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AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (NYSE Arca Ticker: VEGA)

SUMMARY PROSPECTUS – November 1, 2017

Before you invest in the AdvisorShares Fund, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, which contain more information about the Fund and the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s current prospectus and statement of additional information, each dated November 1, 2017, as supplemented from time to time, are incorporated by reference into this summary prospectus. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as well as other information about the Fund, online at http://advisorshares.com/fund/vega. You may also obtain this information at no charge by calling 877.843.3831 or by sending an email request to info@advisorshares.com.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (the “Fund”) seeks consistent repeatable returns across all market cycles.

 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the table below.

 

SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)   None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
MANAGEMENT FEES   1.35%
DISTRIBUTION (12b-1) FEES   0.00%
OTHER EXPENSES   0.79%
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES(a)   0.20%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES   2.34%
FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT(b)   -0.29%
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT   2.05%

 

  (a) Total Annual Operating Expenses and Total Annual Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement in this fee table may not correlate to the expense ratios in the Fund’s financial highlights (and the Fund’s financial statements) because the financial highlights include only the Fund’s direct operating expenses and do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, which represent the Fund’s pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the exchange-traded funds in which it invests.

 

  (b) AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (the “Advisor”) has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse expenses to keep net expenses (excluding amounts payable pursuant to any plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1, interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 1.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated without payment of any penalty (i) by the Trust for any reason and at any time and (ii) by the Advisor, for any reason, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, such termination to be effective as of the close of business on the last day of the then-current one-year period.

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EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This Example does not take into account creation or redemption transaction fees, or the brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling shares of the Fund. If these fees and commissions were included, your costs would be higher.

 

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

 

  1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF $208 $703 $1,224 $2,654

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s shares. During the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund is primarily a “fund of funds” and intends to invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) that seek to track a diversified basket of global indices and investment sectors that meet certain selection criteria established by Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”). The Fund also may invest, subject to the same selection criteria, in exchange-traded products that invest directly in commodities or currencies and that are registered only pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (collectively with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). The selection criteria include size, historical track record, diversification among indices, the correlation of an index to other indices and an ability to write covered call options on the particular ETP. The Fund also may invest in individual securities. Individual security selection criteria include fundamental, behavior, qualitative and macro-economic data. The Sub-Advisor may dispose of the Fund’s interest in an ETP or a particular security if it no longer meets the selection criteria. The Fund invests globally, which means that the Sub-Advisor invests anywhere in the world across a variety of asset classes and sectors.

 

The Sub-Advisor seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by using a proprietary strategy known as Volatility Enhanced Global Appreciation (“VEGA”). Through our investment selection, we strive for participation in the appreciation of the underlying assets while reducing the overall volatility of a global portfolio through the use of options.

 

The option strategies used by the Sub-Advisor are limited to covered call writing, selling cash-secured puts, and purchasing protective puts. These options strategies are intended to reduce risk. Covered call writing is when the owner of a security sells the right to someone else to purchase the security at a specified price within a specified time period. The owner receives a premium or payment for giving up the right to gains above the specified price within the defined period. In the event the price does not reach the target within the time period, it expires and the owner of the underlying security keeps the payment. Covered calls are sold on up to 100% of the underlying positions that have options available based upon volatility and its impact on the targeted beta of the overall portfolio. Selling cash-secured puts is when we sell the right to someone to sell us a security at a specified price within a specified time period. This price is generally below the current market value of the underlying security. Cash is used to secure the transaction so that if the put is exercised, and we are required to purchase the underlying security, the cash has already been set aside. Purchasing protective puts is when we purchase the right to sell someone a security at a specified price within a specified time period. There is an associated cost, but in the event the underlying security declines, ownership of the put can potentially help reduce the downside risk. In the event the market rises, the cost of the option can be lost. Through use of the above methods, the Sub-Advisor seeks to provide a strategy that allows for growth with reduced volatility as compared to the underlying portfolio benchmark.

 

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To the extent cash and cash equivalents in the Fund’s portfolio serve as collateral for cash-secured put options, such cash and cash equivalents may not be invested in ETPs, additional options, other securities or other similar investments in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective. Rather, on a day-to-day basis, such collateral may be invested in U.S. government securities, short-term, high quality fixed income securities, money market instruments, cash, and other cash equivalents with maturities of one year or less, or ETPs that hold such investments.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

The Fund is subject to a number of risks, as described below, that may affect the value of its shares, including the possible loss of money. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

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 ETPs and the allocation of assets among such ETPs 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.

 

Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may be riskier than other types of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly exceed the Fund’s original investment. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of a financial asset (such as stock, bond or currency), a physical asset (such as gold) or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). Many derivatives (including option contracts) create leverage thereby causing the Fund to be more volatile than it would be if it had not invested in derivatives. Derivatives also expose the Fund to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations) and to credit risk.

 

Exchange-Traded Note Risk. ETNs are senior, unsecured unsubordinated debt securities issued by an underwriting bank that are designed to provide returns that are linked to a particular reference asset or benchmark less investor fees. ETNs have a maturity date and generally are backed only by the creditworthiness of the issuer. As a result, the value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market (e.g., the commodities market), changes in the applicable interest rates, and changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the underlying market. ETNs also may be subject to commodities market risk and credit risk.

 

Exchange-Traded Product Risk. Through its investments in ETPs, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the ETPs’ investments or reference assets/benchmark components, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by or linked to an ETP could decrease. These risks include any combination of the risks described below, as well as certain of the other risks described in this section. The Fund’s exposure to a particular risk will be proportionate to the Fund’s overall allocation to the ETPs and the ETPs’ asset allocation.

 

  · Commodity Risk. An ETP’s investment in commodities or commodity-linked derivative instruments may subject the ETP (and indirectly the Fund) to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly if the instruments involve leverage. The value of commodities 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.

 

  · Concentration Risk. An ETP may, at various times, concentrate in the securities or commodities of a particular industry, group of industries, market sector or geographic region. To the extent an ETP’s investments are so concentrated, the Fund may be adversely affected by political, regulatory, and market conditions affecting the particular industry, group of industries, market sector or geographic region.

 

  · Counterparty Risk. Commodity-linked derivatives, repurchase agreements, swap agreements and other forms of financial instruments that involve counterparties subject an ETP to the risk that the counterparty could default on its obligations under the agreement, either through the counterparty’s bankruptcy or failure to perform its obligations.

 

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  · Credit Risk. Certain of the ETPs are subject to the risk that a decline in the credit quality of a portfolio investment or a counterparty to a portfolio investment could cause the ETP’s share price to fall. The ETPs could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a portfolio investment or the counterparty to a derivatives contract fails to make timely principal or interest payments or otherwise honor its obligations.

 

  · Emerging Markets Risk. There is an increased risk of price volatility associated with an ETP’s investments in, or exposure to, emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar.

 

  · Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities in which an ETP invests or is exposed to rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual issuers, industries or the securities market as a whole.

 

  · Foreign Currency Risk. Currency movements may negatively impact the value of an ETP portfolio security even when there is no change in the value of the security in the issuer’s home country. Certain ETPs may not hedge against the risk of currency exchange rate fluctuations, while other ETPs may if there is volatility in currency exchange rates.

 

  · Foreign Securities Risk. An ETP’s investments in, or exposure to, foreign issuers involve certain risks including, but not limited to, risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions, or changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges). In certain countries, legal remedies available to investors may be more limited than those available with respect to investments in the United States. In addition, the securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid and, at times, more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.

 

  · Large-Capitalization Risk. An ETP may invest in large-capitalization companies. Returns on investments in stocks of large U.S. companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of small- and mid-cap companies or the market as a whole.

 

  · Mid-Capitalization Risk. An ETP may invest in mid-capitalization companies. Mid-cap companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-cap companies to have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, and to depend on a few key employees. Returns on investments in stocks of mid-cap companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of large-cap companies or the equity market as a whole.

 

  · Small-Capitalization Risk. An ETP may invest in small-capitalization companies. Small-cap companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments. In particular, small-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets, and financial resources and may be dependent upon a relatively small management group. These securities may be listed on an exchange or trade over-the-counter, and may or may not pay dividends. During a period when the performance of small-cap stocks falls behind that of other types of investments, such as large-cap stocks, the ETP’s performance could be adversely affected.

 

  · Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error can arise due to factors such as the effect of transaction fees and expenses incurred by an ETP, changes in composition of the ETP’s benchmark, and the ability of the ETP manager or sponsor to successfully implement his or her investment strategy.

 

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Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular Fund investments are difficult to purchase or sell. This can reduce the Fund’s returns because the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or prices.

 

Management Risk. The Sub-Advisor continuously evaluates the Fund’s holdings, purchases and sales with a view to achieving the Fund’s investment objective. However, the achievement of the stated investment objective cannot be guaranteed. The Sub-Advisor’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment.

 

Market Risk. Due to market conditions, the value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate significantly from day to day. Price fluctuations may be temporary or may last for extended periods. This volatility may cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease. Because of its link to the markets, an investment in the Fund may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short-term principal fluctuations, which at times may be significant.

 

Options Risk. Writing and purchasing call and put options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. The value of the Fund’s positions in options fluctuates in response to changes in the value of the underlying security. The Fund also risks losing all or part of the cash paid for purchasing call and put options. Fund assets covering written options cannot be sold while the option is outstanding, unless replaced with similar assets. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could affect its portfolio management as well as the ability of the Fund to meet other current obligations.

 

Tax Risk. In order to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from certain categories of income (“qualifying income”) and must satisfy certain asset diversification requirements. Certain of the Fund’s investments may generate income that is not qualifying income. If the Fund were to fail to meet the qualifying income test or asset diversification requirements and fail to qualify as a RIC, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income.

 

Trading Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade above or below their net asset value (“NAV”). The trading price of the Fund’s shares may deviate significantly from their NAV during periods of market volatility and, in such instances, you may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Fund’s shares. Although the Fund’s shares are currently listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in shares of the Fund may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), make trading in shares inadvisable.

 

FUND PERFORMANCE

 

The bar chart and table that follow show how the Fund has performed on a calendar year basis and provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the MSCI World Index, which is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. Both the bar chart and the table assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.advisorshares.com.

 

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The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2017 was 8.73%.

 

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

    Return     Quarter/Year
Highest Return   3.51%     4Q/2015
Lowest Return   -5.75%     3Q/2015

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

ADVISORSHARES STAR GLOBAL BUY-WRITE ETF   1 Year    

Since
Inception

(9/17/2012)

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV   6.83%     2.63%   
Return After Taxes on Distributions   6.46%     2.51%   
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares   3.87%     1.99%   
MSCI World Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)   7.51%     8.53%   

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares may exceed other average annual total returns due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Name Title
AdvisorShares Investments, LLC Advisor
   
Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC Sub-Advisor

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Name and Title Length of Service with Sub-Advisor
   
Kenneth R. Hyman, President and Chief Executive Officer since 2002
David Young, Chief Investment Officer since 2015
Peter Van De Zilver, Portfolio Manager since 2015
Rebecca M. Valdez, Director of Investments since 2007

 

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

 

The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in a large specified number of shares called a “Creation Unit.” The shares of the Fund that trade on the Exchange are “created” at their NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of at least 25,000 shares. A “creator” enters into an authorized participant agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Distributor or uses a Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participant who has executed a Participant Agreement (an “Authorized Participant”), and deposits into the Fund a portfolio of securities closely approximating the holdings of the Fund and a specified amount of cash, together totaling the NAV of the Creation Unit(s), in exchange for at least 25,000 shares of the Fund (or multiples thereof).

 

Individual Fund shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. The shares of the Fund are listed on the Exchange, and because shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, shares may trade at a value greater than or less than their NAV.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains (or a combination thereof), unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), which may be taxed upon withdrawal.

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

Investors purchasing shares in the secondary market through a brokerage account or with the assistance of a broker may be subject to brokerage commissions and charges. If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing broker-dealers or other intermediaries 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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