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings.
Performance
The
following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s performance has varied
over time.
On
July 19, 2019, the Sprott Gold Miners ETF (the “Gold Predecessor Fund”), a series of ALPS ETF Trust, was reorganized into
the Fund, a series of Sprott Funds Trust. The Fund is a continuation of the Gold Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the performance information
shown prior to July 22, 2019 presents the performance of the Gold Predecessor Fund. The
following bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance
from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for certain time periods compare with the average annual
returns of the target index and of other benchmarks of market performance. The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses. Shareholder reports
containing financial and performance information will be distributed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information will
be available at no cost by visiting www.sprottetfs.com
or by calling (888)
622-1813.
Annual
Total Returns (calendar year ended 12/31)
|
|
2015 |
-26.41 |
2016 |
47.67 |
2017 |
11.02 |
2018 |
-15.01 |
2019 |
43.44 |
2020 |
21.98 |
2021 |
-9.33 |
2022 |
-8.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
Highest
Quarterly Return |
|
57.93%
|
|
(June
30, 2020) |
Lowest
Quarterly Return |
|
-26.08%
|
|
(June
30, 2022) |
The
after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and
do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and
may differ from those shown below. After-tax
returns are not relevant to investors who hold shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts.
Average
Annual Total Returns
For
periods ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
5
Year |
|
Since
Inception (July
14, 2014) |
Return
Before Taxes |
|
-8.14%
|
|
4.37%
|
|
0.59%
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
-8.47%
|
|
4.20%
|
|
0.43%
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
-4.63%
|
|
3.42%
|
|
0.45%
|
Solactive
Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
-6.80%
|
|
5.37%^
|
|
1.46%^
|
S&P
500 Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-18.11%
|
|
9.42%
|
|
10.23%
|
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP is the investment adviser to the Fund.
Sub-Adviser
ALPS
Advisors, Inc. is the sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio
Managers
Ryan
Mischker, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Research, and Andrew Hicks, Director
of ETF Portfolio Management & Research at ALPS Advisors, Inc., are responsible for the day to day management of the Fund. Mr. Mischker
and Mr. Hicks have each served in such capacity since the Fund’s inception in July 2019 and previously with the Gold Predecessor
Fund since March 2015 and March 2016, respectively.
Purchase
and Sale of Fund Shares
The
Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in a large specified number of shares each called a “Creation Unit,” or multiples
thereof, and only with “authorized participants” that have entered into contractual arrangements with ALPS Distributors, Inc.,
the Fund’s distributor (“Distributor”). A Creation Unit consists of 10,000 shares. Creation Unit transactions are typically
conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities in the Fund’s portfolio and/or cash.
Individual
shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed on NYSE Arca and because
shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV. An investor
may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid)
and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market
(the “bid-ask spread”).
Information
regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be viewed on the Fund’s website at
www.sprottetfs.com.
Tax
Information
Fund
distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless your investment
is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through
tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Payments
to Broker-Dealer and Other Financial Intermediaries
If
you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or other related companies may pay the intermediary
for the sale of shares or 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.
Summary
Information — Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF
Investment
Objective
The
Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) to the performance
of its underlying index, the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factor Index (ticker symbol SOLJGMFT) (the “Underlying Junior Gold
Miners Index”).
Fund
Fees and Expenses
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and
example below.
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
|
None
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment) |
|
|
Management
Fee |
|
0.35%
|
Other
Expenses |
|
0.32%
|
Acquired
Fund Fees and Expenses |
|
0.03%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
0.70%
|
Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursement1
|
|
0.17%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/ Expense Reimbursements |
|
0.53%
|
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.
The
example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those
periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the
same. The example assumes that the Expense Limit will be terminated after one year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
3
Years |
|
5
Years |
|
10
Years |
Although
your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: |
|
$54
|
|
$207
|
|
$373
|
|
$854
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).
A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These
costs may affect the Fund’s performance. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example,
may affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 100%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund
The
Fund employs a “passive management” — or indexing — investment approach designed to track the performance of the
Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index. The Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index aims to track the performance of “junior” gold
companies primarily located in the U.S., Canada and Australia whose common stock, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or
Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are traded on a regulated stock exchange in the form of shares tradeable for foreign investors
without any restrictions. Junior companies include early stage mining companies that are in the exploration stage only or that hold properties
that might not ultimately produce gold. Most of these companies are in the development and exploration phase and are on the lookout for
land with a higher chance for uncovering large mineral deposits. The Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index is compiled by Solactive AG (the
“Index Provider”).
In
order to be included in the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index, companies must be an index component of the Solactive Global Gold Explorers
& Developers Total Return Index. The Solactive Global Gold Explorers & Developers Total Return Index includes companies defined/identified
as a gold explorer or gold producer. A quarterly revenue growth factor is only applied to the producers while a price momentum factor
is only applied to explorers and developers. Companies mainly active in the streaming and royalty business are excluded from that definition.
On selection days existing index members of the Solactive Global Gold Explorers & Developers Total Return Index must have free float
market capitalization of USD $100 million. New index members need to have a free float market capitalization of USD $200 million. Furthermore,
new index members must have a minimum Average Daily Traded Value of at least USD $500,000, while existing index members must have a minimum
Average Daily Traded Value of at least USD $250,000, over the past 3-months. In the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index, companies that
have a free float market capitalization of greater than USD $2 billion are excluded.
The
Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index employs a modified market capitalization weighted methodology such that each constituent comprises
no more than 9% of the weight of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index as of each rebalance, provided that, as of each rebalance, no
more than 50% of the weight of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index may consist of constituents comprising greater than 4.5% of the
weight of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index. A company in the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index will be classified as a gold mining
company if it earns over 50% of its revenue from the mining of gold.
The
Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index is reconstituted and rebalanced semi-annually five business days after the close of the third Thursday
of May and November. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes)
will consist of securities issued by gold mining companies, and at least 80% of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index will consist of
such companies.
The
Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Principal
Risks of Investing in the Fund
There
is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objective. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return
you receive on your investment in the Fund, may fluctuate significantly. You
may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform
as
well as other similar investments. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund. An
investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
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. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks
before investing in the Fund.
Gold
and Silver Mining Industry Risk. The Fund is sensitive to changes in, and its
performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold and silver mining industry. In times of stable economic
growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious
metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect the Fund’s returns. The gold and precious metals industry can be significantly
affected by competitive pressures, central bank operations, events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration
projects, commodity prices, adverse environmental developments and tax and government regulations.
Relationship
to Gold and Silver Risk. The Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index measures the
performance of equity securities of companies engaged in gold and silver mining and related services in the precious metals sector. The
Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index does not measure the performance of direct investment in gold and silver and, therefore, may not move
in the same direction and to the same extent as the spot prices of gold and silver.
Market
Risk and Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which
the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of
a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically
related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group
of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts
of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue , e.g., COVID-19, recessions, or other events could have a
significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform
the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
This means you may lose money.
Authorized
Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in
the Creations and Redemptions section of the Fund’s prospectus) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit
the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant
is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may trade at a discount to net asset value per share (“NAV”)
and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
Concentration
Risk. The Fund seeks to track the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index, which itself
is currently concentrated in the gold and silver mining industry. Underperformance or increased risk in such concentrated areas may result
in underperformance or increased risk in the Fund.
Common
Stock Risk. Common stock holds the lowest priority in the capital structure of a company, and, therefore, takes the largest
share of the company’s risk and its accompanying volatility. The value of the common stock held by the Fund may fall due to general
market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate,
or facts relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Currency
Risk. The Funds may invest its assets in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies.
Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investment and
the value of the Shares. Because a Fund’s NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, a Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency of
the non-U.S. market in which a Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the value of a Fund’s holdings, measured
in the foreign currency, increases. 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.
Cybersecurity
and Disaster Recovery Risks. Information and technology systems relied upon by
the Fund, the Adviser, the Fund’s other service providers (including, but not limited to, the Fund Accountant, Custodian, Transfer
Agent, Administrator, Distributor and index providers), market makers, Authorized Participants, financial intermediaries and/or the issuers
of securities in which the Fund invests may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer
and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons, security breaches, usage errors, power outages and catastrophic
events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Although the Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers
have implemented measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, if these systems are compromised, become inoperable for extended
periods of time or cease to function properly, significant investment may be required to fix or replace them. The failure of these systems
and/or of disaster recovery plans could cause significant interruptions in the operations of the Fund, the Adviser, ALPS Advisors, Inc.,
the Fund’s sub-adviser (the “Sub-Adviser”), the Fund’s other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants,
financial intermediaries and/or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests and may result in a failure to maintain the security,
confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value or impede trading.
Depositary
Receipt Risk. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar
risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying
shares in their primary trading market and, if not included in the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index, may negatively affect the Fund’s
ability to replicate the performance of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index.
Early
Close/Trading Halt Risk. An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability
to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell
certain securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to
accurately price its investments and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
Emerging
Markets Securities Risk. Emerging markets are subject to greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and
economic instability, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets and more governmental limitations on foreign investment than
more developed markets. In addition, securities in emerging markets may be subject to greater price fluctuations than securities in more
developed markets. Differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards could impede the
Adviser’s ability to evaluate local companies and impact the Fund’s performance. Investments in securities of issuers in emerging
markets may also be exposed to risks related to a lack of liquidity, greater potential for market manipulation, issuers’ limited
reliable access to capital, and foreign investment structures. Additionally, the Fund may have limited rights and remedies available to
it to pursue claims against issuers in emerging markets.
Fluctuation
of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate
with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance
with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for shares on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Adviser
cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. The Fund’s market price may deviate from the value of
its underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or
receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Fund shares bought or sold. this can be reflected as a spread between the
bid and ask prices for the Fund quoted during the day or a premium or discount in the closing price from the Fund’s NAV.
Foreign
Investment Risk. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. issuers, although limited
to ADRs, may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Adverse political, economic or social developments
could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Countries
with emerging markets may present heightened risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions
on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more
vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.
Where
all or a portion of the Fund’s underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market in which the Fund’s
shares are listed and trading in that market is open, there may be changes between the last quote from its closed foreign market and the
value of such security during the Fund’s domestic trading day. In addition, please note that this in turn could lead to differences
between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those shares.
Geographic
Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its
assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting
that country or region.
Australia:
Investments in Australian issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risk specific to Australia.
The Australian economy is heavily dependent on exports from the energy, agricultural and mining sectors. This makes the Australian economy
susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity markets. Australia is also dependent on trading with key trading partners.
Canada:
Investments in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is
heavily dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive
to fluctuations in certain commodity markets.
Index
Management Risk. The Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it
would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from
the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index.Additionally, the Fund rebalances its portfolio in accordance with its Underlying Index, and,
therefore, any changes to the Underlying Index’s rebalance schedule will result in corresponding changes to the Fund’s rebalance
schedule.
Industry
Concentration Risk. Because the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in an industry or group of industries to the
extent the Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund is subject to loss due to adverse occurrences
that may affect that industry or group of industries.
Investment
Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk including the possible
loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Issuer-Specific
Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be
more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.
Large-Capitalization
Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of
smaller and mid-sized companies. The securities of large-capitalization companies may also be relatively mature compared to smaller companies
and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond
quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.
Liquidity
Risk. It may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts
of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose
of at a fair price at the times when the Sub-Adviser believes it is desirable to do so.
Micro-Capitalization
Company Risk. Micro-cap stocks involve substantially greater risks of loss and
price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant
losses), and their share prices tend to be more volatile. The shares of micro-cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of
larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
Non-Correlation
Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Junior
Gold Miners Index for a number of reasons, including operating expenses incurred by the Fund not applicable to the Underlying Junior Gold
Miners Index, costs in buying and selling securities, asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and
the Underlying
Junior
Gold Miners Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies. An active trading market for shares of
the Fund may not develop or be maintained. Please also note that in times of market stress, market makers or authorized participants may
step away from their respective roles in making a market in shares of the Fund and in executing purchase or redemption orders, and that
this could in turn lead to variances between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those shares.
Non-Diversified
Fund Risk. The Fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion
of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment
could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
Operational
Risk. The Fund and its service providers may experience disruptions that arise from human error, processing and communications
errors, counterparty or third-party errors, technology or systems failures, any of which may have an adverse impact on the Fund.
Portfolio
Turnover Risk. The strategy used by the Fund may result in high portfolio turnover.
A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account.
Sector
Focus Risk. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one or more sectors and thus will be more susceptible
to the risks affecting those sectors.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund
will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, 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, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have
narrower markets, less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger,
more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s
portfolio.
Trading
Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), above (premium) or below (discount)
their NAV. The NAV of shares of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices
of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand and may deviate significantly
from the value of the Fund’s holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay more or receive
less than the underlying value of the Fund shares bought or sold. When buying or selling shares in the secondary market, you may incur
costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and the
lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask), which is known as the bid-ask spread. In addition, although the
Fund’s shares are currently listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop
or be maintained. Trading in Fund shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make
trading in shares of the Fund inadvisable. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid
in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings.
Performance
The
following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s performance has varied
over time.
On
July 19, 2019, the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (the “Junior Predecessor Fund”), a series of the ALPS ETF Trust, was reorganized
into the Fund, a series of Sprott Funds Trust (the “Reorganization”). The Fund is a continuation of the Junior Predecessor
Fund and, therefore, the performance information shown prior to July 22, 2019 presents the performance of the Junior Predecessor Fund.
The
following bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance
from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns
for
certain time periods compare with the average annual returns of the target index and of other benchmarks of market performance.
The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses. Shareholder reports
containing financial and performance information will be distributed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information will
be available at no cost by visiting www.sprottetfs.com
or by calling (888)
622-1813.
Annual
Total Returns (calendar year ended 12/31)
|
|
2016 |
66.73 |
2017 |
5.53 |
2018 |
-25.66 |
2019 |
37.01 |
2020 |
48.55 |
2021 |
-15.56 |
2022 |
-27.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
Highest
Quarterly Return |
|
66.58%
|
|
(June
30, 2020) |
Lowest
Quarterly Return |
|
-34.90%
|
|
(March
31, 2022) |
The
after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and
do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and
may differ from those shown below. After-tax
returns are not relevant to investors who hold shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual
retirement accounts.
Average
Annual Total Returns
For
periods ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
5
Year |
|
Since
Inception (March
30, 2015) |
Return
Before Taxes |
|
-27.35%
|
|
-1.48%
|
|
3.64%
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
-27.96%
|
|
-1.98%
|
|
3.16%
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
-16.10%
|
|
-1.22%
|
|
2.71%
|
Solactive
Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
|
-27.79%
|
|
0.84%^
|
|
4.41%^
|
S&P
500 Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-18.11%
|
|
9.42%
|
|
10.24%
|
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP is the investment adviser to the Fund.
Sub-Adviser
ALPS
Advisors, Inc. is the sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio
Managers
Ryan
Mischker, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Research, and Andrew Hicks, Director of ETF Portfolio Management & Research at
ALPS Advisors, Inc., are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Mischker and Mr. Hicks have each served in such capacity
since the Fund’s inception in July 2019 and previously with the Junior Predecessor Fund since March 2015 and March 2016, respectively.
Purchase
and Sale of Fund Shares
The
Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in a large specified number of shares each called a “Creation Unit,” or multiples
thereof, and only with “authorized participants” that have entered into contractual arrangements with ALPS Distributors, Inc.,
the Fund’s distributor (“Distributor”). A Creation Unit consists of 10,000 shares. Creation Unit transactions are typically
conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities in the Fund’s portfolio and/or cash.
Individual
shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed on NYSE Arca and because
shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV. An investor
may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid)
and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market
(the “bid-ask spread”).
Information
regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be viewed on the Fund’s website at
www.sprottetfs.com.
Tax
Information
Fund
distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless your investment
is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through
tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Payments
to Broker-Dealer and Other Financial Intermediaries
If
you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or other related companies may pay the intermediary
for the sale of shares or 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.
Summary
Information — Sprott Uranium Miners ETF
Investment
Objective
The
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally
to the total return performance of the North Shore Global Uranium Mining Index (the “Index”).
Fund
Fees and Expenses
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and
example below.
|
|
|
Shareholder
Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
|
None
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment) |
|
|
Management
Fee |
|
0.83%
|
Other
Expenses |
|
0.00%
|
Acquired
Fund Fees and Expenses |
|
0.02%
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
0.85%
|
Example
This
Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example
also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your cost would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
3
Years |
|
5
Years |
|
10
Years |
Although
your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: |
|
$87
|
|
$271
|
|
$471
|
|
$1,049
|
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).
A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher transaction costs and higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These
costs may affect the Fund’s performance. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example,
may affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 17%
of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund
The
Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of the Index. The Index is designed to track
the performance of companies that devote at least 50% of their assets to (i) mining, exploration, development, and production of uranium
(“Uranium Mining Companies”); and/or (ii) holding physical uranium, owning uranium royalties, or engaging in other, non-mining
activities that support the uranium mining industry, including, but not limited to, infrastructure and labor costs (together with Uranium
Mining Companies, “Uranium Companies”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus
the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of Uranium Mining Companies.
The
universe of eligible index components includes exchange-listed equity securities of companies that have or expect to have a significant
portion of their business operations related to uranium. Such companies are identified through the use of a proprietary selection methodology
that includes a review of industry publications, sell side research, and fundamental research, as well as meetings with management. Companies
in this eligible universe are included in the Index subject to the following restrictions:
•All
securities must have a company level minimum market capitalization of $40 million to become components of the Index and must maintain
a minimum market capitalization of $25 million to remain in the Index.
•An
aggregate weight of 82.5% of the Index is assigned to companies that are involved in the mining, exploration, development, and production
of uranium. An aggregate weight of 17.5% of the Index is assigned to companies that hold physical uranium, uranium royalties, or other
non-mining assets.
•The
components within each of these buckets are market cap weighted.
•A
single security weight cap of 15% and a single security floor of 0.30% is applied.
•No
more than five issuers will have a weight greater than 4.70% of the Index and the aggregate weight of all the components with a weight
greater than 5% is capped at 50%.
•If
multiple share classes exist for a company, the following preference order is followed:
☐If
the company is already included in the Index, the existing share class is retained.
☐If
the company is not already included in the Index and an American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) representing the company’s
stock is available, such ADR will be given preference over all other share classes.
☐In
all other cases, the most liquid share class is considered for inclusion in the portfolio.
In
seeking to track the performance of the Index, the Fund may invest in publicly traded closed-ended trusts in the Index, including trusts
created to invest and hold substantially all of their assets in physical uranium, such as the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, which is
managed by Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”), the adviser to the Fund. The Adviser and the Fund have adopted policies
and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing decisions related to the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust. See
“Investments in Affiliated Funds.”
The
Index consists of securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers, including securities of issuers located in emerging market countries. Emerging
market countries are those that are experiencing significant economic growth and possess some, but not all, of the characteristics of
a developed country. As of December 31, 2022 approximately 85% of the Index consisted of securities of Australian, Canadian, and Kazakh
issuers.
The
Index is reconstituted and rebalanced on a semi-annual basis in March and September. Deletions from the Index may be made at any time
due to changes in business, mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, suspensions, de-listings and spin-offs. The Index is unmanaged and cannot
be invested in directly.
The
Fund employs a “passive management” investment strategy in seeking to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser and sub-adviser,
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”), generally will use a replication methodology, meaning they will invest in all of
the securities comprising the Index in proportion to the weightings in the Index. However, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser may utilize a sampling
methodology under various circumstances, including when it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the
Index. The Adviser expects that over time, if the Fund has sufficient assets, the correlation between the Fund’s performance, before
fees and expenses, and that of the Index will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.
The
Fund is non-diversified and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer than a diversified fund. The Fund may
invest up to 20% of its assets in investments that are not included in the Index, but that the Adviser and Sub-Adviser believe will help
the Fund track the performance of the Index.
The
Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest more than 25% of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries
to approximately the same extent that the Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of December 31, 2022, the Index
was concentrated in the Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels Industry. In addition, in replicating the Index, the Fund may from time to time
invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies in one or more sectors. As dictated by its methodology, a high
percentage of the Index consists of companies in the Energy Sector.
The
index provider is North Shore Indices, Inc. (the “Index Provider”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or
Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider developed the methodology for determining the securities to be included in the Index and is responsible
for the ongoing maintenance of the Index. The Index is calculated by Indxx, LLC, which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or
Sub-Adviser.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Principal
Risks of Investing in the Fund
As
with all funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. An
investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal
risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Uranium
Mining Companies Risk. Uranium Mining Companies may be significantly subject to the effects of competitive pressures
in the uranium business and the price of uranium. The price of uranium may be affected by changes in inflation rates, interest rates,
monetary policy, economic conditions and political stability. The price of uranium may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time,
therefore the Fund’s share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In addition, Uranium Mining Companies may
also be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, liability for environmental damage, depletion of resources,
mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control devices, political and economic conditions in uranium producing and consuming countries,
and uranium production levels and costs of production. The primary demand for uranium is from the nuclear energy industry, which uses
uranium as fuel for nuclear power plants. Demand for nuclear energy may face considerable risk as a result of, among other risks, incidents
and accidents, breaches of security, ill-intentioned acts or terrorism, air crashes, natural disasters (such as floods or earthquakes),
equipment malfunctions or mishandling in storage, handling, transportation, treatment or conditioning of substances and nuclear materials.
Authorized
Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined below)
may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized
Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders
with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may
trade at a discount to net asset value per share (“NAV”) and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
Commodity
Exposure Risk. The Fund invests in Uranium Companies, which may be susceptible to fluctuations in the underlying commodities
market. Commodity prices may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors, including, where applicable, high volatility, changes
in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates and monetary and other governmental policies,
action and inaction. Securities of companies held by the Fund that are dependent on a single commodity, or are concentrated on a single
commodity sector, may typically exhibit even higher volatility attributable to commodity prices. The Index measures the performance of
Uranium Companies and not the performance of the price of uranium itself. The securities of Uranium Companies may under- or over-perform
the price of uranium over the short-term or the long-term.
Common
Stock Risk. Common stock holds the lowest priority in the capital structure of a company, and, therefore, takes the largest
share of the company’s risk and its accompanying volatility. The value of the common stock held by the Fund may fall due to general
market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate,
or facts relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Currency
Risk. The Fund may invest its assets in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies.
Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment
and the value of the Shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency
of the non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the value of the Fund’s holdings,
measured in the foreign currency, increases. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As
a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.
Cybersecurity
and Disaster Recovery Risks. Information and technology systems relied upon by
the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s other service providers (including, but not limited to, the Fund Accountant,
Custodian, Transfer Agent, Administrator, Distributor and index providers), market makers, Authorized Participants, financial intermediaries
and/or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network
failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons, security breaches, usage errors, power outages
and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Although the Adviser and the Fund’s other
service providers have implemented measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, if these systems are compromised, become
inoperable for extended periods of time or cease to function properly, significant investment may be required to fix or replace them.
The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans could cause significant interruptions in the operations of the Fund, the
Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants, financial intermediaries and/or
issuers of securities in which the Fund invests and may result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive
data, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV or impede trading.
Depositary
Receipt Risk. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar
risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying
shares in their primary trading market and, if not included in the Index, may negatively affect the Fund’s ability to replicate
the performance of the Index.
Early
Close/Trading Halt Risk. An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability
to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell
certain securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to
accurately price its investments and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
Emerging
Markets Securities Risk. Emerging markets are subject to greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and
economic instability, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets and more governmental limitations on foreign investment than
more developed markets. In addition, securities in emerging markets may be subject to greater price fluctuations than securities in more
developed markets. Differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards could impede the
Adviser’s ability to evaluate local companies and impact the Fund’s performance. Investments in securities of issuers in emerging
markets may also be exposed to risks related to a lack of liquidity, greater potential for market manipulation, issuers’ limited
reliable access to capital, and foreign investment structures. Additionally, the Fund may have limited rights and remedies available to
it to pursue claims against issuers in emerging markets.
Fluctuation
of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s
Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally
fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply and demand for Shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict
whether the Shares will trade below, at or above the NAV of the Shares of the Fund. 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 identify
to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of the Fund’s Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point
in time.
Foreign
Securities Risk. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities.
For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to expropriation,
nationalization or adverse political or economic developments. Foreign securities may have relatively low market liquidity and decreased
publicly available information about issuers. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and
may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to inconsistent
and potentially less stringent accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers. These and
other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments. In addition,
where all or a portion of the Fund’s portfolio holdings trade in markets that are closed when the Fund’s market is open, there
may be valuation differences that could lead to differences between the Fund’s market price and the value of the Fund’s portfolio
holdings.
Geographic
Concentration Risk. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies
of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. As
of December 31, 2022, approximately 85% of the Index consisted of securities of Australian, Canadian, and Kazakh issuers.
Australia:
Investments in securities of Australian issuers involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in
the U.S. securities markets. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on exports from the agriculture and mining industries. This makes
the Australian economy susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity markets. Australia is also dependent on trading with key trading partners.
Canada:
The Canadian economy is susceptible to adverse changes in certain commodities markets, including those related to the agricultural and
mining industries. It is also heavily dependent on trading with key partners. Any reduction in this trading may adversely affect the Canadian
economy.
Kazakhstan:
Kazakhstan’s economy is a resource-based economy that is heavily dependent on the export of natural resources. Fluctuations in certain
commodity markets or sustained low prices for its exports could have a significant, adverse effect on Kazakhstan’s economy. While
Kazakhstan has recently pursued economic reform and liberalization of many areas in the economy, there is no guarantee that the government
will not become directly involved in aspects of the economy in the future.
Recently,
a state of emergency and a nationwide curfew has been imposed and there has been foreign intervention in Kazakhstan in response to social
unrest in that country. Until there is a period of stabilization, it is unclear of the extent of the consequences of this unrest and measures
take to address the unrest will have on the future growth and economic conditions in Kazakhstan, including uranium mining and prices and
the supply and demand of that commodity, as well as whether there will be any other unintended consequences.
Index
Management Risk. The Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it
would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from
the Index. Additionally, the Fund rebalances its portfolio in accordance with its Index, and, therefore, any changes to the Index’s
rebalance schedule will result in corresponding changes to the Fund’s rebalance schedule.
Industry
Concentration Risk. Because the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in an industry or group of industries to the
extent the Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund is subject to loss due to adverse occurrences
that may affect that industry or group of industries. As of December 31, 2022, the Index was concentrated in the Oil, Gas and Consumable
Fuels industry.
Oil,
Gas and Consumable Fuels Industry Risk: The oil, gas and consumable fuels industry
is cyclical and highly dependent on the market price of fuel. The market value of companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry
are strongly affected by the levels and volatility of global commodity prices, supply and demand, capital expenditures on exploration
and production, energy conservation efforts, the prices of alternative fuels, exchange rates and technological advances. Companies in
this sector are subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of business and
limit these companies’ earnings. A significant portion of their revenues depends on a relatively small number of customers, including
governmental entities and utilities. As a result, governmental budget restraints may have a material adverse effect on the stock prices
of companies in the industry.
Issuer-Specific
Risk. Fund performance depends on the performance of individual securities to
which the Fund has exposure. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact
on the value of the Fund.
Large-Capitalization
Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of
smaller and mid-sized companies. The securities of large-capitalization companies may also be relatively mature compared to smaller companies
and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization companies may also be unable to respond
quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.
Liquidity
Risk. It may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts
of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose
of at a fair price at the times when the Sub-Adviser believes it is desirable to do so.
Market
Risk and Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which
the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of
a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically
related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group
of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts
of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue, e.g., COVID-19, recessions, or other events could have a
significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform
the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
This means you may lose money.
Micro-Capitalization
Risk. The micro-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or
economic events than larger, more established companies, and may underperform other segments of the market or the equity market as a whole.
Securities of micro-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes, are often more vulnerable to market volatility,
and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole.
Non-Diversified
Fund Risk. The Fund is a non-diversified investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), meaning that, as compared to a diversified fund, it can invest a greater percentage
of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of issuers. As a result, the performance of these issuers can have
a substantial impact on the Fund’s performance.
Operational
Risk. The Fund and its service providers may experience disruptions that arise from human error, processing and communications
errors, counterparty or third-party errors, technology or systems failures, any of which may have an adverse impact on the Fund.
Sector
Focus Risk. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one or more sectors and thus will be more susceptible
to the risks affecting those sectors. While the Fund’s sector exposure is expected to vary over time based on the composition of
the Index, the Fund anticipates that it may be subject to some or all of the risks described below.
Energy
Sector Risk. Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and
supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to
control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and
to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly
affected by natural disasters, as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic
conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all
loans of its securities holdings, 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,
the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. The small- and mid-capitalization companies
in which the Fund invests may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies, and may
underperform other segments of the market or the equity market as a whole. Securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies generally
trade in lower volumes, are often more vulnerable to market volatility, and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes
than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole.
Trading
Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), above (premium) or below (discount)
their NAV. The NAV of shares of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices
of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand and may deviate significantly
from the value of the Fund’s holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay more or receive
less than the underlying value of the Fund shares bought or sold. When buying or selling shares in the secondary market, you may incur
costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and the
lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask), which is known as the bid-ask spread. In addition, although the
Fund’s shares are currently listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop
or be maintained. Trading in Fund shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make
trading in shares of the Fund inadvisable. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid
in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings.
Performance
The
following performance information indicates some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The Predecessor Fund was reorganized on April
22, 2022 into the Fund. The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the performance information shown presents
the performance of the Predecessor Fund. The
bar chart shows the Predecessor Fund’s performance for calendar years ended December 31. The table illustrates how the Predecessor
Fund’s average annual returns for the 1-year and since inception periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance
and the Index. The
Predecessor Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Updated performance information and daily NAV per share information is available at no cost by visiting www.sprottetfs.com
or by calling (888)
622-1813.
Calendar
Year Returns
|
|
2020 |
67.10 |
2021 |
81.28 |
2022 |
-12.03 |
During
the period of time shown in the bar chart, the Predecessor Fund’s highest
quarterly return was 51.25%
for the quarter ended December
31, 2020, and the lowest
quarterly return was -31.49%
for the quarter ended June
30, 2022.
Average
Annual Total Returns
For
periods ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Year |
|
Since
Inception (December
3, 2019) |
Return
Before Taxes |
|
-12.03%
|
|
39.36%
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
-12.03%
|
|
37.76%
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
-7.12%
|
|
31.34%
|
North
Shore Global Uranium Mining Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
-11.42%
|
|
40.62%
|
After-tax
returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates during the period covered by the table
above and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation
and may differ from those shown. After-tax
returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as an individual retirement account
(“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged accounts.
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP is the investment adviser to the Fund.
Sub-Adviser
ALPS
Advisors, Inc. is the sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio
Managers
Ryan
Mischker, Vice President, Portfolio Management& Research, and Andrew Hicks, Director of ETF Portfolio Management & Research at
ALPS Advisors, Inc., are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Mischker and Mr. Hicks have each served in such capacity
since inception.
Purchase
and Sale of Fund Shares
The
Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in a large, specified number of shares each called a “Creation Unit,” or multiples
thereof, and only with “authorized participants” that have entered into contractual arrangements with ALPS Distributors, Inc.,
the Fund’s distributor (“Distributor”). Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit
or delivery of in-kind securities in the Fund’s portfolio and/or cash.
Individual
shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold on the Exchange through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed on the Exchange and because
shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV. An investor
may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid)
and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market
(the “bid-ask spread”).
Information
regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be viewed on the Fund’s website at
www.sprottetfs.com.
Tax
Information
Fund
distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless your investment
is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through
tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Payments
to Broker-Dealer and Other Financial Intermediaries
If
you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the Adviser or other related companies may pay the intermediary
for the sale of shares or 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.
More
Information About the Funds
Additional
Information About Investment Strategies
Each
Fund’s investment objective is a non-fundamental policy and may be changed by the Board of Trustees (“Board”) of Sprott
Funds Trust (formerly known as Sprott ETF Trust) without shareholder approval upon not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice
to shareholders.
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF
The
Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in component securities that comprise the Underlying Gold Miners Index. Under
normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) will consist of securities
issued by gold mining companies, and at least 80% of the Underlying Gold Miners Index will consist
of
such companies. As a non-principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest its remaining assets in other instruments in seeking performance
that corresponds to the Underlying Gold Miners Index, and to manage cash flows. Such instruments may include money market instruments,
including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured
notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors,
such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index), forward foreign currency exchange contracts and in swaps, options and futures
contracts. The Adviser anticipates that it may take approximately three business days (i.e.,
each day the NYSE is open) for additions and deletions to the Underlying Gold Miners Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition
of the Fund. A company in the Underlying Gold Miners Index will be classified as a gold mining company if it earns over 50% of its revenue
from the mining of gold.
The
Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its total assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes.
The
Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete
transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, the Fund receives 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, and will be maintained in an amount
equal to at least 100% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent.
The
Fund operates as an index fund and is not actively managed. The Fund employs a “passive management” — or indexing —
investment to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses to the performance of the Underlying Gold Miners
Index. Because the Fund uses a passive management approach to seek to achieve its investment objective, the Fund does not take temporary
defensive positions during periods of adverse market, economic or other conditions.
The
investment objectives and policies described herein constitute non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Board of Trustees of
the Trust without shareholder approval. The fundamental policies of the Fund are set forth in the Statement of Additional Information
under “Investment Restrictions.”
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF
The
Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in component securities that comprise the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) will consist
of securities issued by gold mining companies, and at least 80% of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index will consist of such companies.
As a non-principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest its remaining assets in other instruments in seeking performance that corresponds
to the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index, and to manage cash flows. Such instruments may include money market instruments, including
repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes (notes
on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the
movement of a particular stock or stock index), forward foreign currency exchange contracts and in swaps, options and futures contracts.
The Adviser anticipates that it may take approximately three business days (i.e.,
each day the NYSE is open) for additions and deletions to the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition
of the Fund. A company in the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index will be classified as a gold mining company if it earns over 50% of
its revenue from the mining of gold.
The
Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its total assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes.
The
Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete
transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, the Fund receives 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, and will be maintained in an amount
equal to at least 100% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent.
The
Fund operates as an index fund and is not actively managed. The Fund employs a “passive management” — or indexing —
investment to seek investment results that correspond, before fees and expenses to the performance of the Underlying Junior Gold Miners
Index. Because the Fund uses a passive management approach to seek to achieve its investment objective, the Fund does not take temporary
defensive positions during periods of adverse market, economic or other conditions.
The
investment objectives and policies described herein constitute non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Board of Trustees of
the Trust without shareholder approval. The fundamental policies of the Fund are set forth in the Statement of Additional Information
under “Investment Restrictions.”
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF
The
Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of the Index. The Index is designed to track
the performance of companies that devote at least 50% of their assets to (i) mining, exploration, development, and production of uranium
(“Uranium Mining Companies”); and/or (ii) holding physical uranium, owning uranium royalties, or engaging in other, non-mining
activities that support the uranium mining industry, including, but not limited to, infrastructure and labor costs (together with Uranium
Mining Companies, “Uranium Companies”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus
the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of Uranium Mining Companies.
The
universe of eligible index components includes exchange-listed equity securities of companies that have or expect to have a significant
portion of their business operations related to uranium. Such companies are identified through the use of a proprietary selection methodology
that includes a review of industry publications, sell side research, and fundamental research, as well as meetings with management. Companies
in this eligible universe are included in the Index subject to the following restrictions:
•All
securities must have a company level minimum market capitalization of $40 million to become components of the Index and must maintain
a minimum market capitalization of $25 million to remain in the Index.
•An
aggregate weight of 82.5% of the Index is assigned to companies that are involved in the mining, exploration, development, and production
of uranium. An aggregate weight of 17.5% of the Index is assigned to companies that hold physical uranium, uranium royalties, or other
non-mining assets.
•The
components within each of these buckets are market cap weighted.
•A
single security weight cap of 15% and a single security floor of 0.30% is applied.
•No
more than five issuers will have a weight greater than 4.70% of the Index and the aggregate weight of all the components with a weight
greater than 5% is capped at 50%.
•If
multiple share classes exist for a company, the following preference order is followed:
☐If
the company is already included in the Index, the existing share class is retained.
☐If
the company is not already included in the Index and an American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) representing the company’s
stock is available, such ADR will be given preference over all other share classes.
☐In
all other cases, the most liquid share class is considered for inclusion in the portfolio.
In
seeking to track the performance of the Index, the Fund may invest in publicly traded closed-ended trusts in the Index, including trusts
created to invest and hold substantially all of their assets in physical uranium, such as the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, which is
managed by the Adviser. The Adviser and the Fund have adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing
decisions related to the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust. See “Investments in Affiliated Funds.”
The
Index consists of securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers, including securities of issuers located in emerging market countries. Emerging
market countries are those that are experiencing significant economic growth and possess some, but not all, of the characteristics of
a developed country. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 85% of the Index consisted of securities of Australian, Canadian, and Kazakh
issuers.
The
Index is reconstituted and rebalanced on a semi-annual basis in March and September. Deletions from the Index may be made at any time
due to changes in business, mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, suspensions, de-listings and spin-offs. The Index is unmanaged and cannot
be invested in directly.
The
Fund employs a “passive management” investment strategy in seeking to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser,
generally will use a replication methodology, meaning they will invest in all of the securities comprising the Index in proportion to
the weightings in the Index. However, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser may utilize a sampling methodology under various circumstances, including
when it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Index. The Adviser expects that over time, if the
Fund has sufficient assets, the correlation between the Fund’s performance, before fees and expenses, and that of the Index will
be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.
The
Fund is non-diversified and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer than a diversified fund. The Fund may
invest up to 20% of its assets in investments that are not included in the Index, but that the Adviser and Sub-Adviser believe will help
the Fund track the performance of the Index.
The
Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest more than 25% of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries
to approximately the same extent that the Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of December 31, 2022, the Index
was concentrated in the Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels Industry. In addition, in replicating the Index, the Fund may from time to time
invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies in one or more sectors. As dictated by its methodology, a high
percentage of the Index consists of companies in the Energy Sector.
The
index provider is North Shore Indices, Inc., which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The Index Provider developed
the methodology for determining the securities to be included in the Index and is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Index.
The Index is calculated by Indxx, LLC, which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser.
The
Fund may engage in securities lending.
Additional
Information About the Funds’ Principal Risks
The
following section provides additional information regarding certain of the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks”
in each Fund’s summary. Each of the following risks applies to each Fund unless otherwise noted.
Investors
in a Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of a Fund’s shares and the possibility of significant
losses. An investment in a Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before
investing in a Fund.
Gold
and Silver Mining Industry Risk. Because as currently constituted each Fund’s
respective Underlying Index is concentrated in the gold and silver mining industry, a Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance
will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold and silver mining industry. Competitive pressures may have a significant
effect on the financial condition of such companies in the gold and silver mining industry. Also, gold and silver mining companies are
highly dependent on the price of gold and silver bullion. These prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time so a Fund’s
Share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In times of significant inflation or great economic uncertainty, gold,
silver and other precious metals may outperform traditional investments such as bonds and stocks. However, in times of stable economic
growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious
metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect a Fund’s returns. The production and sale of precious metals by governments
or central banks or other large holders
can
be affected by various economic, financial, social and political factors, which may be unpredictable and may have a significant impact
on the supply and prices of precious metals. Economic and political conditions in those countries that are the largest producers of gold
may have a direct effect on the production and marketing of gold and on sales of central bank gold holdings. Some gold and precious metals
mining operation companies may hedge their exposure to falls in gold and precious metals prices by selling forward future production,
which may result in lower returns during periods when the price of gold and precious metals increases. The gold and precious metals industry
can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity
prices and tax and government regulations. If a natural disaster or other event with a significant economic impact occurs in a region
where the companies in which a Fund invests operate, such disaster or event could negatively affect the profitability of such companies
and, in turn, a Fund’s investment in them.
(Sprott
Junior Gold Miners only) A significant amount of the companies in the Underlying
Junior Gold Miners Index may be early stage mining companies that are in the exploration stage only or that hold properties that might
not ultimately produce gold or silver. The exploration and development of mineral deposits involve significant financial risks over a
significant period of time which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Few properties
which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenditures may be required to establish reserves by drilling
and to construct mining and processing facilities at a site. In addition, many early stage miners operate at a loss and are dependent
on securing equity and/or debt financing, which might be more difficult to secure for an early stage mining company than for a more established
counterpart. This segment of mining companies is especially volatile and thus an investment in the Fund may be more speculative than other
investments.
Relationship
to Gold and Silver Risk. Each Underlying Index measures the performance of equity
securities of companies engaged in gold and silver mining and related services in the precious metals sector. Each Underlying Index does
not measure the performance of direct investment in gold and silver and, therefore, may not move in the same direction and to the same
extent as the spot prices of gold and silver.
Uranium
Mining Companies Risk (Sprott Uranium Miners only). Uranium Mining Companies may be significantly subject to the effects
of competitive pressures in the uranium business and the price of uranium. The price of uranium may be affected by changes in inflation
rates, interest rates, monetary policy, economic conditions and political stability. The price of uranium may fluctuate substantially
over short periods of time, and the Fund’s share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In addition, Uranium
Mining Companies may be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, liability for environmental damage, depletion
of resources, mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control devices, political and economic conditions in uranium producing and
consuming countries, and uranium production levels and costs of production.
The
primary demand for uranium is from the nuclear energy industry, which uses uranium as fuel for nuclear power plants. A decrease in the
demand for nuclear power would have an adverse effect on the performance of the Fund. Demand for nuclear energy may face considerable
risk as a result of, among other risks, incidents and accidents, breaches of security, ill-intentioned acts or terrorism, air crashes,
natural disasters (such as floods or earthquakes), equipment malfunctions or mishandling in storage, handling, transportation, treatment
or conditioning of substances and nuclear materials. Such events could have serious consequences, especially in case of radioactive contamination
and irradiation of the environment, for the general population, as well as a material, negative impact on the Fund’s portfolio companies
and thus the Fund’s financial situation.
In
addition, the nuclear energy industry is subject to competitive risk associated with the prices of other energy sources. Consumers of
nuclear energy may have the ability to switch between the nuclear energy and other energy sources, thereby reducing demand for uranium.
The prices of crude oil, natural gas and electricity produced from traditional hydro power and possibly other undiscovered energy sources
could potentially have a negative impact on the demand for uranium.
Nuclear
activity is also subject to particularly detailed and restrictive regulations, with a scheme for the monitoring and periodic re-examination
of operating authorization, which primarily takes into account nuclear safety, environmental and public health protection, and also national
safety considerations. These regulations may be subject to significant tightening
by
national and international authorities. This could result in increased operating costs that could make nuclear power less competitive
and thereby reduce demand for uranium.
Market
Risk and Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which
a Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of
a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically
related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group
of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts
of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue , e.g., COVID-19, recessions, or other events could have a
significant impact on a Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform
the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
This means you may lose money.
Authorized
Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in
the Creations and Redemptions section of the Funds’ prospectus) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with
a Fund. Each Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit
the business or are unable 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 Creation Units, Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts
and/or delisting.
Concentration
Risk. Each Fund seeks to track its respective Underlying Index, which itself is
currently concentrated in the gold and silver mining industry. Underperformance or increased risk in such concentrated areas may result
in underperformance or increased risk in a Fund.
Commodity
Exposure Risk (Sprott Uranium ETF). The Fund invests in Uranium Companies, which
may be susceptible to fluctuations in the underlying commodities market. Any negative changes in such commodities market could have a
great impact on the Fund. Commodity prices may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors, including, where applicable, high
volatility, changes in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates and monetary and other
governmental policies, action and inaction. Securities of companies held by the Fund that are dependent on a single commodity, or are
concentrated on a single commodity sector, may typically exhibit even higher volatility attributable to commodity prices.
Common
Stock Risk. Common stock holds the lowest priority in the capital structure of a company, and, therefore, takes the largest
share of the company’s risk and its accompanying volatility. Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred
stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, generally have inferior rights to receive payments from
the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities,
which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto),
or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions,
common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress
the value of a particular common stock. Also, prices of common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and economic
conditions, and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change. These investor perceptions are
based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation
and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.
Currency
Risk. The Funds may invest its assets in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies.
Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investment and
the value of the Shares. Because a Fund’s net asset value NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, a Fund’s NAV could decline if
the currency of the non-U.S. market in which a Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the value of a Fund’s holdings,
measured in the foreign currency, increases. 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.
Cybersecurity
and Disaster Recovery Risks. Information and technology systems relied upon by the Funds, the Adviser, the Funds’ other service
providers (including, but not limited to, the Fund Accountant, Custodian, Transfer Agent, Administrator, Distributor and index providers),
market makers, Authorized Participants, financial intermediaries and/or the issuers of securities in which a Fund invests may be vulnerable
to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized
persons, security breaches, usage errors, power outages and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes.
Although the Adviser and the Funds’ other service providers have implemented measures to manage risks relating to these types of
events, if these systems are compromised, become inoperable for extended periods of time or cease to function properly, significant investment
may be required to fix or replace them. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans could cause significant interruptions
in the operations of the Funds, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser the Funds’ other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants,
financial intermediaries and/or issuers of securities in which a Fund invests and may result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality
or privacy of sensitive data, impact a Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value or impede trading. Such a failure could also
harm the reputation of a Fund, the Adviser, the Funds’ other service providers, market makers, Authorized Participants, financial
intermediaries and/or issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, subject such entities and their respective affiliates to legal claims
or otherwise affect their business and financial performance.
Depositary
Receipt Risk. A Fund may hold the securities of non-U.S. companies in the form
of ADRs. ADRs are negotiable certificates issued by a U.S. financial institution that represent a specified number of shares in a foreign
stock and trade on a U.S. national securities exchange, such as the NYSE. Sponsored ADRs are issued with the support of the issuer of
the foreign stock underlying the ADRs and carry all of the rights of common shares, including voting rights. The underlying issuers of
certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder
communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.
Issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the U.S. and, therefore,
such information may not correlate to the market value of the unsponsored depositary receipt. The underlying securities of the ADRs in
a Fund’s portfolio are usually denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, changes in foreign currency
exchange rates may affect the value of a Fund’s portfolio. In addition, because the underlying securities of ADRs trade on foreign
exchanges at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading, the value of the securities underlying the ADRs may change materially
at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading, regardless of whether there is an active U.S. market for shares of a Fund.
Early
Close/Trading Halt Risk. An exchange or market may close early or issue trading halts on specific securities or financial
instruments. The ability to trade certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may disrupt the Fund’s creation
and redemption process, potentially affect the price at which the Fund’s shares trade in the secondary market, and/or result in
the Fund being unable to trade certain securities or financial instruments. In these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to rebalance
its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its investments, and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
Emerging
Markets Securities Risk. Emerging markets are subject to greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and
economic instability, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets and more governmental limitations on foreign investment than
more developed markets. In addition, securities in emerging markets may be subject to greater price fluctuations than securities in more
developed markets. Investments in debt securities of foreign governments present special risks, including the fact that issuers may be
unable or unwilling to repay principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, or may be unable to make such
repayments when due in the currency required under the terms of the debt. Political, economic and social events also may have a greater
impact on the price of debt securities issued by foreign governments than on the price of U.S. securities. In addition, brokerage and
other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are often higher than in the United States and there is generally less government
supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers in foreign countries. Differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and
financial reporting and recordkeeping standards could impede the Adviser’s ability to evaluate local companies and impact the Fund’s
performance. Investments in securities of issuers in emerging markets may also be exposed to risks related to a lack of liquidity, greater
potential for market manipulation, issuers’ limited reliable access to capital, and foreign investment structures. Additionally,
the Fund may have limited rights and remedies available to it to pursue claims against issuers in emerging markets.
Specifically
with respect to index funds, the conditions in emerging markets may lead to potential errors in index data, index computation, and/or
index construction if information on non-U.S. companies is unreliable or outdated, or if less information about the non-U.S. companies
is publicly available due to differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards. This, in turn, may
limit a fund adviser’s ability to oversee the index provider’s due diligence process over index data prior to its use in index
computation, construction, and/or rebalancing. All of these factors may adversely impact fund performance. In addition, the rights and
remedies associated with investments in a fund that tracks an index comprised of foreign securities may be different than a fund that
tracks an index of domestic securities.
Fluctuation
of Net Asset Value. The NAV of a Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate
with changes in the market value of a 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 shares on the NYSE Arca. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares
will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work
in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices
of the stocks of each Fund’s respective Underlying Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition,
transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the NYSE Arca and may, therefore, have
a material effect on the market price of a Fund’s shares. A Fund’s market price may deviate from the value of its underlying
portfolio holdings, particularly in times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly
less than the underlying value of a Fund shares bought or sold. This can be reflected as a spread between the bid and ask prices for the
Fund quoted during the day or a premium or discount in the closing price from a Fund’s NAV. In addition, transactions by large shareholders
may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the NYSE Arca and may, therefore, have a material effect on the market price
of a Fund’s shares.
Foreign
Investment Risk. A Fund’s investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique
risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and
less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine
the value of a Fund’s investments or prevent a Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards
for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which
a Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
A Fund will not enter into transactions to hedge against declines in the value of a Fund’s assets that are denominated in a foreign
currency. Where all or a portion of a Fund’s underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market in which a Fund’s
shares are listed and trading in that market is open, there may be changes between the last quote from its closed foreign market and the
value of such security during a Fund’s domestic trading day. In addition, please note that this in turn could lead to differences
between the market price of a Funds’ shares and the underlying value of those shares.
Countries
with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on
foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only
a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens or inflation
rates or adverse news and events.
Geographic
Concentration Risk. To the extent a Fund’s Underlying Index and that Fund
are significantly comprised of securities of issuers from a single country, a Fund would be more likely to be impacted by events or conditions
affecting that country. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax or economic policy in a country
could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on a Fund’s
performance.
(Sprott
Uranium only) As of December 31, 2022, approximately 85% of the Index consisted
of securities of Australian, Canadian, and Kazakh issuers.
Australia:
Investments in securities of Australian issuers involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in
the U.S. securities markets. Investments in Australian issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, and
economic risk specific to Australia. The Australian economy is heavily
dependent
on exports from the agricultural and mining sectors. As a result, the Australian economy is susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity
markets. The Australian economy is also becoming increasingly dependent on its growing services industry. The Australian economy is dependent
on trading with key trading partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Singapore and certain European countries. Reduction in
spending on Australian products and services, or changes in any of the economies, may cause an adverse impact on the Australian economy.
Canada:
Investments in Canadian issuers may subject a Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things, the Canadian economy is heavily
dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The Canadian economy is sensitive
to fluctuations in certain commodity markets. Canada is a significant exporter of natural resources, such as oil, natural gas and agricultural
products. As a result, the Canadian economy is susceptible to adverse changes in certain commodities markets. It is also heavily dependent
on trading with key partners, including the United States, Mexico, and China. Any reduction in trading with these key partners may adversely
affect the Canadian economy. Canada’s dependency on the economy of the United States, in particular, makes Canada’s economy
vulnerable to political and regulatory changes affecting the United States economy.
Kazakhstan:
Kazakhstan’s economy is a resource-based economy that is heavily dependent on the export of natural resources. Fluctuations in certain
commodity markets or sustained low prices for its exports could have a significant, adverse effect on Kazakhstan’s economy. Kazakhstan
is a presidential republic but maintains several authoritarian characteristics including involvement in the economy. While Kazakhstan
has recently pursued economic reform and liberalization of many areas in the economy, there is no guarantee that the government will not
become directly involved in aspects of the economy in the future. Due to the recent rise in many commodities prices, one major concern
for Kazakhstan is managing inflationary pressures from strong foreign currency inflows. Significant increases in inflation would have
a negative impact on companies in Kazakhstan and would have an adverse impact on the Fund.
Recently,
a state of emergency and a nationwide curfew has been imposed and there has been foreign intervention in Kazakhstan in response to social
unrest in that country. Until there is a period of stabilization, it is unclear of the extent of the consequences of this unrest and measures
take to address the unrest will have on the future growth and economic conditions in Kazakhstan, including uranium mining and prices and
the supply and demand of that commodity, as well as whether there will be any other unintended consequences.
Index
Management Risk. Unlike many investment companies, each Fund is not “actively”
managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that
security is removed from a Fund’s respective Underlying Index. Additionally, a Fund rebalances its portfolio in accordance with
its Underlying Index, and, therefore, any changes to the Underlying Index’s rebalance schedule will result in corresponding changes
to the Fund’s rebalance schedule. Further, unlike with an actively managed fund, the Adviser does not use techniques or defensive
strategies designed to lessen the impact of periods of market volatility or market decline. This means that, based on certain market and
economic conditions, a Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds with investment advisers that actively
manage their portfolio assets to take advantage of or defend against market events.
Index
Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match or achieve a high degree
of correlation with the return of the Index for a number of reasons, including operating expenses incurred by the Fund not applicable
to the Index, costs in buying and selling securities, asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and
the Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies. To the extent the Fund utilizes a sampling approach,
it may experience tracking error to a greater extent than if the Fund sought to replicate the Index.
Industry
Concentration Risk. Because the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in an
industry or group of industries to the extent the Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund is subject
to loss due to adverse occurrences that may affect that industry or group of industries. To the extent the Fund concentrates in the securities
of issuers in a particular industry, the Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified more broadly over numerous industries. Such
industry-based
risks, any of which may adversely affect the Fund, may include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions or
cyclical market patterns that could negatively affect supply and demand in a particular industry; competition for resources, adverse labor
relations, political or world events; obsolescence of technologies; and increased competition or new product introductions that may affect
the profitability or viability of companies in an industry. In addition, at times, an industry or sector may be out of favor and underperform
other industries or the market as a whole.
(Sprott
Uranium Only) As of December 31, 2022, the Index was concentrated in the Oil,
Gas & Consumable Fuels industry.
Oil,
Gas and Consumable Fuels Industry Risk: The oil, gas and consumable fuels industry
is cyclical and highly dependent on the market price of fuel. The market value of companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry
are strongly affected by the levels and volatility of global commodity prices, supply and demand, capital expenditures on exploration
and production, energy conservation efforts, the prices of alternative fuels, exchange rates and technological advances. Companies in
this sector are subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of business and
limit these companies’ earnings. A significant portion of their revenues depends on a relatively small number of customers, including
governmental entities and utilities. As a result, governmental budget restraints may have a material adverse effect on the stock prices
of companies in the industry.
Companies
in the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry may also operate in countries with less developed regulatory regimes or a history of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse policies. Companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry also face a significant civil liability
from accidents resulting in injury or loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental mishaps, equipment malfunctions or mishandling
of materials, and a risk of loss from terrorism or other natural disasters. Any such event could have serious consequences for the general
population of the area affected and result in a material adverse impact on the Fund’s portfolio securities and the performance of
the Fund. Companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry can be significantly affected by the supply of and demand for specific
products and services, weather conditions, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and general economic
conditions.
Investment
Risk. An investment in a Fund is subject to investment risk including the possible
loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Issuer-Specific
Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be
more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.
Large-Capitalization
Risk. Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the
returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies. The securities of large-capitalization companies may also be
relatively mature compared to smaller companies and therefore subject to slower growth during times of economic expansion. Large-capitalization
companies may also be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.
Liquidity
Risk. It may be more difficult for a Fund to buy and sell significant amounts
of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose
of at a fair price at the times when the Adviser believes it is desirable to do so. A Fund’s investment in securities that are less
actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities
or to dispose of securities.
Micro-Capitalization
Company Risk. (Sprott Junior Gold Miners only) Micro-cap stocks involve substantially
greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be
experiencing significant losses), and their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger
market capitalizations. Micro-cap companies may be newly formed or in the early stages of development, with limited product lines, markets
or financial resources and may lack management depth. In addition, there may be less public information available about these companies.
The shares of micro-cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely
affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities. Also, it may take a long time before a Fund realizes
a gain, if any, on an investment in a micro-cap company.
Non-Correlation
Risk. A Fund’s return may not match the return of its Underlying Index for
a number of reasons. For example, a Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to its Underlying Index, and incurs costs
in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing a Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition
of its Underlying Index. These transaction costs may be higher for a Fund investing in foreign securities. Transaction costs, including
brokerage costs, will decrease a Fund’s NAV to the extent not offset by the transaction fee payable by AP. Market disruptions and
regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order
to track its respective Underlying Index. It is also possible that a Fund may not replicate its Underlying Index to the extent it has
to adjust its portfolio holdings in order to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended. In addition, the performance of a Fund and its Underlying Index may vary due to asset valuation differences and differences
between a Fund’s portfolio and its respective Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies.
Due
to legal and regulatory rules and limitations (including exchange listing standards), a Fund may not be able to invest in all securities
included in its Underlying Index. For tax efficiency purposes, a Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate
from its Underlying Index.
A
Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into a Fund or reserves of cash held by a Fund to meet redemptions
and expenses. If a Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in its Underlying Index, its return
may not correlate as well with the return on the Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying
Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.
An
active trading market for shares of the ETF may not develop or be maintained. Please also note that in times of market stress, market
makers or authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market in shares of the ETF and in executing purchase
or redemption orders, and that this could in turn lead to variances between the market price of the ETF’s shares and the underlying
value of those shares. The risk that a Fund may not match the performance of its Underlying Index may be heightened during times of increased
market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Errors in the construction or calculation of a Fund’s Underlying Index may
occur from time to time. Any such errors may not be identified and corrected by the Index Provider for some period of time, which may
have an adverse impact on a Fund and its shareholders. For example, during a period where a Fund’s Underlying Index contains incorrect
constituents, a Fund would have market exposure to such constituents and would be underexposed to its Underlying Index’s other constituents.
Any gains due to the Index Provider’s or others’ errors will be kept by a Fund and its shareholders and any losses resulting
from the Index Provider’s or others’ errors will be borne by a Fund and its shareholders.
To
the extent a Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of its Underlying Index is based on securities closing prices
on local markets (i.e., the value of the Underlying Gold Miners Index is not based on fair value prices) or a Fund otherwise calculates
its NAV based on prices that differ from those used in calculating its Underlying Index, a Fund’s ability to track its Underlying
Index may be adversely affected.
Non-Diversified
Fund Risk. Each Fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion
of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment
could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
Operational
Risk. Your ability to transact in shares of the Fund or the valuation of your investment may be negatively impacted because
of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes,
failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers or trading counterparties.
Although the Fund attempts to minimize such failures through controls and oversight, it is not possible to identify all of the operational
risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or mitigate the occurrence of such failures.
The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Sector
Focus Risk. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one or
more sectors and thus will be more susceptible to the risks affecting those sectors. While the Fund’s sector exposure is expected
to vary over time based on the composition of the Index, the Fund anticipates that it may be subject to some or all of the risks described
below.
(Sprott
Uranium ETF only) Energy Sector Risk. Issuers in energy-related industries can
be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels caused by geopolitical events, energy
conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, the success of exploration projects, weather or meteorological events, taxes, increased
governmental or environmental regulation, resource depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents
or catastrophic events, or terrorist threats or attacks, among others. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant
volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make
substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves through exploration
of new sources of supply, through the development of existing sources, through acquisitions, or through long-term contracts to acquire
reserves. Factors adversely affecting producers, refiners, distributors, or others in the energy sector may affect adversely companies
that service or supply those entities, either because demand for those services or products is curtailed, or those services or products
come under price pressure.
Securities
Lending Risk. Although a Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans
of its securities holdings, a 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 a Fund). In addition, each Fund
will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in securities of small- and mid-capitalization
companies are subject to the risks of common stocks. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally
have a limited track record. A small capitalization company is defined as a company with a market capitalization between $300 million
and $2 billion. A medium capitalization company is defined as a company with a market capitalization between $2 billion and $10 billion.
Smaller companies often have narrower markets, less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified
product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the
volatility of a Fund’s portfolio.
Trading
Risk. Although Fund shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, there can be
no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. Secondary market trading in the Fund’s
shares may be halted by the Exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. In addition, trading in the Fund’s shares
is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no
assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund’s shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Shares
of the Fund may trade at, above or below their most recent NAV. The per share NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business
day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings since the prior most recent calculation. The market prices
of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand. The trading prices
of the Fund’s shares may deviate significantly from the value of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, particularly in
times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay more or receive less than the underlying value of the Fund shares bought
or sold. This can be reflected as a spread between the bid and ask prices for the Fund’s shares quoted during the day or a premium
or discount in the closing price from the Fund’s NAV. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may
become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings. These factors,
among others, may lead to the Fund’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV. However, given that shares of the Fund can
be created and redeemed only 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), the Adviser does not believe that large discounts or premiums to NAV will exist for extended
periods of time. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that the Fund’s shares normally will trade
close to the Fund’s NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons as
well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or the existence of extreme volatility
may result in trading prices that differ significantly from NAV.
As
with all ETFs, the Fund’s shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the
market price of the Fund’s shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of shares is more
than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of shares or during periods of market
volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited
trading activity for shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may be significant. If a shareholder purchases
at a time when the market price of the Fund is at a premium to its NAV or sells at time when the market price is at a discount to the
NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Investors
buying or selling shares of the Fund in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined
by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy
or sell relatively small amounts of Fund shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between
the price that an investor is willing to pay for shares of the Fund (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is
willing to sell shares of the Fund (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 of the Fund based on trading volume and market liquidity,
and is generally lower if the Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s shares
have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the
costs of buying or selling shares of the Fund, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of such shares may significantly reduce investment
results and an investment in the Fund’s shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
Other
Risks
The
following section provides information regarding certain other risks of investing in the Funds.
Costs
of Buying or Selling Shares Risk. Investors buying or selling 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, and is generally lower if a Fund’s shares have more trading
volume and market liquidity and higher if a Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market
volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading
of shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly
making small investments.
Exclusion
from the Definition of a Commodity Pool Operator Risk. With respect to each Fund,
the Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity
Exchange Act, as amended (“CEA”), and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and, therefore,
is not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, the Adviser is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition
of “commodity trading advisor” (“CTA”) under the CEA and the rules of the CFTC.
The
terms of the CPO exclusion require each Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.”
Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps. Because the Adviser and each Fund intend to comply with the
terms of the CPO exclusion, the Funds may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment objective(s),
to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Funds are not intended as vehicles for trading in the commodity futures, commodity
options or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Adviser’s reliance on these exclusions, or the Funds, their
investment strategies or this Prospectus.
Investments
in Affiliated Funds
The
Adviser is the investment manager of the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, a publicly traded closed-ended trust created to invest
and hold substantially all of its assets in physical uranium. Certain employees of the Adviser are officers and may own shares of the
Sprott Physical Uranium Trust. The Fund in seeking to track the performance of the Index may buy and sell shares
of the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust on the secondary market. In connection with any such investments, the Fund as a shareholder
will indirectly pay its pro rata share of fees paid and other expenses incurred by the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, including those
fees charged by the Adviser for managing the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust.
In
making investment decisions for the Fund, the Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information about the
Sprott Physical Uranium Trust acquired by any unit of Sprott, Inc., the parent company of the Adviser, in the course of these activities.
In addition, from time to time, the activities of the Adviser and its affiliates may limit the Fund’s flexibility in purchases and
sales of securities.
The
Adviser and the Fund have adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions
that it makes on behalf of advisory clients, including the Fund, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the
Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to its clients, including decisions related to the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust. Nevertheless,
notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures, actual proxy voting decisions of the Adviser may have the effect of favoring
the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Sprott Inc., provided that the Adviser or other Sprott company
believes such voting decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and
procedures, see the Proxy Voting Policy section of the Fund’s statement of additional information.
Manager
of Managers Order
The
Fund and the Adviser may seek to obtain an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Adviser, with the Board’s approval, to
enter into sub-advisory agreements with one or more sub-advisers without obtaining shareholder approval. The exemptive order would permit
the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board, to replace sub-advisers or amend sub-advisory agreements, including fees, without shareholder
approval if the Adviser and the Board believe such action will benefit the Fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the Fund
or the Adviser would receive such relief from the SEC.
Disclosure
of Portfolio Holdings
Each
Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed each day on its website at www.SprottETFs.com. A description of each Fund’s policies
and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is available in the SAI.
Fund
Management
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP, located at 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds.
As of December 31, 2022, Sprott and its affiliates had $23.4 billion in assets under management. Subject to the authority of the Trust’s
Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Funds’ business affairs. The Adviser invests the
assets of the Funds, either directly or through the use of sub-advisers, according to each Fund’s investment objective, policies
and restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own expense all of the necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel required for
managing the assets of the Funds.
Sprott
Gold Miners and Junior Gold
The
Adviser is paid a monthly management fee at an annual rate (stated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund) of 0.35%.
The Adviser is required to pay all fees due to the Sub-Adviser (described below) out of the management
fee
the Adviser receives from the Funds. The Adviser has entered into a contractual arrangement with each Fund to reimburse each Fund’s
expenses, and/or waive a portion of the advisory fee, to the extent necessary to cap each Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements at 0.50% of average daily net assets of the respective Fund through April 30, 2024. Operating
expenses include distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (if any) but exclude (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage
fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which
may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).
The Adviser will be permitted to recover expenses it has borne through these agreements to the extent that a Fund’s expenses in
later periods fall below the annual rates set forth in the expense agreement. Each Fund’s fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement
with the Adviser permit the Adviser to recapture only if any such recapture payments do not cause the respective Fund’s expense
ratio (after recapture) to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver and (ii) the expense cap in effect
at the time of the recapture. A Fund will not be obligated to pay any such fees and expenses more than three years after the particular
date in which the fees and expense was waived or reimbursed.
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Sprott Gold Miners ETF paid the Adviser a fee of $811,280 and the Sprott Junior Gold Miners
ETF paid the Adviser a fee of $371,949.
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund is available in
the Funds’ annual shareholder report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF
For
the services the Adviser provides to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee from the Fund calculated daily
and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.85% on up to $500 million in assets, 0.80% on the next $500 million in assets, and 0.70% on assets
greater than $1 billion.
Under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Fund except for the advisory fee, interest,
taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment
instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses
paid by the Fund under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
For
the period September 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF paid the Adviser a fee of $2,458,955.
A
discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is available in the
Fund’s annual shareholder report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Sub-Adviser
ALPS
Advisors, Inc., located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203, serves as the sub-adviser to the Funds. As of December 31,
2022, the Sub-Adviser has $19 billion in assets under management.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser with respect to each Fund, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the
recommendation of the purchase, retention and sale of each Fund’s portfolio securities, subject to the supervision of the Adviser
and the oversight of the Board.
Under
the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a fee as indicated in the table below:
|
|
|
Average
Assets* |
|
Sub-Advisory
Fee** |
Up
to $250 million |
|
0.04%
|
$250
million-$500 million |
|
0.03%
|
Above
$500 million |
|
0.02%
|
*Subject
to the following annual minimums per fund sub-advised by ALPS for Sprott: (i) first two funds: $40,000 per fund; (ii) additional funds:
$30,000 per fund.
**Annual
rate stated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of a Fund.
The
sub-advisory fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Funds are not responsible for the payment of this sub-advisory fee.
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ basis for approving the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Sprott Gold Miners,
Sprott Junior Gold Funds and Sprott Uranium Miners Fund is available in the Funds’ annual shareholder report for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2022.
Each
Fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds’ investment adviser, that provide
services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of those contractual
arrangements.
This
Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provide information concerning the Funds that you should consider
in determining whether to purchase shares of the Funds. Each Fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this
Prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred
by federal or state securities laws.
Portfolio
Managers
The
portfolio managers listed below are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund. Please refer to the
SAI for additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and
their ownership of shares of each Fund.
Ryan
Mischker, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Research and Andrew Hicks, Vice President, Index Management of ALPS Advisors are
the Portfolio Managers of each Fund and are also responsible for the refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management
process.
Mr.
Mischker has been Portfolio Manager of each Fund since their inception and was previously the portfolio manager for both the Gold Predecessor
Fund, Junior Predecessor Fund and Uranium Predecessor from March 2015 to July 2019. Prior to joining ALPS Advisors, Mr. Mischker served
as Compliance Manager of ALPS Fund Services, where he was primarily responsible for managing all post-trade monitoring for IRS, SEC and
registration statement investment guidelines and restrictions. Mr. Mischker has over 19 years financial services experience and graduated
from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.S. in Finance and B.A. in Economics.
Mr.
Hicks is a Director of ETF Portfolio Management & Research at ALPS Advisors and has been a Portfolio Manager of the Funds since their
inception in July 2019, and was previously the portfolio manager for both the Gold Predecessor Fund, Junior Predecessor Fund and Uranium
Predecessor Fund from March 2016 to July 2019. He joined the firm as a Portfolio Manager in 2015. Prior to ALPS, Mr. Hicks was a senior
equity/ETF trader and global research analyst with Virtus Investment Partners and SCM Advisors, an affiliate of Virtus. Mr. Hicks began
his career in semiconductor equity research at Citi and earned an accounting / finance degree from Miami University (Ohio).
Information
About each Fund’s Underlying Index, the Underlying Index Provider and the Underlying Index Calculation Agent
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF
Effective
July 22, 2019, the Fund began attempting to track the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index as its target index. The
Underlying Gold Miners Index was created by Solactive AG to provide a means of generally tracking the performance of gold companies whose
common stocks or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange
and NASDAQ. As of December 31, 2022, the Underlying
Gold Index consisted of 30 securities. The Underlying Gold Index was created in October, 2018.
Solactive
AG is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Distributors, Inc., the Fund’s distributor. Solactive AG has entered into
a license agreement with the Adviser to use the Underlying Gold Index (the “Sprott License Agreement”). The use of the Underlying
Gold Index by the Adviser and the Fund is subject to the terms of the Sprott License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions
on the Fund’s ability to use the Underlying Gold Index.
Solactive
AG serves as index calculation agent and performs routine daily index calculations and index maintenance (e.g.,
annual Index reconstitution, quarterly rebalancing, and corporate actions) for the Index.
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF
Effective
July 22, 2019, the Fund began attempting to track the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index as its target index.
The Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index was created by Solactive AG to provide a means of generally tracking the performance of “junior”
gold companies whose common stock or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)
are traded on a regulated stock exchange in the form of shares tradeable for foreign investors without any restrictions. Junior companies
include early stage mining companies that are in the exploration stage only or that hold properties that might not ultimately produce
gold. Most of these companies are in the development and exploration phase and are on the lookout for land with a higher chance for uncovering
large mineral deposits. As of December 31, 2022,
the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index consisted of 42 securities. The Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index was created in October, 2018.
Solactive
AG is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Distributors, Inc., the Fund’s distributor. Solactive AG has entered into
a license agreement with the Adviser to use the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index.
Pursuant
to the Sprott License Agreement, the Adviser in turn has entered into a sublicense agreement with the Fund to use the Underlying Junior
Gold Miners Index (the “Sublicense Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sublicense Agreement, the use of the Underling Index by the
Fund is subject to the terms of the Sprott License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions on the Fund’s ability
to use the Underlying Junior Gold Miners Index.
Solactive
AG serves as index calculation agent and performs routine daily index calculations and index maintenance (e.g., annual Index reconstitution,
quarterly rebalancing, and corporate actions) for the Index.
Sprott
Uranium Miner ETF
The
North Shore Global Uranium Mining Index was created on June 30, 2017 and is designed to measure the performance of companies that are
involved in the mining, exploration, development, and production of uranium, and companies that hold physical uranium, uranium royalties,
or other non-mining assets. As of December 31,
2022, the Index was comprised of 36 securities. As of December 31, 2022, the average market capitalization and one-year trading volume
of the Index components were $3,416 million and $34 million, respectively.
The
Index Provider is not affiliated with Sprott Funds Trust (the “Trust”), the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser the Fund’s administrator,
custodian, transfer agent or distributor, or any of their respective affiliates. The Adviser has entered into a license agreement with
the Index Provider pursuant to which the Adviser pays a fee to use the Index. The Adviser is sub-licensing rights to the Index to the
Fund at no charge.
The
Index Provider has retained a third party, Indxx, LLC, to calculate the Index. Indxx, LLC is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser,
the Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s administrator, custodian, transfer agent or distributor, or any of their respective affiliates.
Shares
of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the Exchange. The Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the shares of the Fund. The Exchange is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the timing
of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Fund to be issued, or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the
shares are redeemable. The Exchange has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration,
marketing, or trading of the shares of the Fund. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Exchange have any liability
for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.
The
Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser
and Sub-Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser makes no warranty,
express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the
use of the Index or any data included therein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser make no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims
all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data included therein. Without
limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser and Sub-Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect,
or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Index, even if notified of the possibility
of such damages.
Disclaimers
Gold
Miners and Junior Gold’s Underlying Index is a registered trademark of Solactive AG and has been licensed for use by Sprott. The
Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Solactive AG, and it makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing
in the Funds. SOLACTIVE AG AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDS. Solactive AG calculates
and publishes the Index and uses its best efforts to ensure that the index is calculated correctly. The publication of the Index by Solactive
AG does not constitute a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest in the Funds. Solactive AG offer any guarantee or assurance with regard
to the results of using the Index.
Uranium
Miner’s Underlying Uranium Index a registered trademark of North Shore Indices, Inc. (“North Shore”) and has been licensed
for use by Sprott. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by North Shore, and North Shore makes no representation regarding
the advisability of investing in the Fund. Indxx, LLC calculates and publishes the Underlying Uranium Index and uses its best efforts
to ensure that each index is calculated correctly. The publication of the Underlying Uranium Index by North Shore and Indxx LLC does not
constitute a recommendation by North Shore to invest in the Fund. North Shore does not offer any guarantee or assurance with regard to
the results of using the Underlying Uranium Index.
Shares
of the Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by NYSE Arca. NYSE Arca makes no representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the shares of the Funds. NYSE Arca is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the timing
of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Funds to be issued, or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which
the shares are redeemable. NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Funds in connection with the administration,
marketing, or trading of the shares of the Funds. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the NYSE Arca have any liability
for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.
The
Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser
and Sub-Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser makes no warranty,
express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the shares of the
Fund
or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or any data included therein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser make no express or implied
warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index
or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser and Sub-Adviser have any liability
for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the
use of the Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Shareholder
Information
General
The
shares are issued or redeemed by the Funds at NAV per Share only in Creation Unit size and only to Authorized Participants that have entered
into agreements with the Funds’ distributor. See “How to Buy and Sell Shares.”
Most
investors buy and sell shares of the Funds in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Funds are listed for trading
in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca. 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.
The Funds trade on the NYSE Arca at prices that may differ to varying degrees from the daily NAV of the shares. Given that the Funds’
shares can be issued and redeemed in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts and premiums to NAV should not be sustained
for long. The Funds trade under the NYSE Arca ticker symbols SGDM,SGDJ and URNM respectively.
Because
the Fund’s shares trade at market prices rather than net asset value, shares may trade at a price greater than net asset value (premium)
or less than net asset value (discount). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer
is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask)
when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Information on the Fund’s net asset value,
market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, on the Fund’s website (www.sprottetfs.com).
Share
prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share.
Investors
may acquire shares directly from each Fund, and shareholders may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Fund, only in Creation
Units of 10,000 shares, as discussed in the “How to Buy and Sell Shares” section below.
Book-Entry
Shares
are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its
nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of each Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes (except
for tax purposes).
Investors
owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all
shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions
that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive
physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares.
Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures
are the same as those that apply to any other stocks that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.
How
to Buy and Sell Shares
Pricing
Fund Shares
The
trading price of each Fund’s shares on the NYSE Arca may differ from a Fund’s daily NAV and can be affected by market forces
of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors.
The
NYSE Arca disseminates the approximate value of shares of each Fund every fifteen seconds. The approximate value calculations are based
on local market prices and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. As a result, premiums and discounts
between the approximate value and the market price could be affected. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time”
update of the NAV per Share of a Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed
once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination
of the approximate value and each Fund does not make any warranty as to its accuracy.
The
NAV per Share for each Fund is determined once daily as of the close of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, each day the NYSE is
open for trading. NAV per Share is determined by dividing the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including
accrued interest), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Equity
securities are valued at the last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE on the day the securities are being valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and
asked prices. Equity securities that are traded in over-the-counter markets are valued at the last quoted sales price in the markets in
which they trade or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the
NASDAQ Official Closing Price generally will be used. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked
prices for such securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality, and type. Securities
for which market quotations are not readily available, including restricted securities, are valued by a method that the Trustees believe
accurately reflects fair value. Securities will be valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available or are deemed
unreliable, such as when a security’s value or meaningful portion of a Fund’s portfolio is believed to have been materially
affected by a significant event. Such events may include a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, a trading halt
in a security, an unscheduled early market close or a substantial fluctuation in domestic and foreign markets that has occurred between
the close of the principal exchange and the NYSE. In such a case, the value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted
market price. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair market value pricing, it is possible that the value determined
for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset’s sale.
Trading
in securities on many foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally completed before the close of business on
each U.S. business day. In addition, securities trading in a particular country or countries may not take place on all U.S. business days
or may take place on days that are not U.S. business days. Changes in valuations on certain securities may occur at times or on days on
which a Fund’s net asset value is not calculated and on which a Fund does not effect sales, redemptions and exchanges of its shares.
Creation
Units
Investors
such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units (large specified blocks of 10,000 shares) directly
with a Fund must have entered into an authorized participant agreement (such investors being “Authorized Participants”) with
the Distributor, and accepted by the transfer agent, or purchase through a dealer that has entered into such an agreement. Set forth below
is a brief description of the procedures applicable to purchase and redemption of Creation Units. For more detailed information, see “Creation
and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.
How
to Buy Shares
In
order to purchase Creation Units of a Fund, an investor must generally deposit a designated portfolio of equity securities included in
each Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”) and generally make a small cash payment referred to as the “Cash Component.”
For those Authorized Participants that are not eligible for trading a Deposit Security, custom orders are available. The list of the names
and the numbers of shares of the Deposit Securities is made available by the Funds’ custodian through the facilities of the National
Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”) immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca. The Cash
Component represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities. In the case of
custom orders, cash-in-lieu may be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Securities that the Authorized Participant may not
be eligible to trade.
Purchases
and redemptions of Creation Units primarily with cash, rather than through in-kind delivery of portfolio securities, may cause a Fund
to incur certain costs. These costs could include brokerage costs or taxable gains or losses that it might not have incurred if it had
made redemption in-kind. These costs could be imposed on a Fund, and thus decrease a Fund’s NAV, to the extent that the costs are
not offset by a transaction fee payable by an Authorized Participant.
Orders
must be placed in proper form by or through a participant of the DTC (“DTC Participant”) that has entered into an agreement
with the Distributor, and accepted by the transfer agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. All standard orders
must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units of shares of a Fund and must be received by the distributor in proper form no later
than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) (“Closing Time”) in order to receive that
day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the
order must be received by the distributor no later than one hour prior to Closing Time in order to receive that day’s closing NAV
per Share. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires 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 any other
relevant reason.
A
fixed creation transaction fee of $500 per transaction (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each transaction
regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. An additional variable charge for cash creations or partial cash
creations may also be imposed to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with buying the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these
fees from time to time based on actual experience. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per Share times the number
of shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any transfer taxes.
Shares
of a Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain
cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities on deposit with the Trust.
For
more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.
Legal
Restrictions on Transactions in Certain Stocks
An
investor subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of
a Creation Unit may, at a Fund’s discretion, be permitted to deposit an equivalent amount of cash in substitution for any stock
which would otherwise be included in the Deposit Securities applicable to the purchase of a Creation Unit. For more detailed information,
see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.
Redemption
of Shares
Shares
may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV and only on a day the NYSE Arca is open for business. A Fund’s custodian makes
available immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca, through the facilities of the NSCC, the list of the
names and the numbers of shares of a Fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable that day to redemption requests in proper
form (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities, which are applicable
to purchases of Creation Units. Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for a Fund, the redemption proceeds consist of a Fund
Securities, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of shares being redeemed as next determined after receipt by
the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”),
less the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes. Should the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV
of shares being redeemed, a compensating cash payment to a Fund equal to the differential, plus the applicable redemption fee and, if
applicable, any transfer taxes will be required to be arranged for, by or on behalf of the redeeming shareholder.
An
order to redeem Creation Units of a Fund may only be effected by or through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem must be placed
for one or more whole Creation Units and must be received by the transfer agent in proper form no later than the close of regular trading
on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders,
as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m.
Eastern time.
A
fixed redemption transaction fee of $500 for Gold Miners and Junior Gold per transaction and fixed redemption transaction fee of $300
for Uranium Miners per transaction (the “Redemption Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each redemption transaction regardless
of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions or partial cash redemptions
may also be imposed to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these fees
from time to time based on actual experience. The Funds reserve the right to effect redemptions in cash. A shareholder may request a cash
redemption in lieu of securities, however, a Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request.
For
more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.
Distributions
Fund
shareholders are entitled to their share of a Fund’s income and net realized gains on its investments. Each Fund pays out substantially
all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”
The
Funds typically earn income dividends from stocks and may earn interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are passed
along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” Each Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells
securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”
Income
dividends, if any, are distributed to shareholders annually. Net capital gains are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared
and paid more frequently to improve Underlying Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital (which is a return of the shareholder’s
investment in a fund). Fund shareholders will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution that represents a return of capital.
Distributions
in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through which the shares were purchased makes such
option available.
Frequent
Purchases and Redemptions
The
Funds impose no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions. The Board of Trustees evaluated the risks of market timing
activities by each Fund’s shareholders when they determined that no restriction or policy was necessary. The Board considered that,
unlike traditional mutual funds, the Funds issue and redeems their shares at NAV for a basket of securities intended to mirror each Fund’s
respective portfolio, plus a small amount of cash, and a Fund’s shares may be purchased and sold on the exchange at prevailing market
prices. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by a Fund’s shareholders
or (b) any attempts to market time a Fund by its shareholders would result in negative impact to a Fund or its shareholders.
Federal
Income Taxation
As
with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided
as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares.
Unless
your investment in the shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an IRA plan, you need to
be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
•A
Fund makes distributions,
•You
sell your shares listed on the NYSE Arca, and
•You
purchase or redeem Creation Units
Taxes
on Distributions
Dividends
from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. A Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar
year to comply with federal tax requirements. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether
you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund. Dividends paid out of a Fund’s income and net short-term capital gains, if any,
are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable
as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the shares.
The
maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income
exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by a Fund to non-corporate shareholders may
qualify for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements
are met by a Fund and the shareholder.
An
additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions
received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts
to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted
gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Distributions
in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of
your basis in the shares, and as capital gain thereafter.
A
distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an
investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
Dividends,
interest and gains received by a Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between
certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders of a Fund may, subject to certain limitations,
be entitled to claim a credit or a deduction with respect to foreign taxes if a Fund
is
eligible to and elects to pass through these taxes to them. If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable
year consists of foreign stock or securities, a Fund intends to elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income
taxes paid by a Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not
actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of a Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating
U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal tax), subject to certain limitations, the investor’s pro rata share
of a Fund’s foreign income taxes.
If
you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, or if you are a foreign entity, a Fund’s ordinary income dividends
(which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (and certain capital
gain dividends may be subject to a 21% withholding tax), unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S.
withholding tax.
A
Fund generally would be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification
number (generally your social security number) or otherwise provide proof of an applicable exemption from backup withholding. The backup
withholding rate for an individual is 24%.
Taxes
on Exchange-Listed Shares Sales
Currently,
any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been
held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct
capital losses may be limited.
Taxes
on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units
An
Authorized Participant who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss
will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the exchanger’s aggregate
basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities will generally
recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value
of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon
an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the
basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor
with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under
current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital
gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held
for one year or less.
If
you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many and at what price you purchased or sold
shares.
Taxation
of Fund Investments in Passive Foreign Investment Companies
Certain
of each Fund’s investments are expected to be in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. The Funds generally intend to elect to “mark to market” these investments at the end of each taxable year. By
making this election, the Funds will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares as of the close of the taxable
year over the adjusted basis of such shares and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value. Gains realized with respect to a disposition
of a PFIC that a Fund has elected to mark to market will be ordinary income. By making the mark to market election, a Fund may be required
to recognize income in excess of the distributions that they receive from their investments. Accordingly, a Fund may need to borrow money
or dispose of some of their investments in order to
meet
their distribution requirements. If a Fund does not make the “mark to market” election with respect to an investment in a
PFIC, a Fund could become subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to certain distributions from, and gain on the dispositions
of, the PFIC which cannot be avoided by distributing such amounts to the respective Fund’s shareholders.
The
foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not
a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions, and sales of Fund shares.
Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares under all applicable tax laws.
Changes in applicable tax authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above and could adversely affect a Fund, and such
changes often occur.
Disclosure
of Portfolio Holdings
Each
Fund’s portfolio holdings are disclosed each day on its website at www.sprottetfs.com.
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is
available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.
Financial
Highlights
The
financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the periods noted below. The
total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment
if all dividends and distributions). Each Fund is a continuation of its respective Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the financial information
includes results of the respective Predecessor Fund. This information has been derived from the Funds’ financial statements audited
by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, except for the financial highlights for each fiscal year ended prior to November 30, 2019, which were
audited by other auditors. Tait, Weller & Baker LLP’s report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included
in the Funds’ annual report, which is available upon request by calling the Funds at (888) 622-1813. This information is also available
free of charge on the Funds’ website at www.sprottetfs.com.
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF
For
a share outstanding throughout the periods presented
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Year Ended December
31, 2022 |
|
For
the Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
For
the Year December 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020(a)
|
|
For
the Year Ended November 30, 2020 |
|
For
the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
|
For
the Year Ended November 30, 2018(b)
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
$
|
27.28
|
|
|
$
|
30.50
|
|
|
$
|
29.57
|
|
|
$
|
23.37
|
|
|
$
|
15.26
|
|
|
$
|
19.82
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS)
FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income(c)
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain/(loss) |
|
|
(2.60
|
)
|
|
|
(3.19
|
)
|
|
|
0.99
|
|
|
|
6.19
|
|
|
|
8.18
|
|
|
|
(4.51
|
)
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(2.23
|
)
|
|
|
(2.86
|
)
|
|
|
1.02
|
|
|
|
6.26
|
|
|
|
8.20
|
|
|
|
(4.44
|
)
|
DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
net investment income |
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Net
increase/(decrease) in net asset value |
|
|
(2.58
|
)
|
|
|
(3.22
|
)
|
|
|
0.93
|
|
|
|
6.20
|
|
|
|
8.11
|
|
|
|
(4.56
|
)
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD |
|
$
|
24.70
|
|
|
$
|
27.28
|
|
|
$
|
30.50
|
|
|
$
|
29.57
|
|
|
$
|
23.37
|
|
|
$
|
15.26
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN(d)
|
|
|
(8.18
|
)%
|
|
|
(9.33
|
)%
|
|
|
3.46
|
%
|
|
|
26.85
|
%
|
|
|
53.91
|
%
|
|
|
(22.56
|
)%
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, end of period (000s) |
|
$
|
233,432
|
|
|
$
|
231,914
|
|
|
$
|
259,234
|
|
|
$
|
251,376
|
|
|
$
|
177,647
|
|
|
$
|
123,576
|
|
Ratio
of expenses including reimbursement/waiver recoupment to average net assets |
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%(e)
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.54
|
%(f)
|
|
N/A
|
|
Ratio
of expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver recoupment to average net assets |
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
0.58
|
%(e)
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.57
|
%
|
|
|
0.57
|
%
|
Ratio
of net investment income to average net assets |
|
|
1.43
|
%
|
|
|
1.18
|
%
|
|
|
1.28
|
%(e)
|
|
|
0.24
|
%
|
|
|
0.09
|
%
|
|
|
0.39
|
%
|
Portfolio
turnover rate(g)
|
|
|
73
|
%
|
|
|
66
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
95
|
%
|
|
|
112
|
%
|
|
|
82
|
%
|
(a)With
the approval of the Board effective December 31, 2020, the Fund’s fiscal year end was changed from November
30 to December 31.
(b)These
financials have been audited by the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.
(c)Based
on average shares outstanding during the period.
(d)Total
return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net
asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated
for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Prior
to July 19, 2019, the prior adviser paid certain Fund expenses via a unitary fee arrangement; no fees or expenses were waived.
(g)Portfolio
turnover rate does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF
For
a share outstanding throughout the periods presented
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
For
the Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
For
the Period December 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020(a)
|
|
For
the Year Ended November 30, 2020 |
|
For
the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
|
For
the Year Ended November 30, 2018(b)
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
$
|
40.70
|
|
|
$
|
49.30
|
|
|
$
|
45.27
|
|
|
$
|
30.28
|
|
|
$
|
21.63
|
|
|
$
|
31.48
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS)
FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income/(loss)(c)
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)(d)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain/(loss) |
|
|
(11.34
|
)
|
|
|
(8.12
|
)
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
15.25
|
|
|
|
8.59
|
|
|
|
(9.74
|
)
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(11.15
|
)
|
|
|
(7.70
|
)
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
15.21
|
|
|
|
8.65
|
|
|
|
(9.80
|
)
|
DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
net investment income |
|
|
(0.71
|
)
|
|
|
(0.90
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
(0.71
|
)
|
|
|
(0.90
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
Net
increase/(decrease) in net asset value |
|
|
(11.86
|
)
|
|
|
(8.60
|
)
|
|
|
4.03
|
|
|
|
14.99
|
|
|
|
8.65
|
|
|
|
(9.85
|
)
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD |
|
$
|
28.84
|
|
|
$
|
40.70
|
|
|
$
|
49.30
|
|
|
$
|
45.27
|
|
|
$
|
30.28
|
|
|
$
|
21.63
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN(e)
|
|
|
(27.40
|
)%
|
|
|
(15.56
|
)%
|
|
|
11.11
|
%
|
|
|
50.56
|
%
|
|
|
39.99
|
%
|
|
|
(31.19
|
)%
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, end of period (000s) |
|
$
|
102,370
|
|
|
$
|
124,127
|
|
|
$
|
123,258
|
|
|
$
|
106,383
|
|
|
$
|
52,994
|
|
|
$
|
36,776
|
|
Ratio
of expenses including reimbursement/waiver to average net assets |
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%(f)
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.54
|
%(g)
|
N/A
|
|
Ratio
of expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver to average net assets |
|
|
0.67
|
%
|
|
|
0.61
|
%
|
|
|
0.75
|
%(f)
|
|
0.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.71
|
%
|
|
|
0.57
|
%
|
Ratio
of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets |
|
|
0.59
|
%
|
|
|
0.96
|
%
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)%(f)
|
|
(0.10
|
)%
|
|
|
0.22
|
%
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)%
|
Portfolio
turnover rate(h)
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
66
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
157
|
%
|
|
|
127
|
%
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
(a)With
the approval of the Board effective December 31, 2020, the Fund’s fiscal year end was changed from November
30 to December 31.
(b)These
financials have been audited by the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.
(c)Based
on average shares outstanding during the period.
(d)Less
than $0.005 per share.
(e)Total
return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net
asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated
for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(f)Annualized.
(g)Prior
to July 19, 2019, the prior adviser paid certain Fund expenses via a unitary fee arrangement; no fees or expenses were waived.
(h)Portfolio
turnover rate does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF
For
a share outstanding throughout the periods presented
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Period September 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022(a)
|
|
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2022(b)
|
|
For
the Year Ended August 31, 2021(b)(c)
|
|
For
the Period December 3, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to August 31, 2020(b)(c)
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
$
|
38.94
|
|
|
$
|
31.07
|
|
|
$
|
16.69
|
|
|
$
|
12.50
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS)
FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income/(loss)(d)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain/(loss) |
|
|
(7.05
|
)
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
|
|
14.71
|
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(7.12
|
)
|
|
|
10.27
|
|
|
|
14.94
|
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
net investment income |
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(2.42
|
)
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(2.42
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Redemption
Fees |
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net
increase/(decrease) in net asset value |
|
|
(7.12
|
)
|
|
|
7.87
|
|
|
|
14.38
|
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
NET
ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD |
|
$
|
31.82
|
|
|
$
|
38.94
|
|
|
$
|
31.07
|
|
|
$
|
16.69
|
|
TOTAL
RETURN(e)
|
|
|
(18.28
|
)%
|
|
|
33.42
|
%
|
|
|
91.13
|
%
|
|
|
33.48
|
%
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, end of period (000s) |
|
$
|
826,468
|
|
|
$
|
1,037,584
|
|
|
$
|
355,776
|
|
|
$
|
14,184
|
|
Ratio
of expenses to average net assets |
|
|
0.83
|
%(f)
|
|
0.83
|
%
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
0.85
|
%(f)
|
Ratio
of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets |
|
|
(0.58
|
)%(f)
|
|
0.40
|
%
|
|
|
0.81
|
%
|
|
|
0.74
|
%(f)
|
Portfolio
turnover rate(g)
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
|
|
28
|
%
|
(a)With
the approval of the Board effective September 6, 2022, the Fund’s fiscal year end was changed from November 30 to December 31.
(b)On
December 21, 2022, the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF underwent a two for one stock split. The capital share activity presented here has been
retroactively adjusted to reflect this stock split.
(c)These
financials have been audited by the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.
(d)Based
on average shares outstanding during the period.
(e)Total
return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net
asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated
for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(f)Annualized.
(g)Portfolio
turnover rate does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind.
General
Information
For
More Information:
Existing
Shareholders or Prospective Investors
•Call
your financial professional
•www.sprottetfs.com
Dealers
ALPS
Distributors, Inc.: 1-888-622-1813
Investment
Adviser
Sprott Asset Management LP
200 Bay Street, Suite
2600
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1
Sub-Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc.
1290 Broadway
Suite 1000
Denver,
Colorado 80203
Distributor
ALPS Distributors, Inc.
1290 Broadway
Suite
1000
Denver, Colorado 80203
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston,
Massachusetts 02110
Legal
Counsel
Thompson Hine LLP
1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington,
D.C. 20036
Transfer
Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin
Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
50
South 16th Street
Suite 2900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
This
Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Funds’
shares. It can be reviewed on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You can also request copies of
these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address publicinfo@sec.gov. These
documents and other information concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the offices of Sprott Asset Management LP, 200 Bay Street,
Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. These documents and other information concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the offices
of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
The
SAI for the Funds, which has been filed with the SEC, provides more information about the Funds. The SAI is incorporated herein by reference
and is legally part of this Prospectus. Additional information about each Fund’s investments will be available in the Funds’
annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual report, when available, you will find a discussion of the market
conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI and
the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing to the Funds at c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc.,
at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203 or by calling (888) 622-1813.
Investment
Company Act file no. 811-23382.
SPROTT
FUNDS TRUST
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April
28, 2023
Fund |
|
Ticker
Symbol |
|
Listing
Exchange |
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF |
|
SGDM |
|
NYSE
Arca, Inc. |
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF |
|
SGDJ |
|
NYSE
Arca, Inc. |
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF |
|
URNM |
|
NYSE
Arca, Inc. |
This
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of
Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF and Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (the “Funds”), series of Sprott Funds
Trust (the “Trust”) dated April 28, 2023, as it may be supplemented from time to time (“Prospectus”).
Capitalized
terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus, SAI
and the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports, when available, may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust
or the Trust’s Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc., at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203 or by calling 1.888.622.1813
(9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time).
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The
Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust currently consists of nine series. Sprott Gold Equity Fund, a mutual fund,
is offered by a separate prospectus and statement of additional information. Sprott Energy Transition Materials ETF, Sprott Junior Copper
Miners ETF, Sprott Nickel Miners ETF, Sprott Lithium Miners ETF and Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF, each of which is a non-diversified
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), are also offered by separate
prospectuses and statements of additional information. Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (together, the “Gold
Funds”) and Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (the “Uranium Fund” and, together with the Gold Funds, each a “Fund”
and together the “Funds”), which is the subject of this Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), is a non-diversified
management investment company under the 1940 Act. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on January 3, 2018. The shares
of the Funds are referred to herein as “Shares.” Sprott Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”) acts as investment
adviser to the Funds. ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”) acts as sub-adviser to the Funds.
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF acquired all of the assets and liabilities of Sprott Gold Miners ETF (the “Gold Predecessor Fund”), and Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF acquired all of the assets and liabilities of Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (the “Junior Predecessor Fund”)
each a series of ALPS ETF Trust, in a tax-free reorganization on or about July 19, 2019 (“Gold ETF Reorganization”). The Gold
Predecessor Fund and Junior Predecessor Fund each had the same investment objectives, strategies and policies as the corresponding Fund
at the time of the Gold ETF Reorganization. As of the date of the Gold ETF Reorganization, Sprott Gold Miners ETF’s index was changed
from the predecessor index to Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index, and Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF’s index
was changed from the predecessor index to Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index (together with the Solactive
Gold Miners Custom Factors Total Return Index, the “Underlying Gold Indices”).
The
Uranium Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of North Shore Global Uranium Mining ETF (the “Uranium Predecessor Fund”),
a series of Exchange Traded Concepts Trust, in a tax-free reorganization (“Uranium ETF Reorganization”). The Uranium Predecessor
Fund had the same investment objectives, strategies and policies as the Uranium Fund at the time of the Uranium ETF Reorganization. The
Uranium Fund seeks to track the North Shore Global Uranium Mining ETF, the same index tracked by the Uranium Predecessor Fund (the “Underlying
Uranium Index,” and together with the Underlying Gold Indices, each an “Underlying Index”).
Each
Fund offers and issues Shares at their net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each,
a “Creation Unit”). Each Fund generally offers and issues Shares in exchange for a basket of securities (“Deposit Securities”)
together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require
the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit Cash”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any
Deposit Security. Shares are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Arca”) and trade on the Exchange
at market prices that may differ from the Shares’ NAV. Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, primarily
for a basket of Deposit Securities together with a Cash Component. A Creation Unit of a Fund generally consists of 10,000 Shares, though
this may change from time to time. Creation Units are not expected to consist of fewer than 10,000 Shares. As a practical matter, only
institutions or large investors purchase or redeem Creation Units. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable
securities.
Shares
may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit
with the Trust cash at least equal to a specified percentage of the value of the missing Deposit Securities, as set forth in the Participant
Agreement (as defined below). The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be
limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. As
in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions in the secondary market will be based on negotiated
commission rates at customary levels.
EXCHANGE
LISTING AND TRADING
Shares
are listed for trading and trade throughout the day on the Exchange.
There
can be no assurance that a Fund will continue to meet the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares. An
Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will initiate delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Fund under any of the
following circumstances: (i) if any of the requirements set forth in the Exchange rules are not continuously maintained; (ii) if the Exchange
files separate proposals under Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and any of the statements regarding: (a) the index composition; (b) the description
of a Fund; (c) limitations on a Fund’s portfolio holdings or reference assets; (d) dissemination and availability of the index or
intraday indicative values; or (e) the applicability of the Exchange listing rules specified in such proposals are not continuously maintained;
(iii) if 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 a Fund; (iv) if the value of a Fund’s Underlying Index is no longer calculated or available or an interruption
to the dissemination persists past the trading day in which it occurred or the Underlying Index is replaced with a new index, unless the
new underlying index meets certain Exchange requirements; (v) if the intraday indicative value is no longer disseminated at least every
15 seconds during the Exchange’s regular market session and the interruption to the dissemination persists past the trading day
in which it occurred; or (vi) such other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further
dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the respective
Fund.
INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND RISKS
A
discussion of the risks associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in the Prospectus under the headings “Summary
Information—Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund, “Summary Information—Principal
Risks of Investing in the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund and “Additional Information About the Fund’s Investment
Strategies and Risks.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
General
Considerations and Risks
An
investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance
with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.
In
the event that the securities in a Fund’s index are not listed on a national securities exchange, the principal trading market for
some may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers
will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will
be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s Shares will be adversely affected if trading
markets for a Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.
The
Adviser, on behalf of the Funds has filed with the National Futures Association (“NFA”) a notice claiming an exclusion from
the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (“CEA”),
and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) promulgated thereunder, with respect to each Fund’s
operations. Therefore, the Funds, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser (both with respect to the Funds) are not subject to registration or regulation
as a commodity pool or CPO under the CEA. If a Fund becomes subject to these requirements, as well as related NFA rules, a Fund may incur
additional compliance and other expenses.
Authorized
Participant Concentration
Only
an Authorized Participant (as defined in the Creations and Redemptions section of the Fund’s prospectus (the “Prospectus”))
may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with a Fund. Each Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized
Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable 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 Creation Units, Fund shares may
trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
Borrowing
The
Funds may borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time. This means
that, in general, the Funds may borrow money from banks for any purpose in an amount up to 1/3 of a Fund’s total assets. A Fund
also may borrow money for temporary administrative purposes in an amount not to exceed 5% of a Fund’s total assets.
Specifically,
provisions of the 1940 Act require the Funds to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities
exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of a Fund’s total
assets made for temporary purposes. Any borrowings for temporary purposes in excess of 5% of a Fund’s total assets must maintain
continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Funds may
be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three (3) days (not including Sundays and holidays) to reduce the debt and restore
the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
The
Funds also may enter into certain transactions that can be viewed as constituting a form of borrowing or financing transaction by such
Fund. To the extent a Fund “covers” its obligations or liabilities by the segregation or “earmarking” of assets,
in accordance with procedures adopted by Board reasonably designed to be consistent with the regulations, rules and SEC staff interpretations
under the 1940 Act, such borrowing will not be (i) considered a “senior security” by a Fund or (ii) subject to the 300% asset
coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a Fund. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on a Fund’s NAV
of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may
or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. In addition, a Fund may be required to maintain minimum average balances
in connection with such borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would
increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Concentration
Risk
The
Funds may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due to adverse events that affect a Fund’s investments more
than the market as a whole, to the extent that a Fund’s investments are concentrated in the securities of a particular issuer or
issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Shares are subject to the
risks of an investment in a portfolio of equity securities in an industry or group of industries in which a Fund’s Index is highly
concentrated. In addition, because it is the policy of the Funds to generally invest in the securities that comprise its respective Index,
the securities held by such Fund may be concentrated in that industry or group of industries.
Currency
Exchange Rate Risk
The
Funds may invest its assets in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value
of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of a Fund’s investment and the value of the Shares. Because a Fund’s net asset
value (“NAV”) is determined in U.S. dollars, a Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency of the non-U.S. market in which
a Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the value of a Fund’s holdings, measured in the foreign currency, increases.
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.
Custody
Risk
Less
developed markets are more likely to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades, as well as the holding of securities
by local banks, agents and depositories.
Cyber
Security
In
connection with the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business
functions, the Funds are susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks due to the possibility of cyber-attacks or
other incidents. Cyber incidents may result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited
to, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code, gaining unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices that
are used to service the Funds’ operations through hacking or other means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive
information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require
gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks (which can make a website unavailable) on the Funds’ website.
In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on the Funds’
systems.
Cyber
security failures or breaches by the Funds’ third party service providers (including, but not limited to, the adviser, distributor,
custodian, transfer agent, and financial intermediaries) may cause disruptions and impact the service providers’ and the Funds’
business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the mutual
funds to process transactions, inability to calculate a Fund’s net asset value, violations of applicable privacy and other laws,
regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. A Fund
and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund or
its third party service providers.
A
Fund may incur substantial costs to prevent or address cyber incidents in the future. In addition, there is a possibility that certain
risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, a Fund cannot directly control any cyber security plans and systems
put in place by third party service providers. Cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund invests,
which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such securities to lose
value.
Equity
Securities
The
financial condition of issuers of equity securities may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities market may deteriorate
(either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Common stocks, a type
of equity securities, 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. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including
expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction,
and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.
Holders
of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer,
have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations
or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer.
Further,
unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market
fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or
mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to
market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
Fluctuation
of Net Asset Value
The
net asset value (“NAV”) of a Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Fund’s
holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply and
demand for Shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above the NAV of the Shares of
the Fund. 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 identify to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of a Fund’s
Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time.
Foreign
Securities
Foreign
securities are subject to market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments and changes in interest rates
and perceived trends in stock prices. Investing in securities issued by issuers domiciled in countries other than the domicile of the
investor and denominated in currencies other than an investor’s local currency entails certain considerations and risks not typically
encountered by the investor in making investments in its home country and in that country’s currency. These considerations include
favorable or unfavorable changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, exchange control regulations and the costs that may be incurred
in connection with conversions between various currencies. Investing in any of the Funds also involves certain risks and considerations
not typically associated with investing in a Fund whose portfolio contains exclusively securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include
generally less liquid and less efficient securities markets; generally greater price volatility; less publicly available information about
issuers; the imposition of withholding or other taxes; the imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of funds or other assets of
a Fund; higher transaction and custody costs; delays and risks attendant in settlement procedures; difficulties in enforcing contractual
obligations; lower liquidity and significantly smaller market capitalization; different accounting and disclosure standards; lower levels
of regulation of the securities markets; more substantial government interference with the economy; higher rates of inflation; greater
social, economic, and political uncertainty; the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets; and the risk of war.
ADRs,
GDRs and EDRs
American
Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”)
(collectively, “Depositary Receipts”) are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust issuer, which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying
securities are issued by a non-U.S. issuer. For other forms of Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a non-U.S. or a U.S. entity,
and the underlying securities may be issued by a non-U.S. or a U.S. issuer. Depositary Receipts are not necessarily denominated in the
same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs, issued in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities
markets, and EDRs, issued in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States
and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world.
The
Funds will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipt or any Depositary Receipt that the Adviser deems illiquid at the time of purchase
or for which pricing information is not readily available. In general, Depositary Receipts must be sponsored, but a Fund may invest in
unsponsored Depositary Receipts under certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated
to disclose material information in the United States. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there
may be no correlation between available information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts.
Emerging
Markets
Investments
in emerging market countries may be subject to greater risks than investments in developed countries. These risks include: (i) less social,
political, and economic stability; (ii) greater illiquidity and price volatility due to smaller or limited local capital markets for such
securities, or low or non-existent trading volumes; (iii) foreign exchanges and broker-dealers may be subject to less scrutiny and regulation
by local authorities; (iv) local governments may decide to seize or confiscate securities held by foreign investors and/or local governments
may decide to suspend or limit an issuer’s ability to make dividend or interest payments; (v) local governments may limit or entirely
restrict repatriation of invested capital, profits, and dividends; (vi) capital gains may be subject to local taxation, including on a
retroactive basis; (vii) issuers facing restrictions on dollar or euro payments imposed by local governments may attempt to make dividend
or interest payments to foreign investors in the local currency; (viii) investors may experience difficulty in enforcing legal claims
related to the securities and/or local judges may favor the interests of the issuer over those of foreign investors; (ix) bankruptcy judgments
may only be permitted to be paid in the local currency; (x) limited public information regarding the issuer may result in greater difficulty
in determining market valuations of the securities, and (xi) lax financial reporting on a regular basis, substandard disclosure and differences
in accounting standards may make it difficult to ascertain the financial health of an issuer.
Emerging
market securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of
issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number
of investors. In addition, brokerage and other costs associated with transactions in emerging market securities markets can be higher,
sometimes significantly, than similar costs incurred in securities markets in developed countries. Although some emerging markets have
become more established and tend to issue securities of higher credit quality, the markets for securities in other emerging market countries
are in the earliest stages of their development, and these countries issue securities across the credit spectrum. Even the markets for
relatively widely traded securities in emerging market countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase
in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries.
The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness
and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in
these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute
to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging market securities may also affect a Fund’s
ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or
in order to meet redemption requests.
Many
emerging market countries suffer from uncertainty and corruption in their legal frameworks. Legislation may be difficult to interpret,
and laws may be too new to provide any precedential value. Laws regarding foreign investment and private property may be weak or non-existent.
Sudden changes in governments may result in policies that are less favorable to investors such as policies designed to expropriate or
nationalize “sovereign” assets. Certain emerging market countries in the past have expropriated large amounts of private property,
in many cases with little or no compensation, and there can be no assurance that such expropriation will not occur in the future.
Investment
in the securities markets of certain emerging market countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may
limit a Fund’s investment in certain emerging market countries and may increase the expenses of a Fund. Certain emerging market
countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including
price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals.
Many
emerging market countries lack the social, political, and economic stability characteristic of the United States. Political and social
instability among emerging market countries can be common and may be caused by an uneven distribution of wealth, social unrest, labor
strikes, civil wars, and religious oppression. Economic instability in emerging market countries may take the form of: (i) high interest
rates; (ii) high levels of inflation, including hyperinflation; (iii) high levels of unemployment or underemployment; (iv) changes in
government economic and tax policies, including confiscatory taxation; and (v) imposition of trade barriers.
A
Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the
emerging market countries in which it invests, and treaties between the United States and such countries may not be available in some
cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.
Emerging
markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain of these emerging markets there have been times when settlements
have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
In
the past, certain governments in emerging market countries have become overly reliant on the international capital markets and other forms
of foreign credit to finance large public spending programs, which in the past have caused huge budget deficits. Often, interest payments
have become too overwhelming for a government to meet, representing a large percentage of total GDP. These foreign obligations have become
the subject of political debate and served as fuel for political parties of the opposition, which pressure the government not to make
payments to foreign creditors, but instead to use these funds for, among other things, social programs. Either due to an inability to
pay or submission to political pressure, foreign governments have been forced to seek a restructuring of their loan and/or bond obligations,
have declared a temporary suspension of interest payments or have defaulted. These events have adversely affected the values of securities
issued by foreign governments and corporations domiciled in those countries and have negatively affected not only their cost of borrowing,
but their ability to borrow in the future as well.
Geographic
Concentration Risk
To
the extent an Underlying Index and a Fund’s investment portfolio are significantly comprised of securities of issuers from a single
country, a Fund would be more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country.
Risks
Related to Investing in Australia: To the extent the Fund invests in Australian securities, it will be subject to risks related to
investing in Australia. Investments in Australian issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic
risk specific to Australia. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on exports from the agricultural and mining sectors. This makes
the Australian economy susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity markets. Australia is also dependent on trading with key trading partners.
Risks
Related to Investment in Canada: in Canadian issuers may subject the Fund to economic risk specific to Canada. Among other things,
the Canadian economy is heavily dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States and China. The
Canadian economy is sensitive to fluctuations in certain commodity markets.
Risks
Related to Investment in Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan’s economy is a resource-based economy that is heavily dependent on the export
of natural resources. Fluctuations in certain commodity markets or sustained low prices for its exports could have a significant, adverse
effect on Kazakhstan’s economy. Kazakhstan is a presidential republic but maintains several authoritarian characteristics including
involvement in the economy. While Kazakhstan has recently pursued economic reform and liberalization of many areas in the economy, there
is no guarantee that the government will not become directly involved in aspects of the economy in the future. Due to the recent rise
in many commodities prices, one major concern for Kazakhstan is managing inflationary pressures from strong foreign currency inflows.
Significant increases in inflation would have a negative impact on companies in Kazakhstan and would have an adverse impact on the Fund.
Recently,
a state of emergency and a nationwide curfew has been imposed and there has been foreign intervention in Kazakhstan in response to social
unrest in that country. Until there is a period of stabilization, it is unclear of the extent of the consequences of this unrest and measures
take to address the unrest will have on the future growth and economic conditions in Kazakhstan, including uranium mining and prices and
the supply and demand of that commodity, as well as whether there will be any other unintended consequences.
Risks
Related to Investing in South Africa: South Africa’s two-tiered economy, with one rivaling developed countries and the other
exhibiting many characteristics of developing countries, is characterized by uneven distribution of wealth and income and high rates of
unemployment. Although economic reforms have been enacted to promote growth and foreign investments, there can be no assurance that these
programs will achieve the desired results. In addition, South Africa’s inadequate currency reserves have left its currency vulnerable,
at times, to devaluation. Despite significant reform and privatization, the South African government continues to control a large share
of South African economic activity. Heavy regulation of labor and product markets is pervasive and may stifle South African economic growth
or cause prolonged periods of recession. The agriculture and mining sectors of South Africa’s economy account for a large portion
of its exports, and thus the South African economy is susceptible to fluctuations in these commodity markets.
Risks
Related to Investing in Turkey: Investments in Turkish issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency, security
and economic risks specific to Turkey. Among other things, the Turkish economy is heavily dependent on relationships with certain key
trading partners, including EU countries, China and Russia. The Turkish economy has certain significant economic weaknesses, such as its
relatively high current account deficit. Turkey has historically experienced acts of terrorism and strained relations related to border
disputes with certain neighboring countries. Turkey may be subject to considerable degrees of social and political instability. Unanticipated
or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the Turkish stock market or currency market and as a result adversely
affect the Fund’s investments.
Risks
Related to Investing in United Kingdom: The United Kingdom trades heavily with other European countries and the United States and
may be impacted by changes to the economic health of their key trading partners. The United Kingdom also relies heavily on the export
of financial services. Accordingly, a downturn in the financial services sector may have an adverse impact on the United Kingdom’s
economy. In January 2020, the United Kingdom formally exited the European Union (“Brexit”). Although it remains unclear what
the potential consequences of Brexit may be, the economies of Europe and the United Kingdom, as well as the broader global economy, could
be significantly impacted by Brexit, which may result in lower economic growth and increased volatility and illiquidity across global
markets.
Gold
and Silver Mining Industry Risk
Because
the Underlying Gold Indices are concentrated in the gold and silver mining industry, a Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance
will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the gold and silver mining industry. Competitive pressures may have a significant
effect on the financial condition of such companies in the gold and silver mining industry. Also, gold and silver mining companies are
highly dependent on the price of gold and silver bullion. These prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time so a Fund’s
Share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In times of significant inflation or great economic uncertainty, gold,
silver and other precious metals may outperform traditional investments such as bonds and stocks. However, in times of stable economic
growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious
metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect a Fund’s returns. The production and sale of precious metals by governments
or central banks or other large holders can be affected by various economic, financial, social and political factors, which may be unpredictable
and may have a significant impact on the supply and prices of precious metals. Economic and political conditions in those countries that
are the largest producers of gold may have a direct effect on the production and marketing of gold and on sales of central bank gold holdings.
Some gold and precious metals mining operation companies may hedge their exposure to falls in gold and precious metals prices by selling
forward future production, which may result in lower returns during periods when the price of gold and precious metals increases. The
gold and precious metals industry can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, the success
of exploration projects, commodity prices and tax and government regulations. If a natural disaster or other event with a significant
economic impact occurs in a region where the companies in which a Fund invests operate, such disaster or event could negatively affect
the profitability of such companies and, in turn, a Fund’s investment in them.
Index
Management Risk
Because
unlike many investment companies each Fund is not “actively” managed it would not necessarily sell a security because the
security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the respective Underlying Index. Additionally, each
Fund rebalances its portfolio in accordance with its applicable Underlying Index, and, therefore, any changes to the Underlying Index’s
rebalance schedule will result in corresponding changes to a Fund’s rebalance schedule.
Investment
Companies
The
Funds may invest in the securities of other investment companies, subject to applicable limitations under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940
Act. Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1), a Fund may invest in the securities of another investment company (the “acquired company”)
provided that a Fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, does not own in the aggregate: (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of the acquired company; (ii) securities issued by the acquired company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the
value of the total assets of a Fund; or (iii) securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies (other than
Treasury stock of a Fund) having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of a Fund. A Fund may invest its
assets in securities of investment companies in excess of the limits discussed above, provided it complies with the requirements of Rule
12d1-4, or an exemptive order issued by the SEC.
If
a Fund invests in and, thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company, a Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a Fund’s
proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory fees, in addition to both the management
fees payable directly by a Fund to the Fund’s own investment adviser and the other expenses that a Fund bears directly in connection
with a Fund’s own operations.
Consistent
with the restrictions discussed above and while they have no current intention to do so, a Fund may invest in different types of investment
companies from time to time, including business development companies (“BDCs”). A BDC is a less common type of an investment
company that more closely resembles an operating company than a typical investment company. BDCs generally focus on investing in, and
providing managerial assistance to, small, developing, financially troubled, private companies or other companies that may have value
that can be realized over time and with managerial assistance. Similar to an operating company, a BDC’s total annual operating expense
ratio typically reflects all of the operating expenses incurred by the BDC, and is generally greater than the total annual operating expense
ratio of a mutual fund that does not bear the same types of operating expenses. However, as a shareholder of a BDC, a Fund does not directly
pay for a portion of all of the operating expenses of the BDC, just as a shareholder of a computer manufacturer does not directly pay
for the cost of labor associated with producing such computers. As a result, the fees and expenses of a Fund that invests in a BDC will
be effectively overstated by an amount equal to the “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.” Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are
not included as an operating expense of a Fund in the Fund’s financial statements, which more accurately reflect a Fund’s
actual operating expenses.
Section
12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by registered investment companies in securities of other registered investment companies,
including a Fund. The acquisition of a Fund’s Shares by registered investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section
12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as may be permitted by Rule 12d1-4 or an exemptive order.
Issuer
Risk
Fund
performance depends on the performance of individual securities to which a Fund has exposure. Changes in the financial condition or credit
rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline.
Large
Capitalization Companies
Stock
prices of large capitalization companies may be less volatile than those of small- and mid-capitalization companies. However, larger companies
may not be able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, and thus, returns on investments in securities of large
companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of small- and mid-sized companies.
Liquidity
Risk
It
may be more difficult for a Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of some securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market
prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Adviser believes it is desirable
to do so. A Fund’s investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict
its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities.
Market
Risk and Selection Risk
Overall
market risks may also affect the value of a Fund. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels
and political events affect the securities markets.
Market
risk is the risk that one or more markets in which a Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will
go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic
trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer
or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional
or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue, e.g. COVID-19, recessions,
or other events could have a significant impact on a Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected
by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment
objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
Each
Fund is subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions,
including those arising from war, terrorism, market manipulation, government interventions, defaults and shutdowns, political changes
or diplomatic developments, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics) and natural/environmental
disasters, which can all negatively impact the securities markets and cause a Fund to lose value. These events can also impair the technology
and other operational systems upon which a Fund’s service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, as applicable, rely,
and could otherwise disrupt the Funds’ service providers’ ability to fulfill their obligations to the Funds.
COVID-19
has adversely affected and other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect
the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways than cannot necessarily be
foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established
healthcare systems. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or
globally. The duration of these effects cannot be determined with certainty.
The
foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures,
higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of securities or other assets. Such impacts, which may vary across
asset classes, may adversely affect the performance of the Funds. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts
on specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in the Funds being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain
securities or financial instruments or to accurately price their investments. These and other developments may adversely affect the liquidity
of the Funds’ holdings.
Metals
and Mining Companies Risk
The
Funds will invest in securities that are issued by and/or have exposure to, companies primarily involved in the metals and mining industry.
Investments in metals and mining companies may be speculative and subject to greater price volatility than investments in other types
of companies. The profitability of companies in the metals and mining industry is related to, among other things, worldwide metal prices
and extraction and production costs. Worldwide metal prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time, and as a result, a
Fund’s Share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In addition, metals and mining companies may be significantly
affected by changes in global demand for certain metals, economic developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects,
changes in exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, tax treatment, trade treaties, and government regulation and intervention,
and events in the regions that the companies to which a Fund has exposure operate (e.g., expropriation, nationalization, confiscation
of assets and property, the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments or repatriation of capital, military coups, social or political
unrest, violence and labor unrest). Metals and mining companies may also be subject to the effects of competitive pressures in the metals
and mining industry.
Micro
Capitalization Risk
Micro
capitalization companies may be newly formed or have limited product lines, distribution channels and financial and managerial resources.
The risks associated with those investments are generally greater than those associated with investments in the securities of larger,
more established companies. This may cause a Fund’s net asset value to be more volatile when compared to investment companies that
focus only on large capitalization companies.
Generally,
securities of micro capitalization companies are more likely to experience sharper swings in market value, less liquid markets in which
it may be more difficult for the Adviser to sell at times and at prices that the Adviser believes appropriate and generally are more volatile
than those of larger companies. Compared to large companies, micro capitalization companies are more likely to have (i) less information
publicly available, (ii) more limited product lines or markets and less mature businesses, (iii) fewer capital resources, (iv) more limited
management depth and (v) shorter operating histories. Further, the equity securities of micro capitalization companies are often traded
over the counter and generally experience a lower trading volume than is typical for securities that are traded on a national securities
exchange. Consequently, a Fund may be required to dispose of these securities over a larger period of time (and potentially at less favorable
prices) than would be the case for securities of larger companies, offering greater potential for gains and losses and associated tax
consequences.
Mid-Capitalization
Companies
Stock
prices of mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and, therefore, a Fund’s
Share price may be more volatile than those of funds that invest a larger percentage of their assets in stocks issued by large capitalization
companies. Stock prices of mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than those of large capitalization companies to adverse
business or economic developments, and the stocks of mid-capitalization companies may be less liquid, making it more difficult for a Fund
to buy and sell them. In addition, mid-capitalization companies generally have less diverse product lines than large capitalization companies
and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products.
National
Closed Market Trading Risk
To
the extent that the underlying securities held by a Fund trade on foreign exchanges that may be closed when the securities exchange on
which a Fund’s shares trade is open, there are likely to be deviations between the current price of such an underlying security
and the last quoted price for the underlying security (i.e., a Fund’s quote from the closed foreign market). These deviations
could result in premiums or discounts to a Fund’s NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other exchange-traded funds
(“ETFs”).
Non-Correlation
Risk
A
Fund’s return may not match the return of its Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, a Fund incurs a number of operating
expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing a Fund’s
securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Underlying Index. These transaction costs may be higher for a Fund investing
in foreign securities. Transaction costs, including brokerage costs, will decrease a Fund’s NAV to the extent not offset by the
transaction fee payable by AP. Market disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to
adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track its Underlying Index. It is also possible that a Fund may not replicate its
Underlying Index to the extent it has to adjust its portfolio holdings in order to qualify as a “regulated investment company”
under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, the performance of a Fund and its Underlying Index may vary due
to asset valuation differences and differences between a Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions,
cash flows or operational inefficiencies.
Due
to legal and regulatory rules and limitations (including exchange listing standards), a Fund may not be able to invest in all securities
included in its Underlying Index. For tax efficiency purposes, a Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate
from the Underlying Index.
A
Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into a Fund or reserves of cash held by a Fund to meet redemptions
and expenses. If a Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in its Underlying Index, its return
may not correlate as well with the return on the Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying
Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.
The
risk that a Fund may not match the performance of its Underlying Index may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or
other unusual market conditions. Errors in the construction or calculation of an Underlying Index may occur from time to time. Any such
errors may not be identified and corrected by the Index Provider for some period of time, which may have an adverse impact on a Fund and
its shareholders. For example, during a period where a Fund’s Underlying Index contains incorrect constituents, a Fund would have
market exposure to such constituents and would be underexposed to the Underlying Index’s other constituents. Any gains due to the
Index Provider’s or others’ errors will be kept by a Fund and its shareholders and any losses resulting from the Index Provider’s
or others’ errors will be borne by a Fund and its shareholders.
To
the extent a Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of its Underlying Index is based on securities closing prices
on local markets (i.e., the value of the Underlying Index is not based on fair value prices) or a Fund otherwise calculates its
NAV based on prices that differ from those used in calculating the Underlying Index, a Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index
may be adversely affected.
Non-Diversification
Risk
Each
Fund is non-diversified. This means that it may invest a larger portion of its assets in a limited number of companies than a diversified
fund. Because a relatively high percentage of a Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of a limited number of companies
that could be in the same or related economic sectors, a Fund’s portfolio may be more susceptible to any single economic, technological
or regulatory occurrence than the portfolio of a diversified fund.
Operational
Risk
A
Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including but not limited to human error, processing and communication
errors, errors of a Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology
or systems failures. Each Fund seeks to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not
address every possible risk and may be inadequate for those risks that they are intended to address.
Relationship
to Gold, Silver and Uranium Risk
Each
Underlying Index measures the performance of equity securities of companies engaged in gold and silver mining or uranium mining and/or
related services in the precious metals and base metals sectors. Each Underlying Index does not measure the performance of direct investment
in gold, silver or uranium, therefore, may not move in the same direction and to the same extent as the spot prices of gold, silver or
uranium.
Regulatory
Action Risk
The
mining, refining and/or manufacturing of metals may be significantly affected by regulatory action and changes in governments. For example,
China, which produces approximately 80% of the world’s rare earth supplies, has ended its former export quota for rare earth metals
following a World Trade Organization (“WTO”) ruling. Future moves by China or other countries essential to the producing,
refining or recycling of rare earth metals to limit exports could have a significant adverse effect on industries around the globe and
on the values of the businesses in which a Fund invests. Moreover, while it is expected that China will consume a large percentage of
the rare earth metals produced within the country to support its growing economy, China has shown a willingness to flood the market for
rare earth metals thereby causing many companies to shut down.
Sector
Focus Risk
Each
Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one or more sectors and thus will be more susceptible to the risks affecting those
sectors. While a Fund’s sector exposure is expected to vary over time based on the composition of its Underlying Index, the Funds
anticipate that they may be subject to some or all of the risks described below. The list below is not a comprehensive list of the sectors
to which a Fund may have exposure over time and should not be relied on as such.
Energy
Sector Risk: Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand
of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation
by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts
of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural
disasters, as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies
may be at risk for environmental damage claims.
Mining
Sector Risk: The exploration and development of mineral deposits involve significant financial risks over a significant period of
time, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Few properties which are explored are
ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenditures may be required to establish reserves by drilling and to construct mining
and processing facilities at a site. In addition, mineral exploration companies typically operate at a loss and are dependent on securing
equity and/or debt financing, which might be more difficult to secure for an exploration company than for a more established counterpart.
Securities
Lending
Each
Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain borrowers. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal
to the current market value of the securities loaned. A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities
loaned. A Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities. Distributions received
on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments (i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income.
With
respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral.
A Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower.
In the case of collateral other than cash, a Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value
of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending
Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, which may include those managed by the Adviser.
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 securities
lending agents approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) who administer the lending program for a Fund
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 a 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.
Securities
lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the
settlement and accounting process), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral
reinvestments and the fees a Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower
does not return a Fund’s securities as agreed, a Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral
do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in
purchasing replacement securities.
Investing
cash collateral subjects a Fund to greater market risk, including losses on the collateral and, should a Fund need to look to the collateral
in the event of the borrower’s default, losses on the loan secured by that collateral.
Short-Term
Instruments
The
Funds may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity for cash equitization,
funding, or under abnormal market conditions. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not
limited to: (i) shares of money market funds; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities
(including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances,
fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial
paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s Financial
Services LLC, or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g.,
bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements
set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches)
that, in the opinion of the Adviser are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by a Fund. Any of these
instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking
institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks
by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
Small
and Medium Capitalization Stock Risk
The
stocks of small and medium capitalization companies involve substantial risk. These companies may have limited product lines, markets
or financial resources, and they may be dependent on a limited management group. Stocks of these companies may be subject to more abrupt
or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
Trading
Risk
The
Funds faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of a Fund, losses from trading
in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares may result in
Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. The
NAV
of Shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate
in accordance with changes in NAV and supply and demand on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether 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 Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of the Index
trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at
a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Any of these factors, discussed above and further below, may lead to Shares trading at a premium or discount to a Fund’s NAV.
Absence
of Prior Active Market
While
the Fund’s Shares are listed on an Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for Shares will be maintained.
The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in Shares.
Trading
Issues
Trading
in Shares on an Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares
inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on an Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant
to the Exchange’s “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of an Exchange necessary
to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Uranium
Mining Risk
Because
the Underlying Uranium Index is concentrated in the uranium mining industry, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance
will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the uranium mining industry. Uranium Mining Companies (as defined in the
Prospectus) may be significantly subject to the effects of competitive pressures in the uranium business and the price of uranium. The
price of uranium may be affected by changes in inflation rates, interest rates, monetary policy, economic conditions and political stability.
The price of uranium may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time, therefore the Fund’s share price may be more volatile
than other types of investments. In addition, Uranium Mining Companies may also be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide
competition, liability for environmental damage, depletion of resources, mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control devices,
political and economic conditions in uranium producing and consuming countries, and uranium production levels and costs of production.
The primary demand for uranium is from the nuclear energy industry, which uses uranium as fuel for nuclear power plants. Demand for nuclear
energy may face considerable risk as a result of, among other risks, incidents and accidents, breaches of security, ill-intentioned acts
or terrorism, air crashes, natural disasters (such as floods or earthquakes), equipment malfunctions or mishandling in storage, handling,
transportation, treatment or conditioning of substances and nuclear materials.
Valuation
Risk
The
sale price a Fund could receive for a security may differ from a Fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities or
assets that trade low volume or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. In addition, the value of the securities
or assets in a Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell a Fund’s shares.
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES
The
Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to the Funds. These restrictions cannot be
changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act,
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of
the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of a Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50%
of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
of a Fund. Under these restrictions:
|
1. |
The Funds may not make loans, except
that the Funds may: (i) lend portfolio securities; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue
of debt securities, bank loan or participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, debentures or other
securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities; and (iv) participate in an interfund lending
program with other registered investment companies; |
|
2. |
The Funds may not borrow money,
except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time; |
|
3. |
The Funds may not issue senior securities,
except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time; |
|
4. |
The Funds may not purchase or sell
real estate, except that the Funds may: (i) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein; (ii) invest
in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; and (iii) hold and sell real
estate acquired by a Fund as a result of the ownership of securities; |
|
5. |
The Funds may not engage in the
business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that a Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection
with its investments in other investment companies; |
|
6. |
The Funds may not purchase or sell
commodities, unless acquired as a result of owning securities or other instruments, but it may purchase, sell or enter into financial
options and futures, forward and spot currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial contracts or derivative instruments and
may invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities; and |
|
7. |
The Funds may not purchase any security
if, as a result of that purchase, more than 25% of a Fund’s net assets would be invested in securities of issuers having their principal
business activities in the same industry or group of industries, except that a Fund may invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets
in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries if the index whose performance a Fund seeks to replicate concentrates
in an industry or group of industries. This limit does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
or instrumentalities. |
In
addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, the Funds have the following non-fundamental
policies, which may be changed without a shareholder vote.
|
1. |
Each Fund will not invest less than
80% of its total assets, exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in securities that comprise its underlying index or in
to-be-announced transactions and depositary receipts representing securities comprising the underlying index (or, if depositary receipts
themselves are index securities, the underlying securities in respect of such depositary receipts). |
|
2. |
Under normal circumstances, at least
80% of each Gold Fund’s net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) will consist of securities issued by gold mining companies,
as that term is described in each Gold Fund’s Prospectus. |
|
3. |
The Uranium Fund may not change
its investment strategy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes, in securities of Uranium Mining Companies (as such term is defined in the Uranium Fund’s Prospectus), without providing
60 days prior notice to shareholders. |
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 will be observed continuously.
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
The
Board of the Trust consists of five Trustees, four of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act), of the
Trust (“Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Trust, including
the general oversight of the duties and responsibilities performed by the Adviser and other service providers to the Trust. The Adviser
is responsible for the day-to-day administration, operation, and business affairs of the Trust.
The
Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with
those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite skills and attributes to carry out its oversight
responsibilities with respect to the Trust. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review, critically evaluate, question
and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, the Trust’s other service providers, counsel
and independent auditors, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, support this conclusion. In
reaching its conclusion, the Board also has considered the (i) experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, among others, of
its members, (ii) each member’s character and integrity, (iii) the length of service as a board member of the Trust, (iv) each person’s
willingness to serve and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee, and (v) as to each Independent Trustee,
such Trustee’s status as not being an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust.
References
to the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute the holding
out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability
on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
The
Trustees of the Trust, their addresses, positions with the Trust, ages, term of office and length of time served, principal occupations
during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Trustee and other directorships, if any, held
by the Trustees, are set forth below.
The
Board is also responsible for overseeing the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to a Fund by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser
and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis (following the initial two-year
period), in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser or Sub-Advisory Agreement
with the Sub-Adviser, the Board or its designee may meet with the Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly
considers the Adviser’s adherence to a Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures
and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about each Fund’s performance and each Fund’s
investments, including, for example, portfolio holdings schedules.
The
Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues and Fund or Adviser risk
assessments. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer 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 Adviser. The report addresses
the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any 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 any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.
The
Board receives reports from the Funds’ service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity
of portfolio securities. Annually, the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its
audit of the Funds’ financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Funds and noting any significant deficiencies
or material weaknesses in the Funds’ internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees
Fund management’s implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to
be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time
periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the
Trust’s financial statements.
From
their review of these reports and discussions with the Adviser, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting
firm and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the Funds, thereby facilitating
a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The
Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective
to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the
Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness.
Moreover, reports received by the Board as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the
Funds’ investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Adviser, and other service providers, each of
which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions
are carried out may differ from the Funds’ and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness
of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical
matter, is subject to limitations.
The
Board met six times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Independent
Trustees
Name,
Address1 and Year of Birth |
|
Positions
Held with the Trust |
|
Term
of Office2 and Length of Time Served |
|
Principal
Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios
in the Fund
Complex Overseen |
|
Other
Directorships Held By Trustee During the Past Five Years |
Michael
W. Clark, 1959 |
|
Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Head of the Executive Committee of Chilton Investment Company, LLC (“Chilton”) (all such
capacities, from 2005 through 2016), Chief Risk Officer (from 2005), and a member of Chilton’s Board of Directors (from 2005
through 2019). |
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peyton
T. Muldoon, 1969 |
|
Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Licensed
salesperson, Sotheby’s International Realty, a global real estate brokerage firm (since 2011). |
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
R. Pierce, Jr., 1956 |
|
Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Chairman,
Marsh, insurance broker and risk management, from 2020 to 2022; Chairman of JLT Specialty Insurance Services, Inc. from 2018 to 2019.
|
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leslie
Barrett 1965 |
|
Trustee |
|
Since
April, 2022 |
|
Senior
Software Engineer, Bloomberg LP, since June 2012. |
|
9 |
|
Sprott
Focus Trust, Inc. |
1. |
The address for each Trustee is
200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. |
2. |
Each Trustee serves until resignation,
death, retirement or removal. |
Interested
Trustee and Officer
Name,
Address1 and Year of Birth |
|
Positions
Held with the Trust |
|
Term of
Office2 and Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal
Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in the Fund Complex
Overseen |
|
Other
Directorships Held
By Trustee During
the Past Five Years |
John
Ciampaglia, 1970 |
|
President
and Trustee |
|
Since
September, 2018 |
|
Senior
Managing Director of Sprott Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Sprott Asset Management, Inc. (Since 2010) |
|
8 |
|
None. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
W. Ulrich, 1963 |
|
Secretary,
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
Since September,
2018 |
|
Managing
Director, Sprott Inc. group of companies since January 2018, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Sprott Asset Management USA
Inc. (since October, 2012); General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Sprott Global Resource Investments Ltd. (since October, 2012);
Chief Compliance Officer, Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. (from July, 2011 to October, 2012); Principal, General Counsel and Chief Compliance
Officer of Geneva Advisors (March, 2005 to July, 2011). |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Varinder
Bhathal, 1971 |
|
Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Since September,
2018 |
|
Controller
and Director, Finance of Sprott Inc. (June 2007 to Dec 2015); Vice President, Finance of Sprott Inc. (Dec 2015 to Oct 2017); Managing
Director, Corporate Finance and Investment Operations of Sprott Inc. (since Oct 2017); Chief Financial Officer of Sprott Capital Partners
(since Oct 2016); Chief Financial Officer of Sprott Asset Management LP (since Dec 2018). |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
1. |
The address for each Trustee and
officer is 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J2J1. |
2. |
Each Trustee serves until resignation,
death, retirement or removal. |
Board
Committees
The
Board has an Audit Committee consisting of all Trustees who are Independent Trustees. Mr. Clark currently serves as a member of the Audit
Committee and has been designated as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). Mr. Clark, an Independent Trustee, is the Chairman of the
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the responsibility, among other things, to: (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting
processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Trust’s
financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist the Board’s 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 audit; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered
public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s
independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accounting
firm and the full Board. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The
Board also has a Nominating Committee consisting of all Trustees who are Independent Trustees. Mr. Pierce, an Independent Trustee, is
the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending qualified candidates to the Board in
the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating Committee would consider recommendations by shareholders if a vacancy
were to exist. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence to the Secretary of the Trust
at the Trust’s address and the shareholder communication will be forwarded to the Committee Chairperson for evaluation. In considering
Trustee nominee candidates, the Nominating Committee takes into account a wide variety of factors, including the overall diversity of
the Board’s composition. The Nominating Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of background, experience
and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific
policy in this regard. The Nominating Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The
Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate given the business and nature of the Trust. In connection with its determination,
the Board considered that the Chairman of the Board is an interested Trustee. The Chairman of the Board can play an important role in
setting the agenda of the Board and also serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the Independent Trustees. The
Independent Trustees believe that the Chairman’s relationship with the Adviser facilitates meaningful dialogue between the Adviser
and the Independent Trustees. The Board also considered that the Chairman of the Audit Committee is an Independent Trustee, which yields
similar benefits with respect to the functions and activities of the various Board committees. The Independent Trustees also regularly
meet outside the presence of management. The Board has determined that its committees help ensure that the Trust has effective and independent
governance and oversight. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information
to the Independent Trustees from management of the Trust, including the Adviser. The Board reviews its structure on an annual basis.
As
an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the Trust in the interests of shareholders, the Board, as a general matter, oversees
risk management of the Trust’s investment programs and business affairs. The function of the Board with respect to risk management
is one of oversight and not active involvement in, or coordination of, day-to-day risk management activities for the Trust. The Board
recognizes that (i) not all risks that may affect the Trust can be identified, (ii) it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate
or mitigate certain risks, (iii) it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Trust’s
goals, and (iv) the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover,
reports received by the Trustees that may relate to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information.
The
Board exercises oversight of the risk management process primarily through the Audit Committee, and through oversight by the Board itself.
The Trust faces a number of risks, such as investment-related and compliance risks. The Adviser’s personnel seek to identify and
address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder
services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust. Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable Committee of
the Board, the Trust, and Adviser employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify such possible events or circumstances,
to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different
processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Trust’s
Chief Compliance Officer, as well as various personnel of the Adviser and other service providers such as the Trust’s independent
accountants, may report to the Audit Committee and/or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events
and circumstances that have arisen and responses thereto.
The
officers and Trustees of the Trust, in the aggregate, own less than 1% of the Shares of the Funds as of April 1, 2023.
For
each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Trust and in all registered investment companies
advised by the Adviser (“Family of Investment Companies”) that are overseen by the Trustee is shown below.
Name
of Trustee |
|
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Sprott Gold Miners ETF (as of December 31, 2022) |
|
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (as of December
31, 2022) |
|
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF(as of December 31,
2022) |
|
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen By
Trustee In Family of Investment Companies (as of December 31, 2022) |
Michael
W. Clark |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
Peyton
T. Muldoon |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
$10,000
- $50,000 |
James
R. Pierce, Jr. |
|
$10,000 |
|
None |
|
None |
|
Over
$100,000 |
Leslie
Barrett |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
John
Ciampaglia |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
As
to each Independent Trustee and his immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities in the Adviser or ALPS
Distributors, Inc. (“Distributor”), or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.
Shareholder
Communications to the Board
Shareholders
may send communications to the Board by addressing the communications directly to the Board (or individual Board members) and/or otherwise
clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board (or individual Board members). The shareholder may send the
communication to either the Trust’s office or directly to such Board members at the address specified for each Trustee. Other shareholder
communications received by the Trust not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management.
Such communications will be forwarded to the Board at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.
Remuneration
of Trustees
Each
current Independent Trustee is paid an annual retainer of $20,000 for his or her services as a Board member to the Trust, together with
out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with the Board’s policy on travel and other business expenses relating to attendance at meetings.
Effective June 3, 2022 the annual retainer for each Independent Trustee will increase to $65,000 per year.
Annual
Trustee fees may be reviewed periodically and changed by the Board. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
|
|
Aggregate
Compensation from Funds |
|
Pension
or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses |
|
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
|
Aggregate
Compensation from Trust and Fund Complex(1) Paid to Directors |
Michael
W. Clark |
|
$17,684 |
|
None |
|
None |
|
$42,685 |
Peyton
T. Muldoon |
|
$17,684 |
|
None |
|
None |
|
$42,685 |
James
R. Pierce, Jr. |
|
$17,684 |
|
None |
|
None |
|
$42,685 |
Leslie
Barrett |
|
$15,232 |
|
None |
|
None |
|
$36,767 |
John
Ciampaglia |
|
$0 |
|
None |
|
None |
|
$0 |
(1) |
The Fund Complex includes all series
of the Trust and another registered investment company for which Sprott Asset Management LP provides investment advisory services. |
Limitation
of Trustees’ Liability
The
Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable 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 shall not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent,
employee, adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee.
The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Trust, any person who is serving or has served at the Trust’s request as a Trustee, officer, trustee, employee or agent
of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise to the extent and in the manner provided
in the Amended and Restated By-laws. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability
for his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office
of Trustee. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee’s individual liability in any manner inconsistent with
the federal securities laws.
MANAGEMENT
AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
The
following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Management of the
Fund.”
Investment
Adviser
Sprott
Asset Management LP acts as investment adviser to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Adviser
with respect to the Funds (“Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Gold Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for
the day-to-day investment management of the Funds. The Adviser is owned and controlled by Sprott Asset Management GP Inc., an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprott, Inc.
Subject
to the authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Funds’ business
affairs. The Adviser invests the assets of the Funds, either directly or through the use of sub-advisers, according to each Fund’s
investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own expense all of the necessary office facilities, equipment
and personnel required for managing the assets of the Funds.
The
Adviser is paid a monthly management fee, with respect to the Gold Funds, at an annual rate (stated as a percentage of the average daily
net assets of a Fund) of 0.35%. The Adviser is required to pay all fees due to the Sub-Adviser (described below) out of the management
fee the Adviser receives from each Gold Fund. The Adviser has entered into a contractual arrangement with each Gold Fund to reimburse
the Fund’s expenses, and/or waive a portion of the advisory fee, to the extent necessary to cap each Fund’s Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements at 0.50% of average daily net assets of each Fund through April 30, 2022. Operating
expenses include distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (if any) but exclude (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage
fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which
may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).
The Adviser will be permitted to recover expenses it has borne through this agreement to the extent that each Gold Fund’s expenses
in later periods fall below the annual rates set forth in the expense agreement. Each Fund’s fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement
with the Adviser permit the Adviser to recapture only if any such recapture payments do not cause the respective Fund’s expense
ratio (after recapture) to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver and (ii) the expense cap in effect
at the time of the recapture. The Gold Funds will not be obligated to pay any such fees and expenses more than three years after the particular
date in which the fee and expense was waived or reimbursed.
The
imposition of the Adviser’s fees, as well as any other operating expenses not borne by the Adviser as described above, will have
the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Adviser may waive receipt of its fees, which would have the
effect of lowering the Gold Funds’ overall expense ratios and increasing total return to investors at the time such amounts are
waived or assumed, as the case may be.
A
discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Gold Advisory Agreement with respect to the Gold Funds
is available in the Funds’ Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
For
the services the Adviser provides to the Uranium Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee from the Fund calculated
daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.85% on up to $500 million in assets, 0.80% on the next $500 million in assets, and 0.70%
on assets greater than $1 billion.
Under
the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Fund except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired
fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Fund under
any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant
to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising
under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Advisory Agreement is terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Board and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
A
discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund with the Adviser is available
in the Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The
following tables provide information about the advisory fees paid by the Gold Funds to the Adviser for the past three fiscal years:
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF
Fiscal
Year Ended |
Fees Earned
by the Adviser |
Advisory Fees
Waived |
Net Fees Earned
by the Adviser |
Expenses
Reimbursed |
December
31, 2022 |
$811,280 |
$(18,521) |
792,759 |
$0 |
December
31, 2021 |
$843,866 |
$(4,105) |
$864,329 |
$24,568 |
December
31, 2020* |
$77,278 |
$(17,169) |
$60,109 |
$0 |
November
30, 2020 |
$809,593 |
$(64,187) |
$745,406 |
$0 |
* |
Effective December 1, 2020, the
Fund changed its fiscal year end to December 31, as such the information in this row reflects the period from December 1, 2020 to December
31, 2020. |
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF
Fiscal
Year Ended |
Fees Earned
by the Adviser |
Advisory Fees
Waived |
Net Fees Earned
by the Adviser |
Expenses
Reimbursed |
December
31, 2022 |
$371,949 |
$(176,946) |
195,003 |
$0 |
December
31, 2021 |
$440,068 |
$(134,456) |
$305,612 |
$0 |
December
31, 2020* |
$34,700 |
$(24,286) |
$10,414 |
$0 |
November
30, 2020 |
$264,312 |
$(200,000) |
$64,312
|
$0 |
* |
Effective December 1, 2020, the
Fund changed its fiscal year end to December 31, as such the information in this row reflects the period from December 1, 2020 to December
31, 2020. |
Pursuant
to the Advisory Agreements, the Funds have agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising
under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. Each Advisory Agreement is terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Board and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The
following tables provide information about the advisory fees paid by the Uranium Fund to the Adviser for the periods indicated:
Fiscal
Year Ended |
Fees
Earned by the Adviser |
December
31, 2022* |
$2,458,955 |
August
31, 2022** |
$6,834,043 |
* |
Effective
September 6, 2022, the Fund changed its fiscal year end to December 31, as such the information in this row reflects the period from September
1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 |
** |
Information
reflects the fiscal period to April 22, 2022 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2022. |
Sub-Adviser
ALPS
Advisors, Inc., acts as investment sub-adviser to the Gold Funds pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Sub-Adviser and the
Adviser with respect to each Fund (“Sub-Advisory Agreement”) and, pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, is responsible for
the recommendation of the purchase, retention and sale of each Fund’s portfolio securities, subject to the oversight of the Adviser
and the Board. The sub-advisory fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Funds are not responsible for the payment of this sub-advisory fee.
The
Sub-Adviser receives the fees indicated in the table below from the Adviser:
Average Assets* |
|
Sub- Advisory Fee** |
|
Up to $250 million |
|
|
0.04 |
% |
$250 million to$500 million |
|
|
0.03 |
% |
Above $500 million |
|
|
0.02 |
% |
* |
Subject to the following annual
minimums per fund: (i) first two funds: $40,000 per fund; (ii) additional funds: $30,000 per fund. |
** |
Annual rate stated as a percentage
of the average daily net assets of each Fund. |
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Funds have agreed to indemnify the Sub-Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities
arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable upon
60 days’ notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
A
discussion regarding the Boards’ basis for approving the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Gold Funds and Uranium Fund
is available in the Fund’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Portfolio
Managers
Ryan
Mischker and Andrew Hicks are the portfolio managers for the Funds. Refer to the Prospectus for information regarding each Portfolio Managers
experience and background.
Other
Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
|
|
Other
Accounts Managed (As of December 31, 2022) |
|
Account
with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account |
Name
of Portfolio Manager |
|
Category
of Account |
|
Number
of Accounts in Category |
|
Total
Assets in Accounts in Category |
|
Number
of Accounts in Category |
|
Total
Assets in Accounts in Category |
Ryan
Mischker |
|
Registered
investment companies |
|
17 |
|
$10.4
billion |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
|
Other
pooled investment vehicles |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
|
Other
accounts |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
0 |
|
— |
Andrew
Hicks |
|
Registered
investment companies |
|
17 |
|
$10.4
billion |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
|
Other
pooled investment vehicles |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
|
Other
accounts |
|
0 |
|
— |
|
0 |
|
— |
Portfolio
Manager Compensation
Ryan
Mischker and Andrew Hicks are paid a base salary, plus a discretionary bonus. The bonus for Ryan Mischker and Andrew Hicks is determined
by the business unit’s revenue and profitability as well as the individual’s contribution to the business unit. The bonus
for Ryan Mischker and Andrew Hicks is discretionary and is not based specifically on portfolio performance.
Portfolio
Manager Share Ownership
As
of December 31, 2022, the Portfolio Managers did not beneficially own shares of any of the Funds.
Conflicts
of Interest
A
conflict of interest may arise as a result of the Portfolio Managers being responsible for multiple accounts, including the Funds that
may have different investment guidelines and objectives. In addition to the Funds, these accounts may include other mutual funds managed
on an advisory or sub-advisory basis, separate accounts and collective trust accounts. An investment opportunity may be suitable for the
Funds as well as for any of the other managed accounts. However, the investment may not be available in sufficient quantity for all of
the accounts to participate fully. In addition, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by the Funds or the other
account. The other accounts may have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Funds, may track the same benchmarks or indices
as the Funds track, and may sell securities that are eligible to be held, sold or purchased by the Funds. The Portfolio Managers may be
responsible for accounts that have different advisory fee schedules, such as performance-based fees, which may create an incentive for
the Portfolio Managers to favor one account over another in terms of access to investment opportunities or the allocation of the Portfolio
Managers’ time and resources. The Portfolio Managers may also manage accounts whose investment objectives and policies differ from
those of the Funds, which may cause the Portfolio Managers to effect trading in one account that may have an adverse effect on the value
of the holdings within another account, including the Funds.
To
address and manage these potential conflicts of interest, the Adviser has adopted compliance policies and procedures to allocate investment
opportunities and to ensure that each of their clients is treated on a fair and equitable basis. Such policies and procedures include,
but are not limited to, trade allocation and trade aggregation policies and oversight by investment management and the Compliance team.
Custodian
and Transfer Agent
State
Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) serves as custodian for the Funds pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. As custodian, SSB
holds each Fund’s assets, calculates the NAV of Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. SSB also
serves as transfer agent for the Funds pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. As compensation for the foregoing services,
SSB receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by each Fund.
Administrator
ALPS
Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS Fund Services”) serves as the Trust’s administrator, with respect to the Funds. Pursuant
to an administration agreement, ALPS Fund Services provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and accounting services to the Funds.
For the services, ALPS Fund Services receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by each Gold Fund. ALPS Fund Services is located at
1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The table below shows the administrative fees earned by ALPS Fund Services for the
period indicated:
FUND |
|
For the
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2022 |
|
For the
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2021 |
|
For the Period
December 1,
2020 to December 31,
2020 |
|
For
the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2020 |
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF |
|
$168,326 |
|
$161,765 |
|
$13,174 |
|
$160,565
|
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF |
|
$150,936 |
|
$161,918 |
|
$13,349 |
|
$162,771
|
For
the Uranium Fund, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Fund except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired
fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Fund under
any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
Distributor
ALPS
Distributors, Inc. (“Distributor”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Trust on an agency basis. The Trust
has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Distributor (“Distribution Agreement”), under which the Distributor, as
agent, reviews and approves orders by Authorized Participants to create and redeem shares in Creation Units. The Distributor’s principal
address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member
of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares will be continuously offered for sale only in Creation
Units. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to Authorized Participants purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records
of confirmations of acceptance furnished by it to Authorized Participants. 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. No compensation is payable by the Trust to the Distributor
for such distribution services. However, the Adviser has entered into an agreement with the Distributor under which it makes payments
to the Distributor in consideration for its services under the Distribution Agreement. The payments made by the Adviser to the Distributor
do not represent an additional expense to the Trust or its shareholders.
The
Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Dealers”) who will assist in the distribution of Shares.
The Distributor will only enter into agreements with firms wishing to purchase Creation Units if the firm qualifies as an Authorized Participant
(as discussed in “Procedures for Purchase of Creation Units” below) or DTC participants (as defined below).
The
Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable thereafter. The continuance of the Distribution
Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of a Fund and
(ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on 60 days’ written notice
when authorized either by majority vote of its outstanding voting Shares or by a vote of a majority of its Board (including a majority
of the Independent Trustees), or by the Distributor on 60 days written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The Distribution Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Distributor,
or reckless disregard by it of its obligations thereunder, the Distributor shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance
with its duties thereunder.
Intermediary
information is current only as of the date of this SAI. Please contact your adviser, broker or other investment professional for more
information regarding any payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive.
Any
payments made by the Adviser or its affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers
to buy Shares.
Securities
Lending Agent
To
the extent the Funds engages in securities lending, a securities lending agent for a Fund (the “Securities Lending Agent”)
will be appointed pursuant to a written agreement (the “Securities Lending Agency Agreement”), who will be subject to the
overall supervision of the Adviser.
If
the Funds engage in securities lending, a Fund will retain a portion of the securities lending income and remit the remaining portion
to the Securities Lending Agent as compensation for its services. Securities lending income is generally equal to the total of income
earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral (and excludes collateral investment fees as defined below), and any fees or other payments
to and from borrowers of securities. The Securities Lending Agent will bear all operational costs directly related to securities lending.
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Funds earned income and incurred the following costs and expenses as a result of their securities
lending activities:
|
|
Fund |
|
Gross
Income1 |
|
Revenue
Split2 |
|
Cash
Collateral Management
Fees3 |
|
Administrative
Fees4 |
|
Indemnification
Fees5 |
|
Rebates
to Borrowers |
|
Other
Fees |
|
Total
Costs of the
Securities Lending
Activities |
|
Net
Income
from the Securities
Lending Activities |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF |
|
329,378 |
|
7,840 |
|
4,985 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
285,198 |
|
— |
|
298,023 |
|
31,355 |
|
|
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF |
|
159,949 |
|
10,942 |
|
2,493 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
102,755 |
|
— |
|
116,190 |
|
43,759 |
|
For
fiscal period from April 22, 2022 through August 31,2022 and the fiscal period from September 1, to December 31, 2022, the Sprott Uranium
ETF earned income and incurred the following costs and expenses as a result of its securities lending activities: |
|
|
Fund |
|
Gross
Income1 |
|
Revenue
Split2 |
|
Cash
Collateral Management Fees3 |
|
Administrative
Fees4 |
|
Indemnification
Fees5 |
|
Rebates
to Borrowers |
|
Other
Fees |
|
Total
Costs of the Securities Lending Activities |
|
Net
Income from the Securities Lending Activities |
|
Fiscal Year Period August
31, 2022 |
|
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF |
|
227,101 |
|
45,213 |
|
191 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
845 |
|
— |
|
46,249 |
|
180,852 |
|
Fiscal Period from September 1, 2022 to
December 31, 2022 |
|
Sprott Uranium Miners ETF |
|
531,120 |
|
84,695 |
|
1,494 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
106,156 |
|
— |
|
192,346 |
|
338,774 |
|
1 |
Gross income includes income from
the reinvestment of cash collateral and rebates paid by the borrower. |
2 |
Revenue split represents the share
of revenue generated by the securities lending program and paid to the Securities Lending Agent. |
3 |
Cash collateral management fees
include fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle that are not included in the revenue split. |
4 |
These administrative fees are not
included in the revenue split. |
5 |
These indemnification fees are not
included in the revenue split. |
Counsel
Thompson
Hine LLP is counsel to the Trust, including the Funds and the Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined
in the 1940 Act.
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait,
Weller & Baker LLP serves as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and audits each Fund’s financial
statements and performs other related audit services.
PORTFOLIO
HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
The
Funds’ portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Funds are open for business through financial reporting and news
services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names
and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Creation Units, together with estimates and actual Cash Amounts is publicly disseminated
daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), a clearing agency that
is registered with the SEC. The basket represents one Creation Unit of a Fund. The Trust, the Adviser, Administrator, Custodian and Distributor
will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.
QUARTERLY
PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE
The
Trust is required to disclose a complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-CSR after its second
and fourth quarters. Disclosure of the Fund’s complete holdings is required to be made monthly on Form N-PORT no later than 60 days
after the end of each fiscal quarter, with information reported on Form N-PORT for the third month of the fiscal quarter made publicly
available by the SEC 60 days after the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarter. Form N-CSR and Form N-PORT for each Fund will be available
on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
CODE
OF ETHICS
The
Trust and the Adviser have each adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics are designed to
prevent affiliated persons of the Trust and the Adviser 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 the codes of ethics). Each Code of Ethics
permits personnel subject to that Code of Ethics to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations,
including limitations related to securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. The Distributor (as defined below) relies on the
principal underwriters exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust or the Adviser,
and no officer, director, or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director, or general partner of the Trust or the
Adviser.
There
can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each code of ethics may be examined at the
SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PROXY
VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information
regarding how the Funds voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available,
without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 622-1813or on the Funds’ website, and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by each Fund to the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser
will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix A of this SAI. The Board will
periodically review each Fund’s proxy voting record.
The
Trust is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through
June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for the Funds is available through by writing to Sprott Funds Trust
at c/o ALPS Fund Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Fund’s Form N-PX will also be available
on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
BROKERAGE
TRANSACTIONS
The
policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities for the Funds is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining
the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected
on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions that are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining
that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Trust believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible
commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and preclude the Funds and the Sub-Adviser from obtaining a high quality of
brokerage and research services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Sub-Adviser
will rely upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating
the brokerage services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and imprecise,
as in most cases, an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit
the consideration of sales of Shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
The
Sub-Adviser owes a fiduciary duty to its clients to seek to provide best execution on trades effected. In selecting a broker/dealer for
each specific transaction, the Sub-Adviser chooses the broker/dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain
the most favorable execution. “Best execution” is generally understood to mean the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably
obtainable under the circumstances. The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when
making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor
brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications
and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, underwriting
and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary
depending upon the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from
among multiple broker/dealers. The Sub-Adviser will also use electronic crossing networks (“ECNs”) when appropriate.
Subject
to the foregoing policies, brokers or dealers selected to execute the Funds’ portfolio transactions may include each Fund’s
Authorized Participants (as discussed in “Procedures for Purchase of Creation Units” below) or their affiliates. An Authorized
Participant or its affiliates may be selected to execute a Fund’s portfolio transactions in conjunction with an all-cash creation
unit order or an order including “cash-in-lieu” (as described below under “Purchase and Redemption of Shares in Creation
Units”), so long as such selection is in keeping with the foregoing policies. As described below under “Purchase and Redemption
of Shares in Creation Units—Creation Transaction Fee” and “—Redemption Transaction Fee”, a Fund may determine
to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Sub-Adviser has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders,
e.g., for creation orders that facilitate the rebalance of a Fund’s portfolio in a more tax efficient manner than could be achieved
without such order, even if the decision to not charge a variable fee could be viewed as benefiting the Authorized Participant or its
affiliate selected to executed a Fund’s portfolio transactions in connection with such orders.
The
Funds may deal with affiliates in principal transactions to the extent permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation.
The
Sub-Adviser is responsible, subject to oversight by the Board, for placing orders on behalf of the Funds for the purchase or sale of portfolio
securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of a Fund and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by
the Sub-Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies
and clients in a manner deemed equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all by the Sub-Adviser. In some cases, this
procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as a Fund is concerned. However, in other cases,
it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial
to a Fund. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
In
certain instances, the Sub-Adviser may find it efficient for purposes of seeking to obtain best execution, to aggregate or “bunch”
certain contemporaneous purchases or sale orders of its advisory accounts and advisory accounts of affiliates. In general, all contemporaneous
trades for client accounts under management by the same portfolio manager or investment team will be bunched in a single order if the
trader believes the bunched trade would provide each client with an opportunity to achieve a more favorable execution at a potentially
lower execution cost. The costs associated with a bunched order will be shared pro rata among the clients in the bunched order.
Generally, if an order for a particular portfolio manager or management team is filled at several different prices through multiple trades,
all accounts participating in the order will receive the average price (except in the case of certain international markets where average
pricing is not permitted). While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value of the security as
far as a Fund are concerned, in other cases it could be beneficial to a Fund. Transactions effected by Sub-Adviser or the other affiliates
on behalf of more than one of its clients during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply
of securities being sold, causing an adverse effect on price. The trader will give the bunched order to the broker-dealer that the trader
has identified as being able to provide the best execution of the order. Orders for purchase or sale of securities will be placed within
a reasonable amount of time of the order receipt and bunched orders will be kept bunched only long enough to execute the order.
A
Fund’s purchase and sale orders for securities may be combined with those of other investment companies, clients or accounts that
the Sub-Adviser manages or advises. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of a Fund and one or more other accounts managed or
advised by the Sub-Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Funds and
the other accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all by Sub-Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on
the price or volume of the security as far as the Funds are concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate
in volume transactions and to negotiate lower transaction costs will be beneficial to a Fund. The Sub-Adviser may deal, trade and invest
for its own account in the types of securities in which a Fund may invest. The Sub-Adviser may, from time to time, effect trades on behalf
of and for the account of a Fund with brokers or dealers that are affiliated with BFA, in conformity with the 1940 Act and SEC rules and
regulations. Under these provisions, any commissions paid to affiliated brokers or dealers must be reasonable and fair compared to the
commissions charged by other brokers or dealers in comparable transactions. A Fund will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions
unless permitted by applicable SEC rules or regulations, or by SEC exemptive order.
The
table below shows the brokerage commissions paid by each Gold Fund for the period indicated:
Fund |
|
For
the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
|
For
the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
|
For
the Period December 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
|
|
For
the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2020 |
|
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF |
|
$ |
182,771 |
|
|
$ |
172,105 |
|
|
$ |
944 |
|
|
$ |
247,770 |
|
Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF |
|
$ |
157,695 |
|
|
$ |
152,850 |
|
|
$ |
2,736 |
|
|
$ |
224,453 |
|
The
table below shows the brokerage commissions paid by the Uranium Fund for period indicated:
FUND |
|
For
the Period September 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended August 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended August 31, 2021 |
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF |
|
$83,514 |
|
$278,472 |
|
$106,634 |
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
Portfolio
turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates may result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses.
Fund |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
Fiscal
Period From December 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 |
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF |
|
73% |
|
66% |
|
0% |
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF |
|
100% |
|
66% |
|
0% |
Fund |
|
For the Period
September 1, 2022
to December 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended August 31, 2022 |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended August 31, 2021 |
Sprott
Uranium ETF |
|
17% |
|
19% |
|
26% |
EXCHANGE
LISTING AND TRADING
A
discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Funds is contained in the Prospectus under the
headings “Summary Information—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund, “Additional
Information About the Fund’s Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Fund,” “Shareholder Information—Determination
of NAV” and “Shareholder Information—Buying and Selling Exchange-Traded Shares.” The discussion below supplements,
and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
The
Shares of the Funds are listed on the Exchange and will trade in the secondary market at prices that may differ to some degree from its
NAV. The Exchanges may but are not required to remove the Shares of a Fund from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve (12) month
period beginning upon the commencement of trading of a Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for 30 or more consecutive
trading days, (2) the value of the Underlying Index or portfolio of securities on which a Fund is based is no longer calculated or available
or (3) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable.
In addition, the Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust. There can be no assurance that
the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Fund will continue to be met.
As
in the case of other securities traded on an Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions are based on negotiated commission rates
at customary levels.
In
order to provide investors with a basis to gauge whether the market price of the Shares on an Exchange is approximately consistent with
the current NAV on a per Share basis, every 15 seconds throughout the Exchange’s regular trading hours, an estimated intra-day NAV
is calculated and disseminated in accordance with the relevant listing standards of the Exchange. A Fund is not involved in or responsible
for the calculation or dissemination of the intra-day NAV and makes no warranty as to its accuracy.
An
intra-day NAV is based on a securities component and a cash component (or an all cash amount) that comprises that day’s Creation
Deposit (as defined below), as disseminated prior to that Business Day’s commencement of trading.
BOOK
ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM
The
following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Buying
and Selling Exchange-Traded Shares.”
The
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Shares. Shares of the Funds are represented by securities
registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Certificates will not be issued for Shares.
DTC,
a limited-purpose trust company, 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 book-entry changes
in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their
representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial
ownership of Shares is 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”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants)
and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial
Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.
Conveyance
of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement
between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing
of the 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 shall 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.
Share
distributions 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 credit immediately DTC Participants’ 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 the 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.
CREATION
AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
The
Funds will issue and sell Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis, without an initial sales load, at their NAV next determined
after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined herein), of an order in proper form. An Authorized Participant (defined below) that is
not “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive,
as part of a redemption, restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
A
“Business Day” with respect to the Funds is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of the Prospectus,
the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day (Washington’s
Birthday), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Fund
Deposit
The
consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of a Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities
(the “Deposit Securities”) per each Creation Unit, constituting a substantial replication, or a portfolio sampling representation,
of the securities included in a Fund’s Underlying Index and the Cash Component (defined below), computed as described below. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit
Cash”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for all or
a portion of Deposit Cash, a Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise
be provided by an in-kind purchaser.
Together,
the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents
the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of a Fund. The “Cash Component” is an amount equal
to the difference between the NAV of Shares (per Creation Unit) and the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable.
If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit
Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV
per Creation Unit is less than the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such negative
amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function
of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable.
Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership
of the Deposit Securities, if applicable, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant.
The
Funds, through NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern
Time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable,
to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund. Such Fund Deposit
is subject to any applicable adjustments as described below, to effect purchases of Creation Units of a Fund until such time as the next-announced
composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The
identity and number of Shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for a Fund Deposit for
a Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the
investment objective of a Fund.
The
Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Security, which shall be added to
the Cash Component, including, without limitation, in situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may not be available in sufficient quantity
for delivery; (ii) may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities; (iii)
may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be restricted under the
securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit
Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws; or (v) in certain other situations (collectively,
“custom orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to include or remove Deposit Securities from the basket in anticipation
of Index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to
be in effect by the time of delivery of a Fund Deposit, in the composition of the subject Index being tracked by a Fund or resulting from
certain corporate actions.
Procedures
for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations
To
be eligible to place orders with the Transfer Agent to purchase a Creation Unit of a Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating
Party” (i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of
the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”)), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book
Entry Only System”). In addition, each Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must
execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Distributor, and that has been accepted by the Transfer Agent, with respect
to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement,
on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an amount
of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation transaction fee (described below), if applicable, and any other
applicable fees and taxes.
All
orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing
Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session
on the NYSE (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for
creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of a Fund as next determined on such date after receipt
of the order in proper form. In the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern
time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires 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 Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations,
as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant
by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement,
as described below (see the “Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process” and the “Placement of Creation Orders
Outside Clearing Process” sections). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure
may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
All
orders from investors who are not Authorized Participants to create Creation Unit Aggregations shall be placed with an Authorized Participant,
as applicable, 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 that, therefore, orders to create
Creation Unit Aggregations 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 Unit Aggregations 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 Unit Aggregations that are affected 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 Deposit Securities and Cash Component.
With
respect to a Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities, the Custodian shall cause the sub-custodian of a Fund to maintain an account into
which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the securities included
in the designated Fund Deposit (or the cash value of all or part of such securities, in the case of a permitted or required cash purchase
or “cash in lieu” amount), with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust. Deposit Securities must be delivered
to an account maintained at the applicable local sub-custodian(s). Orders to purchase Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the
Distributor from an Authorized Participant on its own or another investor’s behalf by the closing time of the regular trading session
on a Fund’s listing Exchange on the relevant Business Day. However, when a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays,
the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern
time, on the contractual settlement date.
The
Authorized Participant must also make available no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory
to the Trust, immediately-available or same-day funds estimated by the Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined
after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fee. Any excess funds will be returned following
settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit Aggregation.
Placement
of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process
The
Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Unit Aggregations through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the
NSCC. Fund Deposits (for a Fund if it is eligible to utilize the Clearing Process) 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 Deposit
Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order
to create Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i)
such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth
in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
Placement
of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process
Fund
Deposits made outside the Clearing Process (including all Fund Deposits made for a Fund that are not eligible to utilize the Clearing
Process) must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement pre-approved by the Adviser and the Distributor.
A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations 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 Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash 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 a Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, of the next Business Day
immediately following the Transmittal Date.
All
questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, 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 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., Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following
such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor
on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and
(ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both
the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day immediately
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 a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current Deposit Securities and Cash Component.
The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no later than the second (2nd) 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 outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant) (if a Fund
can utilize the Clearing Process) and in the circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation
Units. (See Creation Transaction Fee section below).
Creation
Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described
below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the 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 (i)
the Cash Component, plus (ii) 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “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 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such date, and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00
a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by 4:00 p.m. or federal 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 a Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with
the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the
Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing
Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the second 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 missing Deposit Securities.
Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and a 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 missing
Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a
transaction fee, as described below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no
later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
Acceptance
of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations
The
Trust reserves the right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of a Fund for reasons including, but
not limited to: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more
of the currently outstanding shares of any Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian,
as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; or (v) in the event that circumstances
outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Distributor and the Adviser 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 Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, the Distributor,
DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The 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 of such person. 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
and Redemption Transaction Fee
Authorized
Participants may be required to pay a creation or redemption fee for purchasing or redeeming Creation Units. Creation and redemption transactions
for a Fund are subject to a creation or redemption fee, payable to SSB, in the amount listed in the table below, irrespective of the size
of the order.
An
additional variable charge may be imposed for creations effected outside the Clearing Process (with respect to a Fund that could utilize
the Clearing Process).
In
addition, in the case of cash creations or where the Trust permits or requires an Authorized Participant to substitute cash in lieu of
depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant may be assessed an additional variable charge to compensate
a Fund for the costs associated with purchasing the applicable securities. The Trust may adjust these fees from time to time based upon
actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, 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 (“Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust
makes 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 (which amount, at the
Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes.
The Adviser or Sub-Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the creation securities changes or cash in
lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities
constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.
The
standard creation or redemption transaction fee for the Gold Funds is $500 and $300 for the Uranium Fund.
Redemption
of Fund Shares in Creation Units Aggregations
Fund
Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at a Fund’s NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request
in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. A Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation
Unit Aggregations. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation 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 Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs
in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.
An
Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) has full legal
authority and legal right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares of the applicable Fund and to receive the entire proceeds
of the redemption, and (ii) if such Shares submitted for redemption have been loaned or pledged to another party or are the subject of
a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or any other arrangement effecting legal or beneficial ownership of such Shares being
tendered there are no restrictions precluding the tender and delivery of such Shares (including borrowed Shares, if any) for redemption,
free and clear of liens, on the redemption settlement date. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion,
but will typically require verification with respect to a redemption request from a Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption
activity and/or short interest in a Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient
verification of its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in
proper form and may be rejected by the Trust.
If
a Fund that effects redemptions wholly or partly in-kind, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business
on a Fund’s listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern 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
Unit Aggregations.
Unless
cash redemptions (or partial cash redemptions) are available or specified for a Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation
generally consist of Fund Securities — as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption 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 request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption
transaction fee as listed below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares, a compensating
cash payment equal to the difference is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.
The
Funds may effect redemptions largely or wholly in cash.
The
right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary
weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during
which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Fund or determination of a Fund’s NAV is not reasonably
practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
Redemption
Transaction Fee
A
redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Fund. An additional variable
charge for cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available or specified) for a Fund may be imposed to compensate a Fund for the
costs associated with selling the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. As
a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the
portfolio securities that will not be delivered as part of an in-kind redemption order (“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 were sold by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Investment Adviser’s
discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and taxes. To the extent applicable, brokerage commissions
incurred in connection with the Trust’s sale of portfolio securities will be at the expense of a Fund and will affect the value
of all Shares of the Fund; but the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the redemption
securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Redemption Amount to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors who use the services
of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The standard redemption transaction fees for a Fund otherwise
are the same as the standard creation fees set forth above. In no event will a redemption transaction fee exceed 2% of the amount redeemed.
Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.
Placement
of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process
Orders
to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process (for a Fund eligible to utilize the Clearing Process) must be delivered
through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing
Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed;
such order will be effected based on the NAV of a Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing
Process made in proper form but received by the Trust after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day
immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund
Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the second NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request
for redemption is deemed received.
Placement
of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process
Orders
to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process (including all redemption orders for a Fund not eligible to utilize
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 Unit Aggregations 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 Unit Aggregations
will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the
Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later
than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Shares of
a Fund, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time (for the Fund Shares), on the
next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”) and 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for any
Cash Component, if any owed to a Fund; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After
the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the
requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within two Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any owed to the
redeeming Beneficial Owner to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the second Business Day following
the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. If a Fund invests in non-U.S. securities, however,
due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than two Business Days
after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. In such cases, the local market settlement procedures will not
commence until the end of the local holiday periods. In addition, if a Fund invests in non-U.S. securities, in connection with taking
delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of shares of a Fund, a redeeming Beneficial Owner, or Authorized Participant action
on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody
provider in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Fund Securities will be
delivered.
The
calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by
the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under Determination of NAV computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order
is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Transfer Agent by a DTC Participant
not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of a Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior
to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be determined
by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (i) the requisite number of Shares of a Fund are not delivered by the DTC
Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (ii) 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 a Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received
will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of a Fund are delivered through DTC
to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.
If
a Fund effects redemptions wholly or partly in-kind, if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may
in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive
its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that a Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit.
In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of a Fund next
determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested
cash redemptions specified above, to offset a 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 Component, 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 a Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions)
reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund
Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant
or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities
applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request
the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund 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.
Regular
Holidays
The
Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and Portfolio Securities on a basis
of “T” plus two Business Days (i.e., days on which the national securities exchange is open). A Fund may effect deliveries
of Creation Units and Portfolio Securities on a basis other than T plus two or T plus one in order to accommodate local holiday schedules,
to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other
circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within two Business Days of receipt of an order in
good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery
of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening
holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will
be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due
to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement period.
The
securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring Portfolio Securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market
holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days for each such Fund, in certain circumstances. The holidays
applicable to a Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption
proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption
proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for a Fund. 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.
DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE
NAV
for the Funds is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of a 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 fees, are accrued
daily and taken into account for purposes of determining net asset value. The net asset value of a Fund is calculated by the Custodian
and determined at the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that such exchange
is open, provided that fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any
day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) announces an early closing time.
In
calculating a Fund’s net asset value per Share, a Fund’s investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market
valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based
on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer)
or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such
fund’s published net asset value per share. The Adviser may use various pricing services, or discontinue the use of any pricing
service, as approved by the Board from time to time. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation
matrix may be considered a market valuation. 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
the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market value, the Trust’s
pricing procedures require the Valuation Committee to determine a security’s fair value. In determining such value the Valuation
Committee may consider, among other things, (i) price comparisons among multiple sources, (ii) a review of corporate actions and news
events, and (iii) a review of relevant financial indicators. In these cases, a Fund’s net asset value may reflect certain portfolio
securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that
the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the 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
The
following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Distributions.”
General
Policies
The
Funds expect to declare and distribute all of its net investment income, if any, to shareholders as dividends at least annually. A Fund
may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or
income taxes on a Fund.
Dividend
Distributions
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.
Dividend
Reinvestment Service
The
Trust will not make the DTC book-entry dividend reinvestment service available for use by Beneficial Owners for reinvestment of their
cash proceeds, but certain individual broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial
Owners of a Fund through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Investors should contact their brokers to
ascertain the availability and description of these services. Beneficial Owners should be aware that each broker may require investors
to adhere to specific procedures and timetables in order to participate in the dividend reinvestment service and investors should ascertain
from their brokers such necessary details. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains
will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares issued by the Trust of the same Fund at NAV per Share. Distributions reinvested
in additional Shares of a Fund will nevertheless be taxable to Beneficial Owners acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as
if such distributions had been received in cash.
CONTROL
PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The
Trust does not have information concerning its beneficial ownership held in the names of DTC Participants. As of April 1, 2023, the Funds
did not have any control persons or principal shareholders.
As
of April 1, 2023, the aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest of the Funds owned by the Funds’ officers and Trustees as
a group was less than 1% of each Fund’s shares of beneficial interest outstanding.
TAXES
The
following is a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not described
in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders, and the
discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
This
“Taxes” section is based on the Code and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory
or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly
change the tax rules applicable to the Funds and their shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
This
is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local
and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.
Taxation
of the Fund
The
Funds will elect and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a separate RIC under the Code. As such, the Funds should not be subject
to federal income taxes on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it timely distributes such income and
capital gains to its shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Funds must distribute annually to its shareholders at least
the sum of 90% of its net investment income (generally including the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital
losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, if any (the “Distribution Requirement”) and also must meet several
additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund’s gross income each taxable year
must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition
of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities
or foreign currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Qualifying Income Requirement”);
and (ii) at the end of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, a Fund’s assets must be diversified so that (a) at least 50%
of the value of a Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs,
and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the
value of a Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, including the equity
securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested, including
through corporations in which a Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than U.S. government securities
or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers which a Fund
controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly
traded partnerships (the “Diversification Requirement”).
It
may not be possible for a Fund to fully implement a replication strategy or a representative sampling strategy while satisfying the Diversification
Requirement. A Fund’s efforts to satisfy the Diversification Requirement may affect a Fund’s execution of its investment strategy
and may cause a Fund’s return to deviate from that of the Index, and a Fund’s efforts to represent the Index using a sampling
strategy, if such a strategy is used at any point, may cause it inadvertently to fail to satisfy the Diversification Requirement.
To
the extent a Fund makes investments that may generate income that is not qualifying income, including certain derivatives, a Fund will
seek to restrict the resulting income from such investments so that a Fund’s non-qualifying income does not exceed 10% of its gross
income.
Although
the Funds intend to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and may distribute its capital gains for any taxable year,
the Funds will be subject to federal income taxation to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. A Fund is treated as
a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. A Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment
under the rules for RICs described herein. The requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying RIC status
are determined at a Fund level rather than at the Trust level.
If
a Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income Requirement or the Diversification Requirement in any taxable year, a Fund may be eligible
for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to
each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the Diversification
Requirement where a Fund corrects the failure within a specified period of time. To be eligible for the relief provisions with respect
to a failure to meet the Diversification Requirement, a Fund may be required to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions
were not available to a Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC for a taxable year, all of its taxable income would
be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and its distributions (including
capital gains distributions) generally would be taxable to the shareholders of a Fund as ordinary income dividends, subject to the dividends
received deduction for corporate shareholders and the lower tax rates on qualified dividend income received by non-corporate shareholders,
subject to certain limitations. To requalify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, a Fund would be required to satisfy
the RIC qualification requirements for that year and to distribute any earnings and profits from any year in which a Fund failed to qualify
for tax treatment as a RIC. If a Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, it would generally be required
to pay a fund-level tax on certain net built in gains recognized with respect to certain of its assets upon disposition of such assets
within five years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of a Fund
for treatment as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders. If a Fund determines that it will not
qualify as a RIC, a Fund will establish procedures to reflect the anticipated tax liability in a Fund’s NAV.
A
Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable
year in determining a Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect
of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year
in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss,
net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to
as “post-October losses”) and certain other late-year losses.
Capital
losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a RIC’s net investment
income. Instead, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund may carry a net capital loss
from any taxable year forward indefinitely to offset its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the extent
subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to a Fund and may not be
distributed as capital gains to its shareholders. Generally, a Fund may not carry forward any losses other than net capital losses. The
carryover of capital losses may be limited under the general loss limitation rules if a Fund experiences an ownership change as defined
in the Code.
As
of December 31, 2022, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund |
|
Short-Term |
|
|
Long-Term |
|
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF |
|
$ |
70,180,704 |
|
|
$ |
19,596,002 |
|
Sprott Junior
Gold Miners ETF |
|
|
34,386,131 |
|
|
|
28,304,238 |
|
Sprott Uranium
Miners ETF |
|
|
17,839,079 |
|
|
|
9,149,319 |
|
A
Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders
in each calendar year an amount at least equal to 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net
income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, subject to an increase for any shortfall in the prior year’s distribution.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, a
Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as
well as on a fiscal year basis (if the fiscal year is other than the calendar year), and intends to comply with other tax rules applicable
to regulated investment companies.
If
a Fund meets the Distribution Requirement but retains some or all of its income or gains, it will be subject to federal income tax to
the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. A Fund may designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain
in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital
gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares
of the income tax paid by a Fund on that undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the
extent such credits exceed their tax liabilities, and (iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax purposes,
in their Shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over
their respective income tax credits.
Taxation
of Shareholders – Distributions
The
Funds intend to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard
to the deduction for dividends paid), its net tax-exempt income, if any, and any net capital gain (net recognized long-term capital gains
in excess of net recognized short-term capital losses, taking into account any capital loss carryforwards). The distribution of investment
company taxable income (as so computed) and net capital gain will be taxable to Fund shareholders regardless of whether the shareholder
receives these distributions in cash or reinvests them in additional Shares.
A
Fund (or your broker) will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends paid from ordinary income, the amount of distributions
of net capital gain, the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations, and the portion
of dividends which may qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income, which is taxable to non-corporate shareholders at rates of
up to 20%.
Distributions
from a Fund’s net capital gain will be taxable to shareholders at long-term capital gains rates, regardless of how long shareholders
have held their Shares.
Qualified
dividend income includes, in general and subject to certain holding period and other requirements, dividend income from taxable domestic
corporations and certain foreign corporations. Subject to certain limitations, eligible foreign corporations include those incorporated
in possessions of the United States, those incorporated in certain countries with comprehensive tax treaties with the United States, and
other foreign corporations if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities
market in the United States. Dividends received by a Fund from an ETF or an underlying fund taxable as a RIC or a REIT may be treated
as qualified dividend income generally only to the extent so reported by such ETF, underlying fund or REIT. If 95% or more of a Fund’s
gross income (calculated without taking into account net capital gain derived from sales or other dispositions of stock or securities)
consists of qualified dividend income, a Fund may report all distributions of such income as qualified dividend income.
Fund
dividends will not be treated as qualified dividend income if a Fund does not meet holding period and other requirements with respect
to dividend paying stocks in its portfolio, and the shareholder does not meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the
Shares on which the dividends were paid. Distributions by a Fund of its net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income.
Distributions from a Fund’s net capital gain will be taxable to shareholders at long-term capital gains rates, regardless of how
long shareholders have held their Shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes.
In
the case of corporate shareholders, certain dividends received by a Fund from U.S. corporations (generally, dividends received by a Fund
in respect of any share of stock (1) with a tax holding period of at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that
is 45 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend and (2) that is held in an unleveraged position)
and distributed and appropriately so reported by a Fund may be eligible for the 70% dividends-received deduction. Certain preferred stock
must have a holding period of at least 91 days during the 181-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days before the date on which
the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend in order to be eligible. Capital gain dividends distributed to a Fund from other RICs
are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. In order to qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders must meet the minimum
holding period requirement stated above with respect to their Shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from certain hedging
or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of loss with respect to their Shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or otherwise
incur debt attributable to Shares, they may be denied a portion of the dividends-received deduction with respect to those Shares.
Although
dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by the Funds in October, November or December and
payable to shareholders of record in such a month that is paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared.
U.S.
individuals with adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) exceeding certain threshold amounts ($250,000 if married filing
jointly or if considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and
$200,000 in other cases) are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,”
which includes taxable interest, dividends, and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains
realized on the sale of Shares). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain
shareholders that are estates and trusts.
Shareholders
who have not held Shares for a full year should be aware that a Fund may report and distribute, as ordinary dividends or capital gain
dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the percentage of a Fund’s ordinary income or net capital gain, respectively,
actually earned during the applicable shareholder’s period of investment in a Fund. A taxable shareholder may wish to avoid investing
in a Fund shortly before a dividend or other distribution, because the distribution will generally be taxable even though it may economically
represent a return of a portion of the shareholder’s investment.
To
the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) 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.
If
a Fund’s distributions exceed its earnings and profits, all or a portion of the distributions made for a taxable year may be recharacterized
as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s
cost basis in a Fund and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when Shares on which the distribution was received are
sold. After a shareholder’s basis in Shares has been reduced to zero, distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated
as gain from the sale of the shareholder’s Shares.
Taxation
of Shareholders – Sale of Shares
A
sale, redemption, or exchange of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition
of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss
on the taxable disposition of Shares will generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a taxable disposition
of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss, rather than short-term capital loss, to the extent of
any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital gain (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as
undistributed capital gains). All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares may be disallowed if substantially
identical Shares are acquired (through the reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and
ending 30 days after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly acquired Shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
The
cost basis of Shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for Shares and then may be subsequently adjusted
for other applicable transactions as required by the Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of Shares generally
determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of Shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased
your Shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account. An Authorized
Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the
difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities
surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain
or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of
any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”),
however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot currently be deducted under the rules
governing “wash sales” (for a person who does not mark-to-market its portfolio) or on the basis that there has been no significant
change in economic position.
Any
capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities
exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation
Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than
one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will generally be treated as short-term capital gains or losses. Any loss upon a redemption
of Creation Units held for six months or less may be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions
to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gain with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited
to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).
The
Trust, on behalf of a Fund, has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon
obtaining the Creation Units so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, a 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 the provision of information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
If a Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Creation Units so ordered,
own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange
of securities for Creation Units.
Persons
purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption
transaction and whether the wash sales rule applies and when a loss may be deductible.
Taxation
of Fund Investments
Certain
of a Fund’s investments may be subject to complex provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to hedging transactions,
straddles, integrated transactions, foreign currency contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, and notional principal contracts)
that, among other things, may affect a Fund’s ability to qualify as a RIC, affect the character of gains and losses realized by
a Fund (e.g., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to a Fund and defer losses.
These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require
a Fund to mark to market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause
a Fund to recognize income without a Fund receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts sufficient to enable a Fund to satisfy
the RIC distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. A Fund intends to monitor its transactions, intends to make appropriate
tax elections, and intends to make appropriate entries in its books and records in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and preserve
a Fund’s qualification for treatment as a RIC. To the extent a Fund invests in an underlying fund that is taxable as a RIC, the
rules applicable to the tax treatment of complex securities will also apply to the underlying funds that also invest in such complex securities
and investments.
Backup
Withholding
A
Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as “backup withholding”) on amounts payable to any shareholder who (1)
fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number certified under penalty of perjury; (2) is subject to backup withholding by
the IRS for failure to properly report all payments of interest or dividends; (3) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she
is not subject to “backup withholding”; or (4) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is a U.S. person (including
a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is 24%. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be
credited against the shareholder’s ultimate U.S. tax liability. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been
subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States.
Foreign
Shareholders
Any
non-U.S. investors in a Fund may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors
prior to investing in a Fund. Foreign shareholders (i.e., nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations, partnerships,
trusts and estates) are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate) on distributions derived
from taxable ordinary income. A Fund may, under certain circumstances, report all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related
dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend,” which would generally be exempt from this 30% U.S. withholding tax,
provided certain other requirements are met. Short-term capital gain dividends received by a nonresident alien individual who is present
in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year are not exempt from this 30% withholding tax.
Gains realized by foreign shareholders from the sale or other disposition of Shares generally are not subject to U.S. taxation, unless
the recipient is an individual who is physically present in the U.S. for 183 days or more per year. Foreign shareholders who fail to provide
an applicable IRS form may be subject to backup withholding on certain payments from a Fund. Backup withholding will not be applied to
payments that are subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described in this paragraph. Different tax consequences
may result if the foreign shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States. In addition, the tax consequences to
a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty may be different than those described above.
Unless
certain non-U.S. entities that hold Shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding
U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions payable to such
entities and with respect to redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities after December 31, 2018. A non-U.S.
shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the
U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of the agreement.
For
foreign shareholders to qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, described above, the foreign shareholder must comply with special
certification and filing requirements. Foreign shareholders in a Fund should consult their tax advisors in this regard.
Tax-Exempt
Shareholders
Certain
tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k) plans,
and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable
income (“UBTI”). Under current law, a Fund generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders
with respect to their shares of Fund income. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue
of their investment in a Fund if, for example, (i) a Fund invests in residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”),
(ii) a Fund invests in a REIT that is a taxable mortgage pool (“TMP”) or that has a subsidiary that is a TMP or that invests
in the residual interest of a REMIC, or (iii) Shares constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholders within
the meaning of section 514(b) of the Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisers.
The IRS has issued guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly
encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding these issues.
Certain
Potential Tax Reporting Requirements
Under
U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder
or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file
with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this
reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Significant penalties may be imposed for the
failure to comply with the reporting requirements. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal
determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine
the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
State
Tax
In
those states that have income tax laws, the tax treatment of a Fund and of Fund shareholders with respect to distributions by a Fund may
differ from federal tax treatment.
Tax
Treatment of Portfolio Transactions
Set
forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that
may apply to a Fund and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by a Fund to its shareholders.
This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion above under “Description of Permitted Investments” for a detailed
description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to a Fund.
In
General. In general, gain or loss recognized by a Fund on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital
gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment
position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be
eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner
in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and
also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
Options,
Futures, Forward Contracts and Hedging Transactions. In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included
in the income of a Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder,
or the fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a Fund is exercised
and the fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, a Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the
strike price and the option premium received by a Fund minus (b) a Fund’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be
short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the
exercise of a put option written by it, a Fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased.
The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option
and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income
received by a Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by a Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an
option written by a Fund expires unexercised, a Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The
tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a Fund as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by a Fund
on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section
1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term
and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts
may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by the Funds at the end of each taxable year (and, for
purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result
that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40
gain or loss, as applicable.
In
addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a Fund’s transactions in other derivative
instruments (including options and forward contracts) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject
to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules).
These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term,
accelerate the recognition of income or gains to a Fund, defer losses to a Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the fund’s
securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because
the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or
future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund
has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment
company and avoid a Fund-level tax.
Certain
of a Fund’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and a Fund’s transactions in foreign
currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a Fund’s book income
is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), a Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding
book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If a Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net
tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of a Fund’s remaining
earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (ii) thereafter,
as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the Shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange
of a capital asset.
Foreign
Currency Transactions. The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain
foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to
the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase
or decrease a Fund’s ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of a Fund’s previously distributed income
to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, a Fund may make an election to treat such gain or loss as capital.
PFIC
Investments. A Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies that may be classified under the Code as PFICs. In general, a
foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross
income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, a Fund intends to mark-to-market these securities under certain provisions
of the Code and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of a Fund’s fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions
for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are
treated as ordinary income that a Fund is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities.
You should also be aware that the designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause its income dividends to fall outside
of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation
on qualified dividends when distributed to you by a Fund. Foreign companies are not required to identify themselves as PFICs. Due to various
complexities in identifying PFICs, a Fund can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations
that are PFICs in time for a Fund to make a mark-to-market election. If a Fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus
does not make a mark-to-market election, a Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution”
or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by a Fund to its shareholders. Additional
charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on a Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.
Securities
Lending. While securities are loaned out by a Fund, a Fund generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends
or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not
considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends
nor the 70% dividends received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends
or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
Investments
in Securities of Uncertain Tax Character. A Fund may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not
be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such
securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by a Fund,
requiring a Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to
regulated investment companies under the Code.
CAPITAL
STOCK
The
Trust currently is comprised of four investment funds. The Trust issues Shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Board may
designate additional series of the Trust.
Each
Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of the corresponding Fund. Shares have no pre-emptive, exchange,
subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions
declared by the Board with respect to a Fund, and in the net distributable assets of such Fund on liquidation.
Each
Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act
and the rules promulgated thereunder and each fractional Share has a proportional fractional vote. Shares of all Fund votes together as
a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund it will be voted on only by that fund, and if a
matter affects a particular fund differently from other Fund, that fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Delaware law, the Trust
is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not
to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust have noncumulative voting
rights for the election of Trustees. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
Under
Delaware law, shareholders of a statutory trust may have similar limitations on liability as shareholders of a corporation.
SHAREHOLDER
REPORTS
The
Trust will issue through DTC Participants to its shareholders semi-annual reports containing unaudited financial statements and annual
reports containing financial statements audited by an independent auditor approved by the Trust’s Trustees and by the shareholders
when meetings are held and such other information as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Beneficial Owners also
receive annually notification as to the tax status of the Trust’s distributions.
Shareholder
inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The
financial statements and financial highlights in the December 31, 2022, Annual Report for the Funds are incorporated in this Statement
of Additional Information by reference. The financial statements and financial highlights in the Annual Report have been audited by Tait,
Weller & Baker LLP, whose report thereon appears in the Annual Report. You can obtain additional copies of the Annual Report at no
charge by writing or telephoning the Funds at (888) 622-1813.
DISCLAIMERS
Each
Gold Fund’s Underlying Index a registered trademark of Solactive AG and has been licensed for use by Sprott. The Gold Funds are
not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Solactive AG, and it makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in
the Gold Funds. SOLACTIVE AG AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE GOLD FUNDS. Solactive AG
calculates and publishes the Indexes and uses its best efforts to ensure that each index is calculated correctly. The publication of the
Indexes by Solactive AG does not constitute a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest in the Gold Funds. Solactive AG does not offer
any guarantee or assurance with regard to the results of using the Indexes.
The
Gold Funds are not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by Solactive AG nor does Solactive AG offer any express
or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using each Underlying Index and/or Index trade-mark or the Index
Price at any time or in any other respect. Each Gold Underlying Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its
best efforts to ensure that each Underlying Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Issuer, Solactive
AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Gold Underlying Indexes to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or
financial Intermediaries of the financial Instrument. Neither publication of each Gold Underlying Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing
of the Underlying Index or Index trademark for the purpose of use in connection with each Gold Fund constitutes a recommendation by Solactive
AG to invest capital in said financial instrument nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard
to any investment each Fund.
The
Underlying Uranium Index a registered trademark of North Shore Indices, Inc. (“North Shore”) and has been licensed for use
by Sprott. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by North Shore, and North Shore makes no representation regarding the
advisability of investing in the Fund. Indxx, LLC calculates and publishes the Underlying Uranium Index and uses its best efforts to ensure
that each index is calculated correctly. The publication of the Underlying Uranium Index by North Shore and Indxx LLC does not constitute
a recommendation by North Shore to invest in the Fund. North Shore does not offer any guarantee or assurance with regard to the results
of using the Underlying Uranium Index.
Shares
of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by NYSE Arca. NYSE Arca makes no representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the Shares of the Fund. NYSE Arca is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the timing
of, prices of, or quantities of the Shares of the Fund to be issued, or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the
Shares are redeemable. NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability to owners of the Shares of the Fund in connection with the administration,
marketing, or trading of the Shares of the Fund. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the NYSE Arca have any liability
for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.
The
Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein, and
the Adviser and Sub-Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser makes
no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Funds, owners of the Shares of the Funds or any other person or entity
from the use of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser make no express or implied warranties,
and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to any Underlying Index
or any data included therein.
Without
limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser and Sub-Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect,
or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of any Underlying Index, even if notified
of the possibility of such damages.
APPENDIX
A
SPROTT
FUNDS TRUST
Proxy
Voting Policy
Procedures
Governing Delegation of Proxy Voting
Effective
July 22, 2019
The
Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Sprott Funds Trust and its series listed in Appendix A (the “Funds”), advised
by Sprott Asset Management LP, and sub-advised by ALPS Advisors Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”), has the responsibility for the oversight
of the voting of proxies related to portfolio securities of the Funds. The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the
Funds and their shareholders to delegate the responsibility to vote proxies to the Sub-Adviser, subject to the principles outlined in
this Policy.
Sub-Adviser
will cast votes on behalf of each Fund on specific proxy issues in respect of securities held by each such Fund (or refrain from voting)
in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies.
Sub-Adviser
will report on an annual basis to the Board on its voting of Fund proxies and provide the Board: (1) a summary of all proxy votes that
Sub-Adviser has made on behalf of the Funds in the preceding year together with a representation that all votes were in accordance with
the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies; and (2) a list of changes, if any, to the Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies that
have not previously been reported.
Appendix
List
of Funds
Sprott
Gold Miners ETF
Sprott
Junior Gold Miners ETF
Sprott
Uranium Miners ETF
PART
C: OTHER INFORMATION
Item
28. Exhibits
(d) |
(1) |
Amended and Restated Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Sprott Asset Management LP, with respect to Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold
Miners ETF, Sprott Uranium Miners ETF, Sprott Energy Transition Material ETF, Sprott Lithium Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Copper Miners
ETF, and Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (the “Sprott ETFs”)9 |
|
(2) |
Amended and Restated Investment
Sub-Advisory Agreement between ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Sprott Asset Management LP, with respect to the Sprott ETFs9 |
|
(5) |
Amended and Restated Expenses
Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Sprott Asset Management LP9 |
(j) |
(1) |
Consents
of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP9 |
(m) |
Amended and Restated Distribution
and Service Plan9 |
(n) |
Not applicable. |
|
|
(o) |
Powers of Attorney9 |
1 |
Previously filed as an exhibit to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-227545 and 811-23382) on September 26, 2018 and incorporated
herein by reference. |
2 |
Previously filed as an exhibit to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-228095) on March 28, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. |
3 |
Previously filed as an exhibit to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-227545 and 811-23382) on March 28, 2019 and incorporated herein
by reference. |
4 |
Previously filed as an exhibit to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-227545 and 81123382) on September 11, 2019 and incorporated
herein by reference. |
5 |
Previously filed as an exhibit to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-234126) on October 7, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. |
6 |
Previously filed as an exhibit to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-227545 and 811-23382) on January 15, 2020 and incorporated herein
by reference. |
7 |
Previously
filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-227545 and 811-23382) on March 18,
2022 and incorporated herein by reference. |
8 |
Previously
filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-227545 and 811-23382) on January
30, 2023 and incorporated by reference. |
9 |
Filed
herewith. |
Item
29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None.
Item
30. Indemnification
Pursuant
to Section 6.5 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”), every person who is, or has been, a Trustee,
officer, or employee 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 (“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 in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue
of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement
thereof.
Insofar
as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
Item
31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
See
“Management” in the Statement of Additional Information. Information as to the directors and officers of the Adviser is included
in the Adviser’s Form ADV (File No. 801-72899), filed with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference. Information as to the directors
and officers of Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc., the sub-adviser to the Sprott Gold Equity Fund is included in the Form ADV for Sprott
Asset Management USA, Inc. (File No. 801-66131) and information for the directors and officers of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the sub-adviser
to the ETFs is included in the Form ADV for ALPS Advisors, Inc. (File No. 801-67135), each filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein
by reference.
Item
32. Principal Underwriters
(a)(1) |
ALPS Distributors, Inc. acts as
the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: 1WS Credit Income Fund, 1290 Funds, abrdn ETFs, Alpha Alternative
Assets Fund, ALPS Series Trust, Alternative Credit Income Fund, Apollo Diversified Credit Fund (fka Griffin Institutional Access Credit
Fund), Apollo Diversified Real Estate Fund (fka Griffin Institutional Access Real Estate Fund), The Arbitrage Funds, AQR Funds,
Axonic Alternative Income Fund, Axonic Funds, BBH Trust, Bluerock High Income Institutional Credit Fund, Bluerock Total Income+ Real Estate
Fund, Brandes Investment Trust, Bridge Builder Trust, Cambria ETF Trust, Centre Funds, CIM Real Assets & Credit Fund, CION Ares Diversified
Credit Fund, Columbia ETF Trust, Columbia ETF Trust I, Columbia ETF Trust II, CRM Mutual Fund Trust, DBX ETF Trust, Emerge ETF Trust,
ETF Series Solutions, Flat Rock Core Income Fund, Flat Rock Opportunity Fund, Financial Investors Trust, Firsthand Funds, FS Credit Income
Fund, FS Energy Total Return Fund, FS Series Trust, FS Multi-Alternative Income Fund, Goehring & Rozencwajg Investment Funds, Goldman
Sachs ETF Trust, Graniteshares ETF Trust, Hartford Funds Exchange-Traded Trust, Hartford Funds NextShares Trust, Heartland Group, Inc.,
IndexIQ Active ETF Trust, IndexIQ ETF Trust, Investment Managers Series Trust II (AXS-Advised Funds), Janus Detroit Street Trust, Lattice
Strategies Trust, Litman Gregory Funds Trust, Manager Directed Portfolios (Spyglass Growth Fund), MassMutual Premier Funds, MassMutual
Advantage Funds, Meridian Fund, Inc., MVP Private Markets Fund, Natixis ETF Trust, Natixis ETF Trust II, Opportunistic Credit Interval
Fund, PRIMECAP Odyssey Funds, Principal Exchange-Traded Funds, RiverNorth Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF
Trust, Sprott Funds Trust, Stone Ridge Trust, Stone Ridge Trust II, Stone Ridge Trust III, Stone Ridge Trust IV, Stone Ridge Trust V,
Stone Ridge Trust VI, Stone Ridge VIII, Stone Ridge Residential Real Estate Income Fund I, Inc., Thrivent ETF Trust, USCF ETF Trust, Valkyrie
ETF Trust II, Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Wilmington Funds, XAI Octagon Credit Trust, X-Square Balanced Fund, X-Square Series Trust
and YieldStreet Prism Fund. |
|
(2) |
Sprott Global Resource Investments
LTD acts as the distributor for the Registrant only for the following investment companies: Sprott Gold Equity Fund. |
(b) (1) |
The directors and executive officers
of ALPS Distributors, Inc., are as follows: |
Name* |
|
Position
and Underwriter |
|
Positions
with Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen J. Kyllo |
|
President, Chief Operating Officer,
Director, Chief Compliance Officer |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick J. Pedonti** |
|
Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Eric Parsons |
|
Vice President, Controller and Assistant
Treasurer |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Jason White*** |
|
Secretary |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Richard C. Noyes |
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel,
Assistant Secretary |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Liza Orr |
|
Vice President, Senior Counsel |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Jed Stahl |
|
Vice President, Senior Counsel |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Terence Digan |
|
Vice President |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
James Stegall |
|
Vice President |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Gary Ross |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Hilary Quinn |
|
Vice President |
|
None |
* |
Except as otherwise noted, the principal
business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
** |
The principal business address for
Mr. Frank, Pedonti and Fleming is 333 W. 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. |
*** |
The principal business address for
Mr. White is 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036 |
(b) (2) |
To the best of Registrant’s
knowledge, the directors and executive officers of Sprott Global Resource Investments LTD, are as follows: |
Name* |
|
Position
with Underwriter |
|
Positions
with Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Ulrich |
|
General Counsel for the Distributor |
|
Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
Brandon Hamada |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert V. Villaflor |
|
Cheif
Executive Officer |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Natalia M. Yermolina |
|
FinOp |
|
None |
* |
The principal business address for
each of the above directors and executive officers is 1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008. |
Item
33. Location of Accounts and Records
The
books, accounts and other documents required by Section 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated
thereunder are maintained in the physical possession of Sprott Asset Management LP, 200 Bay Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5J2J1, Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc., 320 Post Road, Suite 230, Darien, Connecticut 06820 and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, 615 East
Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (Sprott Gold Equity Fund only); ALPS Fund Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado
80203 (Sprott ETFs only), State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (Sprott ETFs only). ALPS
Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203, maintains all records relating to its services as distributor
of the Sprott ETFs. Sprott Global Resource Investments LTD, 320 Post Road, Suite 230, Darien, CT 06820, maintains all records relating
to its services as distributor of the Sprott Gold Equity Fund.
Item
34. Management Services
Not
applicable.
Item
35. Undertakings
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities
Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Toronto, and Province of Ontario, on the 27th day of April, 2023.
|
Sprott Funds Trust |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ John Ciampaglia |
|
Name: |
John Ciampaglia |
|
Title: |
President |
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on April 27, 2023.
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
John Ciampaglia |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
April
27, 2023 |
John Ciampaglia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Michael Clark |
|
Trustee |
|
April
27, 2023 |
Michael W. Clark |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April
27, 2023 |
Peyton T. Muldoon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
James R. Pierce Jr. |
|
Trustee |
|
April
27, 2023 |
James R. Pierce Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Trustee |
|
April
27, 2023 |
Leslie Barrett |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Variander Bhathal |
|
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
|
April
27, 2023 |
Varinder Bhathal |
|
|
|
|
*By: |
/s/ John
Ciampaglia |
|
|
|
|
|
John Ciampaglia, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith. |
|
Exhibits: