Form 485BPOS Two Roads Shared Trust
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Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2025
1933 Act Registration File No. 333-182417
1940 Act File No. 811-22718
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ☒
| ☐ | Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
| ☒ | Post-Effective Amendment No. 420 |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ☒
| ☒ | Amendment No. 423 |
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:
631-490-4300
The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and. Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
| Stacy H. Louizos Blank Rome LLP 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 |
Timothy Burdick Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 Hauppauge, NY 11788 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
| ☐ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☒ | on September 25, 2025 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(l) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(l) |
| ☐ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box:
| ☐ | this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Liberty One Spectrum ETF
SPCT
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF
EASY
Liberty One Tactical Income ETF
LOTI
each a series of Two Roads Shared Trust
PROSPECTUS
| Adviser: | Sub-Adviser: |
|
Liberty One Investment Management, LLC www.LibertyOneETF.com |
Vident Asset Management 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 515 Alpharetta, www.videntam.com |
www.LibertyOneETF.com.
1-847-680-9255
This Prospectus provides important information about each of Liberty One Spectrum ETF, Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Liberty One Tactical Income ETF (each a “Fund” and together the “Funds”) that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor has the SEC passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Shares of each Fund are listed and traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FUND SUMMARY - Liberty One Spectrum ETF | 1 | |
| FUND SUMMARY - Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF | 9 | |
| FUND SUMMARY - Liberty One Tactical Income ETF | 17 | |
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS | 25 | |
| Investment Objective | 26 | |
| Principal Investment Strategies | 27 | |
| Principal and Other Risk Factors | 30 | |
| Portfolio Holdings Disclosure | 45 | |
| Cybersecurity | 45 | |
| MANAGEMENT | 46 | |
| Investment Adviser | 46 | |
| Trading Sub-Adviser | 47 | |
| Portfolio Managers | 47 | |
| HOW SHARES ARE PRICED | 48 | |
| HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES | 50 | |
| FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES | 50 | |
| DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN | 51 | |
| DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES | 51 | |
| FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS | 53 | |
| OTHER INFORMATION | 53 | |
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 54 | |
| PRIVACY NOTICE | 55 |
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The Liberty One Spectrum ETF (the “Fund”) Seeks capital appreciation and to provide current income. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
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.
| Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
|
| Advisory Fees | |
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |
| Other Expenses(1) | |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(2) | ( |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | |
| (1) | |
| (2) | |
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds.
| 1 Year | 3 Years | |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.
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The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that, under normal market conditions, invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, primarily the common stocks of dividend paying large capitalization U.S. companies that provide exposure across most sectors of the U.S. equity market. As of the date of this Prospectus, these twelve (12) sectors / sub-sectors in which the Fund will invest are: communication services; consumer food; consumer discretionary; consumer staples; energy; financials; healthcare; industrials; information technology; real estate; retail; and utilities. The Fund currently defines a large capitalization (large cap) company as one whose market capitalization is at least $5 billion and, at the time of purchase, is within the range of the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 1000 Index (the “Russell 1000”). The Russell 1000 is an unmanaged index that tracks the highest ranking 1,000 stocks of the Russell 3000 Index (the “Russell 3000”). The Russell 1000 represents roughly 93% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000. The market capitalizations within the Russell 1000 will vary, but as of June 25, 2025, they ranged from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 trillion.
The Fund will invest across the broad spectrum of the U.S. equity market and will generally be invested in most sectors of the U.S. equity market. The Fund will consist of equally weighted investments designed to provide current income and capital appreciation potential with a focus on dividend-paying “blue chip” companies (companies that, in the Adviser’s view, are high quality companies with a long track record of dividend increases, strong growth potential characteristics, and potentially reduced volatility compared to the broad market). The Fund’s holdings will generally be equal-weighted by position and equal-weighted by sector. However, under certain circumstances, the Fund may be over-weighted in one or more positions or sectors because of market appreciation or if the Adviser believes that different weightings are appropriate. The Fund’s equity investments may not be equally weighted from time to time as the Fund navigates various market conditions and the Adviser manages various risks. Although investing in companies that provide dividend income is a fundamental component of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest in securities that do not pay a dividend to shareholders.
The Fund will be invested primarily in the equity securities of large-capitalization companies that have a strong track record of paying a rising dividend to shareholders and that the Adviser considers to be established and mature, market leaders, with a strong, stable financial foundation and that have the potential for reduced volatility and high liquidity. As a result of the Fund’s focus on divided paying securities, a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings could be considered to be large cap value securities. The Adviser generally expects to keep the Fund’s portfolios fully invested in the market regardless of current market conditions.
The Adviser generally uses both a top-down and bottom up approach during portfolio construction. The Adviser will evaluate which industries, sectors and companies within the sectors the Fund will invest in based on the Adviser’s assessment of which companies exhibit favorable characteristics in the current and forecasted economic environments. The Fund’s portfolio components will be reviewed by the Adviser on a case-by-case basis to determine any changes to individual portfolio components and/or weights with the aim of enhancing the value of the Fund’s risk adjusted returns. The Adviser’s focus on investing in companies with strong, stable, dividend growing securities that exhibit a strong track record of earnings growth alongside strong balance sheets generally allows the Fund to have relatively low portfolio turnover.
The Fund’s sub-adviser, Vident Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) will purchase or sell securities to implement the Adviser’s investment selections at a time determined appropriate by the Sub-Adviser and in accordance with, but not necessarily in the identical amounts as provided with the Adviser’s investment selections.
Principal Investment Risks:
As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program, but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed to achieve its investment objective; is not a deposit with a bank; is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency; and is subject to investment risks. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and performance. Each risk summarized below is a principal risk of
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investing in the Fund and different risks may be more significant at different times depending upon market conditions or other factors.
As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
Management Risk. The Fund’s investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment in the Fund or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies to those of the Fund. The Adviser determines securities the Fund holds and its assessment may be incorrect, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund shares and failure to achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk. Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, military conflict, acts of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, supply chain disruptions, sanctions, lack of liquidity in the bond or other markets, volatility in the securities markets or adverse investor sentiment and political events affect the securities markets. U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. Local, state and regional events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The change in the presidential administration in 2025 has resulted in significant impacts to international trade relations, tax and immigration policies, and other aspects of the national and international political and financial landscape, which could affect, amount other things, inflation and the securities markets generally.
Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations, volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change and unexpected trading activity among retail investors. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or changing economic, political or market conditions.
Value Investing Risk. Value investing attempts to identify securities selling at a discount in comparison to the Adviser’s assessments of their intrinsic value. Such securities may not increase in price as anticipated by the Adviser, and may even decline further in value if other investors fail to recognize the issuer’s value or if the events or factors that the Adviser believes will increase a security’s market value do not occur. Value investing is subject to the risk that an issuer’s intrinsic value may never be fully realized by the market or that an issuer judged by the Adviser to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced. Additionally, such securities may decline in value in the short- or long-term even though they are deemed by the Fund to be undervalued. Over time, a value investing style may go in and out of favor, causing the Fund to sometimes underperform other equity funds that use different investing styles.
Large-Cap Securities Risk. The securities of large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain or maintain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
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Sector Risk. The Fund may focus its investments in securities of a particular sector. Sector risk is the risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region or sector may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so focused. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect an entire sector. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular sector. While the Fund may not concentrate in any one industry, the Fund may invest without limitation in a particular sector.
| ● | Communication Services Sector Risk. Communication services companies are particularly vulnerable to the potential obsolescence of products and services due to technological advancement and the innovation of competitors. Companies in the communication services sector may also be affected by other competitive pressures, such as pricing competition, as well as research and development costs, substantial capital requirements and government regulation. Additionally, fluctuating domestic and international demand, shifting demographics and often unpredictable changes in consumer tastes can drastically affect a communication services company’s profitability. While all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the communication services sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. |
| ● | Consumer Food Sector. The consumer food sector is highly competitive and can be significantly affected by demographic and product trends, competitive pricing, food fads, marketing campaigns, environmental factors, government regulation, adverse changes in general economic conditions, agricultural commodity prices, evolving consumer preferences, nutritional and health-related concerns, federal, state and local food inspection and processing controls, consumer product liability claims, consumer boycotts, risks of product tampering and the availability and expense of liability insurance. |
| ● | Consumer Discretionary Sector. The consumer discretionary sector may be adversely affected by changes in the worldwide economy, consumer spending, competition, demographics and consumer preference, exploration and production spending. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy and, in turn, negatively affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector. |
| ● | Consumer Staples Sector. The consumer staples sector may be affected by the regulation of various product components and production methods, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting consumer demand. |
| ● | Energy Sector. Companies in the energy sector may be adversely affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. 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. |
| ● | Financial Sector. Companies in the financials sector are often subject to extensive governmental regulation and the potential for additional regulation, which may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge, and the amounts of capital they must maintain. In addition, in recent years, cyber-attacks and technology malfunctions and failures have become increasingly frequent in this sector and have caused significant losses to companies in this sector. |
| ● | Healthcare Sector. The healthcare sector may be affected by government regulations and government healthcare programs, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may result in price discounting. |
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| ● | Industrials Sector. The value of companies in the industrial sector may be adversely affected by supply and demand related to their specific products or services and industrial sector products in general. The products of manufacturing companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and the introduction of new products. |
| ● | Information Technology Sector. Information technology companies face intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Companies in the information technology sector may face obsolescence and are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. |
| ● |
Real Estate Sector. Securities in the real estate sector are susceptible to the risks associated with the real estate industry in general. Real estate companies may have lower trading volumes and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. Potential impacts on the real estate sector that could affect securities include lower occupancy rates, decreased lease payments, defaults, and foreclosures, among other consequences. |
| ● | Retail Sector Risk. Retail and related industries can be significantly affected by the performance of the domestic and international economy, consumer confidence and spending, intense competition, changes in demographics, and changing consumer tastes and preferences. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy and, in turn, negatively affect companies in the retail sector. A recent example is the negative impact on the retail sector of the aggressive measures taken worldwide by governments in response to COVID-19, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. |
| ● | Utilities Sector. The utilities sector is subject to significant government regulation and oversight. Companies in the utilities sector may be adversely affected due to increases in commodity and operating costs, rising costs of financing capital construction and the cost of complying with government regulations, among other factors. Deregulation may subject utility companies to greater competition and may adversely affect their profitability. As deregulation allows utility companies to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business, utility companies may engage in riskier ventures. |
Investment Style Risk. There is a possibility that the market segment on which the Fund is primarily invested in, whether growth or value, could underperform other kinds of investments or market averages that include style-focused investments.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to NAV and may face delisting.
Cash Positions Risk. The Fund may hold a significant position in cash and/or cash equivalent securities. When the Fund’s investment in cash or cash equivalent securities increases, the Fund may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund were more fully invested.
Cybersecurity Risk. There is risk to the Fund of an unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries (“Service Providers”) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders.
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ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” An investor may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit. Trading in shares on the exchange on which the Fund is listed may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. Shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. For example, in times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s NAV. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s NAV.
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Fund is not an index fund. The Fund does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified Index. ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the Shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.
Foreign Exposure Risk. Although the Fund may invest in securities of companies listed on U.S. securities exchanges, the international operations of those companies may create exposure to foreign markets where such companies operate. The international operations of many companies expose them to risks associated with political, social or economic events in other countries or regions, which may include instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business
Gap Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit from the investment. Usually, such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.
Geographic Risk. The risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same geographic region, an adverse economic, business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so focused. The Fund may invest without limitation in a particular region or may be exposed to the risks of a specific country as a result of its investments in U.S.-based companies with operations or markets in other countries.
Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.
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Market Events Risk. There has been increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty in the financial markets during the past several years, including what was experienced in 2020. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took steps to support financial markets, including by lowering interest rates to historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. When the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve reduce market support activities, including by increasing interest rates, such reductions could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these influences on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an exchange-traded fund. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Adviser’s inexperience may limit its effectiveness.
Regulatory Risk. Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States or other countries, including any changes to applicable tax laws and regulations, could impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective and could increase the operating expenses of the Fund.
Valuation Risk. The sale price that the Fund could receive for a portfolio security may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities that trade in low volume or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. In addition, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.
Volatility Risk. The Fund’s investments may appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate due to events or factors that affect markets generally or that affect a particular investment, industry or sector. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may also be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility may affect the Fund’s NAV per share, including by causing it to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Events or financial circumstances affecting individual investments, industries or sectors may increase the volatility of the Fund.
Investment Adviser: Liberty One Investment Management, LLC (“Liberty One Investment Management” or the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Sub-Adviser: Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management)serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers: The Fund is jointly managed by Ben Pahl, President at Liberty One Investment Management and Nick Ng Lead Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee Chair at Liberty One Investment Management.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in large blocks of 10,000 shares (each block of shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange, and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker or dealer at market price. Because shares trade at market prices, rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than NAV (i.e., a premium), or less than NAV (i.e. a discount).
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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”).
Recent information, including information about the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at www.LibertyOneETF.com.
Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income, long-term capital gains or qualified dividend income, or a combination of the three. A sale of shares may result in capital gain or loss.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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The Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF (the “Fund”) Seeks capital appreciation and to provide current income. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
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.
| Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
|
| Advisory Fees | |
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |
| Other Expenses(1) | |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(2) | ( |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | |
| (1) | ||
| (2) | |
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds.
| 1 Year | 3 Years | |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.
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The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that, under normal market conditions, invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies that have a strong track record of paying a rising long-term dividend. These securities will typically, but not always be, companies that the Adviser believes are “recession resistant”, defensive in nature, and at the time of investment, have a strong track record of paying a rising long-term dividend income stream to investors. The Adviser considers a company to be “recession resistant”, if it has the potential to reduce long-term volatility within the Fund, has the potential to provide risk-adjusted returns in excess of its benchmark, and historically generates a long-term rising dividend income stream to investors.
The Adviser’s screening criteria relating to the Fund’s holdings may include, but are not limited to: a consistent and increasing dividend track record; an existing dividend policy that the Adviser deems sustainable for continued increases; moderate to low demand elasticity for the products and services that the business offers; below average volatility in revenue and earnings relative to the broader market; high revenue and earnings visibility, (for example, substantial recurring revenues with high switching costs); and lower sensitivity to fluctuations in the business cycle. Not all screening criteria must be met in order for a security to be included in the Fund.
The Fund will invest mainly in the common stocks of large capitalization U.S. companies, with a focus on dividend-paying stocks that offer the potential for capital growth and also provide current income. The Fund currently defines a large capitalization (large cap) company as one whose market capitalization is at least $5 billion and, at the time of purchase, is within the range of the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 1000. The Russell 1000 is an unmanaged index that tracks the highest ranking 1,000 stocks of the Russell 3000. The Russell 1000 represents roughly 93% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000. The market capitalizations within the Russell 1000Index will vary, but as of June 25, 2025, they ranged from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 trillion.
The Fund’s investments will be focused in what the Adviser believes to be, although there is no guarantee, “recession resistant” sectors and sub-sectors of the U.S. economy or operate what the Adviser believes to be a “recession resistant” business model. As of the date of this Prospectus, such sectors currently include communication services, consumer food, consumer staples, healthcare, industrials, information technology, and utilities., The amount of the Fund’s assets invested at any given time in a particular sector will vary based on market conditions. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be over-weighted in one or more sectors if the Adviser believes that different weightings are appropriate or because of market appreciation. The Adviser may also invest outside of sectors considered to be “recession resistant” if the Adviser deems a business model in a different sector is “recession resistant.”
The Adviser generally uses a top-down approach when deciding sector allocations for the Fund, and a bottom-up approach when deciding the individual companies in which the Fund will invest. The Adviser will evaluate which industries and sectors exhibit favorable characteristics in the current and forecasted economic environments when constructing the portfolio. The Fund’s portfolio components will be reviewed by the Adviser on a case-by-case basis to determine any changes to individual portfolio components and/or weights with the aim of enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
When the Adviser, in its sole discretion, determines that a sector is not on a “buy,” the Fund will invest those assets in other types of investments, including cash and cash equivalents.
The Fund is non-diversified and may invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified exchange-traded funds.
The Fund’s sub-adviser, Vident Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”), will purchase or sell securities to implement the Adviser’s investment selections at a time determined appropriate by the Sub-Adviser and in accordance with, but not necessarily in the identical amounts as provided with the Adviser’s investment selections.
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Principal Investment Risks:
As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program, but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed to achieve its investment objective; is not a deposit with a bank; is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency; and is subject to investment risks. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Many factors affect the Fund’s NAV and performance. Each risk summarized below is a principal risk of investing in the Fund and different risks may be more significant at different times depending upon market conditions or other factors.
As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
Management Risk. The Fund’s investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment in the Fund or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies to those of the Fund. The Adviser determines securities the Fund holds and its assessment may be incorrect, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund shares and failure to achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk. Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, military conflict, acts of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, supply chain disruptions, sanctions, lack of liquidity in the bond or other markets, volatility in the securities markets or adverse investor sentiment and political events affect the securities markets. U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. Local, state and regional events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The change in the presidential administration in 2025 has resulted in significant impacts to international trade relations, tax and immigration policies, and other aspects of the national and international political and financial landscape, which could affect, amount other things, inflation and the securities markets generally.
Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations, volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change and unexpected trading activity among retail investors. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or changing economic, political or market conditions.
Large-Cap Securities Risk. The securities of large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain or maintain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
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Growth Investing Risk. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth potential. Growth investing entails that risk that if growth companies do not increase their earnings at a rate expected by investors, the market price of their stock may decline significantly, even if earnings show an absolute increase. Growth company stocks also typically lack the dividend yield that can lessen price declines in market downturns. Growth-oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor.
Sector Risk. The Fund may focus its investments in securities of a particular sector. Sector risk is the risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region or sector may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so focused. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect an entire sector. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular sector. While the Fund may not concentrate in any one industry, the Fund may invest without limitation in a particular sector.
| ● | Consumer Food Sector. The consumer food sector is highly competitive and can be significantly affected by demographic and product trends, competitive pricing, food fads, marketing campaigns, environmental factors, government regulation, adverse changes in general economic conditions, agricultural commodity prices, evolving consumer preferences, nutritional and health-related concerns, federal, state and local food inspection and processing controls, consumer product liability claims, consumer boycotts, risks of product tampering and the availability and expense of liability insurance. |
| ● | Consumer Staples Sector. The consumer staples sector may be affected by the regulation of various product components and production methods, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting consumer demand. |
| ● | Utilities Sector. The utilities sector is subject to significant government regulation and oversight. Companies in the utilities sector may be adversely affected due to increases in commodity and operating costs, rising costs of financing capital construction and the cost of complying with government regulations, among other factors. Deregulation may subject utility companies to greater competition and may adversely affect their profitability. As deregulation allows utility companies to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business, utility companies may engage in riskier ventures. |
| ● | Communications Services Sector. Communication services companies are particularly vulnerable to the potential obsolescence of products and services due to technological advancement and the innovation of competitors. Companies in the communication services sector may also be affected by other competitive pressures, such as pricing competition, as well as research and development costs, substantial capital requirements and government regulation. Additionally, fluctuating domestic and international demand, shifting demographics and often unpredictable changes in consumer tastes can drastically affect a communication services company’s profitability. While all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the communication services sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. |
| ● | Healthcare Sector. The healthcare sector may be affected by government regulations and government healthcare programs, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may result in price discounting. |
| ● |
Information Technology Sector. Information technology companies face intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Companies in the information technology sector may face obsolescence and are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. The Fund’s investments in what the Adviser considers to be durable technology, which derive a large percentage of revenue from residual or subscription-based sources, may be affected by changes in domestic and international economies and politics, consolidation, excess capacity, and consumer demands, spending, tastes and preferences. |
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| ● | Industrials Sector. The value of companies in the industrial sector may be adversely affected by supply and demand related to their specific products or services and industrial sector products in general. The products of manufacturing companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and the introduction of new products. |
Investment Style Risk. There is a possibility that the market segment on which the Fund is primarily invested in, whether growth or value, could underperform other kinds of investments or market averages that include style-focused investments.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
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Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to NAV and may face delisting.
Cash Positions Risk. The Fund may hold a significant position in cash and/or cash equivalent securities. When the Fund’s investment in cash or cash equivalent securities increases, the Fund may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund were more fully invested.
Cybersecurity Risk. There is risk to the Fund of an unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other Service Providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders.
ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” An investor may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit. Trading in shares on the exchange on which the Fund is listed may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. Shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. For example, in times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s NAV. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s NAV.
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Fund is not an index fund. The Fund does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified Index. ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the Shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.
Foreign Exposure Risk. Although the Fund may invest in securities of companies listed on U.S. securities exchanges, the international operations of those companies may create exposure to foreign markets where such companies operate. The international operations of many companies expose them to risks associated with political, social or economic events in other countries or regions, which may include instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business.
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Gap Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit from the investment. Usually, such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.
Geographic Risk. The risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same geographic region, an adverse economic, business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so focused. The Fund may invest without limitation in a particular region or may be exposed to the risks of a specific country as a result of its investments in U.S.-based companies with operations or markets in other countries.
Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.
Market Events Risk. There has been increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty in the financial markets during the past several years, including what was experienced in 2020. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took steps to support financial markets, including by lowering interest rates to historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. When the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve reduce market support activities, including by increasing interest rates, such reductions could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these influences on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an exchange-traded fund. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Adviser’s inexperience may limit its effectiveness.
Non-Diversification Risk.
Regulatory Risk. Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States or other countries, including any changes to applicable tax laws and regulations, could impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective and could increase the operating expenses of the Fund.
Valuation Risk. The sale price that the Fund could receive for a portfolio security may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities that trade in low volume or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. In addition, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.
Volatility Risk. The Fund’s investments may appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate due to events or factors that affect markets generally or that affect a particular investment, industry or sector. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may also be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility may affect the Fund’s NAV per share, including by causing it to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Events or financial circumstances affecting individual investments, industries or sectors may increase the volatility of the Fund.
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Investment Adviser: Liberty One Investment Management, LLC, serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Sub-Adviser: Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers: The Fund is jointly managed by Ben Pahl, President at Liberty One Investment Management and Nick Ng Lead Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee Chair at Liberty One Investment Management.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in large blocks of 10,000 shares (each block of shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange, and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker or dealer at market price. Because shares trade at market prices, rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than NAV (i.e., a premium), or less than NAV (i.e. a 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”).
Recent information, including information about the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at www.LibertyOneETF.com.
Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income, long-term capital gains or qualified dividend income, or a combination of the three. A sale of shares may result in capital gain or loss.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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The Liberty One Tactical Income ETF (the “Fund”) Seeks capital appreciation and to provide current income. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
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.
| Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
|
| Advisory Fees | |
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |
| Other Expenses(1) | |
| Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(1)(2) | |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(3) | ( |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | |
| (1) | ||
| (2) | | |
| (3) | |
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds.
| 1 Year | 3 Years | |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.
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The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that, under normal market conditions, invests, directly or indirectly, in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities and fixed income ETF securities. The Fund utilizes a balanced strategy in that the Fund is generally invested in both equity and fixed income securities. The Adviser will adjust the allocation between equity and fixed income securities based upon market conditions, and generally targets, to be invested between 35% to 65% in equity securities and 35% to 65% in fixed income securities. Market and economic circumstances may cause the Fund to invest beyond these ratios.
With respect to the Fund’s equity investments, the Fund will invest mainly in the common stocks of large capitalization U.S. companies, with a focus on dividend-paying value stocks that offer the potential for capital growth, current income, or both. The Fund currently defines a large capitalization (large cap) company as one whose market capitalization is at least $5 billion and, at the time of purchase, is within the range of the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 1000. The Russell 1000 is an unmanaged index that tracks the highest ranking 1,000 stocks of the Russell 3000. The Russell 1000 represents roughly 93% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000. The market capitalizations within the Russell 1000 will vary, but as of June 25, 2025, they ranged from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 trillion.
The Fund’s equity investments generally will consist of equity investments with a focus on dividend-paying companies in defensive sectors and/or that operate what the Adviser believes to be “recession resistant” business models. The Fund will invest in companies that are established and mature, market leaders, with a strong financial foundation, offer the potential for reduced volatility, offer high liquidity and have a track record of strong shareholder stewardship and the ability to grow their dividends over time. The Fund’s equity investments may not be equally weighted from time to time as the Fund navigates various market conditions and the Adviser manages various risks. Not all screening criteria must be met in order for a security to be included in the Fund.
The Adviser’s screening criteria relating to the Fund’s equity holdings may include, but are not limited to: a consistent and increasing dividend track record and existing dividend policy that the Adviser deems sustainable for continued increases; moderate to low demand elasticity for the products and services that the business offers; below average volatility in revenue and earnings relative to the broader market; high revenue and earnings visibility, (for example, substantial recurring revenues with high switching costs); lower sensitivity to fluctuations in the business cycle.
The Fund’s equity investments will be focused in what the Adviser believes to be, although there is no guarantee, “recession resistant” sectors of the U.S. economy and/or companies that operate what the Adviser believes to be “recession resistant” business models. As of the date of this Prospectus, such sectors currently include communication services, consumer food, consumer staples, industrials, information technology, healthcare, and utilities. The amount of the Fund’s assets invested at any given time in a particular sector will vary based on market conditions. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be over-weighted in one or more sectors if the Adviser believes that different weightings are appropriate or because of market appreciation. The Adviser may also invest outside of sectors considered to be “recession resistant” if the Adviser deems a business model in a different sector is “recession resistant” and pays an attractive dividend.
The Adviser generally uses a top-down approach when deciding asset and sector allocations for the Fund, and a bottom-up approach when deciding the individual companies in which the Fund will invest. The Adviser will evaluate which industries and sectors exhibit favorable characteristics in the current and forecasted economic environments when constructing the portfolio structure. The Fund’s portfolio components will be reviewed by the Adviser on a case-by-case basis to determine any changes to individual portfolio components and/or weights with the aim of enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
With respect to the fixed income investments, the Fund will primarily be invested in corporate bonds and Government bonds indirectly through ETFs that provide balanced U.S. bond market exposure, as selected by the Adviser. The Fund will invest in fixed income ETFs with credit quality, duration, and yields based on what the Adviser determines is appropriate for the current economic environment. The underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests may invest in securities of any maturity or quality, including securities rated below investment grade (often referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds) securities. The Fund may invest in underlying investment companies that utilize
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various types of derivatives, including options, interest rate swaps, forward and futures contracts, and total return swap contracts, for hedging or risk management purposes, such as attempting to minimize interest rate risk exposure, or to increase income or gains. The Fund will typically invest a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments in securities of issuers with a range of credit ratings. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in high yield securities.
The Adviser expects to keep the Fund’s portfolios fully invested in the markets. The Fund is non-diversified and may invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified exchange-traded funds.
The Fund’s sub-adviser, Vident Asset Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) will purchase or sell securities to implement the Adviser’s investment selections at a time determined appropriate by the Sub-Adviser and in accordance with, but not necessarily in the identical amounts as provided with the Adviser’s investment selections.
Principal Investment Risks:
As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program, but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed to achieve its investment objective; is not a deposit with a bank; is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency; and is subject to investment risks. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Many factors affect the Fund’s NAV and performance. Each risk summarized below is a principal risk of investing in the Fund and different risks may be more significant at different times depending upon market conditions or other factors.
The Fund may be subject to the risks described below indirectly through investments in ETFs and underlying funds and through its own direct investments.
As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
Management Risk. The Fund’s investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment in the Fund or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies to those of the Fund. The Adviser determines securities the Fund holds and its assessment may be incorrect, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund shares and failure to achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk. Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund or an underlying fund invests. The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, military conflict, acts of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, supply chain disruptions, sanctions, lack of liquidity in the bond or other markets, volatility in the securities markets or adverse investor sentiment and political events affect the securities markets. U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global
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pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. Local, state and regional events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The change in the presidential administration in 2025 has resulted in significant impacts to international trade relations, tax and immigration policies, and other aspects of the national and international political and financial landscape, which could affect, amount other things, inflation and the securities markets generally.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk, call risk, prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, duration, and liquidity risk. In addition, current market conditions may pose heightened risks for fixed income securities. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments. Moreover, new regulations applicable to and changing business practices of financial intermediaries that make markets in fixed income securities have resulted in less market making activity for certain fixed income securities, which has reduced the liquidity and may increase the volatility for such fixed income securities. The fixed income securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity may decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. For example, a general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities and could also result in increased redemptions for the Fund. Duration risk arises when holding long duration and long maturity investments, which will magnify certain risks, including interest rate risk and credit risk. Longer-term securities may be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Given the recent, historically low interest rates and the potential for increases in those rates, a heightened risk is posed by rising interest rates to longer-term fixed income securities. Effective duration estimates price changes for relatively small changes in rates. If rates rise significantly, effective duration may tend to understate the drop in a security’s price. If rates drop significantly, effective duration may tend to overstate the rise in a security’s price.
High Yield Fixed Income Securities (“Junk Bond”) Risk. Investment in or exposure to high yield (lower rated or below investment grade) debt instruments (also known as “junk bonds”) may involve greater levels of interest rate, credit, liquidity and valuation risk than for higher rated instruments. High yield debt instruments are considered predominantly speculative and are higher risk than investment grade instruments with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments and, therefore, such instruments generally involve greater risk of default or price changes than higher rated debt instruments. Junk bonds may experience more price volatility and a more limited market than the market for investment-grade fixed income securities.
Interest Rate Risk. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Certain countries have experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility.
Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations, volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change and unexpected trading activity among retail investors. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or changing economic, political or market conditions.
Large-Cap Securities Risk. The securities of large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain or maintain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
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Sector Risk. The Fund may focus its investments in securities of a particular sector. Sector risk is the risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region or sector may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so focused. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect an entire sector. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular sector. While the Fund may not concentrate in any one industry, the Fund may invest without limitation in a particular sector.
| ● | Communication Services Sector Risk. Communication services companies are particularly vulnerable to the potential obsolescence of products and services due to technological advancement and the innovation of competitors. Companies in the communication services sector may also be affected by other competitive pressures, such as pricing competition, as well as research and development costs, substantial capital requirements and government regulation. Additionally, fluctuating domestic and international demand, shifting demographics and often unpredictable changes in consumer tastes can drastically affect a communication services company’s profitability. While all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the communication services sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. |
| ● | Consumer Food Sector. The consumer food sector is highly competitive and can be significantly affected by demographic and product trends, competitive pricing, food fads, marketing campaigns, environmental factors, government regulation, adverse changes in general economic conditions, agricultural commodity prices, evolving consumer preferences, nutritional and health-related concerns, federal, state and local food inspection and processing controls, consumer product liability claims, consumer boycotts, risks of product tampering and the availability and expense of liability insurance. |
| ● | Consumer Staples Sector. The consumer staples sector may be affected by the regulation of various product components and production methods, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting consumer demand. |
| ● | Healthcare Sector. The healthcare sector may be affected by government regulations and government healthcare programs, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may result in price discounting. |
| ● | Industrials Sector. The value of companies in the industrial sector may be adversely affected by supply and demand related to their specific products or services and industrial sector products in general. The products of manufacturing companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and the introduction of new products. |
| ● | Information Technology Sector. Information technology companies face intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Companies in the information technology sector may face obsolescence and are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. |
| ● | Utilities Sector. The utilities sector is subject to significant government regulation and oversight. Companies in the utilities sector may be adversely affected due to increases in commodity and operating costs, rising costs of financing capital construction and the cost of complying with government regulations, among other factors. Deregulation may subject utility companies to greater competition and may adversely affect their profitability. As deregulation allows utility companies to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business, utility companies may engage in riskier ventures. |
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Underlying Fund Risk. The Fund’s investment performance and its ability to achieve its investment objective are directly related to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investments in the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is subject to the risks of underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds.
Allocation Risk. The Fund’s particular allocations may have a significant effect on the Fund’s performance. Allocation risk is the risk that the selection of investments, including ETFs, and the allocation of assets among such investments, including ETFs, will cause the Fund to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective that do not allocate their assets in the same manner or the market as a whole.
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to NAV and may face delisting.
Cash Positions Risk. The Fund may hold a significant position in cash and/or cash equivalent securities. When the Fund’s investment in cash or cash equivalent securities increases, the Fund may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund were more fully invested.
Cybersecurity Risk. There is risk to the Fund of an unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, an underlying fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other Service Providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders.
ETF Structure Risk. The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to special risks. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” An investor may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit. Trading in shares on the exchange on which the Fund is listed may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. Shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. For example, in times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s NAV. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s NAV.
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Fund is not an index fund. The Fund does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified Index. ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the Shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.
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Foreign Exposure Risk. Although the Fund may invest in securities of companies listed on U.S. securities exchanges, the international operations of those companies may create exposure to foreign markets where such companies operate. The international operations of many companies expose them to risks associated with political, social or economic events in other countries or regions, which may include instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business.
Gap Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit from the investment. Usually, such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.
Geographic Risk. The risk that if the Fund or an underlying fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same geographic region, an adverse economic, business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region may affect the value of the Fund’s or underlying fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s or underlying fund’s investments were not so focused. The Fund or an underlying fund may invest without limitation in a particular region or may be exposed to the risks of a specific country as a result of its investments in U.S.-based companies with operations or markets in other countries.
Investment Companies/Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies (including open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds or ETFs) it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of other investment company’s operating expenses, including the management fees of unaffiliated funds in addition to those paid by the Fund. The risk of owning an investment company generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments held by the investment company. The Fund may also incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells shares of investment companies. Additionally, a Fund will be indirectly exposed to the risks of the portfolio assets held by the other investment company, which may include, but is not limited to, those of options, derivatives, currencies, index, leverage, and replication management.
Investment Style Risk. There is a possibility that the market segment on which the Fund is primarily invested in, whether growth or value, could underperform other kinds of investments or market averages that include style-focused investments.
Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. Liquidity risk may be magnified in an environment of rising interest rates or widening credit spreads in which investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal. In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of securities suffered periods of illiquidity if disfavored by the market. All of these risks may increase during periods of market turmoil, such as that experienced in 2020 with COVID-19, and could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance.
Market Events Risk. There has been increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty in the financial markets during the past several years, including what was experienced in 2020. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took steps to support financial markets, including by lowering interest rates to historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. When the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve reduce market support activities, including by increasing interest rates, such reductions could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these influences on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
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New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an exchange-traded fund. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Adviser’s inexperience may limit its effectiveness.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
Non-Diversification Risk.
Odd Lot Pricing Risk. Bonds may be purchased and held as smaller sized bond positions known as “odd lots”. Pricing services generally value such securities based on bid prices for larger institutional sized bond positions known as “round lots”; and such round lot prices may reflect more favorable pricing than odd lot holdings. The Fund may purchase securities suitable for its investment strategies in odd lots. Special valuation considerations may apply with respect to the Fund’s odd-lot positions, as the Fund may receive different prices when it sells such positions than it would receive for sales of institutional round lot positions. The Fund may fair value a particular bond if the Adviser does not believe that the round lot value provided by the independent pricing service reflects fair value of the Fund’s holding. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s valuation procedures will result in pricing data that is completely congruent with prices that the Fund might obtain on the open market.
Prepayment and Extension Risk. Many types of fixed income securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a fixed income security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Fixed income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment and accordingly, a decline in the Fund’s net asset value. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a fixed income security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. On the other hand, rising interest rates could cause prepayments of the obligations to decrease, extending the life of mortgage- and asset-backed securities with lower payment rates. This is known as extension risk and may increase the Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines.
Regulatory Risk. Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States or other countries, including any changes to applicable tax laws and regulations, could impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective and could increase the operating expenses of the Fund.
U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. The U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities, which may fluctuate, and the securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.
Valuation Risk. The sale price that the Fund or an underlying fund could receive for a portfolio security may differ from the Fund’s or underlying fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities that trade in low volume or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. In addition, the value of the securities in the Fund’s or an underlying fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.
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Volatility Risk. The Fund’s investments may appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate due to events or factors that affect markets generally or that affect a particular investment, industry or sector. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may also be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility may affect the Fund’s NAV per share, including by causing it to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Events or financial circumstances affecting individual investments, industries or sectors may increase the volatility of the Fund.
Investment Adviser: Liberty One Investment Management, LLC, serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Sub-Adviser: Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management), serves as sub-adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers: The Fund is jointly managed by Ben Pahl, President at Liberty One Investment Management and Nick Ng Lead Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee Chair at Liberty One Investment Management.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in large blocks of 10,000 shares (each block of shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange, and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Individual shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker or dealer at market price. Because shares trade at market prices, rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than NAV (i.e., a premium), or less than NAV (i.e. a 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”).
Recent information, including information about the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at www.LibertyOneETF.com.
Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income, long-term capital gains or qualified dividend income, or a combination of the three. A sale of shares may result in capital gain or loss.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
This section provides more detailed information about the investment objectives, principal investment strategies and certain risks of investing in each of the Liberty One Spectrum ETF (the “Spectrum ETF”), the Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF (the “Defensive Dividend Growth ETF”) and the Liberty One Tactical Income ETF (the “Tactical Income ETF”). The Spectrum ETF, Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF are each
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referred to as a “Fund” and are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” The Funds may also make other types of investments to the extent permitted by applicable law. For further information about investment strategies, please see the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). This section also provides information regarding the Funds’ disclosure of portfolio holdings. The investment objective of each Fund is non-fundamental, which means it may be changed without shareholder approval.
Liberty One Spectrum ETF
Investment Objective: The Liberty One Spectrum ETF (the “Fund”) seeks capital appreciation and to provide current income. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that, under normal market conditions, invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, primarily the common stocks of dividend paying large capitalization U.S. companies that provide exposure across most sectors of the U.S. equity market. As of the date of this Prospectus, these twelve (12) sectors/sub-sectors in which the Fund will invest are: communication services; consumer food; consumer discretionary; consumer staples; energy; financials; health care; industrials; information technology; real estate; retail; and utilities.
The Fund currently defines a large capitalization (large cap) company as one whose market capitalization is at least $5 billion and, at the time of purchase, is within the range of the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 1000 Index (the “Russell 1000”). The Russell 1000 is an unmanaged index that tracks the highest ranking 1,000 stocks of the Russell 3000 Index (the “Russell 3000”). The Russell 1000 represents roughly 93% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000. The market capitalizations within the Russell 1000 will vary, but as of June 25, 2025, they ranged from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 trillion.
The Fund will invest across the broad spectrum of the U.S. equity market and will generally be invested in most sectors of the U.S. equity market. The Fund will consist of equally weighted investments designed to provide current income and capital appreciation potential with a focus on dividend-paying “blue chip” companies (companies that, in the Adviser’s view, are high quality companies with a long track record of dividend increases, strong growth potential characteristics, and potentially reduced volatility compared to the broad market). The Fund’s holdings will generally be equal-weighted by position and equal-weighted by sector. However, under certain circumstances, the Fund may be over-weighted in one or more positions or sectors because of market appreciation or if the Adviser believes that different weightings are appropriate. The Fund’s equity investments may not be equally weighted from time to time as the Fund navigates various market conditions and the Adviser manages various risks. Although investing in companies that provide dividend income is a fundamental component of the Fund’s principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest in securities that do not pay a dividend to shareholders.
The Fund will be invested primarily in the equity securities of large-capitalization companies that have a strong track record of paying a rising dividend to shareholders and that the Adviser considers to be established and mature, market leaders, with a strong, stable financial foundation and that have the potential for reduced volatility and high liquidity. As a result of the Fund’s focus on divided paying securities, a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings could be considered to be large cap value securities. The Adviser generally expects to keep the Fund’s portfolios fully invested in the market regardless of current market conditions.
The Adviser generally uses both a top-down and bottom up approach during portfolio construction. The Adviser will evaluate which industries, sectors and companies within the sectors the Fund will invest in based on the Adviser assessment of which companies exhibit favorable characteristics in the current and forecasted economic environments. The Fund’s portfolio components will be reviewed by the Adviser on a case-by-case basis to determine any changes to individual portfolio components and/or weights with the aim of enhancing the value of the Fund’s risk adjusted returns. The Adviser’s focus on investing in companies with strong, stable, dividend growing securities that exhibit a strong track record of earnings growth alongside strong balance sheets generally allows the Fund to have relatively low portfolio turnover.
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In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. Such a strategy could include investing up to 100% of the Fund’s assets in cash or cash equivalent securities such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market mutual funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. Defensive investing could affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund might not achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
The Sub-Adviser will purchase or sell securities to implement the Adviser’s investment selections at a time determined appropriate by the Sub-Adviser and in accordance with, but not necessarily in the identical amounts as provided with the Adviser’s investment selections.
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF
Investment Objective: The Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF (the “Fund”) seeks capital appreciation and to provide current income. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that, under normal market conditions, invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies that have a strong track record of paying a rising long-term dividend. These securities will typically, but not always be, companies that the Adviser believes are “recession resistant”, defensive in nature, and at the time of investment, have a strong track record of paying a rising long-term dividend income stream to investors. The Adviser considers a company to be “recession resistant”, if it has the potential to reduced long-term volatility within the Fund, has the potential to provide risk-adjusted returns in excess of its benchmark, and historically generates a long-term rising dividend income stream to investors.
The Adviser’s screening criteria relating to the Fund’s holdings may include, but are not limited to: a consistent and increasing dividend track record; an existing dividend policy that the Adviser deems sustainable for continued increases; moderate to low demand elasticity for the products and services that the business offers; below average volatility in revenue and earnings relative to the broader market; high revenue and earnings visibility, (for example, substantial recurring revenues with high switching costs); and lower sensitivity to fluctuations in the business cycle. Not all screening criteria must be met in order for a security to be included in the Fund.
The Fund will invest mainly in the common stocks of large capitalization U.S. companies, with a focus on dividend-paying stocks that offer the potential for capital growth and also provide current income. The Fund currently defines a large capitalization (large cap) company as one whose market capitalization is at least $5 billion and, at the time of purchase, is within the range of the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 1000. The Russell 1000 is an unmanaged index that tracks the highest ranking 1,000 stocks of the Russell 3000. The Russell 1000 represents roughly 93% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000. The market capitalizations within the Russell 1000 Index will vary, but as of June 25, 2025, they ranged from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 trillion.
The Fund’s investments will be focused in what the Adviser believes to be, although there is no guarantee, “recession resistant” sectors and sub-sectors of the U.S. economy or operate, what the adviser believes to be, a “recession resistant” business model. As of the date of this Prospectus, such sectors currently include communication services, consumer food, consumer staples, healthcare, industrials, information technology, and utilities. The amount of the Fund’s assets invested at any given time in a particular sector will vary based on market conditions. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be over-weighted in one or more sectors if the Adviser believes that different weightings are appropriate or because of market appreciation. The Adviser may also invest outside of sectors considered to be “recession resistant” if the Adviser deems a business model in a different sector is “recession resistant” and has a long-term track record of paying a rising dividend income stream to shareholders.
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The Adviser generally uses a top-down approach when deciding sector allocations for the Fund, and a bottom-up approach when deciding the individual companies in which the Fund will invest. The Adviser will evaluate which industries and sectors exhibit favorable characteristics in the current and forecasted economic environments when constructing the portfolio structure. The Fund’s portfolio components will be reviewed by the Adviser on a case-by-case basis to determine any changes to individual portfolio components and/or weights with the aim of enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
When the Adviser, in its sole discretion, determines that a sector is not on a “buy,” the Fund will invest those assets in other types of investments, including cash and cash equivalents.
The Fund is non-diversified and may invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified exchange-traded funds.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. Such a strategy could include investing up to 100% of the Fund’s assets in cash or cash equivalent securities such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market mutual funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. Defensive investing could affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund might not achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
The Sub-Adviser will purchase or sell securities to implement the Adviser’s investment selections at a time determined appropriate by the Sub-Adviser and in accordance with, but not necessarily in the identical amounts as provided with the Adviser’s investment selections.
Liberty One Tactical Income ETF
Investment Objective: The Liberty One Tactical Income ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide current income and the opportunity for capital appreciation to produce a total return. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that, under normal market conditions, invests, directly or indirectly, in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities and fixed income ETF securities. The Fund utilizes a balanced strategy in that the Fund is generally invested in both equity and fixed income securities. The Adviser will adjust the allocation between equity and fixed income securities based upon market conditions, and generally targets, to be invested between 35% to 65% in equity securities and 35% to 65% in fixed income securities. Market and economic circumstances may cause the Fund to invest beyond these ratios.
With respect to the Fund’s equity investments, the Fund will invest mainly in the common stocks of large capitalization U.S. companies, with a focus on dividend-paying value stocks that offer the potential for capital growth, current income, or both. The Fund currently defines a large capitalization (large cap) company as one whose market capitalization is at least $5 billion and, at the time of purchase, is within the range of the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 1000. The Russell 1000 is an unmanaged index that tracks the highest ranking 1,000 stocks of the Russell 3000. The Russell 1000 represents roughly 93% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000. The market capitalizations within the Russell 1000 will vary, but as of June 25, 2025, they ranged from approximately $1.5 billion to $3.8 trillion.
The Fund’s equity investments generally will consist of equity investments with a focus on dividend-paying companies in defensive sectors and/or that operate what the Adviser believes to be “recession resistant” business models. The Fund will invest in companies that are established and mature, market leaders, with a strong financial foundation, off the potential for reduced volatility, offer high liquidity and have a track record of strong shareholder
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stewardship and the ability to grow their dividends over time. The Fund’s investments may not be equally weighted from time to time as the Fund navigates various market conditions and the Adviser manages various risks. Not all screening criteria must be met in order for a security to be included in the Fund.
The Adviser’s screening criteria relating to the Fund’s equity holdings may include, but are not limited to: a consistent and increasing dividend track record and existing dividend policy that the Adviser deems sustainable for continued increases; moderate to low demand elasticity for the products and services that the business offers; below average volatility in revenue and earnings relative to the broader market; high revenue and earnings visibility, (for example, substantial recurring revenues with high switching costs); lower sensitivity to fluctuations in the business cycle.
The Fund’s equity investments will be focused in what the Adviser believes to be, although there is no guarantee, “recession resistant” sectors of the U.S. economy and/or companies that operate what the Adviser believes to be “recession resistant” business models. As of the date of this Prospectus, such sectors currently include communication services, consumer food, consumer staples, industrials, information technology, healthcare, and utilities. The amount of the Fund’s assets invested at any given time in a particular sector will vary based on market conditions. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be over-weighted in one or more sectors if the Adviser believes that different weightings are appropriate or because of market appreciation. The Adviser may also invest outside of sectors considered to be “recession resistant” if the Adviser deems a business model in a different sector is “recession resistant” and pays an attractive dividend.
The Adviser generally uses a top-down approach when deciding asset and sector allocations for the Fund, and a bottom-up approach when deciding the individual companies in which the Fund will invest. The Adviser will evaluate which industries and sectors exhibit favorable characteristics in the current and forecasted economic environments when constructing the portfolio structure. The Fund’s portfolio components will be reviewed by the Adviser on a case-by-case basis to determine any changes to individual portfolio components and/or weights with the aim of enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
With respect to the fixed income investments, the Fund will primarily be invested in corporate bonds and Government bonds indirectly through ETFs that provide balanced U.S. bond market exposure, as selected by the Adviser. With the fixed income portion of the Fund providing primarily broad U.S. bond market exposure, the Adviser may also invest a portion of assets in foreign (non-U.S.) bonds, both corporate and sovereign debt, in mature and/or emerging markets indirectly through ETFs. The Fund will invest in fixed income ETFs with credit quality, duration, and yields based on what the Adviser determines is appropriate for the current economic environment. Fixed income ETF underlying holdings may also include, but are not limited to: U.S. government bills, bonds, and TIPS, municipal bonds, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, and collateralized loan obligations. The underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests may invest in securities of any maturity or quality, including securities rated below investment grade (often referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds) securities. The Fund may invest in underlying investment companies that utilize various types of derivatives, including options, interest rate swaps, forward and futures contracts, and total return swap contracts, for hedging or risk management purposes, such as attempting to minimize interest rate risk or to increase income or gains. The Fund will typically invest a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments in securities of issuers with a range of credit ratings. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in high yield securities.
The Adviser expects to keep the Fund’s portfolios fully invested in the markets. The Fund is non-diversified and may invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified exchange-traded funds.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. Such a strategy could include investing up to 100% of the Fund’s assets in cash or cash equivalent securities such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market mutual funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. Defensive investing could affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund might not achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
The Sub-Adviser will purchase or sell securities to implement the Adviser’s investment selections at a time determined appropriate by the Sub-Adviser and in accordance with, but not necessarily in the identical amounts as provided with the Adviser’s investment selections.
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PRINCIPAL AND OTHER RISK FACTORS
As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Funds. An investment in a Fund is not guaranteed to achieve its investment objective; is not a deposit with a bank; is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency; and is subject to investment risks. Neither the Advisor nor the Sub-Adviser can guarantee that a Fund will achieve its objective. The value of your investment in a Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in a Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. A Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program, but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect a Fund’s net asset value and performance. It is important that investors closely review and understand these risks before making an investment in a Fund. The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, includes more information about the Funds and their investments and risks. The risks described in this Prospectus (and in the SAI) are not intended to include every potential risk of investing in the Funds. Each Fund could be subject to additional risks because the types of investments it makes may change over time.
The table below notes the principal risks identified under “Principal Risk Factors” in each Fund’s summary. Following the table, each risk is explained, along with additional risk information with respect to certain other risks relating to the Funds and their investments. The risks, which are described in alphabetical order and not in order of perceived importance or potential exposure, can negatively affect the Fund’s performance. The Tactical Income ETF may be exposed to these risks directly or indirectly through investments in underlying funds.
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| Spectrum ETF |
Defensive Dividend Growth ETF |
Tactical Income ETF | |
| Allocation Risk | X | ||
| Authorized Participant Concentration Risk | X | X | X |
| Cash Positions Risk | X | X | X |
| Cybersecurity Risk | X | X | X |
| ETF Structure Risk | X | X | X |
| Equity Risk | X | X | X |
| Fixed Income Securities Risk | X | ||
| Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk | X | X | X |
| Foreign Exposure Risk | X | X | X |
| Gap Risk | X | X | X |
| Geographic Risk | X | X | X |
| Growth Investing Risk | X | ||
| High Yield Fixed Income Securities (“Junk Bond”) Risk | X | ||
| Interest Rate Risk | X | ||
| Investment Companies/Exchange-Traded Funds Risk | X | ||
| Investment Style Risk | X | X | X |
| Issuer-Specific Risk | X | X | X |
| Large-Cap Securities Risk | X | X | X |
| Liquidity Risk | X | ||
| Management Risk | X | X | X |
| Market Events Risk | X | X | X |
| Market Risk | X | X | X |
| New Adviser Risk | X | X | X |
| New Fund Risk | X | X | X |
| Non-Diversification Risk | X | X | |
| Odd Lot Pricing Risk | X | ||
| Prepayment and Extension Risk | X | ||
| Regulatory Risk | X | X | X |
| Sector Risk | X | X | X |
| Underlying Fund Risk | X | ||
| U.S. Government Securities Risk | X | ||
| Valuation Risk | X | X | X |
| Value Investing Risk | X | ||
| Volatility Risk | X | X | X |
The following describes the risks each Fund bears directly or, in the case of the Tactical Income ETF, indirectly through investments in underlying funds. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goals.
Allocation Risk. The Fund’s particular allocations may have a significant effect on the Fund’s performance. Allocation risk is the risk that the selection of investments, including ETFs, and the allocation of assets among such investments, including ETFs, will cause the Fund to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective that do not allocate their assets in the same manner or the market as a whole.
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Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. To the extent that authorized participants are unable or otherwise unavailable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders and no other authorized participant is able to create or redeem in their place, shares may trade at a discount to NAV and may face delisting.
Benchmark Rate Risk. As market participants have had to transition away from the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), regulators and industry groups have recommended transitioning to central bank determined Risk Free Rates (“RFRs”). The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) has been designated the replacement benchmark rate for U.S. Dollar denominated securities the Fund may own. The transition of outstanding LIBOR-based instruments to the SOFR and other alternative reference rates for the U.S. Dollar and for other currencies is ongoing. Markets have developed in response to these new rates and the transition may have a material impact on existing and future issue financial instruments which reference them.
Alteration of the terms of a debt instrument or a modification of the terms of other types of contracts to replace an interbank offered rate with a new reference rate could result in a taxable exchange and the realization of income and gain/loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The IRS has issued regulations regarding the tax consequences of the transition from interbank offered rates to new reference rates in debt instruments and non-debt contracts. Under the regulations, to avoid such alteration or modification of the terms of a debt instrument being treated as a taxable exchange, the fair market value of the modified instrument or contract must be substantially equivalent to its fair market value before the qualifying change was made.
Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund expects to pay out its redemption proceeds principally in cash rather than through the in-kind delivery of portfolio securities. The Fund may be required sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have incurred if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gains distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used. Only certain institutional investors known as Authorized Participants who have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor may redeem shares from the Fund directly; all other investors buy and sell shares at market prices on the Exchange.
Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk. In addition to the normal interest rate, default and other risks of fixed income securities, collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”) carry additional risks, including the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments, the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default, an underlying fund may invest in collateralized loan obligations that are subordinate to other classes, values may be volatile, and disputes with the issuer may produce unexpected investment results. CLOs can be difficult to value, may at times be illiquid, may be highly leveraged (which could make them highly volatile), and may produce unexpected investment results due to their complex structure. In addition, CLOs involve many of the same risks of investing in debt securities and asset-backed securities including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and valuation risk.
The Tactical Income Fund may be subject to the following risks as a result of an underlying fund’s investments in CLOs:
| ● | Asset Manager Risk. The CLO’s performance is linked to the expertise of the CLO manager and its ability to manage the CLO portfolio. The experience of a CLO manager plays an important role in the rating and risk assessment of CLO debt securities. One of the primary risks to investors of a CLO is the potential change in CLO manager, over which neither the Fund nor an underlying fund will have no control. |
| ● | Legal and Regulatory Risk. An underlying fund may be adversely affected by new (or revised) laws or regulations that may be imposed by government regulators or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets. These agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of rules pursuant to financial reform legislation in the United States. An underlying fund may also be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules. Changes in the regulation of CLOs may adversely affect the value of the investments held by an underlying fund and the ability of the Fund to execute its investment strategy. |
| ● | Limited Recourse Risk. CLO debt securities are limited recourse obligations of their issuers. CLO debt is payable solely from the proceeds of its underlying assets. Consequently, CLO investors must rely solely on distributions from the underlying assets for payments on the CLO debt they hold. No party or entity other |
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than the issuer will be obligated to make payments on CLO debt. CLO debt is not guaranteed by the issuer or any other party or entity involved in the organization and management of a CLO. If income from the underlying loans is insufficient to make payments on the CLO debt, no other assets will be available for payment.
| ● | Redemption Risk. CLO debt securities may be subject to redemption. For example, certain tranches of CLO debt may be redeemed if the CLO manager is unable to identify assets suitable for investment during the period when it has the ability to reinvest the principal proceeds from the sale of assets, scheduled redemptions and prepayments in additional assets (the “Reinvestment Period”). Additionally, holders of subordinated CLO debt may cause the redemption of senior CLO debt. In the event of an early redemption, holders of the CLO debt being redeemed will be repaid earlier than the stated maturity of the debt. The timing of redemptions may adversely affect the returns on CLO debt. |
| ● | Reinvestment Risk. The CLO manager may not find suitable assets in which to invest during the Reinvestment Period or to replace assets that the manager has determined are no longer suitable for investment (for example, if a security has been downgraded by a rating agency). Additionally, the Reinvestment Period is a pre-determined finite period of time; however, there is a risk that the Reinvestment Period may terminate early if, for example, the CLO defaults on payments on the securities which it issues or if the CLO manager determines that it can no longer reinvest in underlying assets. Early termination of the Reinvestment Period could adversely affect a CLO investment. |
Counterparty Credit Risk. The stability and liquidity of repurchase agreements and swap transactions depend in large part on the creditworthiness of the parties to the transactions. It is expected that the Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of firms with which it will cause the Fund to enter into repurchase agreements, interest rate swaps, caps and floors. If there is a default by the counterparty to such a transaction, the Fund will under most normal circumstances have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, exercising such contractual rights may involve delays or costs which could result in the value of the Fund being less than if the transaction had not been entered into. Furthermore, there is a risk that any of such counterparties could become insolvent and/or the subject of insolvency proceedings. If one or more of the Fund’s counterparties were to become insolvent or the subject of insolvency proceedings in the United States (either under the Securities Investor Protection Act or the United States Bankruptcy Code), there exists the risk that the recovery of such vehicle’s securities and other assets from such prime broker or broker-dealer will be delayed or be of a value less than the value of the securities or assets originally entrusted to such prime broker or broker-dealer. As a result, the ability a Fund will meet its objective depends on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) being able to meet its obligations. In the unlikely event that the OCC becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to meet its settlement obligations, each of the Funds could suffer significant losses.
Credit Risk. The risk that issuers or guarantors of a fixed income security cannot or will not make payments on the securities and other investments held by the Fund may result in losses to the Fund. Changes in the credit rating of a debt security or of the issuer of a debt security held by the Fund could have a similar effect. The credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes, which may lower their value and may affect their liquidity. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer of the security will default on its obligation. High quality securities are generally believed to have relatively low degrees of credit risk. The Fund intends to enter into financial transactions with counterparties that are creditworthy at the time of the transactions. There is always the risk that the Adviser’s analysis of creditworthiness is incorrect or may change due to market conditions. To the extent that the Fund focuses its transactions with a limited number of counterparties, it will be more susceptible to the risks associated with one or more counterparties.
Credit Spread Risk. The risk that credit spreads (or the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market expects lower-grade bonds to default more frequently. Widening credit spreads may quickly reduce the market values of lower-rated securities.
Currency Risk. The risk that foreign (non-U.S.) currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and adversely affect the value of an underlying fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. Currency risk may be particularly high to the extent that an underlying fund invests in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or engages in foreign currency transactions that are economically tied to emerging market countries.
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Cybersecurity Risk. There is risk to the Fund of an unauthorized breach and access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund or its Service Providers to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund, or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders. Because information technology (“IT”) systems and digital data underlie most of the Fund’s operations, the Fund and its Service Providers are exposed to the risk that their operations and data may be compromised as a result of internal and external cyber-failures, breaches or attacks (“Cyber Risk”). This could occur as a result of malicious or criminal cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include actions taken to: (i) steal or corrupt data maintained online or digitally, (ii) gain unauthorized access to or release confidential information, (iii) shut down the Fund or Service Provider website through denial-of-service attacks, or (iv) otherwise disrupt normal business operations. In addition, events arising from human error, faulty or inadequately implemented policies and procedures or other systems failures unrelated to any external cyber-threat may have effects similar to those caused by deliberate cyber-attacks. See “Cybersecurity” below for additional risks related to potential cybersecurity breaches.
Derivatives Risk. The Tactical Income ETF may be invested indirectly, through an underlying fund, in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value is typically based on the value of a security, commodity, index or other instrument. Such instruments include futures, options, credit default swaps, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, including total return swap, repurchase agreements and other similar instruments. Derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options, and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is often linked to commercial and residential mortgage portfolios. An underlying fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.
Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the underlying fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the underlying fund’s performance. An underlying fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the investment against which it is being hedged. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by an underlying fund’s adviser or that such techniques will be utilized by such adviser.
The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and may be subject to unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. Each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indices. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indices they are designed to closely track.
Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and an underlying fund’s adviser may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, an underlying fund’s use of derivatives may cause such underlying fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if it had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to
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the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of an underlying fund. If an underlying fund’s adviser inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, such underlying fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by an underlying fund.
The Funds’ SAI provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which an underlying fund may invest and their associated risks.
Emerging Markets Risk. To the extent the Tactical Income ETF, through underlying funds, invests in emerging market securities, the risks associated with foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk may be particularly high. An underlying fund’s investments in emerging market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally and have additional heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. These risks include less social, political and economic stability; smaller securities markets with low or nonexistent trading volume and greater illiquidity and price volatility; more restrictive national policies on foreign investment, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; less transparent and established taxation policies; less developed regulatory or legal structures governing private and foreign investment; more pervasiveness of corruption and crime; less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources possessed by, and less government regulation of, the financial institutions and issuers with which an underlying fund transacts; less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.; greater concentration in a few industries resulting in greater vulnerability to regional and global trade conditions; higher rates of inflation and more rapid and extreme fluctuations in inflation rates; greater sensitivity to interest rate changes; increased volatility in currency exchange rates and potential for currency devaluations and/or currency controls; greater debt burdens relative to the size of the economy; more delays in settling portfolio transactions and heightened risk of loss from share registration and custody practices; and less assurance that recent favorable economic developments will not be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries. Because of these risk factors, an underlying fund’s investments in developing market countries are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than investments in developed markets. Governments of emerging market countries may own or control parts of the private sector. Accordingly, government actions could have a significant impact on economic conditions. Certain emerging market countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular sector and/or company, limit the investment by foreign persons to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than a domestically available class, require foreign investors to maintain a trading account with only one licensed securities company in the relevant market and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. These may contribute to the illiquidity of the relevant securities market, as well as create inflexibility and uncertainty as to the trading environment. The legal remedies for investors in emerging markets may be more limited than the remedies available in the U.S., and the ability of U.S. authorities (e.g., SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice) to bring actions against bad actors may be limited.
ETF Structure Risk. The Funds are each structured as an ETF and as a result are subject to special risks, including:
| ● | Not Individually Redeemable: Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough shares to constitute a Creation Unit. |
| ● | Trading Issues: Trading in shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. An active trading market for the Fund’s shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Fund’s shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Fund’s shares. |
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| ● | Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly and you may pay more than NAV when buying shares on the secondary market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell those shares. This means that shares may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses if the shares are sold at a price that is less than the price paid by the shareholder for the shares. In times of market stress, such as what was experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value. The market price for the Fund’s shares may deviate from the Fund’s net asset value, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or significantly less for Fund shares than the Fund’s net asset value, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Fund shares or in the closing price. When all or a portion of an ETF’s underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Fund’s shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from the Fund’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value. In stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Fund’s shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value. |
Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations, volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change and unexpected trading activity among retail investors. Factors that may influence the price of equity securities include developments affecting a specific company or industry, or changing economic, political or market conditions.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk, call risk, prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, duration, and liquidity risk. In addition, current market conditions may pose heightened risks for fixed income securities. When a Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in a Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by a Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by each Fund, possibly causing the Funds’ share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments. Moreover, new regulations applicable to and changing business practices of financial intermediaries that make markets in fixed income securities have resulted in less market making activity for certain fixed income securities, which has reduced the liquidity and may increase the volatility for such fixed income securities. The fixed income securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity may decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. For example, a general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities and could also result in increased redemptions for the Fund. Heavy redemptions could cause a Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Funds’ performance. Duration risk arises when holding long duration and long maturity investments, which will magnify certain risks, including interest rate risk and credit risk. Longer-term securities may be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Effective duration estimates price changes for relatively small changes in rates. If rates rise significantly, effective duration may tend to understate the drop in a security’s price. If rates drop significantly, effective duration may tend to overstate the rise in a security’s price.
| ● | Call Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in its income. If an issuer calls a security that the Fund has invested in, the Fund may not recoup the full amount of its initial investment and may be forced to reinvest in lower-yielding securities, securities with greater credit risks or securities with other, less favorable features. |
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| ● | Credit Risk. Fixed income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable to make principal and interest payments when they are due. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of a loss of confidence in the ability of the borrower to pay back debt. Lower rated fixed income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. |
| ● | Duration Risk. Longer-term securities may be more sensitive to interest rate changes. A heightened risk is posed by rising interest rates to longer-term fixed income securities. Effective duration estimates price changes for relatively small changes in rates. If rates rise significantly, effective duration may tend to understate the drop in a security’s price. If rates drop significantly, effective duration may tend to overstate the rise in a security’s price. |
| ● | Interest Rate Risk. In response to certain economic conditions, including periods of high inflation, government authorities and regulators may respond with significant fiscal and monetary policy changes such as raising interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Certain countries have experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. |
| ● | Liquidity Risk. Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held. These features make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on its performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out an investment contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to hold the security or keep the position open, and it could incur losses. In addition, less liquid securities may be more difficult to value and markets may become less liquid when there are fewer interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities. Recently, dealers have generally been less willing to make markets for fixed income securities. |
| ● | Prepayment and Extension Risk. Many types of fixed income securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a fixed income security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Fixed income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment and, accordingly, a decline in the Fund’s NAV. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a fixed income security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. On the other hand, rising interest rates could cause prepayments of the obligations to decrease, extending the life of mortgage- and asset-backed securities with lower payment rates. This is known as extension risk and may increase the Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines. |
| ● | Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk. Variable and floating rate securities generally are less sensitive to interest changes but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. |
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, unlike conventional ETFs, the Fund is not an index fund. The Fund does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified Index. ETFs have a limited trading history and, therefore, there can be no assurance as to whether and/or the extent to which the Shares will trade at premiums or discounts to NAV.
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Foreign Exposure Risk. Although the Fund may invest in securities of companies listed on U.S. securities exchanges, the international operations of those companies may create exposure to foreign markets where such companies operate. The international operations of many companies expose them to risks associated with political, social or economic events in other countries or regions, which may include instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk. The Tactical Income ETF, through underlying funds, may indirectly invest in Foreign (non-U.S.) securities. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities involve risks related to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; less stringent investor protections and corporate governance; more or less foreign government regulation; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political, financial, social and economic events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism) or diplomatic developments. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities may decline in value due to conditions specific to an individual country, including unfavorable economic conditions relative to the United States. To the extent that the Fund, through underlying funds, invests assets in a specific geographic region, the Fund will generally have more exposure to regional economic risks associated with foreign investments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, foreign markets may have greater volatility than domestic markets and foreign securities may be less liquid and harder to value than domestic securities. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals may adversely affect an underlying fund’s foreign holdings or exposures.
Foreign securities include direct investments in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities traded primarily outside of the United States and dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. Foreign securities also include indirect investments such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts representing shares of foreign-based corporations. ADRs are receipts that are traded in the United States, and entitle the holder to all dividend and capital gain distributions that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. EDRs and GDRs are receipts that often trade on foreign exchanges. They represent ownership in an underlying foreign or U.S. security and generally are denominated in a foreign currency. Foreign government obligations may include debt obligations of supranational entities, including international organizations (such as The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, also known as the World Bank) and international banking institutions and related government agencies.
Foreign securities, and in particular foreign debt securities, are sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, investment in the securities of foreign governments involves the risk that foreign governments may default on their obligations or may otherwise not respect the integrity of their obligations. The performance of investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency also will depend, in part, on the strength of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar and the interest rate environment in the country issuing the currency. Absent other events which otherwise could affect the value of a foreign security (such as a change in the political climate or an issuer’s credit quality), appreciation in the value of the foreign currency generally results in an increase in value of a foreign currency-denominated security in terms of U.S. dollars. A decline in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar generally results in a decrease in value of a foreign currency-denominated security. Additionally, many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy and are adversely affected when the U.S. economy weakens or its markets decline.
Investment in foreign securities may involve higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments also may involve risks associated with the level of currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity, more market volatility and political instability. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possible seizure
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or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency, trade restrictions (including tariffs) or the adoption of other governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities. Additionally, foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements.
While an underlying fund’s investments may, if permitted, be denominated in foreign currencies, the portfolio securities and other assets held by the underlying funds are valued in U.S. dollars. Price fluctuations may occur in the dollar value of foreign securities because of changing currency exchange rates. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time causing an underlying fund’s NAV to fluctuate as well. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by the intervention or the failure to intervene by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. To the extent that the underlying fund is invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk. The net currency positions of the underlying funds may expose them to risks independent of their securities positions.
Gap Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that a stock price value will change dramatically from one level to another with no trading in between and/or before the Fund can exit from the investment. Usually, such movements occur when there are adverse news announcements, which can cause a stock price value to drop substantially from the previous day’s closing price. For example, the price of a stock can drop from its closing price one night to its opening price the next morning. The difference between the two prices is the gap. Trading halts may lead to gap risk.
Geographic Risk. The risk that if the Fund or an underlying fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in certain issuers within the same geographic region, an adverse economic, business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region may affect the value of the Fund’s or underlying fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s or underlying fund’s investments were not so focused. The Fund or an underlying fund may invest without limitation in a particular region or may be exposed to the risks of a specific country as a result of its investments in U.S.-based companies with operations or markets in other countries.
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Growth Investing Risk. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth potential. Growth investing entails that risk that if growth companies do not increase their earnings at a rate expected by investors, the market price of their stock may decline significantly, even if earnings show an absolute increase. Growth company stocks also typically lack the dividend yield that can lessen price declines in market downturns. Growth-oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor.
High Yield Fixed Income Securities (“Junk Bond”) Risk. Investment in or exposure to high yield (lower rated or below investment grade) debt instruments (also known as “junk bonds”) may involve greater levels of interest rate, credit, liquidity and valuation risk than for higher rated instruments. High yield debt instruments are considered predominantly speculative and are higher risk than investment grade instruments with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments and, therefore, such instruments generally involve greater risk of default or price changes than higher rated debt instruments. Junk bonds may experience more price volatility and a more limited market than the market for investment-grade fixed income securities.
Investment Companies/Exchange-Traded Funds Risk. When a Fund invests in other investment companies (including open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds or ETFs) it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of other investment company’s operating expenses, including the management fees of unaffiliated funds in addition to those paid by the Fund. The risk of owning an investment company generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments held by the investment company. The Fund may also incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells shares of investment companies. Additionally, a Fund will be indirectly exposed to the risks of the portfolio assets held by the other investment company, which may include, but is not limited to, those of options, derivatives, currencies, index, leverage, and replication management.
Investment Style Risk. There is a possibility that the market segment on which a Fund is primarily invested in, whether growth or value, could underperform other kinds of investments or market averages that include style-focused investments.
Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.
Large-Cap Securities Risk. The securities of large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain or maintain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Leveraging Risk. The Tactical Income ETF may be exposed to leveraging risk indirectly through underlying funds. An underlying fund’s use of leverage may exaggerate any increase or decrease in the NAV, causing such underlying fund to be more volatile and small changes in the value of the underlying instrument may produce disproportionate losses to the underlying fund and, thus, the Fund. The use of leverage may increase expenses and increase the impact of an underlying fund’s other risks. The use of leverage may cause an underlying fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations, or to meet regulatory requirements, which in each case may result in increased volatility of returns. Leverage, including borrowing, may cause an underlying fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged.
Management Risk. The Funds’ investment strategies may not result in an increase in the value of your investment in a Fund or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies to those of the Funds. The NAV of a Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Management risk includes the risk that the quantitative model used by the Funds’ Adviser may not perform as expected, particularly in volatile markets. Additionally, the Adviser may have conflicts of interest that could interfere with its management of the Funds’ portfolio. For example, the Adviser or their affiliates may manage other investment funds or have other clients
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that may be similar to, or overlap with, the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, creating potential conflicts of interest when making decisions regarding which investments may be appropriate for the Fund and other clients. Further information regarding conflicts of interest is available in the Funds’ SAI.
Market Events Risk. There has been increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty in the financial markets during the past several years, including what was experienced in 2020. Political turmoil within the U.S. and abroad may also impact the Funds. In recent years, the U.S. renegotiated many of its global trade relationships and imposed or threatened to impose significant import tariffs. These actions could lead to price volatility and overall declines in U.S. and global investment markets. These conditions are an inevitable part of investing in capital markets and may continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took steps to support financial markets, including by lowering interest rates to historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. When the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve reduce market support activities, including by increasing interest rates, such reductions could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which a Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may also contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these influences on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems.
Market Risk. Overall market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which a Fund or an underlying fund invests. Each Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Factors such as domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) economic growth and market conditions, real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, military conflict, acts of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rate levels, supply chain disruptions, sanctions, lack of liquidity in the bond or other markets, volatility in the securities markets or adverse investor sentiment and political events affect the securities markets. U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of a Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. When the value of a Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security. Even when securities markets perform well, there is no assurance that the investments held by the Fund will increase in value along with the broader market. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
Political, geopolitical, natural and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, government shutdowns, market closures, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises and related events and governments’ reactions to such events have led, and in the future may lead, to economic uncertainty, decreased economic activity, increased market volatility and other disruptive effects on U.S. and global economies and markets. Such events may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Fund and its investments and could result in decreases to the Fund’s net asset value. For example, a widespread health crisis such as a global
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pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect Fund performance. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. Local, state and regional events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers.
Political turmoil within the U.S. and abroad may also impact the Fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the U.S. could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Fund’s investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of the Fund’s investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. In recent years, the U.S. renegotiated many of its global trade relationships and imposed or threatened to impose significant import tariffs. These actions could lead to price volatility and overall declines in U.S. and global investment markets. The current contentious domestic political environment, as well as political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as presidential elections in the U.S. or abroad may adversely affect the U.S. regulatory landscape, the general market environment and/or investor sentiment, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments and operations. The change in the presidential administration in 2025 has resulted in significant impacts to international trade relations, tax and immigration policies, and other aspects of the national and international political and financial landscape, which could affect, amount other things, inflation and the securities markets generally.
Money Market Instrument Risk. The value of money market instruments may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the credit ratings of the investments. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. Recently, the SEC proposed amendments to money market fund rules that are intended to address potential systemic risks associated with money market funds and to improve transparency for money market fund investors. The money market fund reforms may impact the structure, operations and return potential of the money market funds in which the Fund invests.
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The Tactical Income ETF, through underlying funds, may be indirectly invested in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to the risks of traditional fixed income instruments. However, they are also subject to prepayment risk, extension risk, interest rate risk, market risk and management risk as discussed under Fixed Income Risk above. Mortgage-backed securities include caps and floors, inverse floaters, mortgage dollar rolls, private mortgage pass-through securities, resets and stripped mortgage securities. With respect to prepayment risk if interest rates fall, the underlying debt may be repaid early, reducing the value of an underlying fund’s investments. On the other hand, if interest rates rise, the duration of the securities may be extended, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, fewer prepayments may be made, which would cause the average bond maturity to rise, increasing the potential for an underlying fund to lose money. The value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may be considerably affected by changes in interest rates, the market’s perception of issuers, declines in the value of collateral, and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. Those securities that are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a government entity, are not guaranteed as to market price, which will fluctuate. The ability of an underlying fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend on the ability of such underlying fund’s adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly.
Certain mortgage-backed securities may be secured by pools of mortgages on single-family, multi-family properties, as well as commercial properties. Similarly, asset-backed securities may be secured by pools of loans, such as corporate loans, student loans, automobile loans and credit card receivables. The credit risk on such securities is affected by homeowners or borrowers defaulting on their loans. The values of assets underlying mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may decline and therefore may not be adequate to cover underlying investors. Some mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities have experienced extraordinary weakness and volatility in recent years. Possible legislation in the area of residential mortgages, credit cards, corporate loans and other loans that may collateralize the securities in which an underlying fund may invest could negatively impact the value of the underlying fund’s investments. To the extent an underlying fund focus its investments in particular types of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, such underlying fund may be more susceptible to risk factors affecting such types of securities.
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New Adviser Risk. The Adviser has not previously managed an exchange-traded fund. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Adviser’s inexperience may limit its effectiveness.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is recently formed. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not grow to or maintain economically viable size, may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and may not employ a successful investment strategy, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
Non-Diversification Risk. Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF are non-diversified, and thus may invest its assets in a smaller number of companies or instruments than many other funds. As a result, an investment in the Defensive Dividend Growth ETF or Tactical Income ETF has the risk that changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect on such Fund’s value. Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF may be more susceptible than a diversified fund to the adverse effects of a single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.
Odd Lot Pricing Risk. Bonds may be purchased and held as smaller sized bond positions known as “odd lots”. Pricing services generally value such securities based on bid prices for larger institutional sized bond positions known as “round lots”; and such round lot prices may reflect more favorable pricing than odd lot holdings. The Fund may purchase securities suitable for its investment strategies in odd lots. Special valuation considerations may apply with respect to the Fund’s odd-lot positions, as the Fund may receive different prices when it sells such positions than it would receive for sales of institutional round lot positions. The Fund may fair value a particular bond if the Adviser does not believe that the round lot value provided by the independent pricing service reflects fair value of the Fund’s holding. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s valuation procedures will result in pricing data that is completely congruent with prices that the Fund might obtain on the open market.
Operational Risk. Each Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational 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. Although the Funds and the Adviser seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
Regulatory Risk. Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States or other countries, including any changes to applicable tax laws and regulations, could impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective and could increase the operating expenses of investment companies and regulation by the CFTC, including additional disclosure and operational obligations.
Sector Risk. The Fund may focus its investments in securities of a particular sector. Sector risk is the risk that if the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in issuers within the same economic sector, an adverse economic business or political development or natural or other event, including war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other public health crises, affecting that region or sector may affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if the Fund’s investments were not so focused. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect an entire sector. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular sector. While the Fund may not concentrate in any one industry, the Fund may invest without limitation in a particular sector.
| ● | Communication Services Sector. Companies in the communications services sector are subject to the risk that they will underperform the market as a whole due to legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions, and/or increased competition. |
| ● | Consumer Discretionary Sector. The consumer discretionary sector may be adversely affected by changes in the worldwide economy, consumer spending, competition, demographics and consumer preference, exploration and production spending. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy and, in turn, negatively affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector. |
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| ● | Consumer Staples Sector. The consumer staples sector may be affected by the regulation of various product components and production methods, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting consumer demand. |
| ● | Energy Sector. Companies in the energy sector may be adversely affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. 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. |
| ● | Financial Sector. Companies in the financials sector are often subject to extensive governmental regulation and the potential for additional regulation, which may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge, and the amounts of capital they must maintain. In addition, in recent years, cyber-attacks and technology malfunctions and failures have become increasingly frequent in this sector and have caused significant losses to companies in this sector. |
| ● | Healthcare Sector. The healthcare sector may be affected by government regulations and government healthcare programs, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may result in price discounting. |
| ● | Industrial Sector. The value of companies in the industrial sector may be adversely affected by supply and demand related to their specific products or services and industrial sector products in general. The products of manufacturing companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and the introduction of new products. |
| ● | Information Technology Sector. Information technology companies face intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Companies in the information technology sector may face obsolescence and are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. The Fund’s investments in what the Adviser considers to be durable technology, which derive a large percentage of revenue from residual or subscription-based sources, may be affected by changes in domestic and international economies and politics, consolidation, excess capacity, and consumer demands, spending, tastes and preferences. |
| ● | Materials Sector. Companies engaged in the production and distribution of basic materials may be adversely affected by changes in world events, political and economic conditions, environmental policies, import controls, competition, tariffs, availability of resources and labor relations. |
| ● | Pharmaceuticals Sector. The risks of investments in the pharmaceutical sector include: heavy dependence on patents and intellectual property rights, with profitability affected by the loss or impairment of such rights; risks of new technologies and competitive pressures; large expenditures on research and development of products or services that may not prove commercially successful or may become obsolete quickly; regulations and restrictions imposed by the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, state and local governments, and foreign regulatory authorities; thin capitalization and limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel; and competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounts. | |
| ● | Real Estate Sector. Securities in the real estate sector are susceptible to the risks associated with the real estate industry in general. Real estate companies may have lower trading volumes and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. Potential impacts on the real estate sector that could affect securities include lower occupancy rates, decreased lease payments, defaults, and foreclosures, among other consequences. |
| ● | Telecommunication Sector. The telecommunications sector is subject to governmental regulation and a greater price volatility than the overall market, and the products and services of telecommunications companies may be subject to rapid obsolescence resulting from changing consumer tastes, intense competition, and strong market reactions to technological developments throughout the industry. Companies in the telecommunications sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology. |
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| ● | Utilities Sector. The utilities sector is subject to significant government regulation and oversight. Companies in the utilities sector may be adversely affected due to increases in commodity and operating costs, rising costs of financing capital construction and the cost of complying with government regulations, among other factors. Deregulation may subject utility companies to greater competition and may adversely affect their profitability. As deregulation allows utility companies to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business, utility companies may engage in riskier ventures. |
Sovereign Debt Risk. The Tactical Income ETF, through its investment in underlying funds, may be indirectly exposed to sovereign debt instruments. Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a government entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There may be no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.
Underlying Fund Risk. A Fund’s investment performance and its ability to achieve its investment objective are directly related to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investments in the underlying funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund is subject to the risks of underlying funds in direct proportion to the allocation of its assets among the underlying funds.
U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. The U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities, which may fluctuate, and the securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.
Valuation Risk. The sale price the Fund could receive for a security may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the security, particularly for securities that trade in low volume or volatile markets, or that are valued using a fair value methodology. Because portfolio securities of the Fund may be traded on non-U.S. exchanges, and non-U.S. exchanges may be open on days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund’s shares.
Value Investing Risk. The Adviser’s assessment of a stock’s intrinsic value may never be fully recognized or realized by the market, and a stock judged to be undervalued or overvalued may actually be appropriately priced or its price may decline. The Funds’ investments in value stocks may cause the Funds to underperform funds that do not invest predominantly in value stocks during periods when value stocks underperform other types of stocks.
Volatility Risk. The Fund’s investments may appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate due to events or factors that affect markets generally or that affect a particular investment, industry or sector. The value of an investment in the Fund’s portfolio may also be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility may affect the Fund’s NAV per share, including by causing it to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Events or financial circumstances affecting individual investments, industries or sectors may increase the volatility of the Fund.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE: A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Funds’ SAI. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-847-680-9255.
CYBERSECURITY: The computer systems, networks and devices used by a Fund and its Service Providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by a Fund and its Service Providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. Each Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a
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cybersecurity breach. The Funds, the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third-party Service Providers.
Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact a Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Funds, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, and other Service Providers to transact business; prevention of Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.
Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which a Fund invests; counterparties with which a Fund engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and Service Providers for a Fund’s shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Liberty One Investment Management, LLC, located at 1509 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois 60048, serves as the investment adviser to each Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between Funds and the Adviser, dated September 22, 2025 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Liberty One Investment Management was founded in 2012 and as of March 31, 2025, the Adviser had approximately $2.6 billion in assets under management. Liberty One Investment Management is wholly owned by its Chief Executive Officer, Roch Tranel.
Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing each Fund’s day-to-day operations; including selecting the overall investment strategies of the Fund; and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Funds and the Adviser. The Adviser has the ultimate responsibility to oversee any investment sub-advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement, subject to approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
The Adviser has entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each of the Funds. In addition to advisory fees, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and SAIs to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive the below annual management fee from each Fund, calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets.
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| Fund |
Contractual Advisory Fees As a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets |
| Liberty One Spectrum ETF | 0.65% |
| Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF | 0.65% |
| Liberty One Tactical Income ETF | 0.65% |
Pursuant to an expense limitation agreement, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce each of the Fund’s fees and/or to make payments to limit each of the Funds expenses through at least December 1, 2026, so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, underlying fund fees and expenses or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of each of the Funds do not exceed 0.85%.
These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment by the Adviser from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within the three years of when the amount has been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits as well as any expense limitation that was in effect at the time the waiver or reimbursement was made.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory agreement will be available in the first Form N-CSR filing of the Funds, when available.
TRADING SUB-ADVISER
Vident Asset Management, located at 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 515, Alpharetta, GA 30009, serves as the trading sub-adviser to each of the Funds. As of July 31, 2025, the Sub-Adviser had approximately $17.9 billion in assets under management. Under the supervision of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for trading portfolio securities for the Fund in accordance with instructions provided by the Adviser, and selecting broker-dealers to execute purchase and sale transactions, subject to the supervision of the Adviser. However, the Sub-Adviser is not responsible for management and selection of the Fund’s investments. In connection with the services provided to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser provides only trading-related investment advice and services. As compensation for the sub-advisory services the Sub Adviser provides to the Fund, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee of 0.03% on the first $500 million in assets, 0.025% on the next $500 million in assets, and 0.02% on all assets thereafter, pursuant to a sub advisory agreement between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser with respect to the Funds (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The fee paid to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser will be paid from the Adviser’s management fee and is not an additional cost to the Funds.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement will be available in the first Form N-CSR filing of the Funds, when available.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Nick Ng, CFA Portfolio Manager
Mr. Ng has been working in the financial markets for the Adviser for over 10 years and is the founder of several of the Adviser’s strategies and has managed the Funds since their inception. Mr. Ng began as an analyst and then was named Lead Portfolio Manager in January of 2018. Mr. Ng graduated from high school in 2010 at the age of 16 and received his degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Mr. Ng earned his CFA accreditation in 2019.
Ben Pahl, Portfolio Manager
Mr. Pahl has been working in the financial markets for over 20 years, and 16 years as a financial adviser for the Adviser. Mr. Pahl has been a member of the Adviser since its inception in 2012 and has managed the Funds since their
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inception. He has served as President since the Adviser’s inception and served as Chief Compliance Officer until January of 2025. Throughout his career, Mr. Pahl has worked in the client services department of The Tranel Financial Group and has held senior positions including Financial Adviser, Compliance Officer, lead of the Analyst Team and Chair of the Investment Committee.
The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in each Fund.
Changes of Investment Policies
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF (the “Defensive Dividend Growth ETF”) has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy that it will, under normal conditions, invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies that are recession resistant, that the Adviser assesses are defensive in nature and at the time of investment, have a strong track record of paying a rising long-term dividend income stream to investors, such as common stocks of issuers with large market capitalizations with a dividend component. This requirement is applied at the time of investment. The 80% investment policy of the Defensive Dividend Growth ETF may be changed at any time by the Board. Shareholders will be given written notice at least 60 days prior to any change by the Defensive Dividend Growth ETF of its 80% investment policy.
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
The net asset value (“NAV”) and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of the Funds’ shares are determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of each of the Funds, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, P.O. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Funds, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of each of the Fund’s NAV for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by such Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.
Generally, each of the Fund’s securities listed on an exchange are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the last bid and ask prices on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the-counter market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity.
In accordance with procedures approved by the Board (“Valuation Procedures”), if market quotations are not readily available or if, in the opinion of the Funds’ Adviser, the market quotation that is used to value a security does not represent a readily available market quotation or does not reflect the fair value of the security, the security will be valued at its fair market value (“Fair Valuation”) as determined in good faith by a valuation designee (the “Valuation Designee”). The Board has delegated certain valuation responsibilities to the Valuation Designee in accordance with the Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Procedures also require Fair Valuation of certain other types of securities, such as illiquid securities. In all of these cases, each of the Fund’s NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair value rather than their market price. Because Fair Valuation involves subjective judgments, Fair Valuation may result
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in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has appointed the Adviser as its Valuation Designee for all fair value determinations and responsibilities, other than overseeing pricing service providers used by the Trust. This designation is subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements designed to facilitate the Board’s ability effectively to oversee the designee’s fair value determinations. The Valuation Designee may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board shall be responsible for reviewing and approving fair value methodologies utilized by a Valuation Designee, which approval shall be based upon whether the Valuation Designee followed the Valuation Procedures approved by the Board.
The Funds may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the fair market value of such Fund’s securities. In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Funds. Because a Fund or an underlying fund may hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds or an underlying fund does not price its shares, the value of some of the Funds’ portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell such Fund shares. In computing the NAV, the Funds value foreign securities held by the Funds at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE. Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Funds’ portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Funds price its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before a Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair Valuation of a Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of such Fund’s NAV by short-term traders.
With respect to any portion of a Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
The shares of many closed-end investment companies, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurances that the market discount or premium on shares of any closed-end investment company purchased by the Funds will not change.
Premium/Discount Information
Most investors will buy and sell shares of each Fund in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and each Fund’s shares will trade at market prices. The market price of shares of a Fund may be greater than, equal to, or less than NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of shares of a Fund.
Information regarding the intraday value of shares of each Fund, also known as the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”), may, but is not required to, be disseminated every 15 seconds throughout each trading day by the securities exchange on which a Fund’s shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IOPV is based on the current market value of each Fund’s securities, including cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IOPV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries that may trade in a Fund’s portfolio securities. The IOPV may not reflect the exact composition of a Fund’s current portfolio of securities at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of a Fund’s current portfolio. As a result, the IOPV should not be confused with the NAV, which is computed only once a day. Information regarding how often the shares of a Fund traded at a price above (at a premium to) or below (at a discount to) the NAV of the Fund during the past four calendar quarters, when available, can be found at www.LibertyOneETF.com.
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HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES
Shares of each Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange. Shares of the Liberty One Spectrum ETF, Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Liberty One Tactical Income ETF are listed under the symbols SPCT, EASY and RMDI, respectively. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share. Shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares, and shares typically trade in blocks of less than a Creation Unit. There is no minimum investment required. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
When buying or selling shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
APs may acquire shares directly from a Fund, and APs may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Fund, at NAV per Share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of 10,000 shares. Purchases and redemptions directly from a Fund must follow such Fund’s procedures, which are described in the Funds SAI.
Each Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Share Trading Prices
The approximate value of shares of a Fund, an amount representing on a per share basis the sum of the current market price of the securities accepted by a Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund and an estimated cash component will be disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per share of a Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. A Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value of the shares, and the Funds do not make any warranty as to the accuracy of these values.
Book Entry
Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of a Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.
Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
Each Fund’s shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from such Fund in Creation Units by APs, and the vast majority of trading in a Fund’s shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve a Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with a Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction
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costs, which could negatively impact a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that a Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. Each Fund also employs fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, each Fund imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Fund shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by a Fund in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that a Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of each Fund’s shares.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
The Funds have adopted a distribution and service plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, each Fund is authorized to pay distribution fees to the distributor and other firms that provide distribution and shareholder services (“Service Providers”). If a Service Provider provides these services, the Funds may pay fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
No distribution or service fees are currently paid by the Funds, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. In the event Rule 12b-1 fees were charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Funds.
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, the Funds’ distributor, its affiliates, and the Funds’ Adviser or Sub-Adviser or their affiliates may, at their own expense and out of their own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Funds, including affiliates of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to any Rule 12b-1 fees that the Fund could charge pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Funds on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders.
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Unlike interests in conventional mutual funds, which typically are bought and sold from and to the fund only at closing NAVs, the Funds’ shares are traded throughout the day in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis and are created and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. In a conventional mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders if the mutual fund needs to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet net fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the ongoing shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas the shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for a Fund or its ongoing shareholders.
Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly by each of the Funds. Each Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Taxes
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares.
Unless your investment in shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
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| ● | A Fund makes distributions; |
| ● | You sell your shares listed on the Exchange; and |
| ● | You purchase or redeem Creation Units. |
Taxes on Distributions
As stated above, dividends from net investment income, if any, ordinarily are declared and paid monthly by each of the Funds. A Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with U.S. federal tax requirements. Distributions from a Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that a Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which a Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax for non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Fund shares at the rate for net capital gain -- a maximum of 20%. In addition, a 3.8% Medicare tax may also apply. A part of a Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations -- the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to U.S. federal income tax (excluding real estate investment trusts) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations -- subject to similar restrictions.
In addition, to the extent a Fund designates dividends it pays to you as “section 199A dividends” non-corporate shareholders may be eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to such dividends. The amount of section 199A dividends that the Fund may pay and report to you is limited to the excess of the ordinary REIT dividends, other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income, that the Fund receives from REITs for a taxable year over the Fund’s expenses allocable to such dividends.
In general, your distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional shares of a Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the shares.
Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) your basis in the shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you at ordinary income or capital gain rates (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
By law, each Fund is required to withhold 24% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided such Fund with a correct Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.
Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales
Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of shares may be limited.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units
An AP who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any Cash Component (as defined in the SAI) it pays. An AP who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed and the value of the securities. The Internal Revenue
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Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisers with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less.
If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for a description of the requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to Share redemptions and a Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current U.S. federal tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for more information.
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC is the Funds’ administrator and fund accountant. It has its principal office at 225 Pictoria Street, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. It is an affiliate of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”).
U.S. Bank National Association, is the Funds’ custodian and transfer agent.
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, is the distributor for the shares of the Funds. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
Blank Rome LLP, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 695 Town Center Drive, Ste. 1000, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of each Fund.
OTHER INFORMATION
Investment by Other Investment Companies
For purposes of the 1940 Act, each Fund is a registered investment company, and the acquisition of each Fund’s shares by other investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) thereof. Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act allows a registered investment company to invest in Fund shares beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain conditions, including that a registered investment company enters into an Investment Agreement with the Trust regarding the terms of the investment. Any investment company considering purchasing shares of a Fund in amounts that would cause it to exceed the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) should contact such Fund.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the
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circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells the shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.
Dealers effecting transactions in the shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.
Householding: To reduce expenses, the Funds mail only one copy of the prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports (or, if applicable, each notice of electronic accessibility thereof) to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Funds at 1-847-680-9255 on days the Funds are open for business or contact your financial institution. Each Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Because the Funds have not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus, no financial highlights are available for the Funds at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.
54
PRIVACY NOTICE
| FACTS | WHAT DOES TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION | ||
| Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | ||
| What? |
THE TYPES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND SHARE DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE WITH US. THIS INFORMATION CAN INCLUDE:
| ||
| ● | Social Security number and income | ||
| ● | Account transactions and transaction history | ||
| ● | Investment experience and purchase history | ||
|
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. | |||
| How? | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reason Two Roads Shared Trust chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing. | ||
| Reasons we can share your personal information | Does Two Roads Shared Trust share? | Can you limit this sharing? |
| For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus |
YES | NO |
| For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you |
NO | We do not share |
| For joint marketing with other financial companies | NO | We do not share |
| For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and experiences |
NO | We do not share |
| For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your creditworthiness |
NO | We do not share |
| For our affiliates to market to you | NO | We do not share |
| For nonaffiliates to market to you | NO | We do not share |
| Questions? | Call 631-490-4300 |
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| What we do | |||
| How does Two Roads Shared Trust protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.
These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. | ||
| How does Two Roads Shared Trust collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
| ||
| ● | open an account or give us contact information | ||
| ● | provide account information or give us your income information | ||
| ● | make deposits or withdrawals from your account | ||
|
We also collect your personal information from other companies. | |||
| Why can’t I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
| ||
| ● | sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your creditworthiness | ||
| ● | affiliates from using your information to market to you | ||
| ● | sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you | ||
|
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. | |||
| Definitions | |||
| Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
| ||
| ● | Two Roads Shared Trust has no affiliates. | ||
| Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
| ||
| ● | Two Roads Shared Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. | ||
| Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliates financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
| ||
| ● | Two Roads Shared Trust does not jointly market. | ||
56
Liberty One Spectrum ETF
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF
Liberty One Tactical Income ETF
| Adviser | Liberty One Investment Management, LLC 1509 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois 60048 |
Distributor |
Northern Lights
|
| Sub-Adviser |
Vident Asset Management 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 515 |
Legal Counsel |
Blank Rome LLP
|
| Independent Registered Public Accountant |
Deloitte & Touche LLP 695 Town Center Drive, Ste. 1000 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 |
Custodian & |
U.S. Bank National Association 1555North River Center Drive,
|
| Administrator |
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
|
Additional information about the Funds is included in the Funds’ SAI and, when available, will be included in each Fund’s financial statements and annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in Form N-CSR. The SAI includes information about the Funds’ policies and management. In each Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during its most recent fiscal year. In Form N-CSR, you will find each Fund’s annual and semi-annual financial statements. The SAI and, when available, each Fund’s financial statements in each Fund’s most recent Form N-CSR filing, including the notes thereto and report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon, are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus).
To obtain a free copy of the SAI, and the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available, or other information about the Funds, such as the Funds’ financial statements, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Funds, please call 1-847-680-9255. The SAI, annual and semi-annual reports and other information relating to the Funds such as the Funds’ financial statements, can be found, when available, free of charge, at www.LibertyOneETF.com. You may also write to:
Liberty One Spectrum ETF
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF
Liberty One Tactical Income ETF
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: [email protected].
Investment Company Act File # 811-22718
57
Liberty One Spectrum ETF
SPCT
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF
EASY
Liberty One Tactical Income ETF
LOTI
each a series of Two Roads Shared Trust
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 24, 2025
Listed and traded on:
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of Liberty One Spectrum ETF, Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Liberty One Tactical Income ETF (each a “Fund” and together the “Funds”) dated September 24, 2025 (the “Prospectus”). The Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference, which means it is legally part of this document. You can obtain copies of the Funds’ Prospectus, financial statements, and annual and semi-annual reports of the Funds, when available, without charge by contacting the Funds’ administrator, Ultimus Fund Solutions LLC, P.O. Box 46707 Cincinnati, OH 45246-0707 or by calling 1-847-680-9255. Because the Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, there are no financial statements available at this time. You may also obtain the Prospectus, financial statements, and annual or semi-annual report (when available) by visiting www.LibertyOneETF.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| THE FUNDS | 1 | |
| TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS | 2 | |
| INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS | 27 | |
| POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 29 | |
| MANAGEMENT | 30 | |
| CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS | 36 | |
| INVESTMENT ADVISER AND TRADING SUB-ADVISER | 36 | |
| THE DISTRIBUTOR | 39 | |
| PORTFOLIO MANAGER | 39 | |
| ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE | 40 | |
| PORTFOLIO TURNOVER | 41 | |
| OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 41 | |
| DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 43 | |
| ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM | 43 | |
| PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES | 44 | |
| TAX STATUS | 52 | |
| INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 57 | |
| LEGAL COUNSEL | 57 | |
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 57 | |
| APPENDIX A - PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | A-1 | |
| APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS | B-1 |
i
THE FUNDS
Each of the Liberty One Spectrum ETF (the “Spectrum ETF”), Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF (the “Defensive Dividend Growth ETF”) and Liberty One Tactical Income ETF (the “Tactical Income ETF”) (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) is a series of Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 8, 2012 (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company currently consisting of twenty-seven separate, active portfolios (including the Funds). The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). The Funds may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Funds have equal rights and privileges. Each share of a Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote with respect to such Fund. In addition, each share of a Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by such Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Funds are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.
Spectrum ETF is a “diversified” series of the Trust, meaning that the Fund is subject to diversification requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which generally limit investments, as to 75% of a fund’s total assets, to no more than 5% in securities in a single issuer and 10% of an issuer’s voting securities. Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF are “non-diversified” series of the Trust.
Each Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described herein and in the Prospectus. The Board may establish other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.
Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.
Each Fund will issue and redeem Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of 10,000] Shares (a “Creation Unit”). Each Fund will issue and redeem Creation Units in exchange for a deposit of a specified cash payment, plus a transaction fee. The Funds may also issue and redeem Creation Units in exchange for an in-kind deposit of a basket of designated securities (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”), plus a transaction fee. The Funds are expected to be listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”). Each Fund’s shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above such Fund’s NAV. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, a share split, reverse split or the like, the Trust may revise the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
Each Fund reserves the right to offer creations and redemptions of Shares for cash. In addition, Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash equal to up to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees, may be imposed and may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. See PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES below.
Exchange Listing and Trading
In order to provide additional information regarding the indicative value of Shares of a Fund, the Exchange or a market data vendor may disseminate every 15 seconds through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association or other widely disseminated means an updated “intraday indicative value” (“IIV”) for that Fund as calculated by an information provider or market data vendor. The Trust is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IIV and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.
1
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
The investment objective of each Fund and the description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Additional Information About Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Prospectus. Each Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act).
Each Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.
Defensive Dividend Growth ETF has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy that it will, under normal conditions, invests directly at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies that have a strong track record of paying a rising long-term dividend.
The Funds are managed by Liberty One Investment Management, LLC (“Liberty One Investment Management” or the “Adviser”) and use Vident Advisory, LLC (d/b/a Vident Asset Management) (“Vident” or the “Sub-Adviser’) as its trading sub-adviser. The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which each Fund may invest as a principal or non-principal investment strategy. These instruments include other strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of a Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks. The Tactical Income ETF may be subject to the risks of the securities and other instruments described below through its own direct investments and indirectly through investments in underlying funds.
Securities of Other Investment Companies (Tactical Income ETF)
The Fund’s investments in securities of other investment companies, including ETFs and mutual funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the funds. Pursuant to Rule 12d1-4, each Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, must comply with certain conditions in order to: 1) purchase more than 3% of an investment company’s (including ETFs) outstanding shares; 2) invest more than 5% of a Fund’s assets in any single such investment company; 3) invest more than 10% of a Fund’s assets in investment companies overall; and 4) invest in securities of a closed-end fund if, after such purchase, a Fund and any other investment companies with the same investment adviser would own more than 10% of the voting shares of such closed-end fund. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, a Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference, and 4) invest in securities issued by a closed-end fund if, after such purchase, a Fund and any other investment companies with the same investment adviser would own more than 10% of the voting shares of such closed-end fund. In addition, Section 12(d)(1)(f) allows an alternative method for unaffiliated funds to invest in underlying funds provided such investments are made in accordance with the requirements of Section 12(d)(1)(f). An underlying fund whose shares are purchased by a Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(f) will not be obligated to redeem shares held by such Fund in an amount exceeding 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by a Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of a Fund’s total assets.
Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying funds are made independently of the Funds and its Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the adviser of a Fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.
Open-End Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by a Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of
2
securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the SEC. In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.
Exchange-Traded Funds
ETFs are typically passively managed funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide monthly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs) that have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the NAV is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.
ETFs are shares issued by investment companies that are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System. 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 open-end mutual funds: (i) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to their NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) 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.
ETF shares are not individually redeemable from the ETF, except upon termination of the ETF. To redeem from the ETF, an investor must accumulate enough ETF shares to reconstitute a creation unit. Upon redemption of a creation unit, an investor will receive securities underlying the ETF and cash identical to the portfolio deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a creation unit that day. The Fund may sell ETF shares through a broker dealer.
The price of an ETF’s shares is derived from and based upon the securities held by the ETF. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of an ETF is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for ETFs generally is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on ETFs.
Adviser Risks.
If the Adviser to a Fund manages more money in the future, including money raised in this offering, such additional funds could affect its performance or trading strategies. Also, the Adviser manages other accounts. This increases the competition for the same trades which a Fund makes. There is no assurance that a Fund’s trading will generate the same results as any other accounts managed by the Adviser.
Benchmark Rate Risk.
As market participants have had to transition away from the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), regulators and industry groups have recommended transitioning to central bank determined Risk Free Rates (“RFRs”). The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) has been designated the replacement benchmark rate for U.S. Dollar denominated securities the Fund may own. The transition of outstanding LIBOR-based instruments to the SOFR and other alternative reference rates for the U.S. Dollar and for other currencies is ongoing. Markets have developed in response to these new rates and the transition may have a material impact on existing and future issue financial instruments which reference them. Alteration of the terms of a debt instrument or a modification of the terms of other types of contracts to replace an interbank offered rate with a new reference rate could result in a taxable exchange and
3
the realization of income and gain/loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The IRS has issued regulations regarding the tax consequences of the transition from interbank offered rates to new reference rates in debt instruments and non-debt contracts. Under the regulations, to avoid such alteration or modification of the terms of a debt instrument being treated as a taxable exchange, the fair market value of the modified instrument or contract must be substantially equivalent to its fair market value before the qualifying change was made.
Cash Position Risk
The Funds may hold a significant position in cash and/or cash equivalent securities. When a Fund’s investment in cash or cash equivalent securities increases, a Fund may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if a Fund were more fully invested.
Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances
A Fund may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.
Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”)
A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. The loans generate cash flow that is allocated among one or more classes of securities (“tranches”) that vary in risk and yield. The most senior tranche has the best credit quality and the lowest yield compared to the other tranches. The equity tranche has the highest potential yield but also has the greatest risk, as it bears the bulk of defaults from the underlying loans and helps to protect the more senior tranches from risk of these defaults. However, despite the protection from the equity and other more junior tranches, more senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults and decreased market value due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class.
Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold and are not registered under state or federal securities laws. Therefore, investments in CLOs may be characterized by an underlying fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs allowing a CLO to qualify for transactions pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. CLOs normally charge management fees and administrative expenses, which are in addition to those of the underlying funds.
The riskiness of investing in CLOs depends largely on the quality and type of the collateral loans and the tranche of the CLO in which an underlying fund invest. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed-income securities (such as interest rate risk and credit risk), CLOs carry additional risks including that interest on certain tranches of a CLO may be paid in-kind (meaning that unpaid interest is effectively added to principal), which involves continued exposure to default risk with respect to such payments. Certain CLOs may receive credit enhancement in the form of a senior-subordinate structure, over-collateralization or bond insurance, but such enhancement may not always be present and may fail to protect an underlying fund against the risk of loss due to defaults on the collateral. Certain CLOs may not hold loans directly, but rather, use derivatives such as swaps to create “synthetic” exposure to the collateral pool of loans. Such CLOs entail the risks of derivative instruments.
4
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. See Appendix B for more information on ratings assigned to commercial paper. It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.
Corporate Debt Securities
Corporate debt securities are typically fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations, but may also include bank loans to companies. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities. The primary differences between the different types of corporate debt securities are their maturities and secured or un-secured status. Commercial paper has the shortest term and is usually unsecured. The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including those with small-, mid- and large-capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and may carry variable or floating rates of interest.
Because of the wide range of types, and maturities, of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of its issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment-grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk.
Corporate debt securities carry both credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk is the risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due. Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment-grade are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities. The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of certain corporate debt securities will tend to fall when interest rates rise. In general, corporate debt securities with longer duration tend to fall more in value when interest rates rise than corporate debt securities with shorter duration.
5
Cyber Security Risk
A Fund and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause a Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting a Fund or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact such Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholders transactions, impact a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAVs, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject a Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. A Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause such Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value.
Derivatives Risk
The Tactical Income ETF’s underlying funds may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities indices and foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. The underlying funds may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, interest rates and securities indices. The underlying funds may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment strategies. The Fund’s underlying funds may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign (non-U.S.) currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign (non-U.S.) currency or to shift exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) currency fluctuations from one country to another.
The Fund considers derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived, at least in part, from or related to the price or value of another instrument or asset or the level of an index, such as the S&P Index, or indices, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and the ability of an underlying fund’s adviser to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the adviser to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If the adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, an underlying fund that holds a derivative instrument could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. An underlying fund might employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs.
Investment in futures-related and commodity-linked derivatives may subject an underlying fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject an underlying fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of futures-related and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Code, a fund must, among other requirements, derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if a fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, it could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Code.
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Regulatory Risks of Derivative Use
Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act permits a fund to enter into Derivatives Transactions (as defined below) and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other things, prohibits open-end funds, including the Fund, from issuing or selling any “senior security,” other than borrowing from a bank (subject to a requirement to maintain 300% “asset coverage”).
Under Rule 18f-4, “Derivatives Transactions” include the following: (1) any swap, security-based swap (including a contract for differences), futures contract, forward contract, option (excluding purchased options), any combination of the foregoing, or any similar instrument, under which the fund is or may be required to make any payment or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or settlement payment or otherwise; (2) any short sale borrowing; (3) reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions (e.g., recourse and non-recourse tender option bonds, and borrowed bonds), if the fund elects to treat these transactions as Derivatives Transactions under Rule 18f-4; and (4) when-issued or forward-settling securities (e.g., firm and standby commitments, including to-be-announced commitments, and dollar rolls) and non-standard settlement cycle securities, unless the fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”).
Rule 18f-4, among other things, requires a fund to adopt and implement a comprehensive written derivatives risk management program (“DRMP”) and to apply a value-at-risk (VaR) based limit to their use of certain derivative instruments and financing transactions. The DRMP is administered by a “derivatives risk manager,” who is appointed by an underlying fund’s board of directors/trustees, including a majority of independent directors/trustees, and periodically reviews the DRMP and reports to the board. The underlying funds are required provide additional disclosure both publicly and to the SEC regarding its derivatives positions.
Rule 18f-4 provides an exception from the DRMP, VaR limit and certain other requirements if a fund’s “derivatives exposure” (as defined in Rule 18f-4) is limited to 10% of its net assets (as calculated in accordance with Rule 18f-4) and the fund adopts and implements written policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks (the “Limited Derivatives User Exception”). If an underlying fund were to not to rely upon the Limited Derivatives User Exception, an underlying fund would have to comply with Rule 18f-4 with respect to its Derivatives Transactions.
The European Union (and some other countries) are implementing similar requirements, which will affect a fund when it enters into a derivatives transaction with a counterparty organized in that country or otherwise subject to that country’s derivatives regulations. Because these regulations are new and evolving (and some of the rules are not yet final), their impact remains unclear. These regulations could limit or impact a fund’s ability to invest in derivatives and other instruments, limit a fund’s ability to employ certain strategies that use derivatives and adversely affect a fund’s performance, efficiency in implementing its strategy, liquidity and ability to pursue its investment objectives.
Effective 2013, the CFTC rules require advisers to certain registered investment companies to register with the CFTC as commodity pool operators (“CPO”) if their investment companies are unable to meet certain trading and marketing limitations. The Adviser has claimed relief from registration as a CPO. However, it is possible that the Adviser may be required to register as a CPO in the future and comply with any applicable reporting, disclosure or other regulatory requirements. Compliance with CFTC regulatory requirements will increase Fund expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.
It is also possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent a fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent a fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of a fund to use certain instruments as a part of its investment strategy. Limits
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or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which a fund may engage in derivative transactions could also prevent a fund from using certain instruments.
The futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of futures, options and swaps transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an underlying fund’s investment or the ability of such underlying fund to continue to implement its investment strategy.
In 2010, the U.S. government enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have also established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if an underlying fund’s adviser does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by such adviser and any of its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The trading decisions of such underlying fund adviser may have to be modified and positions held by the underlying fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of an underlying fund, and thus the Fund.
The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions on securities above a certain de minimis threshold may adopt rules requiring monthly and/or enhanced public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where an underlying fund trade may have adopted reporting requirements. If a fund’s securities short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the fund forcing the fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit the adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make an underlying fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the fund’s ability to engage in short sales of securities in certain circumstances, and the fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.
The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for a fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the fund’s ability to generate returns.
Equity Securities
Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.
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Common Stock
Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock is a class of stock that has features of debt because it generally entitles the holder to periodic payments at a fixed rate of return. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to any outstanding debt of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.
The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth. Preferred stock may be subject to more fluctuations in market value, due to changes in market participants’ perceptions of the issuer’s ability to continue to pay dividends, than debts of the same issuer. A preferred stock may be considered either debt or equity, depending on the economic characteristics exhibited by such preferred stock.
Fixed Income Securities.
Fixed income securities held by a Fund are subject to interest rate risk, call risk, prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, duration risk and liquidity risk, which are more fully described below. In addition, current market conditions may pose heightened risks for fixed income securities. After being at or near historic lows in recent years, interest rates have begun to rise. Increases in interest rates could result in less liquidity and greater volatility of fixed income securities. A Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause a Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt such Fund’s performance. When a Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in such Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by a Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by a Fund, possibly causing a Fund’s share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments. Moreover, new regulations applicable to and changing business practices of financial intermediaries that make markets in fixed income securities have resulted in less market making activity for certain fixed income securities, which may reduce the liquidity and may increase the volatility for such fixed income securities. The fixed-income securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity may decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Duration risk arises when holding long duration and long maturity investments, which will magnify certain risks, including interest rate risk and credit risk. Longer-term securities may be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Effective duration estimates price changes for relatively small changes in rates. If rates rise significantly, effective duration may tend to understate the drop in a security’s price. If rates drop significantly, effective duration may tend to overstate the rise in a security’s price.
Call Risk
During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. A Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates,
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resulting in a decline in its income. If an issuer calls a security that a Fund has invested in, that Fund may not recoup the full amount of its initial investment and may be forced to reinvest in lower-yielding securities, securities with greater credit risks or securities with other, less favorable features.
Credit Risk
Fixed income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable to make principal and interest payments when they are due. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of a loss of confidence in the ability of the borrower to pay back debt. Lower rated fixed income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy.
Duration Risk
Longer-term securities may be more sensitive to interest rate changes. A heightened risk is posed by rising interest rates to longer-term fixed income securities. Effective duration estimates price changes for relatively small changes in rates. If rates rise significantly, effective duration may tend to understate the drop in a security’s price. If rates drop significantly, effective duration may tend to overstate the rise in a security’s price.
Interest Rate Risk
Fixed income securities are subject to the risk that the securities could lose value because of interest rate changes. For example, bonds tend to decrease in value if interest rates rise. Fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations sometimes offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price shifts as a result of interest rate changes than fixed income securities with shorter maturities. Investments in fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations may result in greater fluctuations in the value of a Fund. The Funds have no policy limiting the maturity or duration of the fixed income securities it purchases.
Liquidity Risk
Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held. These features make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, a Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on its performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that a Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out an investment contract when it wants to. If this happens, a Fund will be required to hold the security or keep the position open, and it could incur losses. In addition, less liquid securities may be more difficult to value and markets may become less liquid when there are fewer interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities.
Prepayment and Extension Risk
Many types of fixed income securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a fixed income security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Fixed income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment and, accordingly, a decline in a Fund’s net asset value. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a fixed income security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. On the other hand, rising interest rates could cause prepayments of the obligations to decrease, extending the life of mortgage- and asset-backed securities with lower payment rates. This is known as extension risk and may increase a Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
Variable and floating rate securities generally are less sensitive to interest changes but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline.
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Foreign (non-U.S.) Currency Transactions
An underlying fund may engage in foreign (non-U.S.) currency transactions, including foreign (non-U.S.) currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. The underlying funds may conduct their foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign (non-U.S.) currencies.
The underlying funds may enter into forward foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign (non-U.S.) investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign (non-U.S.) currency or to shift exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign (non-U.S.) exchange dealers often do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships.
The underlying funds may purchase and write put and call options on foreign (non-U.S.) currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign (non-U.S.) portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign (non-U.S.) securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign (non-U.S.) currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the underlying funds could be required to purchase or sell foreign (non-U.S.) currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign (non-U.S.) currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to an underlying fund’s position, such underlying fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investments - General
The underlying funds may invest in foreign securities, including bonds and other fixed-income securities of foreign issuers. Foreign fixed-income securities may include eurodollar convertible securities, which are fixed-income securities that are issued in U.S. dollars outside the United States and are convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities of the same or a different issuer.
Investment in foreign securities involves special risks. These include market risk, interest rate risk and the risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers and of companies whose securities are principally traded outside the United States on foreign exchanges or foreign over-the-counter markets and in investments denominated in foreign currencies. Market risk involves the possibility that security prices will decline over short or even extended periods. The markets tend to be cyclical, with periods of generally rising prices and periods of generally declining prices. These cycles will affect the value of the underlying funds to the extent that it invests in foreign securities. The holdings of an underlying fund, to the extent that they invest in fixed-income securities, will be sensitive to changes in interest rates and the interest rate environment. Generally, the prices of bonds and debt securities fluctuate inversely with interest rate changes. In addition, the performance of investments in securities denominated in a foreign currency will depend on the strength of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar and the interest rate environment in the country issuing the currency. Absent other events which could otherwise affect the value of a foreign security (such as a change in the political climate or an issuer’s credit quality), appreciation in the value of the foreign currency generally can be expected to increase the value of a foreign currency-denominated security in terms of U.S. dollars. A rise in foreign interest rates or decline in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar generally can be expected to depress the value of a foreign currency-denominated security.
There are other risks and costs involved in investing in foreign securities which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. Investment in foreign securities involves higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments also involve risks associated with the level of currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, more or less foreign government regulation; less stringent investor protections; less stringent accounting, corporate governance, financial reporting and disclosure standards; less market liquidity; more market volatility; and economic, political and social instability in the countries in which an underlying
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fund may invest. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities. Additionally, foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks are subject to less stringent reserve requirements, and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements. Also, the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Additionally, many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy and are adversely affected when the U.S. economy weakens or its markets decline. For example, the decline in the U.S. subprime mortgage market quickly spread throughout global credit markets, triggering a liquidity crisis that affected fixed-income and equity markets around the world. European countries can be affected by the significant fiscal and monetary controls that the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) imposes for membership. Europe’s economies are diverse, its governments are decentralized, and its cultures vary widely. Several European Union (“EU”) countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal, have faced budget issues, some of which may have negative long-term effects for the economies of those countries and other EU countries. There is continued concern about national-level support for the euro and the accompanying coordination of fiscal and wage policy among EMU member countries. Member countries are required to maintain tight control over inflation, public debt, and budget deficit to qualify for membership in the EMU. These requirements can severely limit the ability of EMU member countries to implement monetary policy to address regional economic conditions. It is also possible that one or more of the EMU member countries could abandon the euro and return to a national currency and/or that the euro will cease to exist as a single currency in its current form. The effects of such an abandonment or a country’s forced expulsion from the euro on that country, the rest of the EMU, and global markets are impossible to predict, but are likely to be negative. Such an exit by one country may also increase the possibility that additional countries may exit the euro should they face similar financial difficulties.
Investing in foreign securities also includes the economic and political risks associated with the countries in which the securities are issued. For example, the departure of the United Kingdom (the “UK”) from the EU in 2020 (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) could have a lasting impact on the currency volatility and economic growth in Europe among other political, regulatory, economic and market outcomes that cannot be predicted. The full effects of Brexit are unknown at this time and could negatively impact the value of an underlying fund’s investments. Securities issued by companies domiciled in the UK could be subject to changing regulatory and tax regimes. Banking and financial services companies that operate in the UK or EU could be disproportionately impacted by those actions. Further insecurity in EU membership or the abandonment of the euro could exacerbate market and currency volatility and negatively impact a Fund’s investments in securities issued by companies located in EU countries. Another example is Russia’s military incursion in Ukraine. This action led to sanctions believe levied against Russia by the United States, EU and other countries, which could adversely affect European and global energy and financial markets, as well as commodity prices, supply chains and global trade. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching, and the resulting market volatility may have an adverse effect on the performance of the underlying funds.
Many non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen or spread within and without Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.
An underlying fund may invest in foreign debt, including the securities of foreign governments. Several risks exist concerning such investments, including the risk that foreign governments may default on their obligations, may not respect the integrity of such debt, may attempt to renegotiate the debt at a lower rate, and may not honor investments by U.S. entities or citizens.
An underlying fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies, its portfolio securities and other assets are valued in U.S. dollars. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time causing,
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together with other factors, an underlying fund’s NAV to fluctuate as well. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by the intervention or the failure to intervene by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. To the extent that an underlying fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect an underlying fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, are denominated in the currencies of foreign countries, such underlying fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.
Dividends and interest payable on an underlying fund’s foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. To the extent such taxes are not offset by credits or deductions allowed to investors under U.S. federal income tax law, they may reduce the net return to the shareholders.
An underlying fund also is subject to the possible imposition of exchange control regulations or freezes on the convertibility of currency. In addition, through the use of forward currency exchange contracts with other instruments, the respective net currency positions of an underlying fund may expose it to risks independent of its securities positions. Although the net long and short foreign currency exposure of the underlying funds will not exceed its respective total asset values, to the extent that an underlying fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater risk than it would have if it did not maintain the currency positions.
Settlement practices for foreign securities may differ from those in the United States. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and regulation of industry practices, stock exchanges, depositories, registrars, brokers and listed companies, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the underlying funds. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that the underlying funds may be required to make payment for securities before such underlying funds have actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. Typically, in these cases, the underlying fund will receive evidence of ownership in accordance with the generally accepted settlement practices in the local market entitling the underlying fund to deliver payment at a future date, but there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the underlying fund or that payment will not be received, although an underlying fund and its foreign sub-custodians take reasonable precautions to mitigate this risk.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the underlying funds remain uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of an underlying fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result in missed attractive investment opportunities, losses to the underlying fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if an underlying fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, possible liability to the purchaser. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.
Share blocking refers to a practice in certain foreign markets under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders takes place. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the underlying funds from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investments—Emerging and Frontier Markets
The underlying funds may also invest in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Emerging and frontier market countries are generally located in the Asia and Pacific regions, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries.
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In general, the securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid, subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the United States. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.
Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect an underlying fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.
Certain emerging market countries may have antiquated legal systems, which may adversely impact the underlying funds. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders in U.S. corporations. In addition, the systems of corporate governance to which issuers in certain emerging countries are subject may be less advanced than the systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, shareholders of such issuers may not receive many of the protections available to shareholders of issuers located in more developed countries.
High Yield Fixed Income (Non-Investment Grade Debt) Securities (Tactical Income ETF)
Credit Quality
Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
Greater Risk of Loss
High yield fixed income securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest on securities held by a Fund, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.
Liquidity
There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, a Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
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New Legislation
Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on a Fund’s investments in lower-rated securities.
Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes
The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
Valuation Difficulties
It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.
High yield, high risk investments may include the following:
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to non-convertible fixed income securities. While providing a fixed income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.
Pay-in-kind bonds
These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.
Preferred Stock
These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.
Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings
In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its fixed income securities. A Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.
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Straight fixed income securities
These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.
Zero-coupon debt securities
These do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.
Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities
These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to periodic interest-paying debt securities.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is an investment that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions within 7 calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments include securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers) or legal or contractual restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act). Illiquid investments include: repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days; interest rate; currency, mortgage and credit default swaps; interest rate caps; floors and collars; municipal leases; certain restricted securities, such as those purchased in a private placement of securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid; and certain over-the-counter options. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this limitation. With respect to each Fund, repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid. To the extent an investment held by a Fund is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Fund will be exposed to a greater liquidity risk.
Restricted and other illiquid investments may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. A Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid investments promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests. A Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. To the extent an investment held by a Fund is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Fund will be exposed to a greater liquidity risk.
As required by Rule 22e-4, under the 1940 Act, the Trust has implemented a liquidity risk management program and related procedures to identify illiquid investments pursuant to Rule 22e-4. If the limitation on illiquid investments is exceeded, other than by a change in market values, the condition will be reported to the Board and, when required, to the SEC. The rule may impact the Fund’s performance and ability to achieve its investment objective.
A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign (non-U.S.) securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
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Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of a Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.
Money Market Fund Investments
Certain money market funds in which the Fund may invest may operate as “institutional money market funds” under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act and must calculate their NAV per share to the fourth decimal place (e.g., $1.0000) reflecting market-based values of the money market fund’s holdings. Because the share price of these money market funds will fluctuate, when a Fund sells its shares they may be worth more or less than what the Fund originally paid for them. A Fund could also lose money if the money market fund holds defaulted securities or as a result of adverse market conditions. These money market funds may impose a “liquidity fee” upon the redemption of their shares or may temporarily suspend the ability to redeem shares if the money market fund’s liquidity falls below the required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit a Fund from redeeming shares when the Adviser would otherwise redeem shares. If a liquidity fee is imposed or redemptions are suspended, an investing Fund may have to sell other investments at less than opportune times to raise cash to meet shareholder redemptions or for other purposes. The Adviser, as a result of imposition of liquidity fees or suspension of redemptions, or the potential risk of such actions, may determine not to invest the Fund’s assets in a money market fund when it otherwise would, and may potentially be forced to invest in more expensive, lower-performing investments. Imposition of a liquidity fee or temporary suspension of redemptions is at the discretion of a money market fund’s board of directors or trustees; however, they must impose a liquidity fee or suspend redemptions if they determine it would be in the best interest of the money market fund. Such a determination may conflict with the interest of the Funds.
The Funds may also invest in money market funds that invest at least 99.5% of their assets in U.S. government securities and operate as “government money market funds” under Rule 2a-7. Government money market funds may seek to maintain a stable price of $1.00 per share and are generally not required to impose liquidity fees or temporarily suspend redemptions. However, government money market funds typically offer materially lower yields than other money market funds with fluctuating share prices.
A Fund could lose money invested in a money market fund. An investment in a money market fund, including a government money market fund, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. A money market fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the money market fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor or any person will provide financial support to a money market fund at any time.
In addition to the fees and expenses that a Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests. By investing in a money market fund, a Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. A Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. Money market funds are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
The value of money market instruments may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the credit ratings of the investments. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. The SEC has adopted money market fund reform intended to address potential systemic risks associated with money market funds and to improve transparency for money market fund investors. The money market fund reforms may impact the structure, operations and return potential of the money market funds in which a Fund invests.
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Non-Diversification
Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF are “non-diversified” funds and, as such, they are not subject to the diversification requirements under the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one issuer (and in not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer), excluding cash, Government securities, and securities of other investment companies. Accordingly, the Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF are permitted to invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of those holdings would cause an overall decline in value to decline to a greater degree than if each of these vehicles held a more diversified portfolio.
Although the Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF are not required to comply with the above diversification requirement under the 1940 Act, each Fund intends to conduct its operations so that it qualifies to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) for federal income tax purposes, which will relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its income and capital gains are distributed to shareholders. To so qualify, among other requirements, each of Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF limit its respective investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (1) not more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and (2) with respect to 50% of its total assets, not more than 5% of its total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and the Fund will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. Defensive Dividend Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF’s investments in U.S. Government securities are not subject to these limitations.
Over-the-Counter Instruments
The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects a Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign (non-U.S.) markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where a Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.
Recent Market Events
A Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. The value of a security or other instrument may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other instrument, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates generally do not have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.
Stresses associated with the 2008 financial crisis in the United States and global economies peaked over a decade ago, but periods of unusually high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or a geography, continue to recur. Some countries, including the United States, have adopted and/or are considering the adoption of more protectionist trade policies, a move away from the tighter financial industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or substantially reducing corporate taxes. The exact shape of these policies is still being considered, but the equity and debt markets may react strongly to expectations of change, which could increase
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volatility, especially if the market’s expectations are not borne out. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health, may add to instability in world economies and markets generally. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic, political and/or financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by such events.
COVID-19 resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, business and school closings, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of infectious illness outbreaks (like COVID-19) that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, as a possible consequence of the measures taken in response to the spread of COVID-19 (and other illness outbreaks in the future) and the resulting market disruptions, volatility and liquidity concerns, the Fund may have difficulty in complying with the distribution requirements necessary for the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code.
Political turmoil within the U.S. and abroad may also impact the Funds. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the U.S. could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Funds’ investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of the Funds’ investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. In recent years, the U.S. renegotiated many of its global trade relationships and imposed or threatened to impose significant import tariffs. These actions could lead to price volatility and overall declines in U.S. and global investment markets. The current contentious domestic political environment, as well as political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as presidential elections in the U.S. or abroad may adversely affect the U.S. regulatory landscape, the general market environment and/or investor sentiment, which could have an adverse impact on the Funds’ investments and operations. The change in the U.S. presidential administration in 2025 has resulted in significant impacts to international trade relations, tax and immigration policies, and other aspects of the national and international political and financial landscape, which could affect, among other things, inflation and the securities markets generally.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (Spectrum ETF)
The Fund may invest in securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are publicly traded corporations or trusts that specialize in acquiring, holding and managing residential, commercial or industrial real estate. A REIT is not taxed at the entity level on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it distributes to shareholders or unitholders at least 90% of its taxable income for each taxable year and complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income.
REITs generally can be classified as “Equity REITs”, “Mortgage REITs” and “Hybrid REITs.” An Equity REIT invests the majority of its assets directly in real property and derives its income primarily from rents and from capital gains on real estate appreciation, which are realized through property sales. A Mortgage REIT invests the majority of its assets in real estate mortgage loans and services its income primarily from interest payments. A Hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of an Equity REIT and a Mortgage REIT. Although a Fund can invest in all three kinds of REITs, its emphasis is expected to be on investments in Equity REITs.
Investments in the real estate industry involve particular risks. The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in
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market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies that lend to such companies, and companies that service the real estate industry.
Investments in REITs also involve risks. Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and income from the properties they own, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the credit quality of the mortgage loans they hold. In addition, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills and on their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders. REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to risks associated with obtaining financing for real property, as well as to the risk of self-liquidation. REITs also can be adversely affected by their failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through treatment of their income under the Code, or their failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. In the event an investment fails to qualify as a REIT, the REIT will be subject to tax as a C corporation at U.S. federal income tax rates (currently, at a flat rate of 21%). The resulting corporate taxes could reduce a Fund’s net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of a Fund’s distributions. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder bears not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund but also may indirectly bear similar expenses of some of the REITs in which it invests.
Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator
The Advisor, on behalf of the Funds, will file with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the CFTC promulgated thereunder, with respect to each Fund’s operation. Accordingly, each Fund will not be subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.
Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures.
Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of a Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.
Short Sales
Certain underlying funds may employ “short selling” for both (1) investment purposes and (2) for defensive purposes as a hedging strategy. For investment purposes, when an underlying fund’s adviser believes that particular index, company or sector is relatively overvalued, the underlying fund may sell a security short with the expectation that it can be repurchased at a lower price, thus generating a gain for the underlying fund. For defensive purposes, when an underlying fund’s adviser believes that a security or group of securities in such underlying fund is susceptible to a decline in value, the underlying fund may sell a security short with the expectation any decline in value of the security sold short will serve to offset some of the decline in value suffered by the such underlying fund’s portfolio of securities. A short sale strategy is different than a long-only strategy because it consists of selling borrowed shares in the hope that they can be bought back later at a lower price.
An underlying fund may sell securities short involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which a fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.
When an underlying fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. An underlying fund is required to make a margin
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deposit in connection with such short sales; such underlying fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the underlying fund covers its short position, such underlying fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the underlying fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.
Short sales create a risk that an underlying fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to such underlying fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long. Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited.
To the extent that an underlying fund uses short sales as a hedging technique, such underlying fund is subject to correlation risk. Specifically, the correlation between the security sold short and the hedged security may be imperfect, reducing the expected benefit of a short sale, or there may be no correlation at all. It is possible that the market value of the securities an underlying fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the underlying fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the potential volatility.
In addition, any gain on a short sale is decreased, and any loss is increased, by the amount of any payments, such as lender fees, replacement of dividends or interest that an underlying fund may be required to make with respect to the borrowed securities. Market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price. The lender of the borrowed securities may require the underlying fund to return the securities on short notice, which may require the underlying fund to purchase the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price, resulting in a loss. You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling securities short could suffer significant losses. If an underlying fund is required to cover its short positions in securities at the same time other short-sellers are trying to borrow or buy such securities, a “short squeeze” could occur, causing the stock price to rise and making it more likely that the underlying fund will have to cover its short positions at an unfavorable price. In addition, if an underlying fund’s securities short positions or its strategy become generally known as a result of required disclosure obligations or otherwise, it could have a significant effect on the underlying fund’s adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by an underlying fund forcing such underlying fund to cover its positions at a loss. Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the underlying fund’s return, and may result in higher taxes.
Swaps
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market. An Underlying Fund may utilize swaps to achieve its investment objective. An Underlying Fund’s adviser, under the supervision of the Underlying Fund’s board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of each fund’s transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
Swap Agreements
Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” e.g., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Most swap agreements calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, an Underlying Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or
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received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, an Underlying Fund’s risk of loss includes the net amount of payments that the fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. An Underlying Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.
Some Underlying Funds may also enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, futures contract, basket of securities or futures contracts, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security, commodity or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to an Underlying Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, an Underlying Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, pegged to a floating rate (such as the SOFR)), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties.
Some Underlying Funds may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the funds receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Underlying Funds will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by an Underlying Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, an Underlying Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.
No notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that the counterparty to the swap will default on its payment obligations to an Underlying Fund. Swap agreements also entail the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty to the swap. Generally, counterparties will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with one counterparty receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
Credit Default Swaps
In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. Some Underlying Funds may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the funds own or have exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by the custodian to the Underlying Funds in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. The funds earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon
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quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps. The Dodd-Frank Act may eventually require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the CFTC and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign (non-U.S.) exchange forwards, OTC foreign (non-U.S.) exchange options and swaptions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing takes place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing. In addition, non-cleared, derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Funds with respect to such derivatives. The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect a Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.
Technology Risk
The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Funds, consistent with each Fund’s investment objective and strategy described in the Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision making for each Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively impact a Fund.
Temporary Defensive Position
In anticipation of or in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, a Fund may take temporary defensive positions (up to 100% of its assets) in cash, cash equivalents and short term U.S. government securities. If a Fund were to take a temporary defensive position, its opportunity to achieve upside return may be limited; however, the ability to be fully defensive is an integral part of achieving the Fund’s investment objective.
Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes
The Funds may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit a Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between a Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. A Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between a Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to a Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.
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Trading in Futures Contracts
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.
Unlike when a fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the underlying fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain an underlying fund’s open positions in futures contracts, such underlying fund would be required to deposit with its futures commission merchant (“FCM”) an amount of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.” An underlying fund may also be required to post additional margin if the value of the posted initial margin declines below a certain level relative to the exposure under the futures contract (the additional margin is call “maintenance margin”).
The initial margin and any maintenance margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
In addition, subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the FCM, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.”.
Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the underlying fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the underlying fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the underlying fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the underlying fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that an underlying fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If an underlying fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, such underlying fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.
For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.
An underlying fund’s futures contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contracts can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent an underlying fund from promptly liquidating its futures contracts.
United States Government Obligations
A Fund may invest in United States Government Obligations. These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United
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States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.
Receipts
Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. Treasury Receipts (“TRs”) and Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.
U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities
STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.
U.S. Treasury Obligations
U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and TRs.
United States Government Agency
A Fund may invest in securities issued by United States Government Agencies. These consist of fixed income securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, FHLMC, the Farm Credit Banks, FNMA, and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).
Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.
Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
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FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PC’s”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.
Mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, except as described below, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. FNMA is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an Act of the U.S. Congress. FNMA certificates are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress. FHLMC certificates are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. FHLMC certificates entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal after default.
From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of FNMA and FHLMC. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress with regard to such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and a Fund’s liquidity and value.
There is risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by FNMA and FHLMC. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.
The volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets during late 2008 and into 2009 have led to increased market concerns about FHLMC’s and FNMA’s ability to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, both FHLMC and FNMA were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”).
Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of FHLMC and FNMA, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to: (1) take over the assets of and operate FHLMC and FNMA with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of FHLMC and FNMA and conduct all business of FHLMC and FNMA; (2) collect all obligations and money due to FHLMC and FNMA; (3) perform all functions of FHLMC and FNMA which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of FHLMC and FNMA; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator. In addition, in connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of FHLMC and FNMA which
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established the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of FHLMC and FNMA, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA.
The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA and the issuance of this senior preferred stock placed significant restrictions on the activities of FHLMC and FNMA. FHLMC and FNMA must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things: (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock issued to the Treasury, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions were placed on the maximum size of each of FHLMC’s and FNMA’s respective portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, and the purchase agreements entered into by FHLMC and FNMA provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of FHLMC and FNMA could be impacted by (among other things): the actions taken and restrictions placed on FHLMC and FNMA by the FHFA in its role as conservator; the restrictions placed on FHLMC’s and FNMA’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the Treasury; market responses to developments at FHLMC and FNMA; and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by FHLMC and FNMA, including any such mortgage-backed securities held by a Fund.
Warrants
Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.
When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements
The Funds will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases such Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in a Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.
The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of a Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. A Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund, which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund may not:
| 1. | Issue senior securities, except as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; |
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| 2. | Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions; |
| 3. | Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities); |
| 4. | Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts); |
| 5. | Concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the 1940 Act; |
| 6. | Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments) or commodity futures contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities; or |
| 7. | Make loans to others, except that the Fund may, in accordance with its investment objective and policies, (i) lend portfolio securities, (ii) purchase and hold debt securities or other debt instruments, including but not limited to loan participations and sub-participations, assignments, and structured securities, (iii) make loans secured by mortgages on real property, (iv) enter into repurchase agreements, (v) enter into transactions where each loan is represented by a note executed by the borrower, and (vi) make time deposits with financial institutions and invest in instruments issued by financial institutions. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities. |
| 8. | Diversification. With respect to 75% of its total assets, Spectrum ETF may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result: (i) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after, and as the result of, such purchase would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. |
If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.
With respect to fundamental investment restriction #2 above, if the Fund’s asset coverage falls below 300%, the Fund will reduce borrowing within 3 days in order to ensure that the Fund has 300% asset coverage.
With respect to fundamental investment restriction #5 above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry. The SEC staff has taken the position that investment of 25% or more of a fund’s total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could change in the future. The fundamental investment restriction #5 above will be interpreted to refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities; securities of state, territory, possession or municipal governments and their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; and repurchase agreements collateralized by any such obligations. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be considered to be members of any
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industry. There also will be no limit on investment in issuers domiciled in a single jurisdiction or country. Finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents. Each foreign government will be considered to be a member of a separate industry. With respect to the Funds’ industry classifications, each Fund currently utilizes any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by Funds management. The Funds’ investment adviser may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that either a third-party classification provider used by the investment adviser or another Fund service provider does not assign a classification or assigns a classification inconsistent with that believed appropriate by the investment adviser based on its analysis of the economic characteristics of the issuer. With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in fundamental investment restriction #5 above, if a Fund invests in one or more investment companies that concentrates its investments in a particular industry, that Fund will look through to the underlying holdings of the investment companies in which the Fund is invested to ensure that such Fund is not indirectly concentrating its investments in a particular industry.
Although fundamental investment restriction #7 reserves for a Fund the ability to make loans, there is no present intent to loan money or portfolio securities and additional disclosure will be provided if such a strategy is implemented in the future.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
It is the Trust’s policy to: (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.
Each Fund’s portfolio holdings are, or will be, disclosed on such Fund’s website at www.LibertyOneETF.com each day the Fund is open for business. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings information will also generally be provided for dissemination through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants (as defined below), and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Fund in the secondary market. This information typically reflects the Fund’s anticipated holdings as of the next Business Day.
Each Fund also discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period. The Fund also discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-PORT two months after the end of each semi-annual period and quarter, respectively.
The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg earlier and more frequently on a confidential basis.
Under limited circumstances, as described below, a Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their posting on the Funds’ website or their filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-PORT, as applicable. In each case, a determination has been made by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose of the Fund and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.
| ● | The Adviser and Sub-Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing each Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for |
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| the Adviser to provide its management, administrative and investment services to the Fund. Personnel of the Sub-Adviser may have full daily access to the Funds’ portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Sub-Adviser to provide trading services for the Funds. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers. |
| ● | Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC is the Fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for each Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust. |
| ● | U.S. Bank National Association is custodian for the Funds; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust. |
| ● | Deloitte & Touche LLP is the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of each Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings. |
| ● | Blank Rome LLP is counsel to the Funds; therefore, its personnel have access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of each Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings. |
Additions to List of Approved Recipients. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above. In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information in connection with the operation or administration of the Fund, as determined by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Funds, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.
Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.
There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Funds from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.
MANAGEMENT
The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of four individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser and Sub-Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including, but not limited to, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.
Board Leadership Structure. The Board is led by Mark Gersten, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was first registered with the SEC in 2012. Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board
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meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, each Fund and each shareholder.
Board Risk Oversight. The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees and has established an Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Corporate Governance Committee”), each with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities.
Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.
Trustee Qualifications. Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills. Mark Garbin has over 40 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers. Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers. Mr. Garbin holds both a Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) and Professional Risk Manager (“PRM”) designation and has earned and holds advanced degrees in international business, negotiation and derivatives. Mark Gersten has over 40 years of business experience in the investment management business with a focus on mutual funds and alternative funds. He serves as a member of other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service to this board and extensive experience administering mutual funds. Mr. Gersten is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA in accounting. Neil Kaufman has over 40 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney and possesses a deep understanding of the securities industry in general and financial statements in particular. Mr. Kaufman has previously served as the Chairman of a NASDAQ-listed technology company and the Chairman of the Banking & Securities Law committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Anita Krug has 9 years of experience as an attorney advising investment companies and investment advisory firms, particularly those managing hedge funds. She also has extensive experience as a law professor whose scholarship addresses such topics as the fiduciary duties of investment advisers and broker-dealers, commodity futures regulation, and corporate structure and governance. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them well qualified.
Trustees and Officers. The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers.
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Independent Trustees*
| Name, Address, Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Term and Length Served |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex** |
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years |
| Mark Garbin Year of Birth: 1951 |
Trustee | Indefinite, Since 2012 | Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2008), Independent Director, OCHEE LP (2021-present) | 3 | Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013); iDirect Private Markets Fund (2014-2024); Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (since March 2018); OHA CLO Enhanced Equity II Genpar LLP (since 2021) and Carlyle Credit Income Fund (since September 2023) |
| Mark D. Gersten Year of Birth: 1950 |
Chairman, Trustee | Indefinite, Since 2012 | Independent Consultant (since 2012); Senior Vice President - Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (1985-2011) | 3 | Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); iDirect Private Markets Fund (since 2014); iDirect Private Credit Fund (Since 2024); iDirect Multi-Strategy Fund, LLC (since 2025); previously, Ramius Archview Credit and Distressed Fund (2015-2017); and Schroder Global Series Trust (2012 to 2017) |
| Neil M. Kaufman Year of Birth: 1960 |
Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman | Indefinite, Since 2012 | Managing Member, Kaufman McGowan PLLC (legal services)(Since 2016) | 3 | iDirect Private Markets Fund (2014-2024) |
| Anita K. Krug Year of Birth: 1969 |
Trustee, Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson | Indefinite, Since 2012 | Dean (2019-2025) and Professor (since 2019) of Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology; Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (2018-2019) University of Washington Bothell; Interim Dean (2017-2018), Professor (2016-2019), Associate Professor (2014-2016); and Assistant Professor (2010-2014), University of Washington School of Law | 3 | iDirect Private Markets Fund (since 2014); iDirect Private Credit Fund (Since 2024); iDirect Multi-Strategy Fund, LLC (since 2025); and previously, Centerstone Investors Trust (2016-2021) |
| * | Information is as of the date of this SAI. |
| ** | As of the date of this SAI, the Trust is comprised of 27 active portfolios managed by 8 unaffiliated investment advisers and 2 affiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to those funds that (i) are advised by a common investment adviser or by an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other funds in the Trust or (ii) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. The Funds do not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust. |
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Officers of the Trust*
| Name, Address, Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex** |
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years |
| James Colantino Year of Birth: 1969 |
President Since Feb. 2017 Treasurer (2012 to 2017) |
Senior Vice President (2012-present); Vice President (2004 to 2012); Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC | N/A | N/A |
| Laura Szalyga Year of Birth: 1978 |
Treasurer Since Feb. 2017 |
Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2015); Assistant Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2011-2014) | N/A | N/A |
| Timothy Burdick Year of Birth: 1986 |
Vice President Since Aug. 2022 Secretary Since Aug. 2022 |
Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2023-present); Vice President and Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2022-2023); Assistant Vice President and Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2019-2022). | N/A | N/A |
| William B. Kimme Year of Birth: 1962 |
Chief Compliance Officer Since Inception |
Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (September 2011-present) | N/A | N/A |
| * | Information as of the date of this SAI. |
| ** | As of the date of this SAI, the Trust is comprised of 27 active portfolios managed by 8 unaffiliated investment advisers and 2 affiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to those funds that (i) are advised by a common investment adviser or by an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other funds in the Trust or (ii) hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. The Funds do not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust. |
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Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of all of the Trustees, none of whom is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things: (i) the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors and approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.
Corporate Governance Committee. On December 10, 2024, the Board reconstituted the Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee consists of all of the Trustees, all of whom are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Ms. Krug is the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things: (i) to identify and recommend individuals qualified to become Trustees and members of Board committees, as well as evaluate and make recommendations to the Board regarding trustee qualifications, selection criteria and Board size and composition; (ii) to periodically review and make recommendations with respect to the Board’s corporate governance policies and procedures and the Trust’s code of ethics; (iii) to monitor data submitted to the Board by individual trustees that may be relevant for evaluating independence and make recommendations to the Board regarding action, if any, that may be required or appropriate; (iv) to oversee an annual self-assessment of the Board’s and Board committees’ performance; and (v) to review and reassess annually trustee compensation and, if appropriate, recommend changes in Trustee compensation to the Board. The Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee in care of the Trust’s Secretary. The Corporate Governance Committee met one time during fiscal year ended July 31, 2025.
Compensation of Trustees. Effective January 1, 2022, the Trust pays each Independent Trustee a fee of $75,000 per annum, as well as reimbursements for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $20,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $15,000. Effective June, 1, 2025, the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual fee of $5,000. The Trust also pays each Independent Trustee a fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting (and/or Committee meeting held in connection with such a Board meeting) other than a regularly scheduled meeting (a “Special Meeting”), except that the Audit Committee will permit up to four Special Meetings a year without any additional fees.
No “interested persons” who serves as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.
The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Fund Complex during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2025. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan. The Fund had not commenced operation as of that date and thus did not pay Trustee fees during such fiscal period.
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| Name and Position | Aggregate Compensation From Spectrum ETF | Aggregate Compensation From Defensive Dividend Growth ETF | Aggregate Compensation From Tactical Income ETF | Total Compensation From Fund Complex Paid to Trustees* |
| Mark Garbin | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mark Gersten | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Neil Kaufman | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Anita Krug | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| * | The Trustees’ fees are allocated equally to each series in the Trust. The Trust is comprised of multiple series with differing fiscal year ends. The funds in the Fund Complex may also have differing fiscal year ends. The compensation paid to the Board of Trustees is determined on a calendar quarter basis. The term “Fund Complex” refers only to the Funds. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2025, the aggregate Independent Trustees’ fees paid by the entire Trust were $335,000. |
Trustees’ Ownership of Shares in the Fund. As of December 31, 2024, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund and the family of investment companies overseen by the Trustee.
| Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Spectrum ETF* |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Defensive Dividend Growth ETF* |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Tactical Income ETF* |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies** |
|
Mark Garbin |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
Mark Gersten |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
Neil Kaufman |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
Anita Krug |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| * | As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not commenced operations and does not have any equity securities outstanding. |
| ** | Refers to all series of the Trust. |
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Management Ownership
Because there were no shares of the Fund outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of each of the Fund’s outstanding shares. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1% of each of the Fund Complex’s outstanding shares.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.
As of the date of this SAI, there were no shares of the Fund outstanding, and no shareholder(s) of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND TRADING SUB-ADVISER
Liberty One Investment Management, LLC (“Liberty One Investment Management” or the “Adviser”), 1509 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois 60048, serves as the Funds’ investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of each Fund’s investment-related business affairs. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board, and in conformity with the stated policies of the Funds, manages the portfolio investment operations of the Funds. The Adviser has overall supervisory responsibilities for the general management and investment of each Fund’s securities portfolio, as detailed below, which are subject to review and approval by the Board. In general, the Adviser’s duties include setting each Fund’s overall investment strategies and asset allocation.
The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Funds’ current prospectus and SAI, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to each Fund and, as such shall, (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers, subject to best execution. The Adviser also provides each Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing such Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of such Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provides the management and supplemental administrative services necessary for the operation of each Fund. These services include providing assisting in the supervising of relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the Funds; assisting in the preparing of all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; assisting in maintaining the Funds’ records and the registration of the Funds’ shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; assisting in developing management and shareholder services for the Funds; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.
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| Fund | Advisory Fee |
| Spectrum ETF | 0.65% |
| Defensive Dividend Growth ETF | 0.65% |
| Tactical Income ETF | 0.65% |
For its services to the Funds, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to the percentages of the Funds’ average daily net assets in the table above. In addition to investment advisory fees, the Funds pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings. The advisory fee is computed daily and payable monthly.
The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of the Trust’s outstanding shares. The Investment Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each of the Funds was approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on September 9, 2025.
The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses, other than expenses relating to acquired fund fees and expenses or extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, at least until December 1, 2026, such that net annual fund operating expenses of each of the Funds does not exceed the percentages in the table below, expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets of each of the Funds. This agreement may be terminated by the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from each of the Funds in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the below expense limits as well as any expense limitation that was in effect at the time the reimbursement was made. No recoupment amount will be paid to the Adviser in any fiscal quarter unless the Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined in advance that a recoupment is in the best interest of each of the Funds and their shareholders. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease each of the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.
| Fund | Expense Cap | Minimum Duration |
| Spectrum ETF | 0.85% | December 1, 2026 |
| Defensive Dividend Growth ETF | 0.85% | December 1, 2026 |
| Tactical Income ETF | 0.85% | December 1, 2026 |
Sub-Adviser and Sub-Advisory Agreement
The Adviser has engaged Vident Asset Management, 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy., Suite 515, Alpharetta, GA 30009, to serve as trading sub-adviser to the Funds.
Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser, under the supervision of the Adviser, agrees to implement portfolio investment decisions made by the Adviser for the Funds in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Funds’ current Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. However, the Sub-Adviser is not responsible for management of the Funds’ investments. As compensation for the trading sub-advisory services it provides to the Funds, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a monthly fee.
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The fee paid to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser will be paid from the Adviser’s management fee and is not an additional cost to the Funds. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is effective for an initial two-year period and continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods, provided it is approved at least annually by a vote of the majority of the Trustees, who are not parties to the agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty at any time by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser on 60 days written notice and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act).
The Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement were approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on September 9, 2025.
Codes of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that govern the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (for purposes of this subsection only, the “Code”), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by each Fund.
In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code.
Proxy Voting Policies
The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of each Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and a Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies are attached hereto as Appendix A.
More information. Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-847-680-9255 and such information will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
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THE DISTRIBUTOR
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to an ETF Distribution Agreement with the Trust (the “ETF Distribution Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of the FINRA. The offering of each Fund’s shares is continuous. The ETF Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of each Fund’s shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of each Fund’s shares.
The ETF Distribution Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated with respect to a Fund, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The ETF Distribution Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days written notice to the Fund. The ETF Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with broker-dealers that solicit orders for the sale of shares of the Fund and may allow concessions to dealers that sell shares of the Fund.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Ben Pahl and Nick Ng, CFA (the “Portfolio Managers”) serve as the portfolio managers of each of the Funds. The tables below include details about the type, number, and assets under management for the various types of other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the accounts. The information is as of August 31, 2025.
Ben Pahl
|
Total Other Accounts By Type |
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type |
Total Assets By (in millions) |
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee |
Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee |
| Registered Investment Companies | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| Other Accounts | 90 | $13,038,206 | 0 | $0 |
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Nick Ng, CFA
|
Total Other Accounts By Type |
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type |
Total Assets By (in millions) |
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee |
Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee |
| Registered Investment Companies | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| Other Accounts | 90 | $13,038,206 | 0 | $0 |
Conflicts of Interest
In addition to advising the Funds, the Adviser manages assets for other separately managed accounts. Many of the Adviser’s clients participate in investment programs that have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially similar to the Funds. Other clients of the Adviser may have differing investment programs, objectives, policies and strategies. In general, when a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Funds, or the Adviser could receive performance-based fees on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.
The Adviser attempts to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, a portfolio manager may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security or other instrument in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that the portfolio manager seeks to purchase or sell the same security or other instrument for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where the portfolio manager deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities or other instruments purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.
Compensation
As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, discretionary bonus and a bonus based on the performance of the investments managed by the Portfolio Managers in comparison to the performance of the respective benchmark index, as well as the assets under management by the Portfolio Managers.
Ownership of Securities
As of the date of this SAI, neither of the Portfolio Managers beneficially own any securities of the Fund.
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Funds are made by the portfolio managers who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by them on behalf of each Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Funds or the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser for a Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may determine.
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In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser will take the following into consideration:
| ● | the best net price available; | |
| ● | the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer; | |
| ● | the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and | |
| ● | the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. |
Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Funds may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than a Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit a Fund.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
A Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by a Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of a Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Fund Administration
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, (the “Administrator”), which has its principal office at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. The Administrator is an affiliate of the Distributor.
Pursuant to an ETF Fund Services Agreement with the Funds, the Administrator provides administrative services to each Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Administrator may provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of the Administrator or its affiliates.
The ETF Fund Services Agreement is dated September 28, 2021. The ETF Fund Services Agreement was initially approved by the Board with respect to the Funds at a meeting held on September 9, 2025. The ETF Fund Services Agreement is in effect for two years from its initial approval and is subject to annual approval of the Board for one-year periods thereafter. The ETF Fund Services Agreement is terminable by the Board or the Administrator on ninety days’ written notice and may be assigned provided the non-assigning party provides prior written consent. This ETF Fund Services Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Administrator shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.
Under the ETF Fund Services Agreement, the Administrator provides facilitating administrative services, including: (i) providing services of persons competent to perform such administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide effective administration of the Fund; (ii) facilitating the performance of administrative and professional
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services to the Funds by others, including the Funds’ Custodian; (iii) preparing, but not paying for, the periodic updating of the Funds’ Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with Fund counsel, including the printing of such documents for the purpose of filings with the SEC and state securities administrators, and preparing reports to the Funds’ shareholders and the SEC; (iv) preparing in conjunction with Fund counsel, but not paying for, all filings under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of such states or countries as are designated by the Distributor, which may be required to register or qualify, or continue the registration or qualification, of the Funds and/or their shares under such laws; (v) preparing notices and agendas for meetings of the Board and minutes of such meetings in all matters required by the 1940 Act to be acted upon by the Board; (vi) monitoring sales of Shares and ensure that the Shares are properly and duly listed with the applicable securities exchanges; and (vii) monitoring daily and periodic compliance with respect to all requirements and restrictions of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Prospectuses.
The Administrator also provides each Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of NAV; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund; and (viii) creating the Fund’s daily portfolio composition file (“PCF”), assisting with inputting the PCF into the NSCC system and facilitating any other communications required by the NSCC related to the PCFs.
For the administrative services rendered to each Fund by the Administrator under the ETF Fund Services Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to receive the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets for fund administration and fund accounting. For the fund accounting services rendered to each Fund under the ETF fund Services Agreement, each Fund pays the Administrator the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Administrator is also entitled to reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses. Under each Fund’s unitary management fee, the Adviser pays for the operating expenses of each Fund.
Transfer Agent
U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”), 1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, WI 53212 acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Funds pursuant to the Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement between U.S. Bank and the Trust on behalf of the Funds (the “Transfer Agent”). Under the Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Custodian
U.S. Bank, 1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, WI 53212, (the “Custodian”), serves as the custodian of each Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custodian by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Funds. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling a Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custodian Agreement between U.S. Bank and the Trust on behalf of the Funds, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. A Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.
Chief Compliance Officer
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. For the compliance
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services rendered to the Funds, each Fund pays NLCS a one-time fee plus an annual asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Funds also pay NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.
Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.
The Trust’s by-laws state that unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forums for any Shareholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust; (ii) any action asserting a claim or breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer or employee, if any, of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s Shareholders or its beneficial owners; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Trust, its Trustees, officers or employees, if any, arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust or by-laws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Trust, its Trustees, officers or employees, if any, governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the State of Delaware. The Trust’s by-laws also state that any person or entity that is a shareholder of the Trust shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions of the Trust’s by-laws.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal, per-class, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of each Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program. The Trust’s Secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor, and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.
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PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
Calculation of Share Price
As indicated in each Fund’s Prospectus under the heading “Determination of Net Asset Value,” the NAV of a Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of a Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of such Fund.
Generally, a Fund’s domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. The Board has appointed the Adviser as its designee (the “Valuation Designee”) for all fair value determinations and responsibilities with respect to the Funds, other than overseeing pricing service providers used by any series of the Trust, including the Funds. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described below. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the-counter market.
Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost, provided such valuations represent par value.
Exchange traded options are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee.
The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of securities held by a Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before a Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by a Fund’s Valuation Designee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed below. In addition, because each Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.
Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of a Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares
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Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, each Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign (non-U.S.) securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.
When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, a Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Valuation Designee if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.
Notice to Texas Shareholders
Under section 72.1021(a) of the Texas Property Code, initial investors in the Fund who are Texas residents may designate a representative to receive notices of abandoned property in connection with Fund shares. Texas shareholders who wish to appoint a representative should notify the Trust’s Transfer Agent by writing to the address below to obtain a form for providing written notice to the Trust:
Liberty One Spectrum ETF
Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF
Liberty One Tactical Income ETF
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022
Creation Units
Each Fund sells and redeems Shares in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any Business Day. A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
A Creation Unit is an aggregation of 10,000 Shares. The Board may declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of the Fund or Trust and make a corresponding change in the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.
Authorized Participants
To purchase or redeem any Creation Units, you must be, or transact through, an Authorized Participant. In order to be an Authorized Participant, you must be either a broker-dealer or other participant (“Participating Party”) in the Continuous Net Settlement System (“Clearing Process”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system (“DTC Participant”), and you must execute an agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Distributor that governs transactions in a Fund’s Creation Units.
Investors who are not Authorized Participants but want to transact in Creation Units may contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. An Authorized Participant may require investors to enter into a separate agreement to transact through it for Creation Units and may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in a particular form. Investors transacting through a broker that is not itself an Authorized Participant and therefore must still transact through an Authorized Participant may incur additional charges. There are expected to be a limited number of Authorized Participants at any one time.
Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Market disruptions and telephone or other communication failures may impede the transmission of orders.
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Transaction Fees
A fixed fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu (as defined below) are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). With the approval of the Board, the Adviser may waive or adjust the Transaction Fees, including the Fixed Fee and/or Variable Charge (shown in the table below), from time to time. In such cases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the respective Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. In addition, purchasers of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the account of a Fund.
Investors who use the services of a broker, or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The Transaction Fees for the Fund are listed in the table below.
| Fund | Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases |
Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases* |
| Spectrum ETF | $300 | 2.00% |
| Defensive Dividend Growth ETF | $300 | 2.00% |
| Tactical Income ETF | $300 | 2.00% |
| * | As a percentage of the amount invested. |
The Clearing Process
Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a Participating Party using the NSCC system are referred to as transactions “through the Clearing Process.” Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a DTC Participant using the DTC system are referred to as transactions “outside the Clearing Process.” The Clearing Process is an enhanced clearing process that is available only for certain securities and only to DTC participants that are also participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders not subject to the Clearing Process will go through a manual clearing process run by DTC. Portfolio Deposits that include government securities must be delivered through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system (“Federal Reserve System”). Fund Deposits that include cash may be delivered through the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. In-kind deposits of securities for orders outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through the Federal Reserve System (for government securities) or through DTC (for corporate securities).
Foreign Securities
Because the portfolio securities of a Fund may trade on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for a Fund, shareholders may not be able to purchase or sell shares of a Fund on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of a Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.
Purchasing Creation Units
Portfolio Deposit
The consideration for a Creation Unit generally consists of a specified cash payment (see “Cash Purchase Method” below) or the Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Portfolio Deposit.” The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Thus, the Cash Component with respect to a Fund is equal to the difference between (x) the NAV per Creation Unit of a Fund and (y) the market value of the Deposit Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to the Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from the Fund.
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On each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Deposit Security in the current Portfolio Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. The Deposit Securities announced are applicable to purchases of Creation Units until the next announcement of Deposit Securities.
Payment of any stamp duty or the like shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit. The Authorized Participant must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.
Custom Orders and Cash-in-lieu
Each Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash-in-lieu”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. A Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Deposit Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, a Fund may permit or require cash in lieu of Deposit Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities laws or policies from transacting in one or more Deposit Securities. The Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in accepting Deposit Securities including that the Deposit Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All orders involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Orders.”
Purchase Orders
To order a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order to the Distributor.
Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders
An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the bond markets and/or the trading session on the Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV (“Cut-off Time”). The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on a Business Day if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating custom orders and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve Bank wire system, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the “Settlement Date,” which is generally the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date (“T+1”) for cash and the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities (“T+2”).
Orders Using the Clearing Process
If available, (portions of) orders may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits, on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Portfolio Deposit to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System.
Orders Outside the Clearing Process
If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Portfolio Deposits will be made outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will be effected through DTC. The Portfolio Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of Deposit Securities (whether standard or custom) through DTC to a Fund account by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on T+1. The Cash
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Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee, must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve System in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive both the Deposit Securities and the cash by the appointed time, the order may be canceled. A canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day but must conform to that Business Day’s Portfolio Deposit. Authorized Participants that submit a canceled order will be liable to a Fund for any losses incurred by a Fund in connection therewith.
Orders involving foreign Deposit Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable purchase order, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian, who will have caused the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of a Fund to maintain an account into which an Authorized Participant may deliver Deposit Securities (or cash -in-lieu), with adjustments determined by such Fund, will then provide information of the order to such local sub-custodian(s). The ordering Authorized Participant will then deliver the Deposit Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) to a Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian. The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to a Fund, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by the Fund to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component and Transaction Fee. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date.
Acceptance of Purchase Order
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by each Fund. Each Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.
Each Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of a Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the Deposit Securities for the applicable date; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to a Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust, Fund, or the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust, Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, make it for all practical purposes impossible to process purchase orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy or computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other informational systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser each Fund’s Custodian, a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify an Authorized Participant of its rejection of the order. Each Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits, and they shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Issuance of a Creation Unit
Once a Fund has accepted an order, upon next determination of such Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
Except as provided below, a Creation Unit will not be issued until a Fund obtains good title to the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. The delivery of Creation Units will generally occur no later than T+2.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
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With respect to orders involving foreign Deposit Securities, when the applicable local sub-custodian(s) have confirmed to the Custodian that the Deposit Securities (or cash -in-lieu) have been delivered to the Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian(s), the Distributor and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and such Fund will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit. While, as stated above, Creation Units are generally delivered on T+2, a Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances.
Each Fund may issue a Creation Unit prior to receiving good title to the Deposit Securities, under the following circumstances. Pursuant to the applicable Participant Agreement, a Fund may issue a Creation Unit notwithstanding that (certain) Deposit Securities have not been delivered, in reliance on an undertaking by the relevant Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking is secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery to and maintenance with the Custodian of collateral having a value equal to at least 115% of the value of the missing Deposit Securities (“Collateral”), as adjusted by time to time by the Adviser. Such Collateral will have a value greater than the NAV of the Creation Unit on the date the order is placed. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. The only Collateral that is acceptable to each Fund is cash in U.S. Dollars.
While (certain) Deposit Securities remain undelivered, the Collateral shall at all times have a value equal to at least 115% (as adjusted by the Adviser) of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. At any time, a Fund may use the Collateral to purchase the missing securities, and the Authorized Participant will be liable to such Fund for any costs incurred thereby or losses resulting therefrom, whether or not they exceed the amount of the Collateral, including any Transaction Fee, any amount by which the purchase price of the missing Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such securities on the Transmittal Date, brokerage and other transaction costs. The Trust will return any unused Collateral once all of the missing securities have been received by a Fund. More information regarding each Fund’s current procedures for collateralization is available from the Distributor.
Cash Purchase Method
When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Portfolio Deposit. In addition, cash purchases will be subject to Transaction Fees, as described above.
Redeeming a Creation Unit
Redemption Basket
The consideration received in connection with the redemption of a Creation Unit generally consists of a specified cash payment (see “Cash Redemption Method” below) or an in-kind basket of designated securities (“Redemption Securities”) and a Cash Component. Together, the Redemption Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Redemption Basket.”
There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in Shares in the secondary market to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. In addition, investors may incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a Creation Unit.
The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Redemption Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the NAV per Creation Unit of a Fund and (y) the market value of the Redemption Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from a Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to a Fund.
If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Redemption Security in the current Redemption Basket (based on
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information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, all redemption requests that day will be processed outside the Clearing Process.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed: (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares or determination of the ETF’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as permitted by the SEC, including as described below.
Custom Redemptions and Cash-in-lieu
Each Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of cash-in-lieu to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Redemption Security. Each Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Redemption Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, each Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu of Redemption Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more Redemption Securities. Each Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in satisfying redemptions with Redemption Securities, including that the Redemption Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All redemption requests involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Redemptions.”
Redemption Requests
To redeem a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption request to the Distributor.
An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Fund that it has ascertained or has reasonable grounds to believe that as of the time of the contractual settlement date, that (i) it or its customer, as the case may be, owns, will own or have the authority and right to tender for redemption the Creation Unit to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) all of the Shares that are in the Creation Unit to be redeemed have not been borrowed, loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement that would preclude the delivery of such Shares to a Fund on the contractual settlement date. Each Fund reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to verify these representations, but will typically require verification in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in a Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of the requested representations, the redemption request will not be considered to be in proper form and may be rejected by a Fund.
Timing of Submission of Redemption Requests
An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption order no later than the Cut-off Time. The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” A redemption request is deemed received if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating Custom Redemptions and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve System, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the Settlement Date, as defined above.
Requests Using the Clearing Process
If available, (portions of) redemption requests may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the redemption. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite
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Creation Unit(s) to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System, as described above.
Requests Outside the Clearing Process
If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Redemption Baskets will be delivered outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the redemption will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant must transfer or cause to be transferred the Creation Unit(s) of shares being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on received T+1. In addition, the Cash Component must be received by the Custodian by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive the Creation Unit(s) and Cash Component by the appointed times on T+1, the redemption will be rejected, except in the circumstances described below. A rejected redemption request may be resubmitted the following Business Day.
Orders involving foreign Redemption Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable redemption request, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian. The Custodian will then provide information of the redemption to each Fund’s local sub-custodian(s). The redeeming Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf is acting, will have established appropriate arrangements with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which the Redemption Securities are customarily traded and to which such Redemption Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) can be delivered from a Fund’s accounts at the applicable local sub-custodian(s).
Acceptance of Redemption Requests
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust. The Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Delivery of Redemption Basket
Once a Fund has accepted a redemption request, upon next determination of such Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Redemption Basket, against receipt of the Creation Unit(s) at such NAV, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. A Creation Unit tendered for redemption and the payment of the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will be recorded on the book-entry system of DTC.
The Redemption Basket will generally be delivered to the redeeming Authorized Participant within T+2. Except under the circumstances described below, however, a Redemption Basket generally will not be issued until the Creation Unit(s) are delivered to a Fund, along with the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
With respect to orders involving foreign Redemption Securities, a Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. If a Fund includes a foreign investment in its basket, and if a local market holiday, or series of consecutive holidays, or the extended delivery cycles for transferring foreign investments to redeeming Authorized Participants prevents timely delivery of the foreign investment in response to a redemption request, such Fund may delay delivery of the foreign investment more than seven days if the Fund delivers the foreign investment as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 days.
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Cash Redemption Method
When cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for the Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. In the case of a cash redemption, the investor will receive the cash equivalent of the Redemption Basket minus any Transaction Fees, as described above.
TAX STATUS
The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of a Fund, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and activities of the partnership. All shareholders (and partners in a partnership that is a shareholder) should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in a Fund.
Each Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders, as described more fully below. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, a Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Investment company taxable income and net capital gain of a Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Investment company taxable income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses, plus any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net-short-term capital losses) for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of a Fund. Capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.
To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Internal Revenue Code), and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships. If a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including net capital gain, distributed to shareholders. If, however, a Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain a portion of its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained.
Each Fund intends to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gains in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each year ending October 31, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the applicable Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.
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If a Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such that Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its investment company taxable income and net capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations (currently, at a maximum rate of 21% plus state and local taxes, if any). Shareholders of such Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of that Fund. Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below.
Each Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of a Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to such Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, each Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.
The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.
Distributions of investment company taxable income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain; regardless of the length of time the shares of the Funds have been held by such shareholders.
A Fund may be able to report a portion of its income as “qualified dividend income,” which, if certain conditions, including holding period requirements, are met by the Fund and the shareholders, is taxable to noncorporate shareholders at rates of up to 20%. In general, dividends may be reported by a Fund as qualified dividend income if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations (i.e., certain foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the U.S. or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the U.S., and certain other foreign corporations if the stock with respect to which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.). Passive foreign investment companies are not qualified foreign corporations for this purpose, and dividends received by a Fund from REITs generally are not expected to qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, “qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates) are eligible for a 20% deduction by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). The Treasury regulations allow a regulated investment company (such as a Fund) to pay and report “section 199A dividends” to its shareholders with respect to the regulated investment company’s qualified REIT dividends. Under the regulations, the amount of section 199A dividends that a Fund may pay and report to its shareholders is limited to the excess of the “qualified REIT dividends” that the Fund receives from REITs for a taxable year over the Fund’s expenses allocable to such dividends. A shareholder may treat section 199A dividends received with respect to a share of a Fund as “qualified REIT dividends” if the shareholder has held the share for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the date on which the share becomes ex-dividend, but only to the extent that the shareholder is not under an obligation (under a short-sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. A shareholder may include 20% of the shareholder’s “qualified REIT dividends” in the computation of the shareholder’s “combined qualified business income amount” under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer (other than a corporation)
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a deduction for a taxable year equal to the lesser of (A) the taxpayer’s “combined qualified business income amount” or (B) 20% of the excess of the taxpayer’s taxable income over the taxpayer’s net capital gain for the year.
Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from a Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of a Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in a Fund.
Redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.
Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in cash or additional shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the NAV of a share on the reinvestment date.
All distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.
Each Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares. Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO or some other specific identification method. Unless you instruct otherwise, each Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method. If average cost is used for the first sale of shares covered by these rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation. Shareholders that hold their shares through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, each Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax (currently, at a rate of 24%) in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish a Fund with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if a Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Shareholders
The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and domestic corporations, trusts and estates). Shareholders who are not U.S. persons should consult their tax advisers regarding U.S. and foreign (non-U.S.) tax consequences of ownership of shares of a Fund, including the likelihood that distributions to them would be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under a tax treaty) and the possibility they may be subject to U.S. estate tax. A portion of a Fund’s distributions received by a foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder may, however, be exempt from U.S. withholding tax to the
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extent properly reported by such Fund as attributable to U.S. source interest income and short-term capital gains. If a foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable tax treaty, the foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder will be required to provide an applicable IRS Form W-8 certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty in order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding tax. However, if the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder (or, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of the foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder), then the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons, plus, in certain cases where the foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder is a corporation, a branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided in an applicable treaty). If the foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder is subject to such U.S. income tax on a distribution, then a Fund is not required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements.
Ordinary dividends (including qualified dividend income) paid to a foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder that fails to make certain required certifications, or that is a “foreign financial institution” as defined in Section 1471 of the Internal Revenue Code and that does not meet the requirements imposed on foreign financial institutions by Section 1471, are generally subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate. A foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement. While withholding described in this paragraph would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of shares on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury regulations eliminate such withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
Investment by a Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could subject such Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to such Fund’s shareholders. However, a Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), in which case such Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.
A Fund also may make an election to “mark to market” the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the applicable Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections, therefore, may require a Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
Foreign Taxation
Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by a Fund, and may be entitled to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her
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shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of each Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass through” for that year.
Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of a Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to each Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by each Fund.
Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities
Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income, which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, a Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the applicable Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). A Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event a Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Treatment of the Options
A Fund’s investments in offsetting positions with respect to the Index may be “straddles” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by a Fund, and losses realized by a
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Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. In addition, certain carrying charges (including interest expense) associated with positions in a straddle may be required to be capitalized rather than deducted currently. Certain elections that a Fund may make with respect to its straddle positions may also affect the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected positions.
The tax consequences of straddle transactions to a Fund are not entirely clear in all situations under currently available authority. The straddle rules may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to U.S. shareholders in a non-liquidating distribution. Because application of the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, if a Fund makes a non-liquidating distribution of its short-term capital gain, the amount which must be distributed to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not engage in such transactions.
Shareholders of a Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.
A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year each Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state, and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP, located at 695 Town Center Drive, Suite 1000, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings, and (iii) other audit related and tax services.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Blank Rome LLP, located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Because the Funds have not commenced operations, there are no financial statements available at this time. Shareholders of each Fund will be informed of the Fund’s progress through periodic reports when those reports become available. Financial statements certified by the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
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APPENDIX A
Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
Liberty One Investment Management, LLC
Proxy Voting Policy
1. Introduction
This Proxy Voting Policy (the “Policy”) sets forth the principles and guidelines that the fund and its investment adviser, will follow when exercising proxy voting rights with respect to the securities held in the Fund’s portfolios. The primary objective of this Policy is to ensure that proxy votes are cast in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, with a focus on maximizing long-term shareholder value.
2. General Principles
The Adviser will exercise proxy voting responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with the following general principles:
| ● | Shareholder Value: All voting decisions will be made with the goal of enhancing the economic value of the Fund’s investments and protecting the interests of its shareholders. |
| ● | Fiduciary Duty: The Adviser recognizes its fiduciary duty to vote proxies in a diligent and prudent manner, solely for the benefit of the Fund and its shareholders. |
| ● | Independence: Voting decisions will be made independently, free from conflicts of interest or undue influence from corporate management, special interest groups, or other third parties. |
| ● | Transparency: While specific voting decisions may not be disclosed in advance, the Adviser commits to transparency regarding its general voting philosophy and the process by which decisions are made. |
| ● | Case-by-Case Review: Each proxy proposal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances. |
3. Delegation of Authority
The Board of Trustees/Directors of the Fund has delegated the responsibility for proxy voting to the Adviser. The Adviser, in turn, may utilize the services of a third-party proxy voting service (a “Proxy Service”) to assist in the analysis of proxy proposals and the mechanical casting of votes. However, the ultimate responsibility for proxy voting decisions remains with the Adviser.
4. Voting Guidelines
The Adviser will generally adhere to the following guidelines when voting on common proxy proposals. These guidelines are not exhaustive and may be overridden when specific circumstances warrant a different approach.
4.1. Board of Directors
| ● | Election of Directors: Generally vote for director nominees, unless there are concerns regarding independence, attendance, excessive compensation, or other governance issues. |
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| ● | Independent Directors: Support proposals that enhance board independence, such as requiring a majority of independent directors or an independent board chair. |
| ● | Board Diversity: Support reasonable proposals aimed at increasing diversity (e.g., gender, ethnic, professional experience) on the board. |
| ● | Director Compensation: Oppose excessive director compensation and support proposals that link compensation to performance. |
4.2. Executive Compensation
| ● | Say-on-Pay: Generally vote in favor of “say-on-pay” proposals unless there are significant concerns about the structure or amount of executive compensation relative to performance, peer groups, or market standards. |
| ● | Equity Compensation Plans: Evaluate equity compensation plans (e.g., stock options, restricted stock units) based on factors such as dilution, vesting schedules, performance hurdles, and overall cost. Oppose plans that are excessively dilutive or lack sufficient performance alignment. |
| ● | Golden Parachutes/Severance: Oppose excessive severance packages or “golden parachutes” that are not tied to performance or are deemed to be against shareholder interests. |
4.3. Corporate Governance
| ● | Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills): Generally oppose shareholder rights plans unless they are temporary, have a limited trigger, and are put to a shareholder vote. |
| ● | Amendments to Articles/Bylaws: Review proposed amendments to articles of incorporation or bylaws on a case-by-case basis, considering their impact on shareholder rights and corporate governance. Generally support proposals that enhance shareholder rights (e.g., ability to call special meetings, act by written consent). |
| ● | Capital Structure: Evaluate proposals related to capital structure (e.g., stock issuances, repurchases) based on their potential impact on shareholder value and dilution. |
| ● | Auditor Ratification: Generally vote for the ratification of the independent auditor unless there are concerns about audit quality, independence, or fees. |
4.4. Environmental and Social Issues (ESG)
| ● | Materiality: Consider environmental and social proposals that are deemed material to the long-term financial performance and sustainability of the company. |
| ● | Disclosure: Support reasonable proposals requesting increased disclosure on material environmental or social risks and opportunities. |
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| ● | Management’s Position: Take into account management’s position and current efforts regarding ESG issues, but vote independently based on the perceived impact on shareholder value. |
5. Conflicts of Interest
The Adviser maintains policies and procedures designed to identify and address potential conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with proxy voting.
| ● | If a conflict of interest exists (e.g., the Adviser or an affiliate has a material business relationship with a company whose proxy is being voted), the Adviser will take steps to ensure the vote is cast in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. |
| ● | Such steps may include, but are not limited to, voting in accordance with the recommendation of an independent Proxy Service, abstaining from the vote, or escalating the decision to a committee of the Adviser’s senior management that has no conflict of interest. |
6. Record Keeping and Disclosure
The Adviser will maintain records of all proxy votes cast by the Fund for a period of at least five years, with the most recent two years readily accessible. These records will include:
| ● | The name of the issuer. |
| ● | The proposal voted upon. |
| ● | How the Fund voted (for, against, abstain). |
| ● | The date of the vote. |
The Fund will disclose its proxy voting record annually on Form N-PX, as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and will make this information available to shareholders upon request.
7. Policy Review
This Policy will be reviewed periodically by the Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors to ensure its continued effectiveness and compliance with applicable regulations. Amendments to this Policy will be approved by the Board of Trustees/Directors.
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APPENDIX B
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
The ratings of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P Global Ratings”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) represent their respective opinions as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact as to the quality of various long-term and short-term debt instruments they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt instruments with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt instruments of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. Ratings do not constitute recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security, nor do they comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of any payments of any security.
Short-Term Credit Ratings
An S&P Global Ratings short-term issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by S&P Global Ratings for short-term issues:
“A-1” - A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.
“A-2” - A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.
“A-3” - A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
“B” - A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
“C” - A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
“D” - A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. An issuer’s foreign currency rating will differ from its local currency rating when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, vs. obligations denominated in a foreign currency.
Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
“P-1” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
“P-2” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
“P-3” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
“NP” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term issuer or obligation ratings are based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:
“F1” - Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
“F2” - Securities possess good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
“F3” - Securities possess fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
“B” - Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
“C” - Securities possess high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
“RD” - Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
“D” - Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
“NR” - This designation indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issuer or issue.
“WD” - This designation indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.
DBRS® Ratings Limited (“DBRS”) short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. Ratings are based on quantitative and
qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the relative ranking of claims. The “R-1” and “R-2” rating categories are further denoted by the sub-categories “(high)”, “(middle)”, and “(low)”.
The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for commercial paper and short-term debt:
“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.
“R-1 (middle)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from “R-1 (high)” by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.
“R-1 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.
“R-2 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.
“R-2 (middle)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.
“R-2 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.
“R-3” - Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.
“R-4” - Short-term debt rated “R-4” is considered to be of speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.
“R-5” - Short-term debt rated “R-5” is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
“D” - Short-term debt rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to “D” may occur. DBRS may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.
Long-Term Credit Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P Global Ratings for long-term issues:
“AAA” - An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.
“AA” - An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.
“A” - An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.
“BBB” - An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
“BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” - Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
“BB” - An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
“B” - An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
“CCC” - An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
“CC” - An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
“C” - An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.
“D” - An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
“NR” - This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P Global Ratings does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Plus (+) or minus (-) - The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. An issuer’s foreign currency rating will differ from its local currency rating when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, vs. obligations denominated in a foreign currency.
Moody’s long-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised
payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:
“Aaa” - Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
“Aa” - Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
“A” - Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
“Baa” - Obligations rated “Baa” are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
“Ba” - Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
“B” - Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
“Caa” - Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
“Ca” - Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
“C” - Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:
“AAA” - Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
“AA” - Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
“A” - Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
“BBB” - Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
“BB” - Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
“B” - Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
“CCC” - A “CCC” rating indicates that substantial credit risk is present.
“CC” - A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.
“C” - A “C” rating indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.
Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned “RD” or “D” ratings but are instead rated in the “B” to “C” rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Fitch believes that this approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.
Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” category or to categories below “CCC”.
“NR” - Denotes that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
“WD” - Indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.
The DBRS long-term rating scale provides an opinion on the risk of default. That is, the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy its financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which an obligation has been issued. Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims. All rating categories other than “AAA” and “D” also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low)”. The absence of either a “(high)” or “(low)” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:
“AAA” - Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.
“AA” - Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.
“A” - Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.” May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.
“BBB” - Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.
“BB” - Long-term debt rated “BB” is of speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.
“B” - Long-term debt rated “B” is of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.
“CCC”, “CC” and “C” - Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is of very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.
“D” - A security rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to “D” may occur. DBRS may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.
Municipal Note Ratings
An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:
| ● | Amortization schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
| ● | Source of payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
Note rating symbols are as follows:
“SP-1” - A municipal note rated “SP-1” exhibits a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
“SP-2” - A municipal note rated “SP-2” exhibits a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
“SP-3” - A municipal note rated “SP-3” exhibits a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Moody’s uses the Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) scale to rate U.S. municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels - “MIG-1” through “MIG-3” - while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated “SG”. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:
“MIG-1” - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
“MIG-2” - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
“MIG-3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
“SG” - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), a two-component rating is assigned; a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”). The second element uses a rating from a variation of the MIG scale called the Variable Municipal Investment Grade (“VMIG”) scale. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.
“VMIG-1” - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
“VMIG-2” - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
“VMIG-3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
“SG” - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
“NR” - Is assigned to an unrated obligation.
Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.
About Credit Ratings
An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.
Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities. Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities.
Fitch’s credit ratings relating to issuers are an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested. Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign financial, bank, insurance and public finance entities (including supranational and sub-national entities) and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.
Credit ratings provided by DBRS are forward-looking opinions about credit risk which reflect the creditworthiness of an issuer, rated entity, and/or security. Credit ratings are not statements of fact. While historical statistics and performance can be important considerations, credit ratings are not based solely on such; they include subjective considerations and involve expectations for future performance that cannot be guaranteed. To the extent that future events and economic conditions do not match expectations, credit ratings assigned to issuers and/or securities can change. Credit ratings are also based on approved and applicable methodologies, models and criteria (“Methodologies”), which are periodically updated and when material changes are deemed necessary, this may also lead to rating changes.
Credit ratings typically provide an opinion on the risk that investors may not be repaid in accordance with the terms under which the obligation was issued. In some cases, credit ratings may also include consideration for the relative ranking of claims and recovery, should default occur. Credit ratings are meant to provide opinions on relative measures of risk and are not based on expectations of any specific default probability, nor are they meant to predict such.
The data and information on which DBRS bases its opinions is not audited or verified by DBRS, although DBRS conducts a reasonableness review of information received and relied upon in accordance with its Methodologies and policies. DBRS uses rating symbols as a concise method of expressing its opinion to the market but there are a limited number of rating categories for the possible slight risk differentials that exist across the rating spectrum and DBRS does not assert that credit ratings in the same category are of “exactly” the same quality.
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant.
None.
Item 30. Indemnification.
Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of: any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively. The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.
Nothing contained in the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Delaware law and the Amended Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreements between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(1), (d)(6), (d)(9), (d)(15), and Section 4(a) of the Investment Advisory Agreement incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(13) provides for the indemnification of Redwood against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC (“IronHorse”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(18), provides for the indemnification of IronHorse against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC (“Anfield”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(2), Section 5(a) of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(11), and Section 11 of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements between Registrant, Anfield and Regents Park Funds, LLC (“Regents Park”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(12) and (d)(17), provide for the indemnification of Anfield against certain losses.
Section 11 of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC (“Affinity”) and Anfield and Regents Park, respectively, incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(10), provides for the indemnification of Affinity against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Hanlon Investment Management, Inc. (“Hanlon”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d) (3), provides for the indemnification of Hanlon against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Holbrook Holdings, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(4), (d)(5), and (d)(14), provides for the indemnification of Holbrook against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Advisory Agreements between Registrant and Regents Park Funds, LLC (“Regents Park”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(8) and (d)(16) provides for the indemnification of Regents Park against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Recurrent Investment Advisors, LLC (“Recurrent”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(7) provides for the indemnification of Recurrent against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Hunter Perkins Capital Management, LLC (“Hunter”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(19) provides for the indemnification of Hunter against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Hypatia Capital Management LLC (“Hypatia”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(20) provides for the indemnification of Hypatia against certain losses.
Section 12 of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, Vident Advisory, LLC (“Vident”) and Hypatia incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(21), provides for the indemnification of Vident against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VestGen Investment Management, LLC (“VestGen”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(22) provides for the indemnification of VestGen against certain losses.
Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Liberty One Investment Management, LLC (“Liberty”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(23) provides for the indemnification of Liberty against certain losses.
Section 12 of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, Liberty and Vident incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(24), provides for the indemnification of Vident against certain losses.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv) the Registrant’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.
Each of the Fund Services Agreement and the ETF Fund Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“UFS”) provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold UFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Registrant’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of such Agreement, or which arise out of the Registrant’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Registrant’s performance under or in connection with such Agreement.
The Consulting Agreement with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”) provides that the Registrant agree to indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust’s performance under or in connection with the Agreement. NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely upon, and may act upon information, records and reports generated by the Trust, advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the Trust and upon statements of the Trust’s independent accountants, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such records and reports.
The ETF Distribution Agreement with NLD provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of NLD, its managers and officers and each person, if any, who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares or Creation Units, based upon (i) the ground that the registration statement, prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Registrant (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements made not misleading, (ii) the Registrant’s failure to maintain an effective registration statement and prospectus with respect to Shares of the Fund that are the subject of the claim or demand, (iii) the Registrant’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, (iv) instructions given by the Registrant, the Registrant’s failure to perform its duties hereunder or any inaccuracy of its representations, (v) any claim brought under Section 11 of the Securities Act, or (vi) all actions taken by NLD hereunder resulting from NLD’s reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or approved service provider of the Registrant.
The Distribution Agreement (the “Foreside Agreement”) with Foreside Financial Services, LLC (“Foreside”) provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Foreside, its affiliates and each of their respective members, managers, directors, officers, employees, representatives and any person who controls or previously controlled Foreside within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Foreside Indemnitees”), free and harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages and expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages or expenses and any reasonable and documented counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, “Losses”) that any Foreside Indemnitee may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or relating to (i) Foreside serving as distributor of the Funds pursuant to the Foreside Agreement and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Foreside Agreement; (ii) the Registrant’s material breach of any of its obligations, representations, warranties or covenants contained in the Foreside Agreement; (iii) the Registrant’s failure to comply in all material respects with any applicable securities laws or regulations; or (iv) any claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, shareholder reports, marketing materials or other information filed or made public by the Registrant (as from time to time amended) include or included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law any violation of any rule of FINRA or of the SEC or any other jurisdiction wherein Shares of the Funds are sold, provided, however, that the Registrant’s obligation to indemnify any of the Foreside Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, annual or interim report, or any such marketing material in reasonable reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to Foreside and furnished to the Registrant or its counsel by Foreside in writing for use in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, annual or interim report, or any marketing materials. In no event shall anything contained in the Foreside Agreement be so construed as to protect Foreside against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which Foreside would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under the Foreside Agreement or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under the Foreside Agreement.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers and Sub-Advisers.
Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Adviser of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Adviser” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.” The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Adviser is incorporated herein by reference to the Adviser’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Each Adviser’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:
Anfield Capital Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund and the Anfield Enhanced Market ETF, Sub-Adviser to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETF, Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF, Anfield Dynamic Fixed Income ETF and Regents Park Hedged Market Strategy ETF – File No. 801-77714
Redwood Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, Redwood Managed Municipal Income Fund, Redwood AlphaFactor Tactical International Fund, Redwood Systematic Macro Trend (“SMarT”) Fund, LeaderShares AlphaFactor US Core Equity ETF, LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF, LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF, LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF and LeaderShares Dynamic Yield ETF – File No. 801-78563
IronHorse Capital, LLC, the Adviser to the Conductor Global Equity Value ETF – File No. 801-78730
Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC, the Sub-Adviser to the Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF – File No. 801-42015
VestGen Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund – File No. 801-60889
Holbrook Holdings, Inc., the Adviser to the Holbrook Income Fund, the Holbrook Structured Income Fund, and the Holbrook Total Return Fund – File No. 801-107682
Recurrent Investment Advisors LLC, the Adviser to the Recurrent MLP & Infrastructure Fund –File No. 801-110728
Regents Park Funds, LLC, the Adviser to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income ETF, Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF, Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF, Anfield Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, and Regents Park Hedged Market Strategy ETF– File No. 801-108885
Hunter Perkins Capital Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Hunter Small Cap Value Fund – File No. 801-118729
Hypatia Capital Management LLC, the Adviser to the Hypatia Women CEO ETF – File No. 801-126547
Vident Advisory, LLC, the Sub-Adviser to the Hypatia Women CEO ETF, Liberty One Spectrum ETF, the Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF, and the Liberty One Tactical Income ETF – File No. 801-114538
Liberty One Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Liberty One Spectrum ETF, the Liberty One Defensive Dividend Growth ETF, and the Liberty One Tactical Income ETF – File No. 801-116826
Item 32. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), the principal underwriter of the Registrant, also acts as principal underwriter for the following: Atlas U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Inc., Atlas U.S. Tactical Income Fund, Inc., Boyar Value Fund Inc., Capitol Series Trust, CIM Real Assets & Credit Fund, Copeland Trust, DGI Investment Trust, Grandeur Peak Global Trust, Humankind Benefit Corporation, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, The North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, Princeton Everest Fund, Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust, Texas Capital Funds Trust, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc., Ultimus Managers Trust, Unified Series Trust, Valued Advisers Trust, and Zacks Trust.
(b) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474. The following are the managers and officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:
| Name | Positions and Offices with Underwriter |
Positions and Offices with the Trust |
| Kevin Guerette | President | None |
| William Strait | Secretary, General Counsel, and Manager | None |
| Stephen Preston | Chief Compliance Officer, Financial Operations Principal, AML Compliance Officer | None |
| Melvin Van Cleave | Chief Information Securities Officer | None |
| David James | Manager | None |
Foreside Financial Services, LLC, serves as principal underwriter for the following series of Two Roads Shared Trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund.
Foreside Financial Services, LLC, serves as principal underwriter for the following:
Foreside Financial Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
| 1. | 13D Activist Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust |
| 2. | 2nd Vote Funds |
| 3. | A3 Alternative Credit Fund |
| 4. | AAMA Equity Fund, Series of Asset Management Fund |
| 5. | AAMA Income Fund, Series of Asset Management Fund |
| 6. | Advisers Investment Trust |
| 7. | AltShares Trust |
| 8. | BMO Funds, Inc. |
| 9. | BMO LGM Frontier Markets Equity Fund |
| 10. | Boston Trust Walden Funds (f/k/a The Boston Trust & Walden Funds) |
| 11. | Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund |
| 12. | Conversus StepStone Private Markets |
| 13. | Cook & Bynum Funds Trust |
| 14. | Datum One Series Trust |
| 15. | Diamond Hill Funds |
| 16. | Driehaus Mutual Funds |
| 17. | Emles Trust |
| 18. | Engine No. 1 ETF Trust |
| 19. | FlowStone Opportunity Fund |
| 20. | Inspire 100 ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 21. | Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 22. | Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 23. | Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 24. | Inspire Global Hope ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 25. | Inspire International ESG ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 26. | Inspire Small Mid Cap Impact ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 27. | Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 28. | Pax World Funds Series Trust |
| 29. | Pax World Funds Series Trust III |
| 30. | Praxis Mutual Funds |
| 31. | Primark Private Equity Investments Fund |
| 32. | Rimrock Funds Trust |
| 33. | SA Funds – Investment Trust |
| 34. | Sequoia Fund, Inc. |
| 35. | Siren ETF Trust |
| 36. | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds |
| 37. | Zacks Trust |
Foreside Financial Services, LLC is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.
The following are the Officers of the distributor:
| Name | Address | Position with Underwriter | Position with the Trust |
| Teresa Cowan | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | President | None |
| Chris Lanza | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President | None |
| Kate Macchia | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President | None |
| Jennifer Brunner | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None |
| Kelly Whetstone | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Secretary | None |
| Susan L. LaFond | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Treasurer | None |
| Weston Sommers | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Financial and Operations Principal and Chief Financial Officer | None |
(c). Not Applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for the Registrant. These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.
| 1. | MUFG Union Bank, National Association, 350 California Street 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104 (records relating to its function as custodian) |
| 2. | Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474 (records relating to its functions as administration, accounting and transfer agent and Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Minutes) |
| 3. | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474 (records relating to its function as principal underwriter) |
| 4. | Redwood Investment Management, LLC, 4110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 125, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
| 5. | IronHorse Capital LLC, 3102 West End Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37203 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
| 6. | Anfield Capital Management, LLC, 19900 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 655, Irvine, CA 92612 (records relating to its function as investment adviser and sub-adviser) |
| 7. | Huntington Bank, N.A., 7 Easton Oval, Columbus, OH 43219 (records relating to its function as custodian) |
| 8. | Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC, 5140 Birch Street, Suite 300, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser) |
| 9. | VestGen Investment Management, LLC, 3393 Bargaintown Road, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
| 10. | The Bank of New York Mellon, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10286 (records relating to its function as custodian) |
| 11. | Holbrook Holdings, Inc., 3225 Cumberland Blvd SE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30339 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
| 12. | Recurrent Investment Advisors LLC, 3801 Kirby Dr., Suite 654, Houston, TX 77908 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
| 13. | Regents Park Funds, LLC, 19900 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 655, Irvine, CA 92612 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
| 14. | Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110 (records relating to its function as custodian and transfer agent) |
| 15. | U.S. Bank, N.A, 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (records relating to its function as custodian and transfer agent) | |
| 16. | Hunter Perkins Capital Management, LLC, 377 E. Butterfield Road, Suite 220, Lombard IL 60148 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) | |
| 17. | Hypatia Capital Management LLC, 430 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) | |
| 18. | Vident Advisory, LLC, 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 515 Alpharetta, GA 30009 (records relating to its function as investment sub-adviser) | |
| 19. | Liberty One Investment Management, LLC, 1509 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois 60048 (records relating to its function as investment adviser) |
Item 34. Management Services.
Not Applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings.
Not Applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 24th day of September, 2025.
| Two Roads Shared Trust | ||
| By: | /s/ James Colantino | |
| James Colantino* | ||
| President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| Mark D. Gersten* |
Trustee & Chairman |
September 24, 2025 | ||
| Mark Garbin* |
Trustee |
September 24, 2025 | ||
| Neil M. Kaufman* |
Trustee |
September 24, 2025 | ||
| Anita K. Krug* |
Trustee |
September 24, 2025 | ||
| James Colantino* |
President and Principal Executive Officer |
September 24, 2025 | ||
| Laura Szalyga* |
Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer |
September 24, 2025 |
| *By: | /s/ Timothy Burdick | |
| Timothy Burdick | ||
| Attorney in fact |
Exhibit Index
ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS
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