485APOS 1 fp0049692_485apos.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2020

 

Securities Act File No. 333-148826

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
   
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [  ]
Post Effective Amendment No. 298 [X]

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]

 

Amendment No. 299 [X]

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

1290 Broadway
Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(303) 623-2577
Registrant’s Telephone Number

 

Richard C. Noyes, Esq.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
1290 Broadway
Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copy to:

Adam T. Teufel, Esq.
Dechert LLP
1900 K Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

[  ]   Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[  ]   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
[  ]   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[  ]   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[X]   On March 31, 2020 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[  ]   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus

 

March 31, 2020

 

ALPS ETF Trust

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (NYSE ARCA: RDOG)

 

An ALPS Advisors Solution

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

     

Summary Section

2

Introduction—ALPS ETF Trust

6

Tax-Advantaged Product Structure

6

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

6

Additional Information About the Fund’s Principal Investment Risks

6

Secondary Investment Strategies

9

Additional Risk Considerations

10

Investment Advisory Services

11

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

12

How to Buy and Sell Shares

12

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions

14

Fund Service Providers

14

Index Provider

15

Disclaimers

15

Federal Income Taxation

15

Other Information

17

Financial Highlights

17

For More Information

Back Cover

 

 

alpsfunds.com

1-866-759-5679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Section*

 

ALPS REIT DIVIDEND DOGS ETF (THE “FUND”)

 

*

Effective January 2, 2020, the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (Ticker: GRI) changed its name and ticker symbol to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (Ticker: RDOG).

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of an index called the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index (ticker symbol RDOGX) (the “Underlying Index”).

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Shares”). Investors purchasing or selling Shares in the secondary market may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker. These costs are not included in the expense example below.

 

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

 

Management Fees(1)

0.35%

Other Expenses

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

0.35%

 

(1)

Restated to reflect current fees.

 

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same each year.

 

 

One
Year

Three
Years

Five
Years

Ten
Years

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

$36

$113

$196

$443

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended November 30, 2019, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was __% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) will seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® US Composite REIT Index, a universe of mainly REITs listed in the United States (the “S-Net U.S. REIT”), on a segment-by-segment basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five REITs in each of the nine segments that make up the S-Net U.S. REIT which offer the highest dividend yields.

 

The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks and other equity securities (which may include REITs, American depositary receipts (“ADRs”), American depositary shares (“ADSs”) and global depositary receipts (“GDRs”)) that comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The Underlying Index generally consists of 45 REITs on each annual reconstitution date, which is the third Friday of December each year. The Underlying Index’s REITs must be constituents of the S-Net U.S. REIT universe, which includes a universe of mainly REITs listed in the United States. The selection criteria for the universe also includes requirements for segment inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, share price, average daily trading volume and other factors.

 

Individual securities to be included in the Underlying Index are selected based on a ranking system within each segment that selects the top five REITs in the segment by indicated dividend yield as of the last trading day of November that have funds from operations per share greater than their trailing-12-month dividends per share. Indicated dividend yield is computed based on the last regular cash dividend paid by the company multiplied by the payment frequency, divided by the share price. (Special dividends are not included). The eligible REITs that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

 

Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause you to lose money.

 

Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

 

Market Risk. The values of equity securities, such as common stocks and preferred stock, may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic

 

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Prospectus | March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

conditions, inflation (or expectations for inflation), changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities.

 

Real Estate Investment Risk. The Fund invests in companies in the real estate industry, including real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Therefore, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with investing in real estate, which may include, but are not limited to, possible declines in the value of real estate; adverse changes in national, state or local real estate conditions; obsolescence of properties; changes in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage funds (including changes in interest rates); the impact of changes in environmental laws; overbuilding in a real estate company’s market; and environmental problems.

 

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Smaller and mid-size companies often have a more limited track record, narrower markets, less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Concentration Risk. Real estate companies may lack diversification due to ownership of a limited number of properties and concentration in a particular geographic region or property type.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Rising interest rates could result in higher costs of capital for real estate companies, which could negatively impact a real estate company’s ability to meet its payment obligations. Given that the Federal Reserve has raised and may continue to raise interest rates, the Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk.

 

Underlying Segment Risk. The Fund will be exposed to the additional risks associated with its investments in companies of each segment of the Underlying Index.

 

High Dividend Yield Style Risk. While the Fund may hold securities of companies that have historically paid a high dividend yield, those companies may reduce or discontinue their dividends, thus reducing the yield of the Fund. Also, the market return of high dividend yield securities, in certain market conditions, may be worse than the market return of other investment strategies or the overall stock market.

 

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.

 

Leverage Risk. Real estate companies may use leverage (and some may be highly leveraged), which increases investment risk and the risks normally associated with debt financing and could adversely affect a real estate company’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates.

 

Liquidity Risk. Real estate is relatively illiquid and, therefore, a real estate company may have a limited ability to vary or liquidate properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions. These risks are especially applicable in conditions of declining real estate values, such as those experienced for several years starting in 2007.

 

Management Risk. Real estate companies are dependent upon management skills and may have limited financial resources. Real estate companies are generally not diversified and may be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, transactions between real estate companies and their affiliates may be subject to conflicts of interest, which may adversely affect a real estate company’s shareholders.

 

Property Risk. Real estate companies may be subject to risks relating to functional obsolescence or reduced desirability of properties; extended vacancies; catastrophic events; and casualty or condemnation losses. Real estate income and values also may be greatly affected by demographic trends, changing tastes and values, or increasing vacancies or declining rents.

 

Regulatory Risk. Real estate income and values may be adversely affected by such factors as applicable domestic and foreign laws (including tax laws). Government actions, such as tax increases, zoning law changes or environmental regulations, also may have a major impact on real estate.

 

Repayment Risk. The prices of real estate company securities may drop because of the failure of borrowers to repay their loans, poor management, and the inability to obtain financing either on favorable terms or at all. If the properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, ground lease payments, tenant improvements, third-party leasing commissions and other capital expenditures, the income and ability of the real estate company to make payments of interest and principal on their loans will be adversely affected.

 

Non-Correlation Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons including operating expenses incurred by the Fund not applicable to the Underlying Index, costs in buying and selling securities, asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies.

 

Depositary Receipt Risk. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market and, if not included in the Underlying Index, may negatively affect the Fund’s ability to replicate the performance of the Underlying Index.

 

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Index Management Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index.

 

Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Underlying Index and the Fund are significantly comprised of securities of issuers from a single country, the Fund would be more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the Shares on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV.

 

FUND PERFORMANCE

 

On July 1, 2011, ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Fund’s investment adviser, assumed all responsibility for selecting the Fund’s investments. Performance figures shown below for periods before July 1, 2011 represent performance of the Fund during the times when the Fund’s investments were selected by the prior sub-advisor to the Fund. On January 2, 2020, the Fund changed its Underlying Index and principal investment strategies. Consequently, the Fund’s total returns shown below for the periods prior to January 2, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the Fund, as it is currently managed. The following bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for certain time periods compare with the average annual returns of the Underlying Index and other benchmarks of market performance. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.alpsfunds.com or by calling 866.759.5679.

 

Annual Total Returns (calendar years ended 12/31)

[Highest Quarterly Return

34.87%

(June 30, 2009)

Lowest Quarterly Return

-24.94%

(March 31, 2009)]

 

The after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and may differ from those shown below. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
For the periods ended December 31, 2019

 

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Since
Inception
(May 7,
2008)

Return Before Taxes

%

%

%

%

Return After Taxes on Distributions

%

%

%

%

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

%

%

%

%

S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index*(1) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

%

%

%

%

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Portfolio Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

%

%

%

%

S-Network® Composite US REIT Index*(2) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

%

%

%

%

S&P 500® Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

%

%

%

%

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index* (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

%

%

%

%

 

*

Index performance shown in the table is the total return, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions during the time periods shown.

 

(1)

Effective January 2, 2020, the Fund replaced the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Portfolio Index as the Fund’s primary benchmark for performance comparison purposes. The Adviser made this recommendation to the Board because the Fund’s new primary benchmark, the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index more closely aligns with the Fund’s investment strategies and investment restrictions. Returns for both benchmarks will be shown for a transition period.

 

(2)

Effective January 2, 2020, the Fund replaced the S&P 500® Index and the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index as the Fund’s secondary benchmarks for performance comparison purposes. The Adviser made this recommendation to the Board because the Fund’s new secondary benchmark, the S-Network®

 

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Prospectus | March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

Composite US REIT Index, more closely aligns with the Fund’s investment strategies and investment restrictions. Returns for both benchmarks will be shown for a transition period.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Ryan Mischker, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Research, and Andrew Hicks, Vice President of Index Management of ALPS Advisors, Inc., are responsible for the day to day management of the Fund. Mr. Mischker and Mr. Hicks have each served in such capacity since March 2015 and March 2016, respectively.

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

 

The Trust issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit” or multiples thereof. A Creation Unit consists of 50,000 Shares. Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities in the Underlying Index and/or cash.

 

Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol RDOG and, because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Fund’s distributions are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

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

 

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Introduction—ALPS ETF Trust

 

ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment company consisting of multiple separate exchange-traded funds. This prospectus relates to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF. ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors”) is the investment adviser for the Fund (the “Adviser”).

 

The Fund’s shares (the “Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”). The Fund’s Shares trade at market prices that may differ from the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Shares. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in large specified blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Tax-Advantaged Product Structure

 

Unlike interests in many conventional mutual funds, the Shares are traded throughout the day on a national securities exchange, whereas mutual fund interests are typically only bought and sold at closing NAVs. The Shares have been designed to be tradable in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis, and to be created and redeemed principally in-kind in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. These arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from adverse effects on the Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash creation and redemption transactions. In a conventional mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the mutual fund’s need to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas the Shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism utilized by most exchange-traded funds, including the Fund, generally will not lead to a tax event for the Fund or its ongoing shareholders.

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Board of Trustees” or “Board”) without shareholder approval.

 

Additional Information about Principal Investment Strategies

The Board of Trustees may change the Fund’s investment strategy and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated.

 

Underlying Index Construction

The Underlying Index, like the S-Network® US Composite REIT Index (“S-Net U.S. REIT”) from which components of the Underlying Index are selected, divides into nine segments, eight of which are based on Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) Sub-Industries (excluding Technology REITs involved in cell towers and/or data centers) and a separate Technology REIT segment based on the research of S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. (the “Index Provider”):

 

 

Diversified REITs

 

Health Care REITs

 

Industrial REITs

 

Retail REITs

 

Technology REITs

 

Office REITs

 

Hotel & Resort REITs

 

Residential REITs

 

Specialized REITs

 

The selection criteria for S-Net U.S. REIT include requirements for segment inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, minimum average daily trading volume, and other factors. All constituents of the Underlying Index must be constituents of S-Net U.S. REIT. The Underlying Index excludes all operating companies within the real estate sector as well as Mortgage REITs.

 

Individual securities to be included in the Underlying Index are selected based on a ranking system within each segment that selects the top five REITs in the segment by indicated dividend yield as of the last trading day of November that have funds from operations per share greater than their trailing-12-month dividends per share. Indicated dividend yield is computed based on the last regular cash dividend paid by the company multiplied by the payment frequency, divided by the share price. (Special dividends are not included). The eligible REITs that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted.

 

The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider, and its publication began in October 2019. The Index Provider serves as calculation agent. Underlying Index values are distributed to the public via the Chicago Mercantile Exchange throughout the day, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time the following day, at 15 second intervals under the symbol “RDOGX.”

 

Additional Information About the Fund’s Principal Investment Risks

 

Investors should consider the following additional information about the Fund’s principal investment risks.

 

Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

 

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Prospectus | March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

Market Risk. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is market risk, which is the risk that the value of the securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held by the Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common stock is subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while broad market measures of common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.

 

Real Estate Investment Risk. The Fund invests in companies in the real estate industry, including real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Therefore, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with investing in real estate, which may include, but are not limited to, possible declines in the value of real estate; adverse changes in national, state or local real estate conditions; obsolescence of properties; changes in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage funds (including changes in interest rates); the impact of changes in environmental laws; overbuilding in a real estate company’s market; and environmental problems.

 

In addition, a REIT that fails to comply with federal tax requirements affecting REITs may be subject to federal income taxation, or the federal tax requirement that a REIT distribute substantially all of its net income to its shareholders may result in a REIT having insufficient capital for future expenditures. The value of a REIT can depend on the structure of and cash flow generated by the REIT. In addition, like mutual funds, REITs have expenses, including advisory and administration fees, that are paid by their shareholders. As a result, you will absorb duplicate levels of fees when the Fund invests in REITs. In addition, REITs are subject to certain provisions under federal tax law. The failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Fund, including significantly reducing return to the Fund on its investment in such company. Other countries have REIT-like structures (in which the Fund may invest) with associated tax requirements.

 

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in securities of small and mid-capitalization companies are subject to the risks of common stocks. Investments in smaller and mid-size companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally have a limited track record. A small capitalization company is defined as a company with a market capitalization between $300 million and $2 billion. A medium capitalization company is defined as a company with a market capitalization between $2 billion and $10 billion. Smaller and mid-size companies often have narrower markets, less liquidity, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Concentration Risk. Real estate companies may lack diversification due to ownership of a limited number of properties and concentration in a particular geographic region or property type.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Rising interest rates could result in higher costs of capital for real estate companies, which could negatively impact a real estate company’s ability to meet its payment obligations. Given that the Federal Reserve has raised and may continue to raise interest rates, the Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk.

 

Underlying Segment Risk. The Fund will be exposed to the additional risks associated with its investments in companies of each segment of the Underlying Index.

 

High Dividend Yield Style Risk. While the Fund may hold securities of companies that have historically paid a high dividend yield, those companies may reduce or discontinue their dividends, thus reducing the yield of the Fund. Low priced securities in the Fund may be more susceptible to these risks. Past dividend payments are not a guarantee of future dividend payments. Also, the market return of high dividend yield securities, in certain market conditions, may be worse than the market return of other investment strategies or the overall stock market.

 

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.

 

Leverage Risk. Real estate companies may use leverage (and some may be highly leveraged), which increases investment risk and the risks normally associated with debt financing and could adversely affect a real estate company’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates. Financial covenants related to a real estate company’s leveraging may affect the ability of the real estate company to operate effectively. In addition, real property may be subject to the quality of credit extended and defaults by borrowers and tenants.

 

Liquidity Risk. Real estate is relatively illiquid and, therefore, a real estate company may have a limited ability to vary or liquidate properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions. These risks are especially applicable in conditions of declining real estate values, such as those experienced for several years starting in 2007.

 

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Management Risk. Real estate companies are dependent upon management skills and may have limited financial resources. Real estate companies are generally not diversified and may be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, transactions between real estate companies and their affiliates may be subject to conflicts of interest, which may adversely affect a real estate company’s shareholders. A real estate company may also have joint venture investments in certain of its properties and, consequently, its ability to control decisions relating to such properties may be limited.

 

Property Risk. Real estate companies may be subject to risks relating to functional obsolescence or reduced desirability of properties; extended vacancies due to economic conditions and tenant bankruptcies; catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist acts; and casualty or condemnation losses. Real estate income and values also may be greatly affected by demographic trends, such as population shifts or changing tastes and values, or increasing vacancies or declining rents resulting from legal, cultural, technological, global or local economic developments.

 

Regulatory Risk. Real estate income and values may be adversely affected by such factors as applicable domestic and foreign laws (including tax laws). Government actions, such as tax increases, zoning law changes or environmental regulations, also may have a major impact on real estate.

 

Repayment Risk. The prices of real estate company securities may drop because of the failure of borrowers to repay their loans, poor management, and the inability to obtain financing either on favorable terms or at all. If the properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, including, where applicable, debt service, ground lease payments, tenant improvements, third-party leasing commissions and other capital expenditures, the income and ability of the real estate company to make payments of interest and principal on their loans will be adversely affected. These risks are especially applicable in conditions of declining real estate values, such as those experienced for several years starting in 2007. Many real estate companies utilize leverage, which increases investment risk and could adversely affect a company’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates.

 

Non-Correlation Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Underlying Index. These transaction costs may be higher for a Fund investing in foreign securities. Transaction costs, including brokerage costs, will decrease the Fund’s NAV to the extent not offset by the transaction fee payable by an authorized participant. Market disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track its Underlying Index. It is also possible that the Fund may not replicate the Underlying Index to the extent it has to adjust its portfolio holdings in order to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, the performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary due to asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions, cash flows or operational inefficiencies. Tax withholdings imposed by foreign countries may also contribute to differences between the Fund’s return and the return of the Underlying Index.

 

Due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations (including exchange listing standards) imposed domestically or by certain countries in which securities in the Underlying Index trade, the Fund may not be able to invest in all securities included in the Underlying Index. The Fund may exclude certain securities included in the Underlying Index that are traded in certain countries due to issues such as trading restrictions, cost or liquidity constraints. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate from the Underlying Index.

 

The risk that the Fund may not match the performance of the Underlying Index may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Errors in the construction or calculation of the Underlying Index may occur from time to time. Any such errors may not be identified and corrected by the Index Provider for some period of time, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund and its shareholders. For example, during a period where the Fund’s Underlying Index contains incorrect constituents, the Fund would have market exposure to such constituents and would be underexposed to the Underlying Index’s other constituents. Any gains due to the Index Provider’s or others’ errors will be kept by the Fund and its shareholders and any losses resulting from the Index Provider’s or others’ errors will be borne by the Fund and its shareholders.

 

The Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and expenses. If the Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index, its return may not correlate as well with the return on the Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.

 

To the extent the Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”) based on fair value prices and the value of the Underlying Index is based on securities closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Underlying Index is not based on fair value prices) or the Fund otherwise calculates its NAV based on prices that differ from those used in calculating the Underlying Index, the Fund’s ability to track the Underlying Index may be adversely affected.

 

Depositary Receipt Risk. The Fund may hold the securities of non-U.S. companies in the form of ADRs and GDRs. ADRs are negotiable certificates issued by a U.S. financial institution

 

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that represent a specified number of shares in a foreign stock and trade on a U.S. national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Sponsored ADRs are issued with the support of the issuer of the foreign stock underlying the ADRs and carry all of the rights of common shares, including voting rights. GDRs are similar to ADRs, but may be issued in bearer form and are typically offered for sale globally and held by a foreign branch of an international bank. The underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the U.S. and, therefore, such information may not correlate to the market value of the unsponsored depositary receipt. The underlying securities of the ADRs and GDRs in the Fund’s portfolio are usually denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, because the underlying securities of ADRs and GDRs trade on foreign exchanges at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading, the value of the securities underlying the ADRs and GDRs may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading, regardless of whether there is an active U.S. market for Shares of the Fund.

 

Index Management Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index.

 

Geographic Concentration Risk. To the extent the Underlying Index and the Fund are significantly comprised of securities of issuers from a single country, the Fund would be more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax or economic policy in a country could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value. 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 NYSE Arca. The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of the Underlying Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the NYSE Arca and may, therefore, have a material effect on the market price of the Fund’s Shares.

 

Secondary Investment Strategies

 

As a principal investment strategy, the Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in component securities that comprise the Underlying Index. As a non-principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest its remaining assets in money market instruments, including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index), forward foreign currency exchange contracts and in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps, options and futures contracts (and convertible securities and structured notes) may be used by the Fund in seeking performance that corresponds to the Underlying Index, and in managing cash flows. The Adviser anticipates that it may take approximately three business days (i.e., each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open) for additions and deletions to the Underlying Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of the Fund.

 

The Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its total assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes.

 

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, the Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent. This collateral is marked to market on a daily basis, and will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent.

 

The Fund operates as an index fund and is not actively managed. The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses to the performance of the Underlying Index. Because the Fund uses a passive management approach to seek to achieve its investment objective, the Fund does not take temporary defensive positions during periods of adverse market, economic or other conditions.

 

The Fund generally invests in all of the stocks comprising the Underlying Index in proportion to their weightings in the Underlying Index. However, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the stocks in the Underlying Index in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Fund may purchase a sample of the stocks in the Underlying Index in proportions expected by ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Adviser to replicate generally the performance of the Underlying Index as a whole. There may also be instances in which the Adviser may choose to overweight another stock in the Underlying Index, purchase (or sell) securities not in the Underlying Index which the Adviser believes are appropriate to substitute for one or more Underlying Index components, or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques, in seeking to accurately track

 

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the Underlying Index. The Fund may also deviate from the index weightings in an attempt to recognize capital gains or losses. In addition, from time to time stocks are added to or removed from the Underlying Index. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in the Underlying Index or purchase stocks that are not yet represented in the Underlying Index in anticipation of their removal from or addition to the Underlying Index.

 

The investment objective and policies described herein constitute non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Certain other fundamental policies of the Fund are set forth in the Statement of Additional Information under “Investment Restrictions.”

 

Additional Risk Considerations

 

In addition to the risks described previously, there are certain other risks related to investing in the Fund.

 

Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NYSE Arca, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the NYSE Arca “Circuit breaker” rules. If a trading halt or unanticipated early closing of NYSE Arca occurs, a shareholder may be unable to purchase or sell Shares of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

 

While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to the Fund’s NAV, market prices are not expected to correlate exactly to the Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, adverse developments impacting market makers, authorized participants or other market participants, high market volatility or lack of an active trading market for the Shares (including through a trading halt) may result in market prices for Shares of the Fund that differ significantly from its NAV or to the intraday value of the Fund’s holdings. If an investor purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of the Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of the Shares, then the investor may sustain losses.

 

Given the nature of the relevant markets for certain of the securities for the Fund, Shares may trade at a larger premium or discount to NAV than shares of other kinds of ETFs. In addition, the securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than NYSE Arca. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when NYSE Arca is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid/ask spreads and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares’ NAV may widen.

 

When you buy or sell Shares of the Fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges imposed by brokers. In addition, the market price of Shares, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a “bid-ask spread” charged by the market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. The spread of the Fund’s Shares varies over time based on the Fund’s trading volume and market liquidity and may increase if the Fund’s trading volume, the spread of the Fund’s underlying securities, or market liquidity decrease. In times of severe market disruption, including when trading of the Fund’s holdings may be halted, the bid-ask spread may increase significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to the Fund’s NAV, and the discount is likely to be greatest during significant market volatility. During such periods, you may be unable to sell your Shares or may incur significant losses if you sell your Shares. There are various methods by which investors can purchase and sell shares of the Fund and various orders that may be placed. Investors should consult their financial intermediary before purchasing or selling shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Risk. Certain shareholders, including other funds advised by the Adviser, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Fund’s Shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, an authorized participant, a market maker or another entity may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a limited period of time. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment. Redemptions by shareholders could have a negative impact on the Fund. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the Fund’s listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material effect on the market price of the Shares.

 

Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. Only an authorized participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of intermediaries that act as authorized participants, and none of these authorized participants are or will be obligated to engage in creation or redemption transactions. To the extent that these intermediaries exit the business or are unable to or choose not to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders (including in situations where authorized participants have limited or diminished access to capital required to post collateral), with respect to the Fund and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, Shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting (that is, investors would no longer be able to trade shares in the secondary market). The authorized participant concentration risk may be heightened in scenarios where authorized participants have limited or diminished access to the capital required to post collateral.

 

No Guarantee of Active Trading Market Risk. While Shares are listed on NYSE Arca, there can be no assurance that active trading markets for the Shares will be maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Decisions by market makers or authorized participants to reduce their role or “step away”

 

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from these activities in times of market stress may inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying value of the Fund’s holdings and the Fund’s NAV. Such reduced effectiveness could result in the Fund’s Shares trading at a discount to its NAV and also in greater than normal intraday bid/ask spreads for the Fund’s Shares. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings.

 

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

 

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

 

Tax Risk. Under recent tax legislation, individuals (and certain other non-corporate entities) are generally eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to taxable ordinary dividends from REITs and certain taxable income from publicly traded partnerships. Currently, there is not a mechanism for a regulated investment company such as the Fund to pass through the 20% deduction to shareholders although it is possible that a legislative or regulatory approach to do so may be provided in the future. As a result, in comparison, investors investing directly in REITs or publicly traded partnerships would generally be eligible for the 20% deduction for such taxable income from these investments while investors investing in REITs or publicly traded partnerships indirectly through the Fund would not be eligible for the 20% deduction for their share of such taxable income.

 

These risks are described further in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

Investment Advisory Services

 

Investment Adviser

Located in Denver, Colorado, ALPS Holdings was founded in 1985 as a provider of fund administration and fund distribution services. Since then, ALPS Holdings has added additional services, including fund accounting, transfer agency, shareholder services, active distribution, legal, tax and compliance services. As of December 31, 2019, ALPS Advisors, Inc. managed over $__ billion in assets. ALPS Holdings is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (“SS&C”), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which acquired ALPS Holdings’ parent company DST Systems, Inc. in a transaction which closed on April 16, 2018. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets and administers the affairs of the Fund to the extent requested by the Board of Trustees.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a unitary fee for the services and facilities it provides payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

 

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for the Fund.

 

The Fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Fund’s investment adviser, who provide services to the Fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of those contractual arrangements.

 

This Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provide information concerning the Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the Fund. The Fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred by federal or state securities laws.

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the current Advisory Agreement will be provided in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended May 31, 2020.

 

Portfolio Management

Ryan Mischker, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Research and Andrew Hicks, Vice President, Index Management of ALPS Advisors are the Portfolio Managers of the Fund and are also responsible for the refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process.

 

Mr. Mischker has been Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2015. Prior to joining ALPS Advisors, Mr. Mischker served as Compliance Manager of ALPS, where he was primarily responsible for managing all post-trade monitoring for IRS, SEC and registration statement investment guidelines and

 

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restrictions. Mr. Mischker has over 18 years of financial services experience and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.S. in Finance and B.A. in Economics.

 

Mr. Hicks is a Director of Portfolio Management & Research at ALPS Advisors and has been a Portfolio Manager of the Funds since March 2016. He joined the firm as a Portfolio Manager in 2015. Prior to ALPS, Mr. Hicks was a senior equity trader and global research analyst with Virtus Investment Partners and SCM Advisors, an affiliate of Virtus. Mr. Hicks began his career in semiconductor equity research at Citi, and he earned an accounting degree from Miami University (Ohio) while interning each summer on the American Stock Exchange in New York City.

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation structure, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities of the Fund.

 

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

 

General

The Shares are issued or redeemed by the Fund at NAV per Share only in Creation Unit size. See “How to Buy and Sell Shares.”

 

Most investors buy and sell Shares of the Fund in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares. There is no minimum investment. Although Shares are generally purchased and sold in “round lots” of 100 Shares, brokerage firms typically permit investors to purchase or sell Shares in smaller “odd lots,” at no per share price differential. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction. The Fund trades on the NYSE Arca at prices that may differ to varying degrees from the daily NAV of the Shares. Given that the Fund’s Shares can be issued and redeemed in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts and premiums to NAV should not be sustained for long. The Fund trades under the NYSE Arca ticker symbol RDOG.

 

Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share.

 

Investors may acquire Shares directly from the Fund, and shareholders may tender their Shares for redemption directly to the Fund, only in Creation Units of 50,000 Shares, as discussed in the “How to Buy and Sell Shares” section below.

 

Book-Entry

Shares are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes (except for tax purposes).

 

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

 

How to Buy and Sell Shares

 

Pricing Fund Shares

The trading price of the Fund’s Shares on the NYSE Arca may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors.

 

The NYSE Arca disseminates the approximate value of Shares of the Fund every fifteen seconds. The approximate value calculations are based on local market prices and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. As a result, premiums and discounts between the approximate value and the market price could be affected. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per Share of the Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and the Fund does not make any warranty as to its accuracy.

 

The NAV per Share for the Fund is determined once daily as of the close of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, each day the NYSE is open for trading. NAV per Share is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses), by the total number of Shares outstanding.

 

Equity securities are valued at the last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the day the securities are being valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Equity securities that are traded in over-the-counter markets are valued at the last quoted sales price in the markets in which they trade or,

 

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if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price generally will be used. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices for such securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality, and type. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, including restricted securities, are valued by a method that the Trustees believe accurately reflects fair value. Securities will be valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, such as when a security’s value or meaningful portion of the Fund’s portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event. Such events may include a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, a trading halt in a security, an unscheduled early market close or a substantial fluctuation in domestic and foreign markets that has occurred between the close of the principal exchange and the NYSE. In such a case, the value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair market value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset’s sale.

 

Trading in securities on many foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally completed before the close of business on each U.S. business day. In addition, securities trading in a particular country or countries may not take place on all U.S. business days or may take place on days that are not U.S. business days. Changes in valuations on certain securities may occur at times or on days on which the Fund’s net asset value is not calculated and on which the Fund does not effect sales, redemptions and exchanges of its Shares.

 

Creation Units

Investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units (large specified blocks of 50,000 Shares) directly with the Fund must have entered into an authorized participant agreement (such investors being “Authorized Participants” or “APs”) with ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”), and accepted by the transfer agent, or purchase through a dealer that has entered into such an agreement. Set forth below is a brief description of the procedures applicable to purchase and redemption of Creation Units. For more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

How to Buy Shares

In order to purchase Creation Units of the Fund, an investor must generally deposit a designated portfolio of equity securities included in the Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”) and generally make a small cash payment referred to as the “Cash Component.” For those APs that are not eligible for trading a Deposit Security, custom orders are available. The list of the names and the numbers of shares of the Deposit Securities is made available by the Fund’s custodian through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”) immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca. The Cash Component represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities. In the case of custom orders, cash-in-lieu may be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Securities that the AP may not be eligible to trade.

 

Orders must be placed in proper form by or through a participant of the DTC (“DTC Participant”) that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor, and accepted by the transfer agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. All standard orders must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units of Shares of the Fund and must be received by the distributor in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) (“Closing Time”) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the order must be received by the distributor no later than one hour prior to Closing Time in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. A custom order may be placed by an AP in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such AP or the investor for which it is acting or any other relevant reason.

 

A fixed creation transaction fee of $500 per transaction (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. An additional variable charge for cash creations or partial cash creations may also be imposed to compensate the Fund for the costs associated with buying the applicable securities. The Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per Share times the number of Shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any transfer taxes.

 

Shares of the Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities on deposit with the Trust.

 

For more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

Legal Restrictions on Transactions in Certain Stocks

An investor subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit may, at the Fund’s discretion, be permitted to deposit an equivalent amount of cash in substitution for any stock which would otherwise be included in the Deposit Securities applicable to the purchase of a

 

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Creation Unit. For more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

Redemption of Shares

Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV and only on a day the NYSE Arca is open for business. The Fund’s custodian makes available immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca, through the facilities of the NSCC, the list of the names and the numbers of shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable that day to redemption requests in proper form (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities, which are applicable to purchases of Creation Units. Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds consist of the Fund Securities, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of Shares being redeemed as next determined after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes. Should the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of Shares being redeemed, a compensating cash payment to the Fund equal to the differential, plus the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes will be required to be arranged for, by or on behalf of the redeeming shareholder.

 

An order to redeem Creation Units of the Fund may only be effected by or through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units and must be received by the transfer agent in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.

 

A fixed redemption transaction fee of $500 per transaction (the “Redemption Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions or partial cash redemptions may also be imposed to compensate the Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. The Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. The Fund reserves the right to effect redemptions in cash. A shareholder may request a cash redemption in lieu of securities, however, the Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request.

 

For more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

Distributions

Dividends and Capital Gains. Fund shareholders are entitled to their share of the Fund’s income and net realized gains on its investments. The Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

 

The Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and may earn interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” The Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

 

Income dividends, if any, are distributed to shareholders quarterly. Net capital gains are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to improve Underlying Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital (which is a return of the shareholder’s investment in a fund). Fund shareholders will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution that represents a return of capital.

 

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through which the Shares were purchased makes such option available.

 

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions

 

The Fund imposes no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions. The Board of Trustees evaluated the risks of market timing activities by the Fund’s shareholders when they determined that no restriction or policy was necessary. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems its Shares at NAV for a basket of securities intended to mirror the Fund’s portfolio, plus a small amount of cash, and the Fund’s Shares may be purchased and sold on the exchange at prevailing market prices. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by the Fund’s shareholders or (b) any attempts to market time the Fund by its shareholders would result in negative impact to the Fund or its shareholders.

 

Fund Service Providers

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) is the administrator and fund accounting agent of the Fund.

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company is the custodian and transfer agent for the Fund.

 

Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Fund.

 

________ serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.

 

14

Prospectus | March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

Index Provider

 

The Index Provider was founded in 1997 to serve as a consultancy to the financial services industry. Since its founding, the Index Provider has specialized in indexes, indexation and index-based products, including ETFs. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor. The Adviser has entered into a license agreement with the Index Provider to use the Underlying Index. The Adviser pays licensing fees to the Index Provider from the Adviser’s own resources.

 

Disclaimers

 

THE FUND IS NOT SPONSORED, MANAGED OR ADVISED BY S-NETWORK® GLOBAL INDEXES, INC. (“INDEX PROVIDER”). THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE FUND PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX TO TRACK PERFORMANCE OF A MARKET OR SECTOR. THE INDEX PROVIDER’S ONLY RELATIONSHIP TO ALPS IS IN RELATION TO THE LICENSING OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES OF THE INDEX PROVIDER AND OF ONE OR MORE THE INDEX PROVIDER’S INDEXES, INCLUDING THE S-NETWORK REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX WHICH IS DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY THE INDEX PROVIDER WITHOUT REGARD TO ALPS OR THE FUND. THE INDEX PROVIDER HAS NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF ALPS, THE FUND OR THE FUND SHAREHOLDERS INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX. THE INDEX PROVIDER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE TIMING OF THE ISSUANCE OR SALE OF FUND SHARES OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE VALUATION OF THE FUND’S ASSETS. THE INDEX PROVIDER HAS NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND.

 

THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALPS, THE FUND, FUND SHAREHOLDERS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF USE WITH RESPECT TO THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

Federal Income Taxation

 

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

 

Unless your investment in the Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an IRA plan, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

 

The Fund makes distributions,

 

You sell your Shares listed on the NYSE Arca, and

 

You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

 

Taxes on Distributions

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund. Dividends paid out of the Fund’s income and net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the Shares.

 

The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by the Fund to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation

 

www.alpsfunds.com

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and the shareholder.

 

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

 

Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Shares, and as capital gain thereafter.

 

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

 

Dividends, interest and gains received by the Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders of the Fund may, subject to certain limitations, be entitled to claim a credit or a deduction with respect to foreign taxes if the Fund is eligible to and elects to pass through these taxes to them. If more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable year consists of foreign stock or securities, the Fund intends to elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal tax), subject to certain limitations, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes.

 

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, or if you are a foreign entity, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (and certain capital gain dividends may be subject to a 21% withholding tax), unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax.

 

The Fund generally would be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number (generally your social security number) or otherwise provide proof of an applicable exemption from backup withholding. The backup withholding rate for an individual is 24%.

 

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Shares Sales

Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

 

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

An AP who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

 

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

 

Taxation of Fund Investments in Passive Foreign
Investment Companies

Certain of the Fund’s investments are expected to be in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund generally intends to elect to “mark to market” these investments at the end of each taxable year. By making this election, the Fund will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such Shares as of the close of the taxable year over the adjusted basis of such Shares and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value. Gains realized with respect to a disposition of a PFIC that the Fund has elected to mark to market will be ordinary income. By making the mark to market election, the Fund may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions that they receive from their investments. Accordingly, the Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of their investments in order to meet their distribution requirements. If the Fund does not make the “mark to market” election with respect to an investment in a PFIC, the Fund could become subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to certain distributions from, and gain on the dispositions of, the PFIC which cannot be avoided by distributing such amounts to the Fund’s shareholders.

 

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions, and sales of Fund Shares. Consult your personal tax advisor

 

16

Prospectus | March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Fund Shares under all applicable tax laws. Changes in applicable tax authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above and could adversely affect the Fund, and such changes often occur.

 

Other Information

 

For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund is treated as a registered investment company. Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of the Fund. The SEC has issued an exemptive order to the Trust permitting registered investment companies to invest in exchange traded funds offered by the Trust beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such registered investment companies enter into an agreement with the Trust.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund’s portfolio holdings are disclosed each day on its website at www.alpsfunds.com. A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information regarding how often the Shares of the Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the prior calendar year and subsequent quarters, when available, can be found at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

Financial Highlights

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the fiscal periods noted below. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by ______, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request by calling the Fund at 866.759.5679. This information is also available free of charge on the Fund’s website at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF

 

Financial Highlights to be provided with subsequent post-effective amendment.

 

 

www.alpsfunds.com

17

 

 

 

 

For More
Information

 

Existing Shareholders or Prospective Investors

 

Call your financial professional

 

www.alpsfunds.com

 

Dealers

 

www.alpsfunds.com

 

Distributor Telephone: 866.759.5679

 

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc.
1290 Broadway
Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203

 

Distributor

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
1290 Broadway
Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

A Statement of Additional Information dated March 31, 2020, which contains more details about the Fund, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus, which means that it is legally part of this Prospectus.

 

You will find additional information about the Fund in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available. The annual report will explain the market conditions and investment strategies affecting the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

You can ask questions or obtain a free copy of the Fund’s shareholder reports or the Statement of Additional Information by calling 866.759.5679. Free copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports and the Statement of Additional Information are available from our website at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

The Fund sends only one report to a household if more than one account has the same address. Contact the transfer agent if you do not want this policy to apply to you.

 

Information about the Fund, including its reports and the Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with the SEC. It can be reviewed on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Distributor

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
1290 Broadway
Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203

 

March 31, 2020

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175.

 

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175

ALPS ETF Trust

 

Fund Ticker Principal Listing Exchange
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF* RDOG NYSE Arca, Inc.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF EQL NYSE Arca, Inc.
Alerian MLP ETF AMLP NYSE Arca, Inc.
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF SDOG NYSE Arca, Inc.
Barron’s 400SM ETF BFOR NYSE Arca, Inc.
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF IDOG NYSE Arca, Inc.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund RIGS NYSE Arca, Inc.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF ENFR NYSE Arca, Inc.
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF EDOG NYSE Arca, Inc.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF SBIO NYSE Arca, Inc.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF RFUN NYSE Arca, Inc.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF RFCI NYSE Arca, Inc.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF RFDA NYSE Arca, Inc.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF RFFC NYSE Arca, Inc.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF DTEC Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.
ALPS Clean Energy ETF ACES Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.

 

* Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (Ticker: GRI) changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (Ticker: RDOG).

 

Statement of Additional Information

Dated March 31, 2020

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses dated March 31, 2020, for each of the Funds listed above (the “Funds”), each a separate series of the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), as it may be revised from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of each Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust’s distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”), or by calling toll free 866.759.5679.

 

The Funds’ most recent Annual Report, if available, is incorporated by reference into this SAI and can be obtained free of charge, by calling the toll-free number printed above.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Page

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS 1
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING  
MANAGEMENT  
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST  
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS  
TAXES  
FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS  
TAXATION OF THE AMLP FUND  
DETERMINATION OF NAV  
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  
INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE  
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
APPENDIX A - ALPS ADVISORS PROXY VOTING POLICY A-1
APPENDIX B - RIVERFRONT INVESTMENT GROUP PROXY VOTING POLICY B-1

 

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS

 

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 13, 2007 and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The offering of each Fund’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). This SAI relates to the Funds identified on the front cover and as described below. Each Fund is an exchange-traded fund (commonly referred to as an “ETF”). ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly-traded securities. Similar to shares of a mutual fund, each share of a Fund represents a partial ownership in an underlying portfolio of securities. The shares of each Fund are referred to herein as “Shares” or “Fund Shares.”

 

The 1940 Act classifies investment companies as either diversified or non-diversified. ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “EQL Fund”), Alerian MLP ETF (the “AMLP Fund”), Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (the “ENFR Fund”) , , the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF (the “RFUN Fund”), , the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (the “DTEC Fund”) and the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (the “ACES Fund”) are classified as “non-diversified.” The ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (the “RDOG Fund”), the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (the “RIGS Fund”), the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (the “SBIO Fund”), the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “SDOG Fund”), the Barron’s 400 ETF (the “BFOR Fund”), the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “IDOG Fund”), the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “EDOG Fund”), the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (the “RFDA Fund”), RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (the “RFFC Fund”), the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (the “RFDA Fund”) and the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (the “RFCI Fund”)are classified as “diversified.”

 

Each Fund is managed by ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors” or the “Adviser”). RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (“RiverFront” or a “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser for the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund.

 

Each Fund will offer and issue Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation”), generally in exchange for a basket of securities (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”).

 

Except for the DTEC Fund and the ACES Fund, each Fund’s Shares are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) under the trading symbols set out on the front cover. The DTEC Fund’s and ACES Fund’s shares are listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Cboe BZX” and together with NYSE Arca, the “Exchanges”) under the trading symbol set out on the front cover.

 

Fund Shares will trade on the applicable Exchange at market prices that may be below, at or above NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 Shares. In the event of the liquidation of a Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

 

The Trust reserves the right to offer a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of Fund Shares. Fund Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” section. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.

 

1 

 

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

 

There can be no assurance that the requirements of the applicable Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Fund will continue to be met. An Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of a Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of the Fund; (ii) the value of the Underlying Index is no longer calculated or available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The applicable Exchange will remove the Shares of a Fund from listing and trading upon termination of such Fund.

 

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

 

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

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES

 

The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The investment objective of the Funds and all other investment policies or practices of the Funds are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Shares of a Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares of a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Shares of a Fund. For each Fund classified as a diversified fund, the Fund may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result (i) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer. A diversified fund may not change to a non-diversified fund without shareholder approval.

 

Except for restriction (2) and (4)(iii) below, any limitation that involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Funds. With respect to the Funds’ fundamental investment restriction (7) below, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.

 

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

 

(1)(a) Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries, except to the extent that the Underlying Index that a Fund replicates concentrates in an industry or group of industries. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. (For each Fund except the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund).

 

2 

 

(1)(b) Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. (For the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund).

 

(2) Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for leverage or the purchase of investments) up to 10% of its total assets and (ii) make other investments or engage in other transactions permissible under the 1940 Act that may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), less the Fund’s liabilities (other than borrowings).

 

(3) Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.

 

(4) Make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under a Fund’s investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of portfolio securities may be made by a Fund if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of a Fund’s total assets.

 

(5)(a) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund (i) from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or other derivative instruments, or (ii) from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities). (For each Fund except the BFOR Fund and the SDOG Fund).

 

(5)(b) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund (i) from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or other derivative instruments, or (ii) from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities). (For the BFOR Fund and the SDOG Fund).

 

(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit a Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).

 

(7) Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

 

In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Funds are also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed at any time by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. A Fund may not:

 

(1) Sell securities short, unless a Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.

 

(2) Purchase securities on margin, except that a Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.

 

(3) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act.

 

3 

 

(4) Invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more than 15% of a Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.

 

(5) Invest in direct interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs or leases; however, a Fund may invest in securities of issuers that engage in these activities.

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES

 

The investment objective and principal investment strategies for each of the Funds are provided in their respective Prospectus. The Funds may not invest in all of the investments listed below. The Funds use investment techniques commonly used by other exchange traded funds.

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in a Fund is contained in such Fund’s Prospectus under the headings “Principal Investment Risks,” “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds” and “Additional Risk Considerations.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the applicable Fund’s Prospectus.

 

General Considerations and Risks

 

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

 

With the exception of the RIGS Fund, the RFFC Fund, the RFDA Fund, the RFUN Fund and the RFCI Fund, the Funds are not actively managed by traditional methods and therefore the adverse financial condition of any one issuer will not result in the elimination of its securities from the portfolio securities held by the Funds unless the securities of such issuer are removed from the respective Underlying Index.

 

An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding that a Fund will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of its respective Underlying Index because the total return generated by its portfolio securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of such securities and other Fund expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of each Underlying Index. It is also possible that for short periods of time, a Fund may not fully replicate the performance of its respective Underlying Index due to the temporary unavailability of certain Underlying Index securities in the secondary market or due to other extraordinary circumstances. Such events are unlikely to continue for an extended period of time because each Fund is required to correct such imbalances by means of adjusting the composition of its portfolio securities.

 

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

 

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Dividend Risk. There is no guarantee that the issuer of the stocks held by a Fund will declare dividends in the future or that if declared, they will either remain at current levels or increase over time.

 

Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Funds may lend their investment securities to approved borrowers. Any gain or loss on the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the applicable Fund. These loans cannot exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets.

 

Approved borrowers are brokers, dealers, domestic and foreign banks, or other financial institutions that meet credit or other requirements as established by the securities lending agent, so long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or interpretations of the SEC, which require that (a) the borrowers pledge and maintain with the applicable Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government having a value at all times of not less than 102% of the value of the securities loaned (on a “mark-to-market” basis, and maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent); (b) the loan be made subject to termination by the Fund at any time; and (c) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan. From time to time, a Fund may return a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral received from securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party securities lending agent that is unaffiliated with the Fund and that is acting as a finder.

 

Risks of Securities Lending. A Fund will not have the right to vote securities while they are on loan, but it will recall securities on loan if the Adviser determines that the shareholder meeting is called for purposes of voting on material events that could have a material impact on the Fund’s loaned securities and for which the vote could be material to the Fund. A Fund would receive income in lieu of dividends on loaned securities and may, at the same time, generate income on the loan collateral or on the investment of any cash collateral.

 

Securities lending involves a risk of loss because the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a Fund could experience delays and costs in recovering securities loaned or gaining access to the collateral. If a Fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement security in the market. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to a Fund if, and to the extent that, the market value of the loaned securities increases and the collateral is not increased accordingly. Securities lending also involves exposure to operational risk (the risk of loss resulting from errors in the settlement and accounting process) and “gap risk” (the risk that the return on cash collateral reinvestments will be less than the fees paid to the borrower).

 

Any cash received as collateral for loaned securities may be invested in short-term liquid fixed income securities or in money market or short-term mutual funds, or similar investment vehicles. A Fund bears the risk of such investments. Investing this cash subjects that investment to market appreciation or depreciation. For purposes of determining whether a Fund is complying with its investment policies, strategies and restrictions, the Fund or the Adviser will consider the loaned securities as assets of the Fund, but will not consider any collateral received as a Fund asset. A Fund will bear any loss on the investment of cash collateral. A Fund may have to pay the borrower a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. A Fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan.

 

Regulations adopted by the global prudential regulators require counterparties that are part of U.S. or foreign global systemically important banking organizations to include contractual restrictions on close-out and cross-default in agreements relating to qualified financial contracts. Securities lending agreements are included in the category of qualified financial contracts (as well as repurchase agreements and agreements relating to swaps, currency forwards and other derivatives). The restrictions prevent a Fund from closing out a qualified financial contract during a specified time period (e.g., two days) if the counterparty is subject to resolution proceedings and prohibit the Fund from exercising default rights during that period due to a receivership or similar proceeding of an affiliate of the counterparty. Implementation of these requirements may increase credit and other risks to the Fund.

 

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Senior Securities. In general, the Funds may not issue any class of senior security, except within the limitations of the 1940 Act. These limitations allow the Funds to (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% (the “Asset Coverage Requirement”) for all Fund borrowings, and (ii) engage in trading practices which could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including but not limited to options, futures, forward contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the Fund earmarks or segregates liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations.

 

Repurchase Agreements. The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements, which are agreements pursuant to which securities are acquired by the Funds from a third party with the understanding that they will be repurchased by the seller at a fixed price on an agreed date. These agreements may be made with respect to any of the portfolio securities in which the Funds are authorized to invest. Repurchase agreements may be characterized as loans secured by the underlying securities. The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements with (i) member banks of the Federal Reserve System having total assets in excess of $500 million and (ii) securities dealers (“Qualified Institutions”). The Adviser will monitor the continued creditworthiness of Qualified Institutions.

 

The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities under a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, a Fund will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could involve costs or delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, a Fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible that a Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying securities. To minimize this risk, the securities underlying the repurchase agreement will be held by the custodian at all times in an amount at least equal to the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the seller fails to repurchase the securities, a Fund may suffer a loss to the extent proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.

 

The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest. The collateral is marked-to-market daily.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally, the effect of such transactions is that the Funds can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Funds are able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the Funds have an opportunity to earn a greater rate of return on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and the Funds intend to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to the Funds. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of the Funds’ assets. The custodian bank will maintain a separate account for the Funds with securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered loans.

 

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Money Market Instruments. The Funds may invest a portion of their assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity. The instruments in which the Funds may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (iv) repurchase agreements; and (v) money market mutual funds. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

 

Investment Companies. The Funds may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds and business development companies). Under the 1940 Act, the Funds’ investment in investment companies is limited to, subject to certain exceptions: (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Funds’ total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Funds’ total assets of investment companies in the aggregate.

 

Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid assets (calculated at the time of investment). Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets. A Fund’s investments in restricted and illiquid securities may entail greater risk than investments in other types of securities. These securities may be more difficult to sell, particularly in times of market turmoil. Additionally, the market for certain investments deemed liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions. Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value. If a Fund is forced to sell an illiquid security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss or for less than its fair value.

 

Futures and Options. The Funds may utilize exchange-traded futures and options contracts.

 

Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.

 

Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

 

After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin will be required. Conversely, a change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, the Funds would expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold,” or “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.

 

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The Funds (except for the RIGS Fund) may use exchange-traded futures and options, together with positions in cash and money market instruments, to simulate full investment in their Underlying Indexes. Under such circumstances, the Adviser may seek to utilize other instruments that it believes to be correlated to the applicable Underlying Index components or a subset of the components.

 

An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of purchase, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of the Funds. The potential for loss related to writing call options on equity securities or indices is unlimited. The potential for loss related to writing put options is limited only by the aggregate strike price of the put option less the premium received.

 

The Funds may purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange as a hedge against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.

 

Restrictions on the Use of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Pursuant to a claim for exemption filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) on behalf of the Funds, neither the Funds nor the Trust are deemed to be a “commodity pool” or “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”), respectively, under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), and they are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA. The Adviser is not deemed to be a “commodity trading advisor” with respect to its services as an investment adviser to each Fund. The CFTC has adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject the adviser of an investment company to registration with the CFTC as a CPO if the investment company is unable to comply with certain trading and marketing limitations.

 

With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the amended regulations in order to claim an exemption from being considered a “commodity pool” or CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser were required to register as a CPO with respect to the Funds, the disclosure and operations of the Funds would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.

 

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Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party (the “Counterparty”) based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the Counterparty agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, the Funds receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds’ obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Trust’s custodian bank.

 

The use of interest rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.

 

The use of swap agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the Counterparty under a swap agreement defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Funds may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays.

 

Currency Transactions. Each Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities (except for the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund, as noted below) does not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of the Fund’s assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. For the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund, the Sub-Adviser does not intend, under normal circumstances, to attempt to hedge against currency risk, but the Sub-Adviser may, in certain circumstances, attempt to reduce this risk by entering into forward contracts with banks, brokers or dealers. Each other Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with its distributions to shareholders, but may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.

 

A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency. Since foreign exchange transactions for the Funds are directed to the Funds' custodian, foreign exchange executions may be better or worse than these effected by other foreign currency dealers.

 

Risks of Derivatives. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, and related indexes. The various derivative instruments that a Fund may use are described in more detail under “Futures and Options,” “Swap Agreements,” and “Currency Transactions” in this Statement of Additional Information. Each Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for risk management purposes or as part of its investment strategies.

 

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A Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks including liquidity risk, market risk, credit risk, default risk, counterparty risk and management risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate exactly with the change in the value of the underlying asset, rate or index. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial.

 

Participation in the options or futures markets, as well as the use of various swap instruments and forward contracts, involves investment risks and transaction costs to which a Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. Risks inherent in the use of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forwards and swaps include: (i) imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities being hedged; (ii) the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select non-derivative portfolio securities; (iii) the potential absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time; (iv) the possible need to defer closing out certain positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; (v) for swaps, additional credit risk and the risk of counterparty default and the risk of failing to correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the company on which the swap is based; and (vi) the possible inability of a Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for a Fund to sell the security at a disadvantageous time, due to the requirement that the Fund maintain “cover” or collateral securities in connection with the use of certain derivatives.

 

A Fund could lose the entire amount it invests in futures. The loss from investing in other derivatives is potentially unlimited. There also is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for futures contracts and options in which a Fund may invest. Each Fund limits its investment in futures contracts so that the notional value (meaning the stated contract value) of the futures contracts does not exceed the net assets of the Fund.

 

Furthermore, regulatory requirements for the Funds to set aside assets to meet their obligations with respect to derivatives may result in a Fund being unable to purchase or sell securities when it would otherwise be favorable to do so, or in a Fund needing to sell securities at a disadvantageous time. A Fund may also be unable to close out its derivatives positions when desired. Investments in derivatives can cause the Funds to be more volatile and can result in significant losses.

 

Because the markets for certain derivative instruments (including markets located in foreign countries) are relatively new and still developing, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. Upon the expiration of a particular contract, the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser may wish to retain a Fund’s position in the derivative instrument by entering into a similar contract, but may be unable to do so if the counterparty to the original contract is unwilling to enter into the new contract and no other suitable counterparty can be found. There is no assurance that a Fund will engage in derivatives transactions at any time or from time to time. A Fund’s ability to use derivatives may also be limited by certain regulatory and tax considerations.

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments require the clearing and exchange-trading of certain standardized OTC derivative instruments that the CFTC and SEC defined as “swaps” and “security-based swaps,” respectively. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis based on the type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing and exchange trading. In a cleared swap, a Fund’s ultimate counterparty is a central clearinghouse rather than a swap dealer, bank or other financial institution. A Fund enters into cleared swaps through an executing broker. Such transactions are then submitted for clearing and, if cleared, will be held at regulated futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of the clearinghouse that serves as the central counterparty. When a Fund enters into a cleared swap, it must deliver to the central counterparty (via an FCM) an amount referred to as “initial margin.” Initial margin requirements are determined by the central counterparty, but an FCM may require additional initial margin above the amount required by the central counterparty. During the term of the swap agreement, a “variation margin” amount may also be required to be paid by a Fund or may be received by the Fund in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts, depending upon changes in the price of the underlying reference asset subject to the swap agreement. At the conclusion of the term of the swap agreement, if a Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If a Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If a Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain is paid to the Fund.

 

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Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant’s swap, but it does not eliminate those risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by a Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a swap contract. The assets of a Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers or central counterparty’s clearing members. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, a Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Certain swaps have begun trading on exchanges called swap execution facilities. Exchange-trading is expected to increase liquidity of swaps trading.

 

In addition, with respect to cleared swaps, a Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable terms as it would be able to negotiate for an uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally impose position limits or additional margin requirements for certain types of swaps in which a Fund may invest. Central counterparties and FCMs generally can require termination of existing cleared swap transactions at any time, and can also require increases in margin above the margin that is required at the initiation of the swap agreement. Margin requirements for cleared swaps vary on a number of factors, and the margin required under the rules of the clearinghouse and FCM may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by a Fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. However, regulators are expected to adopt rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps in the near future, which could change this comparison.

 

The Funds are also subject to the risk that, after entering into a cleared swap with an executing broker, no FCM or central counterparty is willing or able to clear the transaction. In such an event, the central counterparty would void the trade. Before a Fund can enter into a new trade, market conditions may become less favorable to the Fund.

 

Risks of Futures and Options Transactions. Positions in futures contracts and options may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market therefore. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or options position. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the applicable Fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it has sold.

 

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Each Fund will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures or options contract by only entering into futures and options for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.

 

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Funds do not plan to use futures and options contracts, when available, in this manner. The risk of a futures position may still be large, as traditionally measured, due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Funds, however, intend to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit their risk exposure to that which is comparable to what they would have incurred through direct investment in securities. Utilization of futures transactions by a Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to its Underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contracts differs from the Underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option.

 

Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.

 

Risks of Swap Agreements. Bi-lateral swap agreements are subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default occurs, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor. Some interest rate and credit default swaps are currently subject to central clearing and exchange trading. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses with the clearinghouse serving as a central counterparty similar to transactions in futures contracts. Although exchange-trading and clearing decreases the counterparty risk involved in bi-laterally negotiated contracts and increase market liquidity, exchange-trading and clearing will not make the contracts risk-free.

 

The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.

 

It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

 

Where swap agreements are two party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, they may be considered to be illiquid and subject to a Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. To the extent that a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a Fund’s interest.

 

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If a Fund uses a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other Fund investments. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.

 

Cybersecurity Risk. In connection with the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, each Fund is susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks due to the possibility of cyber-attacks or other incidents. Cyber incidents may result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code, gaining unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices that are used to service a Fund’s operations through hacking or other means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks (which can make a website unavailable) on a Fund’s website. In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on a Fund’s systems.

 

Cyber-attacks have the potential to interfere with the processing of Authorized Participant transactions and shareholder transactions on the Exchanges. Furthermore, cyber security failures or breaches by a Fund’s service providers (including, but not limited to, the adviser, distributor, custodian, transfer agent, financial intermediaries, and sub-adviser (if applicable)) may cause disruptions and impact the service providers’ and a Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Funds to process transactions, inability to calculate a Fund’s net asset value, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund or its third party service providers.

 

A Fund may incur substantial costs to prevent or address cyber incidents in the future. In addition, there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, a Fund cannot directly control any cyber security plans and systems put in place by third party service providers. Cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

 

Future Developments. The Board may, in the future, authorize each Fund to invest in securities and investments other than those listed in this SAI and in each Fund’s Prospectus, provided they are consistent with each Fund’s investment objective and do not violate any fundamental investment restrictions or policies, and do not present material risks other than those listed in this SAI and/or the Funds’ Prospectuses, as those may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

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Strategies Specific to the RIGS Fund, the RFUN Fund and the RFCI Fund

 

Debt Obligations. Each Fund may invest in debt obligations traded in U.S. or foreign markets. Such debt obligations include, among others, bonds, notes, debentures and variable rate demand notes. In choosing corporate debt securities on behalf of a Fund, the Sub-Adviser may consider (i) general economic and financial conditions; and (ii) the specific issuer’s (a) business and management, (b) cash flow, (c) earnings coverage of interest and dividends, (d) ability to operate under adverse economic conditions, (e) fair market value of assets and (f) other considerations deemed appropriate.

 

The RFUN Fund and the RIGS Fund may each invest up to 100% of its total assets, and the RFCI Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets, in debt securities that are rated below investment grade (i.e., “junk bonds”) by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”), or are unrated securities that the Sub-Adviser believes are of comparable quality. Junk bonds are considered speculative with respect to their capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. While generally providing greater income and opportunity for gain, non-investment grade debt securities are subject to greater risks than higher-rated securities.

 

Companies that issue junk bonds are often highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them. During an economic downturn or recession, highly leveraged issuers of high-yield securities may experience financial stress, and may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. Economic downturns tend to disrupt the market for junk bonds, lowering their values and increasing their price volatility. The risk of issuer default is higher with respect to junk bonds because such issues may be subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.

 

The credit rating from an NRSRO of a junk bond does not necessarily address its market value risk, and ratings may from time to time change to reflect developments regarding the issuer’s financial condition. The lower the rating of a junk bond, the more speculative its characteristics.

 

Each Fund may have difficulty selling certain junk bonds because they may have a thin trading market. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on the market price and a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular issues and may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations in valuing these assets. In the event a Fund experiences an unexpected level of net redemptions, the Fund could be forced to sell its junk bonds at an unfavorable price. Prices of junk bonds have been found to be less sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates and more sensitive to adverse economic changes and individual corporate developments than those of higher-rated debt securities.

 

U.S. Government Obligations. Each Fund may invest in U.S. government obligations. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities include bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as “stripped” or “zero coupon” U.S. Treasury obligations representing future interest or principal payments on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds. Stripped securities are sold at a discount to their “face value,” and may exhibit greater price volatility than interest-bearing securities because investors receive no payment until maturity. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the former Student Loan Marketing Association (“SLMA”), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others, although issued by an instrumentality chartered by the U.S. Government, like the Federal Farm Credit Bureau (“FFCB”), are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer were to default, the Funds holding securities of such issuer might not be able to recover their investment from the U.S. Government.

 

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Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities. Each Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset- backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or issued by nongovernment entities. Mortgage-related securities represent pools of mortgage loans assembled for sale to investors by various government agencies such as Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) and government-related organizations such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), as well as by nongovernment issuers such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers and private mortgage insurance companies. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not so secured.

 

There are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities they issue. Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Ginnie Maes”), which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest. That guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. GNMA is a corporation wholly owned by the U.S. Government within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mortgage-related securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Fannie Maes”) and are guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by FNMA itself and backed by a line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. FNMA is a government-sponsored entity wholly owned by public stockholders. Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as “Freddie Macs”) guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by FHLMC itself and backed by a line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. FHLMC is a government-sponsored entity wholly owned by public stockholders.

 

On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of FNMA and FHLMC, placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality. Under these Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (SPAs), the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide up to $100 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. On May 6, 2009, the U.S. Treasury increased its maximum commitment to each instrumentality under the SPAs to $200 billion per instrumentality. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury further amended the SPAs to allow the cap on Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in FNMA’s and FHLMC’s net worth through the end of 2012. On August 17, 2012, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was again amending the SPAs to terminate the requirement that FNMA and FHLMC each pay a 10% dividend annually on all amounts received under the funding commitment. Instead, they will transfer to the U.S. Treasury on a quarterly basis all profits earned during a quarter that exceed a capital reserve amount of $3 billion. This amendment improved the ability of FNMA and FHLMC to service their debt. At the start of 2013, the unlimited support the U.S. Treasury extended to the two companies expired – FNMA’s bailout is capped at $125 billion and FHLMC has a limit of $149 billion.

 

The actions of the U.S. Treasury are intended to ensure that FNMA and FHLMC maintain a positive net worth and meet their financial obligations preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives will be successful.

 

In the basic mortgage pass-through structure, mortgages with similar issuer, term and coupon characteristics are collected and aggregated into a “pool” consisting of multiple mortgage loans. The pool is assigned a CUSIP number and undivided interests in the pool are traded and sold as pass-through securities. The holder of the security is entitled to a pro rata share of principal and interest payments (including unscheduled prepayments) from the pool of mortgage loans.

 

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An investment in a specific pool of pass-through securities requires an analysis of the specific prepayment risk of mortgages within the covered pool (since mortgagors typically have the option to prepay their loans). The level of prepayments on a pool of mortgage securities is difficult to predict and can impact the subsequent cash flows and value of the mortgage pool. In addition, when trading specific mortgage pools, precise execution, delivery and settlement arrangements must be negotiated for each transaction. These factors combine to make trading in mortgage pools somewhat cumbersome.

 

For the foregoing and other reasons, each Fund may seek to obtain exposure to U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities primarily through the use of “to-be-announced” or “TBA transactions.” “TBA” refers to a commonly used mechanism for the forward settlement of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities, and not to a separate type of mortgage-backed security. Most transactions in mortgage pass-through securities occur through the use of TBA transactions. TBA transactions generally are conducted in accordance with widely-accepted guidelines which establish commonly observed terms and conditions for execution, settlement and delivery. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller decide on general trade parameters, such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to settlement date.

 

Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose a Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. To minimize this risk, a Fund will enter into TBA transactions only with established counterparties (such as major broker-dealers) and its Sub-Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of such counterparties. In addition, a Fund may accept assignments of TBA transactions from Authorized Participants (as defined below) from time to time. A Fund’s use of “TBA rolls” may cause the Fund to experience higher portfolio turnover, higher transaction costs and to pay higher capital gain distributions to shareholders (which may be taxable) than other funds.

 

Each Fund intends to invest cash pending settlement of any TBA transactions in money market instruments, repurchase agreements, commercial paper (including asset-backed commercial paper) or other high-quality, liquid short-term instruments, which may include money market funds affiliated with the Adviser or Sub-Adviser.

 

Other asset-backed securities are structured like MBS, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include items such as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements and from sales of personal property. Asset-backed securities typically have no U.S. Government backing. Additionally, the ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited.

 

If the Fund purchases a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security at a premium, that portion may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the underlying collateral. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. Although the value of a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages and loans underlying the securities are prone to prepayment, thereby shortening the average life of the security and shortening the period of time over which income at the higher rate is received. When interest rates are rising, the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the period of time over which income at the lower rate is received. For these and other reasons, a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security’s average maturity may be shortened or lengthened as a result of interest rate fluctuations and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return.

 

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Risks of Mortgage-Related Securities. Investment in MBS poses several risks, including prepayment, market and credit risk. Prepayment risk reflects the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages faster than expected, thereby affecting the investment’s average life and perhaps its yield. Whether or not a mortgage loan is prepaid is almost entirely controlled by the borrower. Borrowers are most likely to exercise prepayment options at the time when it is least advantageous to investors, generally prepaying mortgages as interest rates fall, and slowing payments as interest rates rise. Beside the effect of prevailing interest rates, the rate of prepayment and refinancing of mortgages may also be affected by home value appreciation, ease of the refinancing process and local economic conditions.

 

Market risk reflects the risk that the price of the security may fluctuate over time. The price of MBS may be particularly sensitive to prevailing interest rates, the length of time the security is expected to be outstanding and the liquidity of the issuer. In a period of unstable interest rates, or under a variety of other circumstances, there may be decreased demand for certain types of MBS, and a Fund invested in such securities wishing to sell them may find it difficult to find a buyer, which may in turn decrease the price at which they may be sold.

 

Credit risk reflects the risk that a Fund may not receive all or part of its principal because the issuer or credit enhancer has defaulted on its obligations. Obligations issued by U.S. Government-related entities are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government except to the extent previously described. The performance of private label MBS, issued by private institutions, is based on the financial health of those institutions. With respect to GNMA certificates, although GNMA guarantees timely payment even if homeowners delay or default, tracking the “pass-through” payments may, at times, be difficult.

 

Municipal Securities. Each Fund may invest in securities issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. Municipal securities share the attributes of debt/fixed income securities in general, but are generally issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. The municipal securities which a Fund may purchase include general obligation bonds and limited obligation bonds (or revenue bonds), including industrial development bonds issued pursuant to former federal tax law. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general revenues and not from any particular source. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Tax-exempt industrial development bonds generally are also revenue bonds and thus are not payable from the issuer’s general revenues. The credit and quality of industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit of the corporate user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and repayment of principal of such bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user (and/or any guarantor). In addition, the Fund may invest in lease obligations. Lease obligations may take the form of a lease or an installment purchase contract issued by public authorities to acquire a wide variety of equipment and facilities.

 

Bank Instruments. Each Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (“CDs”), time deposits and bankers’ acceptances from U.S. banks. A bankers’ acceptance is a bill of exchange or time draft drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. A CD is a negotiable interest-bearing instrument with a specific maturity. CDs are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. A time deposit is a nonnegotiable receipt issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a CD, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market.

 

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Participation Interests. Each Fund may purchase participations in corporate loans. Participation interests generally will be acquired from a commercial bank or other financial institution (a “Lender”) or from other holders of a participation interest (a “Participant”). The purchase of a participation interest either from a Lender or a Participant will not result in any direct contractual relationship with the borrowing company (the “Borrower”). The Fund generally will have no right directly to enforce compliance by the Borrower with the terms of the credit agreement. Instead, the Fund will be required to rely on the Lender or the Participant that sold the participation interest, both for the enforcement of the Fund’s rights against the Borrower and for the receipt and processing of payments due to the Fund under the loans. Under the terms of a participation interest, the Fund may be regarded as a member of the Participant, and thus the Fund is subject to the credit risk of both the Borrower and a Participant. Participation interests are generally subject to restrictions on resale. Generally, the Fund considers participation interests to be illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund’s percentage limitations for investments in illiquid securities.

 

Commercial Instruments. Each Fund may invest in commercial interests, including commercial paper and other short-term corporate instruments. Commercial paper consists of short-term promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper may be traded in the secondary market after its issuance.

 

Variable or Floating Rate Instruments. Each Fund may invest in securities that have variable or floating interest rates which are readjusted on set dates (such as the last day of the month or calendar quarter) in the case of variable rates or whenever a specified interest rate change occurs in the case of a floating rate instrument. Variable or floating interest rates generally reduce changes in the market price of securities from their original purchase price because, upon readjustment, such rates approximate market rates. Accordingly, as interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation or depreciation is less for variable or floating rate securities than for fixed rate obligations. Many securities with variable or floating interest rates purchased by a Fund are subject to payment of principal and accrued interest (usually within seven days) on the Fund’s demand. The terms of such demand instruments require payment of principal and accrued interest by the issuer, a guarantor and/or a liquidity provider. The Adviser will monitor the pricing, quality and liquidity of the variable or floating rate securities held by each Fund.

 

The Funds' investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”), EURIBOR and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on a Fund's investments, performance or financial condition. Until then, the Funds may continue to invest in instruments that reference such rates or otherwise use such Reference Rates due to favorable liquidity or pricing.

 

In advance of 2021, regulators and market participants will work together to identify or develop successor Reference Rates and how the calculation of associated spreads (if any) should be adjusted. Additionally, prior to 2021, it is expected that industry trade associations and participants will focus on the transition mechanisms by which the Reference Rates and spreads (if any) in existing contracts or instruments may be amended, whether through market-wide protocols, fallback contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations or amendments or otherwise. Nonetheless, the termination of certain Reference Rates presents risks to the Funds. At this time, it is not possible to exhaustively identify or predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative Reference Rates or any other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of Reference Rates could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any securities or payments linked to those Reference Rates and other financial obligations held by a Fund or on its overall financial condition or results of operations. In addition, any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect a Fund's performance and/or NAV.

 

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Zero-Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Securities. Each Fund may invest in zero-coupon or pay-in-kind securities. These securities are debt securities that do not make regular cash interest payments. Zero-coupon securities are sold at a deep discount to their face value. Pay-in-kind securities pay interest through the issuance of additional securities. Because zero-coupon and pay-in-kind securities do not pay current cash income, the price of these securities can be volatile when interest rates fluctuate. While these securities do not pay current cash income, federal tax law requires the holders of zero-coupon and pay-in-kind securities to include in income each year the portion of the original issue discount (or deemed discount) and other non-cash income on such securities accrued during that year. In order to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and to avoid certain excise taxes, a Fund may be required to distribute a portion of such discount and income and may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities, which could occur during periods of adverse market prices, in order to generate sufficient cash to meet these distribution requirements.

 

Delayed Delivery Transactions. Each Fund may use delayed delivery transactions as an investment technique. Delayed delivery transactions, also referred to as forward commitments, involve commitments by a Fund to dealers or issuers to acquire or sell securities at a specified future date beyond the customary settlement for such securities. These commitments may fix the payment price and interest rate to be received or paid on the investment. A Fund may purchase securities on a delayed delivery basis to the extent that it can anticipate having available cash on the settlement date. Delayed delivery agreements will not be used as a speculative or leverage technique.

 

Investment in securities on a delayed delivery basis may increase a Fund’s exposure to market fluctuation and may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must engage in portfolio transactions in order to honor a delayed delivery commitment. Until the settlement date, a Fund will segregate liquid assets of a dollar value sufficient at all times to make payment for the delayed delivery transactions. Such segregated liquid assets will be marked-to-market daily, and the amount segregated will be increased if necessary to maintain adequate coverage of the delayed delivery commitments.

 

The delayed delivery securities, which will not begin to accrue interest or dividends until the settlement date, will be recorded as an asset of a Fund and will be subject to the risk of market fluctuation. The purchase price of the delayed delivery securities is a liability of the Fund until settlement. A Fund may enter into buy/sell back transactions (a form of delayed delivery agreement). In a buy/sell back transaction, a Fund enters a trade to sell securities at one price and simultaneously enters a trade to buy the same securities at another price for settlement at a future date.

 

When-Issued Securities. Each Fund may purchase when-issued securities. Purchasing securities on a “when-issued” basis means that the date for delivery of and payment for the securities is not fixed at the date of purchase, but is set after the securities are issued. The payment obligation and, if applicable, the interest rate that will be received on the securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. A Fund will only make commitments to purchase such securities with the intention of actually acquiring such securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.

 

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Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held in a Fund’s portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon the public’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and, if applicable, the changes in the level of interest rates. Therefore, if a Fund is to remain substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a possibility that the market value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate to a greater degree. Furthermore, when the time comes for a Fund to meet its obligations under when-issued commitments, the Fund will do so by using then available cash flow, by sale of the segregated liquid assets, by sale of other securities, or although it would not normally expect to do so, by directing the sale of when-issued securities themselves (which may have a market value greater or less than the Fund’s payment obligation).

 

Investment in securities on a when-issued basis may increase a Fund’s exposure to market fluctuation and may increase the possibility that the Fund will incur short-term gains subject to federal taxation or short-term losses if the Fund must sell another security in order to honor a when-issued commitment. Each Fund will employ techniques designed to reduce such risks. If a Fund purchases a when-issued security, the Fund will segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the when-issued commitment. If the market value of such segregated assets declines, additional liquid assets will be segregated on a daily basis so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of the Fund’s when-issued commitments.

 

Rule 144A Securities. Each Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities. Rule 144A securities are securities which, while privately placed, are eligible for purchase and resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. This rule permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as a Fund, to trade in privately placed securities even though such securities are not registered under the Securities Act. As set forth under “Illiquid Securities”, a Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which may include Rule 144A securities. A Fund’s Sub-Adviser, under supervision of the Board, will consider whether securities purchased under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to the Fund’s restriction on illiquid securities. In making this determination, the Sub-Adviser will consider the trading markets for the specific security taking into account the unregistered nature of a Rule 144A security. In addition, the Sub-Adviser could consider the (i) frequency of trades and quotes; (ii) number of dealers and potential purchasers; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (iv) nature of the security and of market place trades (for example, the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). A Fund’s Sub-Adviser will also monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities, and if, as a result of changed conditions, the Sub-Adviser determines that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, the Sub-Adviser will review the Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities to determine what, if any, action is required to assure that the Fund complies with its restriction on investment of illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the amount of a Fund’s investments in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

 

Strategies Specific to the RIGS Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund

 

Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that may be converted into a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity securities at a specified price and time. The holder of convertible securities is entitled to receive interest paid or accrued on debt, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock, until the security matures or is converted. The value of a convertible security depends on interest rates, the yield of similar nonconvertible securities, the financial strength of the issuer and the seniority of the security in the issuer’s capital structure. Convertible securities may be illiquid and may be required to convert at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to a Fund. To the extent that a Fund invests in convertible securities with credit ratings below investment grade, such securities may have a higher likelihood of default, although this may be somewhat offset by the convertibility feature.

 

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Preferred Stock. Each Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, often offers a stated dividend rate payable from a corporation’s earnings. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline. Dividends on some preferred stock may be “cumulative,” requiring all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends are paid on the issuer’s common stock. Preferred stock also generally has a preference over common stock on the distribution of a corporation’s assets in the event of liquidation of the corporation, and may be “participating,” which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. In some cases an issuer may offer auction rate preferred stock, which means that the dividend to be paid is set by auction and will often be reset at stated intervals. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a corporation’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a corporation’s debt securities.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDEX PROVIDERS AND DISCLAIMERS

 

Index Providers. Set forth below is a list of the Funds (except for the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund, which are actively managed and do not track an index) and the Underlying Index upon which such Fund is based.

 

Fund Underlying Index
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF* S-Network® REIT Dividend Dogs Index
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index
Alerian MLP ETF Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index
Barron’s 400SM ETF Barron’s 400SM Index
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF S-Network® Medical Breakthroughs Index
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index
ALPS Clean Energy ETF CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index

 

* Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (Ticker: GRI) changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (Ticker: RDOG).

 

THE RDOG FUND

 

S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. (the “Index Provider”) was founded in 1997 to serve as a consultancy to the financial services industry. Since its founding, the Index Provider has specialized in indexes, indexation and index-based products, including ETFs. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor. The Adviser has entered into a license agreement with the Index Provider to use the Underlying Index. The Adviser pays licensing fees to the Index Provider from the Adviser’s own resources.

 

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THE FUND IS NOT SPONSORED, MANAGED OR ADVISED BY S-NETWORK® GLOBAL INDEXES, INC. (“INDEX PROVIDER”). THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE FUND PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX TO TRACK PERFORMANCE OF A MARKET OR SECTOR. THE INDEX PROVIDER’S ONLY RELATIONSHIP TO ALPS IS IN RELATION TO THE LICENSING OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES OF THE INDEX PROVIDER AND OF ONE OR MORE THE INDEX PROVIDER’S INDEXES, INCLUDING THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX WHICH IS DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY THE INDEX PROVIDER WITHOUT REGARD TO ALPS OR THE FUND. THE INDEX PROVIDER HAS NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF ALPS, THE FUND OR THE FUND SHAREHOLDERS INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX. THE INDEX PROVIDER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE TIMING OF THE ISSUANCE OR SALE OF FUND SHARES OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE VALUATION OF THE FUND’S ASSETS. THE INDEX PROVIDER HAS NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND.

 

THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALPS, THE FUND, FUND SHAREHOLDERS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S-NETWORK REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF USE WITH RESPECT TO THE S-NETWORK® REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE S-NETWORK REIT DIVIDEND DOGS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE EQL FUND

 

ICE Data Indices, LLC (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”) or ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”). The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.

 

22 

 

The only relationship that the Index Provider has with the Fund, the Adviser or Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that the Index Provider has licensed certain of its intellectual property, including the determination of the component stocks of the Underlying Index and the name of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is selected and calculated without regard to the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the specific needs of the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund into consideration in the determination and calculation of the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the net asset value of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Fund.

 

NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index is a service mark of ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates (“ICE Data”) and has been licensed for use by the Adviser in connection with the Fund. Neither the Trust nor the Fund is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ICE Data. ICE Data makes no representations or warranties regarding the Adviser or the Fund or the ability of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index to track general stock market performance.

 

ICE DATA MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE NYSE® EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHT INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. IN NO EVENT SHALL ICE

 

DATA HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE AMLP FUND

 

Alerian is the index provider for the Fund (the “Index Provider”). Alerian equips investors to make informed decisions about energy infrastructure and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). Its benchmarks are widely used by industry executives, investment professionals, research analysts, and national media to analyze relative performance. Alerian has entered into an index licensing agreement (the “Licensing Agreement”) with the Adviser to allow the Adviser’s use of the Index for the operation of the Fund. The Adviser pays licensing fees to Alerian from the Adviser’s management fees or other resources. The Adviser has, in turn, entered into a sub-licensing agreement (the “Sub-Licensing Agreement”) with the Trust to allow the Fund to utilize the Index. The Fund pays no fees to Alerian or the Adviser under the Sub-Licensing Agreement.

 

Alerian uses a rules-based methodology (the “Index Methodology”) to construct and maintain the Index. The Index and the Index Methodology, including a list of the component securities of the Index, can be found on the Index Provider’s website at www.alerian.com.

 

23 

 

Shares of the Fund are not issued, sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Alerian (“Licensor”) or its affiliates. Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (“Index”) to track general market performance. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing or trading of the Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the relevant Fund. Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index, AMZI and AMZIX are trademarks of GKD Index Partners, LLC and their general use is granted under a license from GKD Index Partners, LLC.

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE QUALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY KIND RELATED TO THE INDEX OR DATA. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED TO LICENSEE OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between Alerian and Licensee.

 

The Index is the exclusive property of GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) (“S&P Dow Jones Indices”) to calculate and maintain the Index. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and its related stylized mark(s) have been licensed for use by Alerian.

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices, SPFS, Dow Jones or any of their affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities”). S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities only relationship to Alerian with respect to the Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

 

24 

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALERIAN, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE SDOG FUND

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of the physical commodities market. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

25 

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

Standard & Poor’s Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s®, and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.SM The S&P 500® is the property of Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and has been licensed by S&P for use by S-Network Global Indexes LLC in connection with the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs (Ticker: SDOGX).

 

26 

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE BFOR FUND

 

MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the Barron’s 400SM ETF or the Adviser. The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.

 

The Index Provider has entered into a license agreement with Dow Jones & Company (the “DJ Master License Agreement”) to use the “Barron’s” name and certain related intellectual property in connection with the Underlying Index. The Index Provider also has entered into a license and services agreement with its parent company, MarketGrader.com, to use the methodology for constructing the Underlying Index (the “MG Master License Agreement”). The Index Provider in turn has entered into the Sublicense Agreement with the Adviser to use the Underlying Index. Pursuant to the Sublicense Agreement, the use of the Underlying Index by the Adviser and the Fund is subject to the terms of the DJ Master License Agreement and the MG Master License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions on the Fund’s ability to use the Underlying Index.

 

“The Barron’s 400 IndexSM” is calculated and published by MarketGrader Capital LLC (“MarketGrader”). “Barron’s”, “Barron’s 400” and “Barron’s 400 Index” are trademarks or service marks of DJC & Company, Inc. or its affiliates and have been licensed to MarketGrader and sublicensed for certain purposes by Barron’s 400 Exchange Traded Fund, a sub-fund of that certain ALPS ETF Trust, a Delaware Statutory Trust (“Sub-Licensee”).

 

The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Product”) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by DJC or its affiliates. DJC and its affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the Licensee or to the owners of the Product(s) or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the Product(s). DJC and its affiliates’ only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of DJC. The Barron’s 400 IndexSM is determined, composed and calculated by MarketGrader without regard DJC. DJC has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Product into consideration in connection with its licensing of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM to MarketGrader or the sublicense to Licensee. DJC and its affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the calculation of the Barron’s 400 Index SM or in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Product to be sold or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product are to be converted into cash. DJC and its affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM or the Product.

 

DOW JONES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEXSM OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES, AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT(S), OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEXSM OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARRON’S 400 INDEXSM OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES OR ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN MARKETGRADER AND THE LICENSEE, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF MARKETGRADER.

 

27 

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE IDOG FUND

 

S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF or the Adviser. The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.

 

The only relationship that the Index Provider has with the Fund, the Adviser or Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that the Index Provider has licensed certain of its intellectual property, including the determination of the component stocks of the Underlying Index and the name of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is selected and calculated without regard to the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the specific needs of the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund into consideration in the determination and calculation of the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the net asset value of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Fund.

 

Standard & Poor's Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Underlying Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Index Provider is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

28 

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by the Index Provider. The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE ENFR FUND

 

Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Alerian. Alerian makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the product(s). Alerian has no obligation to take the needs of ALPS Advisors (in its capacity as licensee of the Index, the “Licensee”) or the owners of the Shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Alerian is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Shares of the Fund to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Shares of the Fund are to be converted into cash. Alerian has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Shares of the Fund. Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index, Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index, AMEI and AMEIX are trademarks of GKD Index Partners, LLC and their general use is granted under a license from GKD Index Partners, LLC.

 

Alerian does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein and Alerian shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Alerian makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Licensee, owners of the Shares of the Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or any data included therein. Alerian makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties, of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data included therein, without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Alerian have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between Alerian and Licensee.

 

29 

 

The Index is the exclusive property of GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) (“S&P Dow Jones Indices”) to calculate and maintain the Index. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and its related stylized mark(s) have been licensed for use by Alerian.

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices, SPFS, Dow Jones or any of their affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities”). S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities only relationship to Alerian with respect to the Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALERIAN, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

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THE EDOG FUND

 

S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF or the Adviser. The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.

 

The only relationship that the Index Provider has with the Fund, the Adviser or Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that the Index Provider has licensed certain of its intellectual property, including the determination of the component stocks of the Underlying Index and the name of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is selected and calculated without regard to the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the specific needs of the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund into consideration in the determination and calculation of the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the net asset value of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Fund.

 

Standard & Poor’s Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Underlying Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Index Provider is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

31 

 

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by the Index Provider.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE SBIO FUND

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of the physical commodities market. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

Standard & Poor’s Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

32 

 

NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.

 

Standard & Poor’s®, and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. SM

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE DTEC FUND

 

“Indxx” is a service mark of Indxx and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by the Adviser. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Indxx. Indxx makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly. Indxx has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the shareholders of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Indxx is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, amount or pricing of the Fund shares to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund shares are to be converted into cash. Indxx has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

 

33 

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

THE ACES FUND

 

CIBC NTC is the designer of the construction and methodology for the Underlying Index. “CIBC NTC” and “CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index” are service marks or trademarks of the Index Provider. CIBC NTC acts as brand licensor for the Underlying Index and is not responsible for the descriptions of the Fund that appear herein.

 

The Fund is not sponsored by CIBC NTC or any of its affiliates. CIBC NTC makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or commodities generally or in the Fund particularly. CIBC NTC does not guarantee the quality, accuracy or completeness of the Underlying Index or any Underlying Index data included herein or derived therefrom and assumes no liability in connection with their use. The Underlying Index is determined and composed without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. CIBC NTC has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser, the Fund or the shareholders of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. CIBC NTC is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the Fund.

 

CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. CIBC NTC makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Adviser, the Fund, Fund shareholders or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. CIBC NTC makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall CIBC NTC have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

All intellectual property rights in the Underlying Index vests in CIBC NTC.

 

The Underlying Index is the property of CIBC NTC, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) to calculate and maintain the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is not sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices or its affiliates or its third party licensors (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices will not be liable for any errors or omissions in calculating the Underlying Index. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and the related stylized mark(s) are service marks of S&P Dow Jones Indices and have been licensed for use by CIBC NTC. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”), and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”).

 

34 

 

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to CIBC NTC with respect to the Underlying Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and the provision of the calculation services related to the Underlying Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY CIBC NTC, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.

 

The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”). The Index Provider has entered into a license agreement with the Adviser (the “License Agreement”). The use of the Underlying Index by the Adviser and the Fund is subject to the terms of the License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions on the Fund’s ability to use the Underlying Index.

 

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

35 

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS

 

A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus.

 

GENERAL

 

Investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.

 

An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.

 

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

 

The principal trading market for some of the securities in an Underlying Index may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

 

COMMON STOCK RISK

 

Common stock held by a Fund may fall in value due to general market and economic conditions (market risk) and in response to the fortunes of individual companies (company risk). Therefore, the value of an investment in a Fund holding common stock may decrease. The market as a whole can decline for many reasons, including adverse political or economic developments here or abroad, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling. Also, certain unanticipated events, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, and other geopolitical events, can have a dramatic adverse effect on stock markets. Changes in the financial condition of a company or other issuer, changes in specific market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions that affect a particular type of investment or issuer, and changes in general market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions can adversely affect the price of equity securities. These developments and changes can affect a single issuer, issuers within a broad market sector, industry or geographic region, or the market in general.

 

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NON-U.S. AND EMERGING MARKETS SECURITIES

 

A Fund’s return and net asset value may be significantly affected by political or economic conditions and regulatory requirements in a particular country. Non-U.S. markets, economies and political systems may be less stable than U.S. markets, and changes in exchange rates of foreign currencies can affect the value of a Fund’s foreign assets. Non-U.S. laws and accounting standards typically are not as comprehensive as they are in the U.S. and there may be less public information available about foreign companies. Non-U.S. securities markets may be less liquid and have fewer transactions than U.S. securities markets. Additionally, international markets may experience delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures for a Fund’s portfolio securities. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and could be subject to extended settlement periods or restrictions affecting the prompt return of capital to the U.S.

 

Non-U.S. equity securities can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or regulatory conditions in foreign countries. Less information may be available about foreign companies than about domestic companies, and foreign companies generally may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies.

 

Investing in emerging market equity securities can pose some risks different from, and greater than, risks of investing in U.S. or developed markets equity securities. These risks include: a risk of loss due to political instability; exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and mature, and to political systems which may have less stability than those of more developed countries; smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Funds. Emerging market securities may be subject to currency transfer restrictions and may experience delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures for a Fund’s portfolio securities. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

 

RISKS OF CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

 

The RIGS Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFFC Fund and the RFCI Fund may, in certain circumstances, attempt to hedge against each Fund’s currency risk by entering into forward contracts. Hedging a Fund’s currency risks involves the risk of mismatching a Fund’s objectives under a forward or futures contract with the value of securities denominated in a particular currency. Furthermore, such transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is an additional risk to the effect that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which a Fund’s securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not entered into such contracts. In addition, certain market conditions may make it impossible or uneconomical to hedge against currency risk.

 

37 

 

Certain other Funds invest in non-U.S. securities and thus may engage in foreign exchange transactions. Foreign exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which foreign exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Foreign exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If the RIGS Fund. the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and/or the RFFC Fund utilizes foreign exchange transactions at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions, trends or correlations incorrectly, foreign exchange transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of the Fund’s return with the performance of its Underlying Index and may lower a Fund’s return. For Funds other than the RIGS Fund. the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund, if a Fund utilizes foreign exchange transactions at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions, trends or correlations incorrectly, foreign exchange transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of the Fund’s return with the performance of its Underlying Index and may lower the Fund’s return. A Fund could experience losses if the value of its currency forwards, options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. In addition, a Fund could incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.

 

TAX RISKS

 

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares of a Fund will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectus and this Statement is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares of a 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 Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

 

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Shares of a Fund are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an Exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that a Fund’s prospectus is available at the applicable listing Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an Exchange.

 

 

38 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Trustees and Officers

 

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined by the 1940 Act) due to his prior affiliation with the Adviser.

 

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name, Address &

Year of Birth*

Position(s) Held

with Trust

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served**

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past

5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustees***

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustees

Mary K. Anstine, 1940 Trustee Since March 2008 Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. 33 Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds).

 

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Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. 33 Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund).

 

40 

 

Rick A. Pederson, 1952 Trustee Since March 2008 Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 - present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013-2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014-present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015-present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. 17 Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund).

 

* The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

The Trustee who is an “interested person” of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.

 

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Interested Trustee

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth of

Interested Trustee*

Position(s) Held

with Trust

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served**

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past

5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustees***

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustees

Edmund J. Burke, 1961 Trustee Since December 2017. Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (“APSD”). Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. 28 Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds).

 

 

* The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
** This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.
***The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

Officers

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth of

Officer

Position(s) Held

with Trust

Length of

Time Served*

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Bradley Swenson, 1972 President Since June 2019 Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004-2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27.

 

42 

 

Matthew Sutula, 1985 Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) Since December 2019 Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as interim Compliance Officer of the Trust (September 2019 to December 2019). Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc.

Kathryn

Burns, 1976

Treasurer Since September 2018 Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 Secretary Since September 2019 Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC.
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 Assistant Secretary Since December 2016 Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013-2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008-2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust.

 

 

* The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.
** This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until her/her successor is elected.

 

43 

 

Additional Information About the Trustees’ Qualifications and Experience

 

The following is a brief discussion of the specific education, experience, qualifications, or skills that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each person identified below should serve as a Trustee for the Trust.

 

Mary K. Anstine

 

Ms. Anstine has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. Currently retired, Ms. Anstine has over 30 years of financial services experience. Most recently, she was President and CEO of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado from 1994 through 2004. From 1964 to 1994, Ms. Anstine held positions leading up to Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank. She was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on her business and financial services experience.

 

Jeremy W. Deems

 

Mr. Deems has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. In 2007, Mr. Deems co-founded Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser, for which he currently serves as Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to co-founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, investment advisor to the Forward Funds, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company, from 1998 to June 2007. Mr. Deems received a B.S. and a MBA in finance from Saint Mary’s College of California and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services, accounting and investment management experience.

 

Rick A. Pederson

 

Rick A. Pederson – Mr. Pederson has served as an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 2008. He currently serves on the Trust’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and on the Audit Committee. Mr. Pederson has been a long-time manager of private equity and real estate investment funds, and has served on the boards of several private companies and not-for-profit entities. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business and financial services experience.

 

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Edmund J. Burke

 

Mr. Burke has been an Interested Trustee of the Trust since December 11, 2017. Mr. Burke joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Fund’s administrator, in 1991 and retired in 2019. He previously served as Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., the Fund’s principal underwriter, and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke has over 20 years of financial services and investment management experience. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Burke was a Regional Vice President for the Pioneer Funds in Boston and has also worked with Fidelity. Mr. Burke has a B.A. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services and investment management experience.

 

Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

 

Overall responsibility for oversight of each Fund rests with the Trustees. The Trust has engaged the Adviser to manage each Fund on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in the operations of each Fund in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Trust’s charter. The Board is currently composed of four members, three of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board meets at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

 

The Board has appointed Mr. Pederson, an Independent Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined not to appoint a lead independent trustee. The Board reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate given the Trust’s characteristics and circumstances. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, the fact that the Chairman of the Board is an Independent Trustee, the Trust’s multiple series of Fund shares, the Trust’s net assets, the services provided by the Trust’s service providers, and the formal and informal functions of the various Independent Trustees both during and between Board meetings.

 

Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Funds, the Board, directly or through either Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, Fund management, the Adviser, the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, the Funds’ legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds regarding risks faced by each Fund. The Board, with the assistance of Fund management and the Adviser, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of each Fund’s performance. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing of the Funds’ compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for each Fund and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board’s periodic review of each Fund’s advisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of these service providers’ operations and the functions for which they are responsible.

 

None of the Independent Trustees own securities in the Adviser or the Distributor, nor do they own securities in any entity directly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.

 

45 

 

The Board met [ ] times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee which considers such matters pertaining to the Trust’s books of account, financial records, internal accounting controls and changes in accounting principles or practices as the Trustees may from time to time determine. The Audit Committee also considers the engagement and compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm (“Firm”) and ensures receipt from the Firm of a formal written statement delineating relationships between the Firm and the Trust, consistent with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526. The Audit Committee also meets privately with the representatives of the Firm to review the scope and results of audits and other duties as set forth in the Audit Committee’s Charter. The Audit Committee members, each of whom are Independent Trustees are: Ms. Anstine and Messrs. Deems (Chairman) and Pederson. The Audit Committee met [ ] times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets periodically to advise and assist the Board in selecting nominees to serve as trustees of the Trust. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also advises and assists the Board in establishing, implementing and executing policies, procedures and practices that assure orderly and effective governance of the Trust and effective and efficient management of all business and financial affairs of the Trust. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are currently: Ms. Anstine (Chairman) and Messrs. Deems and Pederson. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board met once during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019.

 

Shareholder Nominations. The Board will consider shareholder nominees for Trustees. All nominees must possess the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience for serving on the Board. In particular, the Board and its Independent Trustees will consider each nominee’s integrity, educational, professional background, understanding of the Trust’s business on a technical level and commitment to devote the time and attention necessary to fulfill a Trustee’s duties. All shareholders who wish to recommend nominees for consideration as Trustees shall submit the names and qualifications of the candidates to the Secretary of the Trust by writing to: ALPS ETF Trust, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado, 80203.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the dollar range of equity securities in the Funds beneficially owned by the Interested Trustee were as follows:

 

Interested Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Funds

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in All Registered Investment

Companies Overseen by Trustee

in Family of Investment Companies

Edmund J. Burke None None

 

As of December 31, 2019, the dollar range of equity securities in the Funds beneficially owned by Independent Trustees were as follows:

 

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Independent Trustees

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Funds

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in All Registered Investment

Companies Overseen by Trustee

in Family of Investment Companies

Mary K. Anstine None [$10,001 - $50,000]
Jeremy W. Deems None None
Rick Pederson None None

 

Remuneration of Trustees and Officers

 

Each Independent Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. Prior to January 1, 2020, Mr. Burke received no compensation or expense reimbursements from the Trust. Effective January 1, 2020, Mr. Burke receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, each of Messrs. Pederson and Deems receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, respectively, in connection with their respective roles as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee. The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019:

 

 

Aggregate

Compensation

From the Trust

Pension Or Retirement

Benefits Accrued As

Part of Fund Expenses

Estimated Annual

Benefits Upon

Retirement

Aggregate Compensation

From The Trust

And Fund Complex

Paid To Trustees(1)

Mary K. Anstine, Trustee $ $0 $0 $
Edmund J. Burke, Trustee N/A N/A N/A N/A
Jeremy W. Deems, Trustee $ $0 $0 $
Rick A. Pederson, Trustee $ $0 $0 $

 

 

(1)The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

Officers who are employed by the Adviser receive no compensation or expense reimbursements from the Trust.

 

Adviser. The Funds are managed by the Adviser. The Adviser, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“ALPS Holdings”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of each Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. The Adviser’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203. The Adviser is an affiliate of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., who serves as the Funds’ administrator, and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., who serves as Distributor to the Funds.

 

47 

 

Located in Denver, Colorado, ALPS Holdings was founded in 1985 as a provider of fund administration and fund distribution services. Since then, ALPS Holdings has added additional services, including fund accounting, transfer agency, shareholder services, active distribution, legal, tax and compliance services. As of December 31, 2019, ALPS Advisors, Inc. managed over $[ ] billion in assets. ALPS Holdings is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (“SS&C”), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which acquired ALPS Holdings’ parent company DST Systems, Inc. in a transaction which closed on April 16, 2018.

 

Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, the Adviser is responsible for all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, trustees and other services, except interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Funds’ business.

 

The Funds’ unitary advisory fees as a percentage of net assets are:

 

Fund Advisory Fee
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF* 0.35%
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF** 0.37%
Alerian MLP ETF*** 0.85%
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.40%
Barron’s 400SM ETF 0.65%
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.50%
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund**** 0.46%
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF 0.65%
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF 0.60%
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF 0.50%
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF 0.51%
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF 0.51%
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF 0.52%
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF 0.52%
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF 0.50%
ALPS Clean Energy ETF 0.65%

 

* Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF. In addition, effective January 2, 2020, the Fund’s advisory fee changed from 0.55% to 0.35%.
** With respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, the Adviser has agreed, through March 31, 2020, to reduce its annual advisory fee by 0.19%. As described in the Fund’s prospectus, the Adviser will reimburse the Fund an amount equal to the distribution fee received by the Distributor from the Underlying Sector ETFs (as defined in the Fund’s prospectus) attributable to the Fund’s investment in the Underlying Sector ETFs, for so long as the Distributor acts as distributor to the Fund and the Underlying Sector ETFs.

 

48 

 

*** With respect to the Alerian MLP ETF, the unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 85 basis points (0.85%) for average net assets up to and including $10 billion, (ii) 80 basis points (0.80%) for average net assets greater than $10 billion up to and including $15 billion, (iii) 70 basis points (0.70%) for average net assets greater than $15 billion up to and including $20 billion, (iv) 55 basis points (0.55%) for average net assets greater than $20 billion up to and including $25 billion, and (v) 40 basis points (0.40%) for average net assets greater than $25 billion. Prior to June 29, 2018, the unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets was subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 85 basis points (0.85%) for average net assets up to and including $10 billion, (ii) 80 basis points (0.80%) for average net assets greater than $10 billion up to and including $15 billion, (iii) 75.5 basis points (0.755%) for average net assets greater than $15 billion up to and including $20 billion, and (iv) 71.5 basis points (0.715%) for average net assets greater than $20 billion.
**** With respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, the unitary management fee is comprised of 0.11% payable to the Adviser and 0.35% payable to the Sub-Adviser.

 

The table below shows the management fees earned by ALPS Advisors, Inc. for the periods indicated.

 

Fund

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2019

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2018

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2017

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF(1)   $330,310 $406,955
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  

Gross Fee: $597,982

Waiver: $354,657

Net Fee: $243,325

Gross Fee: $585,726

Waiver: $348,269

Net Fee: $237,457

Alerian MLP ETF   $83,031,267 $85,739,653
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   $9,116,138 $8,733,082
Barron’s 400SM ETF   $1,237,516 $1,268,083
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   $1,656,503 $1,259,846
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   $433,035 $510,241
 Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF   $272,374 $216,038
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   $264,947 $219,867
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   $1,021,628 $565,171
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF   $191,758 $44,857
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   $524,833 $149,192
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   $586,915 $184,210
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   $571,626 $134,175
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF(2)   $124,548 N/A
ALPS Clean Energy ETF(3)   $35,339 N/A

 

49 

 

(1) Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF.
(2) The DTEC Fund commenced operations on December 29, 2017.
(3) The ACES Fund commenced operations on June 29, 2018.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the performance of the Investment Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder. The initial term of the Investment Advisory Agreement is two years and continues thereafter only if approved annually by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically upon assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty as to the Funds by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of the holders of a majority of that Funds’ outstanding voting securities on 60 days written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 60 days written notice to the Fund.

 

Sub-Adviser.

 

RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (“RiverFront”) acts as Sub-Adviser to the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). RiverFront, established in April 2008, is located at 1214 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219. RiverFront is majority-owned by its employees but is affiliated with Baird Financial Corporation (“Baird”) as a result of Baird’s minority equity interest and representation on RiverFront’s board of directors. RiverFront is an investment adviser registered with the Securities Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The company manages a variety of portfolios utilizing stocks, bonds, and ETFs. RiverFront also serves as sub-adviser to a series of mutual funds and ETFs. As of December 31, 2019, RiverFront had approximately $__ billion in assets under advisement (discretionary and non-discretionary assets).

 

Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, RiverFront furnishes the investment program for the RIGS Fund and manages the investment and reinvestment of the RIGS Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis under the supervision of the Adviser. From July 1, 2016 to October 31, 2018, the sub-advisory fee payable to RiverFront, pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, was 0.30% of the RIGS Fund’s average daily net assets. During that time, RiverFront waived its entire sub-advisory fee. Effective November 1, 2018, pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund, the Fund pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee for the services it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The table below shows the sub-advisory fees earned and waived by RiverFront for the periods indicated.

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2019

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2018

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2017

Gross Sub-Advisory Fees   $755,829 $956,629
Waiver   ($717,509) ($956,629)
Net Sub-Advisory Fees   $38,320 $0

 

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Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, RiverFront furnishes the investment program for the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund and manages the investment and reinvestment of the Funds’ assets on an ongoing basis subject to the Adviser’s oversight. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays RiverFront a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser’s advisory fee for the services it provides to the Fund, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.35% of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The table below shows the sub-advisory fees earned by RiverFront for the periods indicated.

 

Fund

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2019

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2018

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2017

RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF   $162,045 $30,807
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   $364,401 $102,570
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   $367,210 $124,153
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   $377,452 $90,430

 

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers; Compensation of the Portfolio Managers.

 

Information regarding the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers as of November 30, 2019, is set forth below:

 

  Accounts Managed

Accounts With Respect to Which

the Advisory Fee is based on the

Performance of the Account

Name of Portfolio Manager Category of Account

Number of

Accounts in Category

Total Assets in

Accounts in Category

Number of

Accounts in Category

Total Assets in

Accounts in Category

All Funds except for the RIGS FUND, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund
Ryan Mischker Registered Investment Companies     N/A N/A
  Other Pooled investment vehicles     N/A N/A
  Other Accounts     N/A N/A
Andrew Hicks Registered Investment Companies     N/A N/A
  Other Pooled investment vehicles     N/A N/A
  Other Accounts     N/A N/A

 

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RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF and RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income Fund  
Tim Anderson, CFA Registered Investment Companies        
  Other Pooled investment vehicles        
  Other Accounts        
Rob Glownia, CFA Registered Investment Companies        
  Other Pooled investment vehicles        
  Other Accounts        

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF    
Adam Grossman, CFA Registered Investment Companies        
  Other Pooled investment vehicles        
  Other Accounts        
Chris Konstantinos, CFA Registered Investment Companies        
  Other Pooled investment vehicles        
  Other Accounts        
Scott Hays, CFA Registered Investment Companies        
  Other Pooled investment vehicles        
  Other Accounts        
Rob Glownia, CFA Registered Investment Companies        
  Other Pooled investment vehicles        
  Other Accounts        

 

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Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure Disclosure

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund, except the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund, as described below. Mr. Mischker and Mr. Hicks, who are also responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund with the exception of the RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund, are paid a base salary, plus a discretionary bonus. The bonus for Mr. Mischker and Mr. Hicks is determined by the business unit’s revenue and profitability as well as the individual’s contribution to the business unit. The bonus for Mr. Mischker and Mr. Hicks is discretionary and is not based specifically on portfolio performance.

 

RiverFront Investment Group, LLC

RiverFront compensates portfolio managers with a base salary and an annual bonus. A portfolio manager’s base salary is generally a fixed amount based on level of experience and responsibilities. A portfolio manager’s bonus is a function of RiverFront’s overall financial performance, the relative and absolute performance of the accounts that the portfolio manager is managing, including the Fund, and the portfolio manager’s individual investment and other job-related performance.

 

Specifically, the Sub-Adviser accrues a corporate bonus pool that is indexed to the overall profitability of the firm. Each portfolio manager is given a “target bonus” based on achieving the profitability targets. This target bonus is then indexed again (higher or lower) based on each portfolio manager’s individual performance.

 

Portfolio managers may also own, be awarded and/or may be offered an opportunity to purchase or sell interests in RiverFront’s holding company.

 

RiverFront and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for RiverFront and the individuals that it employs. For example, RiverFront seeks to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. RiverFront has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of limited investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by RiverFront and the Funds will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear.

 

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These potential conflicts include:

 

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. As a result, the portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies. The Sub-Adviser specializes in managing asset allocation portfolios, which invest in various investment vehicles, including ETFs (one of which is advised by the Sub-Adviser), to obtain targeted amounts of exposure to different asset classes, such as equities, bonds, commodities, etc. The RIGS Fund was developed to serve as, and will serve as, a “completion sleeve” for the asset allocation portfolios managed by the Sub-Adviser. As the manager of the RIGS Fund and the portfolios, the Sub-Adviser will owe a fiduciary duty to the RIGS Fund and the portfolios and is likely to encounter conflicts of interest from time to time. For example, to the extent that the Sub-Adviser determines that the portfolios need to increase (or decrease) their exposure to a fixed income asset class, the Sub-Adviser can effectuate this determination by increasing (or decreasing) the Fund’s exposure to the asset class. Further, the Sub-Adviser may need to reduce its asset allocation portfolios’ exposure to a fixed income asset class to which they obtain exposure by investing in the RIGS Fund. Under such circumstances, pursuant to its fiduciary duties as an asset allocator, the Sub-Adviser might liquidate some or all of the portfolios’ investments in the RIGS Fund. This could materially adversely affect the trading volume and/or the market price of RIGS Fund shares, particularly if the Sub-Adviser needs to significantly reduce the portfolios’ allocation to the RIGS Fund.

 

Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity.

 

Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.

 

Investment Program. The Funds will be included as a part of a broader investment program developed by the Sub-Adviser and managed by the portfolio managers. The portfolio managers will be required to satisfy their duties to both the Funds and the accounts that invest in these broader programs. Conflicts may arise when the portfolio managers attempt to satisfy the needs of each type of customer. The Sub-Adviser has developed procedures to address these potential conflicts.

 

Selection of Brokers/Dealers. Portfolio managers may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or account that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide portfolio managers with brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the portfolio manager determine in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages.

 

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Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the investment adviser’s management fee and/or the portfolio manager’s compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the investment adviser and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain or raise assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager to lend preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.

 

Related Business Opportunities. RiverFront or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to RiverFront and its affiliates.

 

Securities Ownership of the Portfolio Managers. The dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of November 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

Portfolio Manager

Ryan Mischker

Fund

Dollar Range of Fund

Shares Beneficially Owned

  ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF*  
  ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
  Alerian MLP ETF  
  ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
  Barron’s 400SM ETF  
  ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
  Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
  ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
  ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
  ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
  ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Andrew Hicks    
  ALPS REIT Dividend DOGS ETF*  
  ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF  
  Alerian MLP ETF  
  ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
  Barron’s 400SM ETF  
  ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
  Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF  
  ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF  
  ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF  
  ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
  ALPS Clean Energy ETF  

 

* Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF.

 

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Tim Anderson, CFA    
  RiverFront Strategic Income Fund  
  RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF  
Rob Glownia, CFA, CFP    
  RiverFront Strategic Income Fund  
  RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF  

 

Adam Grossman, CFA    
  RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF  
Chris Konstantinos, CFA    
  RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF  
Scott Hays, CFA    
  RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  
  RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF  

 

Administrator. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS Fund Services”) serves as the Trust’s administrator. Pursuant to an administration agreement, ALPS Fund Services provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and accounting services to the Trust. For the services, ALPS Fund Services receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee. ALPS Fund Services is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

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Custodian and Transfer Agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) serves as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. As custodian, SSB holds the Fund’s assets, calculates the NAV of Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. SSB also serves as transfer agent for the Funds pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement. As compensation for the foregoing services, SSB receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee.

 

Distributor. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is the distributor of the Funds’ Shares. Its principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Fund Shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale by each Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the Prospectus and below under the heading “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units.”

 

Financial Intermediary Compensation. The Adviser and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates (“ALPS Entities”) may pay certain broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to certain Funds (“Payments”). Any Payments made by ALPS Entities will be made from their own assets and not from the assets of the Funds. Although a portion of ALPS Entities’ revenue comes directly or indirectly in part from fees paid by the Funds, Payments do not increase the price paid by investors for the purchase of shares of, or the cost of owning, a Fund. ALPS Entities may make Payments for Intermediaries to participate in activities that are designed to make registered representatives, other professionals and individual investors more knowledgeable about the Funds or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, the support of technology platforms and/or reporting systems. ALPS Entities may also make Payments to Intermediaries for certain printing, publishing and mailing costs associated with the Funds or materials relating to exchange-traded funds in general. In addition, ALPS Entities may make Payments to Intermediaries that make Shares available to their clients or for otherwise promoting the Funds. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments. The Adviser has established revenue-sharing arrangements with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (“Raymond James”). Under these arrangements, Schwab and Raymond James have agreed not to charge their customers any trading commissions when those customers purchase or sell shares of certain Funds online. In addition, Schwab and Raymond James will promote the availability of commission-free trading for certain Funds to their customers.

 

Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your salesperson or other investment professional may also be significant for your salesperson or other investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about which investment options it will recommend or make available to its clients or what services to provide for various products based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, Payments create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients and these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the Funds over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect to your salesperson or other investment professional if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.

 

ALPS Entities may determine to make Payments based on any number of metrics. For example, ALPS Entities may make Payments at year-end or other intervals in a fixed amount, an amount based upon an Intermediary’s services at defined levels or an amount based on the Intermediary’s net sales of one or more Funds in a year or other period, any of which arrangements may include an agreed-upon minimum or maximum payment, or any combination of the foregoing. The Adviser anticipates that the Payments paid by ALPS Entities in connection with the Funds will be immaterial to ALPS Entities in the aggregate for the current fiscal year. Please contact your salesperson or other investment professional for more information regarding any Payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by the ALPS Entities to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of the Funds.

 

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Aggregations. Fund Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

 

The Distribution Agreement for the Funds provides that it may be terminated as to a Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days written notice by the Trust to the Distributor (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in “Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations” below) and DTC Participants of the Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”) (as defined in “DTC Acts as Securities Depository” below).

 

Securities Lending

 

Pursuant to a securities lending agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) between the Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company (in such capacity, the “Securities Lending Agent”), the Funds may lend their securities through the Securities Lending Agent to certain qualified borrowers. The Securities Lending Agent administers the Funds’ securities lending program. These services include arranging the securities loans with approved borrowers and collecting fees and rebates due to the Funds from each borrower. The Securities Lending Agent also collects and maintains collateral intended to secure the obligations of each borrower and marks to market daily the value of loaned securities. If a borrower defaults on a loan, the Securities Lending Agent is authorized to exercise contractual remedies and, pursuant to the terms of the Securities Lending Agreement, has agreed to indemnify the Funds for losses due to a borrower’s failure to return a lent security, which exclude losses associated with collateral reinvestment. The Securities Lending Agent may also invest cash received as collateral in pre-approved investments in accordance with the Securities Lending Agreement. The Securities Lending Agent maintains records of loans made and income derived therefrom and makes available such records that the Funds deem necessary to monitor the securities lending program.

 

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019, the Funds earned income and incurred the following costs and expenses as a result of their securities lending activities:

 

Fund Gross Income1 Revenue Split2 Cash Collateral Management Fees3 Administrative Fees4 Indemnification Fees5 Rebates to Borrowers Other Fees Total Costs of the Securities Lending Activities Net Income from the Securities Lending Activities
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF                  
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF                  

 

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ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF                  
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF                  
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF                  
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF                  
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF                  
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF                  
Barrons 400SMETF                  
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF(6)                  
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF                  
ALPS Clean Energy ETF                  

 

 

1

Gross income includes income from the reinvestment of cash collateral and rebates paid by the borrower.
2Revenue split represents the share of revenue generated by the securities lending program and paid to the Securities Lending Agent.
3Cash collateral management fees include fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle that are not included in the revenue split.
4These administrative fees are not included in the revenue split.
5These indemnification fees are not included in the revenue split.
6 Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF.

 

[The RIGS Fund, the ENFR Fund, the RFUN Fund and the RFCI Fund did not participate in securities lending activities for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019. ]

 

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

 

The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions that are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers. The sale of Fund Shares by a broker-dealer is not a factor in the selection of broker-dealers.

 

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In seeking to implement the Trust’s policies, the Adviser effects transactions with those brokers and dealers that the Adviser believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of providing efficient executions. None of the Adviser, or its affiliates currently participate in soft dollar transactions.

 

The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of each Fund for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities by a Fund and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities may be allocated among the Fund, the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Fund. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.

 

RIGS Fund, RFUN Fund and RFCI Fund

 

Investment Decisions and Portfolio Transactions

 

Investment decisions for each Fund are made with a view to achieving its investment objective. Investment decisions are the product of many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular client involved (including a Fund). Some securities considered for investment by a Fund may also be appropriate for other clients served by the Sub-Adviser. Thus, a particular security may be bought or sold for certain clients even though it could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time. If a purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of a Fund and one or more of these clients is considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the Fund and clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by the Sub-Adviser. Particularly when investing in less liquid or illiquid securities, such allocation may take into account the asset size of a Fund in determining whether the allocation of an investment is suitable. The Sub-Adviser may aggregate orders for a Fund with simultaneous transactions entered into on behalf of its other clients so long as price and transaction expenses are averaged either for the portfolio transaction or for that day. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the security. In some instances, one client may sell a particular security to another client. It also sometimes happens that two or more clients simultaneously purchase or sell the same security, in which event each day’s transactions in such security are, insofar as possible, averaged as to price and allocated between such clients in a manner which in the Sub-Adviser’s opinion is equitable to each and in accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each. There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more clients will have an adverse effect on other clients, including a Fund.

 

Brokerage and Research Services

 

The Sub-Adviser places orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, options and futures contracts and buys and sells such securities, options and futures fora Fund through a substantial number of brokers and dealers. In so doing, the Sub-Adviser uses its best efforts to obtain for a Fund the most favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions as described below. In seeking the most favorable price and execution, the Sub-Adviser, having in mind a Fund’s best interests, considers all factors it deems relevant, including, by way of illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the broker-dealer in that or other transactions.

 

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The Sub-Adviser places orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for a Fund’s accounts with brokers or dealers selected by it in its discretion. In effecting purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the accounts of a Fund, the Sub-Adviser will seek the best price and execution of a Fund’s orders. In doing so, a Fund may pay higher commission rates than the lowest available when the Sub-Adviser believes it is reasonable to do so in light of the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker effecting the transaction, as discussed below. Although a Fund may use a broker-dealer that sells Fund shares to effect transactions for the Fund’s portfolios, the Fund will not consider the sale of Fund shares as a factor when selecting broker-dealers to execute those transactions.

 

There is generally no stated commission in the case of fixed-income securities and other securities traded on a principal basis in the over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by a Fund usually includes an undisclosed dealer commission or markup. In underwritten offerings, the price paid by a Fund includes a disclosed, fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges and other agency transactions involve the payment by a Fund of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different brokers. Also, a particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction. Transactions in non-U.S. securities generally involve the payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which are generally higher than those in the United States. The purchase by a Fund of participations or assignments may be pursuant to privately negotiated transactions pursuant to which the Fund may be required to pay fees to the seller or forego a portion of payments in respect of the participation agreement.

 

Advisers or sub-advisers of investment companies and other institutional investors receive research and brokerage products and services (together, “services”) from broker-dealers which execute portfolio transactions for the clients of such advisers. Consistent with this practice, the Sub-Adviser receives brokerage and research products and services from many broker-dealers with which the Sub-Adviser places a Fund’s portfolio transactions. These services, which in some cases may also be purchased for cash, may include, among other things, such items as general economic and security market reviews, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities, recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities, and services related to the execution of securities transactions. The advisory fees paid by a Fund are not reduced because the Sub-Adviser receives such services even though the receipt of such services relieves the Sub-Adviser from expenses it might otherwise bear. Research and brokerage services provided by broker-dealers chosen by the Sub-Adviser to place a Fund’s portfolio transactions may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in providing services to the Sub-Adviser’s other clients, although not all of these services may be necessarily useful and of value to the Sub-Adviser in managing a Fund. Conversely, brokerage and research products and services provided to the Sub-Adviser by broker-dealers in connection with trades executed on behalf of other clients of the Sub-Adviser may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in managing a Fund, although not all of these brokerage and research products and services may be necessarily useful and of value to the Sub-Adviser in managing such other clients.

 

In reliance on the “safe harbor” provided by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Sub-Adviser may cause a Fund to pay a broker-dealer which provides “brokerage and research services” (as defined for purposes of Section 28(e)) to the Sub-Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund in excess of the commission which another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the advisory accounts for which it exercises investment discretion.

 

The Sub-Adviser may place orders for the purchase and sale of exchange-listed portfolio securities with a broker-dealer that is an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser where, in the judgment of the Sub-Adviser, such firm will be able to obtain a price and execution at least as favorable as other qualified broker-dealers. Pursuant to rules of the SEC, a broker-dealer that is an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser may receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for a Fund on a securities exchange if the commissions paid to such an affiliated broker-dealer by the Fund on exchange transactions do not exceed “usual and customary brokerage commissions.” The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” As required by applicable SEC rules, the Board has adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker are consistent with the foregoing standards.

 

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The table below shows the brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the periods indicated:

 

Fund

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2019

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2018

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

November 30, 2017

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF(1)   $4,255 $3,944
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF   $6,482 $3,311
Alerian MLP ETF   $2,071,226 $1,275,090
 ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   $60,546 $568,102
Barron’s 400SM ETF   $67,513 $71,402
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   $237,072 $73,770
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund   $0 $0
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF   $13,734 $6,944
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF   $60,546 $28,277
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF   $86,454 $39,577
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF   $0 $0
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF   $0 $0
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF   $36,565 $8,021
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF   $63,577 $11,380
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF(2)   $5,260 N/A
ALPS Clean Energy ETF(3)   $1,041 N/A

 

(1) Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF.
(2) The DTEC Fund commenced operations on December 29, 2017.
(3) The ACES Fund commenced operations on June 29, 2018.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

 

The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 13, 2007 and consists of multiple separate portfolios or series.

 

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The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or more series or “funds.” The Board of Trustees of the Trust has the right to establish additional series in the future, to determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges thereof and to modify such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges without shareholder approval.

 

Each Share issued by a Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Fund. Fund Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to a Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation.

 

Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all Funds of the Trust vote together as a single class except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, or if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund, and, if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, the shares of that fund will vote separately on such matter.

 

The Declaration of Trust may, except in limited circumstances, be amended or supplemented by the Trustees without shareholder vote. The holders of Fund shares are required to disclose information on direct or indirect ownership of Fund shares as may be required to comply with various laws applicable to a Fund, and ownership of Fund shares may be disclosed by a Fund if so required by law or regulation.

 

The Trust is not required and does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders owning more than 51% of the outstanding shares of the Trust have the right to call a special meeting to remove one or more Trustees or for any other purpose.

 

The Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of Shares held by DTC Participants (as defined below).

 

Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

Control Persons. Although the Trust does not have information concerning its beneficial ownership held in the names of DTC Participants, as of March 1, 2020, the names, addresses and percentage ownership of each DTC Participant that owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of each Fund were as follows:

 

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF*    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

* Effective January 2, 2020, Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF changed its name to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF.

 

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ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER SAFEKEEPING   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.   1000 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, NJ 07086-6790
WELLS CLEARING   2801 MARKET STREET
H0006-09B
ST. LOUIS MO 63103
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215

 

ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF    
Company Name

 

% of Ownership

Address
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER SAFEKEEPING   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
WELLS CLEARING   2801 MARKET STREET
H0006-09B
ST. LOUIS MO 63103
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.   1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086

 

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER SAFEKEEPING   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
WELLS CLEARING   2801 MARKET STREET
H0006-09B
ST. LOUIS MO 63103
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.   1000 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, NJ 07086-6790
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 Washington Blvd 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310

 

64 

 

Barron’s 400SM ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 Washington Blvd 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
TD AMERITRADE   200 S 108TH AVE.
OMAHA NE 68154-2631
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER SAFEKEEPING   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246

 

Alerian MLP ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER SAFEKEEPING   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
WELLS CLEARING   2801 MARKET STREET
H0006-09B
ST. LOUIS MO 63103
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC  

499 WASHINGTON BLVD

JERSEY CITY NJ 07310

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.   1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086

 

65 

 

RiverFront Strategic Income Fund

   
Company Name % of Ownership Address
ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC.   777 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
19TH FLOOR
MILWAUKEE WI 53202
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC.   880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING, INC.   200 S 108TH AVE.
OMAHA NE 68154-2631
BB&T SECURITIES, LLC   8006 DISCOVERY DRIVE
SUITE 200
RICHMOND VA 23229
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
LPL FINANCIAL CO.  

9785 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE

SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968

SSB&T CO.  

1776 HERITAGE DR.

NORTH QUINCY MA 02171

 

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING, INC.   200 S 108TH AVE.
OMAHA NE 68154-2631
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310

 

ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING, INC.   200 S 108TH AVE.
OMAHA NE 68154-2631
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 Washington Blvd 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215

 

66 

 

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 Washington Blvd 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER SAFEKEEPING   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
TD AMERITRADE CLEARING, INC.   200 S 108TH AVE.
OMAHA NE 68154-2631
PERSHING, LLC   ONE PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399
UBS FINANCIAL   1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY, LLC   1300 THAMES ST
6TH FLOOR
BALTIMORE MD 21231
WELLS CLEARING   2801 MARKET STREET
H0006-09B
ST. LOUIS MO 63103

 

RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF  
Company Name % of Ownership Address
BB&T SECURITIES, LLC   8006 DISCOVERY DRIVE
SUITE 200
RICHMOND VA 23229
JPMORGAN  

500 STANTON CHRISTIANA ROAD FLOOR: 03

NEWARK DE 19713-2107

SSB&T CO.  

1776 HERITAGE DR.

NORTH QUINCY MA 02171

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC.   777 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
19TH FLOOR
MILWAUKEE WI 53202
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC   60 S 6TH ST – P09
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-4400
MLPFS  

4804 DEAR LAKE DR E

JACKSONVILLE FL 32246

RAYMOND JAMES  

880 CARILION PARKWAY

SAINT PETERSBURG FL 33716

 

67 

 

RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
BB&T SECURITIES, LLC   8006 DISCOVERY DRIVE
SUITE 200
RICHMOND VA 23229
SSB&T CO.  

1776 HERITAGE DR.

NORTH QUINCY MA 02171

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC.   777 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
19TH FLOOR
MILWAUKEE WI 53202
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC   499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310
RAYMOND JAMES  

880 CARILION PARKWAY

SAINT PETERSBURG FL 33716

JPMORGAN  

500 STANTON CHRISTIANA ROAD FLOOR: 03

NEWARK DE 19713-2107

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF  
Company Name % of Ownership Address
BB&T SECURITIES, LLC   8006 DISCOVERY DRIVE
SUITE 200
RICHMOND VA 23229
SSB&T CO.  

1776 HERITAGE DR.

NORTH QUINCY MA 02171

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC.   777 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
19TH FLOOR
MILWAUKEE WI 53202
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC   60 S 6TH ST - P09
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-4400
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC   499 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310
RAYMOND JAMES   880 CARILION PARKWAY
SAINT PETERSBURG FL 33716

 

RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF    
Company Name % of Ownership Address
BB&T SECURITIES, LLC   8006 DISCOVERY DRIVE
SUITE 200
RICHMOND VA 23229
SSB&T CO.  

1776 HERITAGE DR.

NORTH QUINCY MA 02171

ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC.   777 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
19TH FLOOR
MILWAUKEE WI 53202
National Financial Services, LLC   499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310

 

68 

 

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF  
Company Name % of Ownership Address
MLPFS   4804 DEERLAKE DR. E.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246
NFS LLC   499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310
PERSHING   ONE PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399
CHARLES SCHWAB   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
TD AMERITRADE   200 S 108TH AVE.
OMAHA NE 68154-2631
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.   1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086

 

ALPS Clean Energy ETF  
Company Name % Of Ownership Address
CHARLES SCHWAB   2423 E LINCOLN DRIVE
PHOENIX AZ 85016-1215
REL/TRUST  

1100 ABERNATHY RD NE, SUITE 400

ATLANTA GA 30328

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC   499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310

 

Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Book Entry.”

 

DTC Acts as Securities Depository for Fund Shares. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

 

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

 

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

 

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Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of each Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

 

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

 

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

 

DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

 

Proxy Voting. The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by each Fund to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The Adviser or Sub-Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix A and B of this SAI. The Board will periodically review each Fund’s proxy voting record.

 

The Trust is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for each Fund also will be available at no charge upon request by calling 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Fund’s Form N-PX also is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose a complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-CSR after its second and fourth quarters. Disclosure of the Fund’s complete holdings is required to be made monthly on Form N-PORT no later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, with information reported on Form N-PORT for the third month of the fiscal quarter made publicly available by the SEC 60 days after the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarter. Form N-CSR and Form N-PORTs for each Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Each Fund’s Form N-CSR will be available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

70 

 

Portfolio Holdings Policy. The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. Each Fund and its service providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in each Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Trust. The Trust’s policy is implemented and overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust, subject to the oversight of the Board. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Board. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. Each Fund’s complete portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day each Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Fund’s listing Exchange and the Nasdaq via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of each Fund. The Trust, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser and the Distributor will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.

 

Codes of Ethics. Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics for the Trust and approved Codes of Ethics adopted by the Adviser, Sub-Adviser and the Distributor (collectively the “Codes”). The Codes are intended to ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from the person’s employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of interest are avoided.

 

The Codes apply to the personal investing activities of Trustees and officers of the Trust, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser and the Distributor (“Access Persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by Access Persons. Under the Codes, Access Persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The Codes permit personnel subject to the Codes to invest in securities subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by each Fund. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. The Codes are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public.

 

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

 

Creation. The Trust issues and sells Shares of each Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.

 

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, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

71 

 

Deposit of Securities and Deposit or Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of each Fund (except as noted below) generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities — the “Deposit Securities” — per each Creation Unit Aggregation constituting a substantial replication of the securities included in the Underlying Index (“Fund Securities”) and an amount of cash — the “Cash Component” — computed as described below. The AMLP Fund effects creations in cash (with the required amount of cash for the purchase of a Creation Unit Aggregation being the “Deposit Cash”). The RIGS Fund, RFUN Fund, RFCI Fund, RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund may effect creations largely or wholly for cash. Together, the Deposit Securities, the Cash Component and/or the Deposit Cash constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of each Fund.

 

The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the Balancing Amount. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the “Deposit Amount” — an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the creator will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the creator will receive the Cash Component.

 

The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) (discussed below), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Fund’s listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for each Fund that effects creations wholly or partly in-kind.

 

Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

 

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for a Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component stocks of a Fund’s Underlying Index. With respect to the RIGS Fund, RFUN Fund, RFCI Fund, RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund the Trust intends to require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to replace any Deposit Security that is a TBA transaction. The amount of cash contributed will be equal to the price of the TBA transaction listed as a Deposit Security. In addition, with respect to Funds that effect creations wholly or partly in-kind, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash — i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount — to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or, if applicable, the Clearing Process (discussed below), or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. Brokerage commissions incurred in connection with the acquisition of Deposit Securities not eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC and hence not eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (discussed below) will be at the expense of the applicable Fund and will affect the value of all Shares; but the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, may adjust the transaction fee within the parameters described above to protect ongoing shareholders. The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the Underlying Index or resulting from certain corporate actions.

 

72 

 

In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day, the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit Aggregation of the applicable Fund.

 

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of a Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see the Book Entry Only System section), and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Distributor, with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All Fund Shares, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant. Only U.S. equity securities are eligible to be cleared through the Clearing Process. Therefore, only Funds which invest solely in such securities are eligible to utilize the Clearing Process.

 

All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the NYSE (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of a Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. In the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below (see the “Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process” and the “Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process” sections). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.

 

All orders from investors who are not Authorized Participants to create Creation Unit Aggregations shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of a Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations that are affected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

 

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With respect to a Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities, the Custodian shall cause the sub-custodian of the Funds to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the securities included in the designated Fund Deposit (or the cash value of all or part of such securities, in the case of a permitted or required cash purchase or “cash in lieu” amount), with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust. Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local sub-custodian(s). Orders to purchase Creation Unit Aggregations must be received by the Distributor from an Authorized Participant on its own or another investor’s behalf by the closing time of the regular trading session on the Fund’s listing Exchange on the relevant Business Day. However, when a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement date.

 

The Authorized Participant must also make available no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Trust, immediately-available or same-day funds estimated by the Trust to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fee. Any excess funds will be returned following settlement of the issue of the Creation Unit Aggregation.

 

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

 

Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process. Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process (including all Fund Deposits made for Funds that are not eligible to utilize the Clearing Process) must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement pre-approved by the Adviser and the Distributor. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date.

 

All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current Deposit Securities and Cash Component. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no later than the second (2nd) Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

74 

 

Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant) (for Funds that could utilize the Clearing Process) and in the circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. (See Creation Transaction Fee section below).

 

Creation Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”). The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such date, and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by 4:00 p.m. or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to a Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and a Fund for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee, as described below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

 

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of a Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of any Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to a Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

 

75 

 

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

 

Creation and Redemption Transaction Fee. Authorized Participants may be required to pay a creation or redemption fee for purchasing or redeeming Creation Units. Creation and redemption transactions for each Fund are subject to an creation or redemption fee, payable to SSB, in the amount listed in the table below, irrespective of the size of the order.

 

An additional variable charge may be imposed for creations effected outside the Clearing Process (with respect to Funds that could utilize the Clearing Process).

 

In addition, in the case of cash creations or where the Trust permits or requires an Authorized Participant to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant may be assessed an additional variable charge to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with purchasing the applicable securities. The Trust may adjust these fees from time to time based upon actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. The Adviser or Sub-Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the creation securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.

 

The standard creation or redemption transaction fee for each Fund is set forth below.

 

76 

 

FUND   STANDARD CREATION OR REDEMPTION TRANSACTION FEE  
RDOG   $ 500  
EQL   $ 500  
AMLP   $ 500  
SDOG   $ 500  
BFOR   $ 500  
IDOG   $ 1,500  
RIGS   $ 500  
ENFR   $ 500  
EDOG   $ 1,500  
SBIO   $ 500  
RFUN   $ 500  
RFCI   $ 500  
RFDA   $ 500  
RFFC   $ 500  
DTEC   $ 500  
ACES   $ 500  

 

Redemption of Fund Shares in Creation Units Aggregations. Fund Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at a Fund’s NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Funds will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Unit Aggregations. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.

 

An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) has full legal authority and legal right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares of the applicable Fund and to receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) if such Shares submitted for redemption have been loaned or pledged to another party or are the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or any other arrangement effecting legal or beneficial ownership of such Shares being tendered there are no restrictions precluding the tender and delivery of such Shares (including borrowed Shares, if any) for redemption, free and clear of liens, on the redemption settlement date. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification with respect to a redemption request from the Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form and may be rejected by the Trust.

 

With respect to each Fund that effects redemptions wholly or partly in-kind, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Fund’s listing Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.

 

77 

 

Unless cash redemptions (or partial cash redemptions) are available or specified for a Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation generally consist of Fund Securities — as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form — plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee as listed below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the difference is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.

 

The AMLP Fund effects redemptions in cash. The RIGS Fund, the RFCI Fund, the RFUN Fund, the RFDA Fund and the RFFC Fund may effect redemptions largely or wholly in cash.

 

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Fund or determination of a Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.

 

Redemption Transaction Fee. A redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Fund. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available or specified) for a Fund may be imposed to compensate a Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. A Fund may adjust these fees from time to time based on actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities that will not be delivered as part of an in-kind redemption order (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities were sold by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Investment Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and taxes. To the extent applicable, brokerage commissions incurred in connection with the Trust’s sale of portfolio securities will be at the expense of a Fund and will affect the value of all Shares of the Fund; but the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the redemption securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Redemption Amount to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The standard redemption transaction fees for a Fund otherwise are the same as the standard creation fees set forth above. In no event will a redemption transaction fee exceed 2% of the amount redeemed. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order.

 

Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process (for Funds eligible to utilize the Clearing Process) must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of the relevant Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Trust after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the second NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

 

78 

 

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process. Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process (including all redemption orders for Funds not eligible to utilize the Clearing Process) must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Shares of a Fund, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time (for the Fund Shares), on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”) and 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for any Cash Component, if any owed to a Fund; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within two Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any owed to the redeeming Beneficial Owner to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. With respect to Funds that invest in non-U.S. securities, however, due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than two Business Days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. In such cases, the local market settlement procedures will not commence until the end of the local holiday periods. See below for a list of the local holidays in the foreign countries relevant to the Funds. In addition, for Funds that invest in non-U.S. securities, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of shares of the Fund, a redeeming Beneficial Owner, or Authorized Participant action on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered.

 

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under Determination of NAV computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Transfer Agent by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of a Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (i) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

 

For Funds that effect redemptions wholly or partly in-kind, if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the relevant Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Fund’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). Each Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Component, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the relevant Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

 

79 

 

Regular Holidays. Each Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and Portfolio Securities on a basis of “T” plus two Business Days (i.e., days on which the national securities exchange is open). The Fund may effect deliveries of Creation Units and Portfolio Securities on a basis other than T plus two or T plus one in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates, or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within two Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement period.

 

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring Portfolio Securities to redeeming investors, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days for each such Fund, in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to each such Fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for a Fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future.

 

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The dates in calendar year 2020 in which the regular holidays affecting the relevant securities markets of the below listed countries are as follows:

 

ARGENTINA      
January 1 April 18 June 20 October 20
March 4 April 19 July 8 November 18
March 5 May 1 July 9 December 8
March 24 May 25 August 19 December 25
April 2 June 17 October 14  
       
AUSTRALIA      
January 1 April 22 August 5 December 25
January 28 April 25 October 7 November 5
April 19 May 6    
       
AUSTRIA      
January 1 May 30 August 15 December 8
January 6 June 10 October 26 December 25
April 22 June 20 November 1 December 26
May 1      
       
BRAZIL      
January 1 March 6 June 20 November 2
January 25 April 19 July 9 November 15
March 4 April 21 September 7 December 25
March 5 May 1 October 12  
       
CANADA      
January 1 April 19 July 1 November 11
February 11 April 22 August 5 December 25
February 18 May 20 September 2 December 26
February 19 June 21 October 14  
       
CHILE      
January 1 May 21 September 18 November 1
April 19 July 1 September 19 December 8
April 20 July 16 October 14 December 25
May 1 August 15    
       
CHINA      
January 1 February 7 June 7 October 3
February 4 February 8 September 13 October 4
February 5 April 5 October 1 October 7
February 6 May 1 October 2  
       
CZECH REPUBLIC      
January 1 May 8 September 28 December 24
April 19 July 5 October 28 December 25
April 22 July 6 November 17 December 26
May 1      
       
DENMARK      
January 1 April 22 June 5 December 25
April 18 May 17 June 10 December 26
April 19 May 30 December 24 December 31

 

81 

 

EGYPT      
January 7 May 1 July 23 September 1
January 25 June 5 August 12 October 6
April 25 June 6 August 13 November 10
April 28 June 7 August 14  
       
FINLAND      
January 1 April 22 December 6 December 25
January 6 May 1 December 24 December 26
April 19 May 30    
       
FRANCE      
January 1 May 8 July 14 November 11
April 22 May 30 August 15 December 25
May 1 June 10 November 1 December 26
       
GERMANY      
January 1 May 1 June 10 December 25
April 9 May 30 October 3 December 26
April 22      
       
HONG KONG      
January 1 April 5 May 13 October 1
February 4 April 19 June 7 October 7
February 5 April 20 July 1 December 25
February 6 April 22 September 14 December 26
February 7 May 1    
       
HUNGARY      
January 1 May 1 August 19 November 1
March 15 June 9 August 20 December 25
April 19 June 10 October 23 December 26
April 22      
       
INDIA      
January 26 March 21 May 1 October 2
February 19 April 19 August 15 December 25
March 4      
       
INDONESIA      
January 1 April 19 June 1 August 17
February 5 May 1 June 5 September 1
March 7 May 19 June 6 November 10
April 3 May 30 August 12 December 25
       
IRELAND      
January 1 April 22 August 5 December 26
March 18 May 6 October 28 December 27
April 19 June 3 December 25  

 

82 

 

ISRAEL      
March 21 May 9 September 30 October 14
April 21 June 10 October 1 October 22
April 27 August 11 October 9  
       
ITALY      
January 1 April 22 June 2 December 8
January 6 April 25 August 15 December 25
April 19 May 1 November 1 December 26
       
JAPAN      
January 1 March 21 July 15 October 14
January 2 April 19 August 12 November 4
January 3 May 3 September 16 November 25
January 14 May 4 September 23 December 23
February 11 May 6    
       
KENYA      
January 1 May 1 October 10 December 25
March 30 June 1 October 20 December 26
April 2 June 15 December 12  
       
LUXEMBOURG      
January 1 May 1 June 23 December 25
April 19 May 30 August 15 December 26
April 22 June 10 November 1  
       
MALAYSIA      
January 1 March 1 June 5 September 9
January 21 March 19 June 6 September 16
February 1 March 22 August 12 November 10
February 5 May 1 August 31 December 25
February 6 May 19 September 1  
       
MAURITIUS      
January 1 February 5 May 1 October 27
January 2 March 4 June 5 November 2
January 21 March 12 August 15 December 25
February 1 April 6 September 2  
       
MEXICO      
January 1 April 18 May 5 December 12
February 4 April 19 September 16 December 25
March 18 May 1 November 18  
       
MONACO      
January 1 May 1 June 20 November 19
January 27 May 30 August 15 December 8
April 22 June 10 November 1 December 25

 

83 

 

MOROCCO      
January 1 July 29 August 20 November 6
January 11 August 12 August 21 November 10
May 1 August 14 September 1 November 18
       
NETHERLANDS      
January 1 April 27 May 30 December 25
April 19 May 4 June 10 December 26
April 22 May 5    
       
NIGERIA      
January 1 April 22 June 5 December 25
March 8 May 1 August 12 December 26
April 19 May 29 October 1  
       
NORWAY      
January 1 April 22 May 30 December 25
April 18 May 1 June 10 December 26
April 19 May 17 December 24  
       
PERU      
January 1 May 1 July 29 November 1
April 18 June 29 August 30 December 8
April 19 July 28 October 8 December 25
       
PHILIPPINES      
January 1 April 19 August 12 December 24
February 5 May 1 August 21 December 25
April 9 June 5 August 26 December 30
April 18 June 12 November 1 December 31
       
POLAND      
January 1 May 1 August 15 December 25
January 6 May 3 November 1 December 26
April 22 June 20 November 11  
       
PORTUGAL      
January 1 May 1 August 15 December 1
April 19 June 10 October 5 December 8
April 25 June 20 November 1 December 25
       
RUSSIA      
January 1 January 4 March 8 June 12
January 2 January 7 May 1 November 4
January 3 February 23 May 9  
       
SINGAPORE      
January 1 April 19 June 5 October 27
February 5 May 1 August 9 December 25
February 6 May 19 August 12  

 

84 

 

SOUTH AFRICA      
January 1 April 22 June 17 December 16
March 21 April 27 August 9 December 25
April 19 May 1 September 24 December 26
       
SOUTH KOREA      
January 1 May 1 June 13 September 26
February 4 May 5 August 15 October 3
February 5 May 7 September 23 October 9
February 6 May 22 September 24 December 25
March 1 June 6 September 25  
       
SPAIN      
January 1 April 22 September 11 December 6
January 6 May 1 October 12 December 8
April 18 July 25 November 1 December 25
April 19 August 15    
       
SWEDEN      
January 1 May 1 June 22 December 25
January 6 May 30 November 2 December 26
April 19 June 6 December 24 December 31
April 22 June 21    
       
SWITZERLAND      
January 1 April 22 June 10 December 25
January 2 May 30 August 1 December 26
April 19      
       
TAIWAN      
January 1 February 7 February 23 April 5
February 4 February 8 February 28 June 7
February 5 February 9 March 1 September 13
February 6 February 19 April 4 October 10
       
THAILAND      
January 1 April 15 July 17 October 23
February 19 April 16 July 29 December 5
April 8 April 17 August 12 December 10
April 13 May 1 October 14 December 31
April 14 May 19    
       
TURKEY      
January 1 May 19 August 13 August 30
April 23 June 5 August 14 October 29
May 1 August 12 August 15  
       
UKRAINE      
January 1 April 29 June 17 August 26
January 7 May 1 June 28 October 14
March 8 May 9 August 24 December 25
April 28      

 

85 

 

UNITED KINGDOM      
January 1 May 6 August 5 December 25
April 19 May 27 August 6 December 26
April 22      
       
UNITED STATES      
January 1 April 19 July 4 November 28
January 21 May 27 September 2 December 25
February 18      
       
VIETNAM      
January 1 February 6 April 15 May 1
February 4 February 7 April 30 September 2
February 5 February 8    

 

The longest redemption cycle for the Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose securities comprise the Fund. In the calendar year 2020, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case (longest) redemption cycle* for the Fund as follows:

 

SETTLEMENT PERIODS GREATER THAN
SEVEN DAYS FOR YEAR 2019
  Beginning of
Settlement
Period
    End of
Settlement
Period
    Number of
Days in
Settlement
Period
 
Australia     4/18/2019       4/26/2019       8  
                         
Brazil     2/27/2019       3/7/2019       8  
      2/28/2019       3/8/2019       8  
      3/1/2019       3/11/2019       10  
                         
China     1/30/2019       2/11/2019       12  
      1/31/2019       2/12/2019       12  
      2/1/2019       2/11/2019       10  
      2/1/2019       2/13/2019       12  
Czech Republic                        
      1/30/2019       2/11/2019       12  
      1/31/2019       2/12/2019       12  
      2/1/2019       2/13/2019       12  
      2/4/2019       2/13/2019       9  
      2/5/2019       2/13/2019       8  
      9/25/2019       10/8/2019       13  
      9/26/2019       10/8/2019       12  
      9/27/2019       10/9/2019       12  
Egypt     8/7/2019       8/19/2019       12  
      8/8/2019       8/20/2019       12  
      8/9/2019       8/20/2019       11  
                         
Finland     12/23/2019       12/31/2019       8  
                         
Ghana     4/24/2019       5/2/2019       8  
      4/25/2019       5/3/2019       8  
                         
Hong Kong     1/31/2019       2/8/2019       8  
      2/1/2019       2/11/2019       10  

 

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Israel     10/7/2019       10/15/2019       8  
                         
Japan     12/26/2018       1/4/2019       9  
      12/27/2018       1/7/2019       11  
      12/28/2018       1/8/2019       11  
                         
Kuwait     8/8/2019       8/19/2019       11  
      8/9/2019       8/19/2019       10  
                         
Malaysia     1/30/2019       2/7/2019       8  
      1/31/2019       2/8/2019       8  
                         
Morocco     8/9/2019       8/19/2019       10  
                         
New Zealand     4/18/2019       4/26/2019       8  
                         
Russia     12/31/2018       1/8/2019       8  
                         
Taiwan     2/1/2019       2/11/2019       10  
                         
Turkey     5/31/2019       6/10/2019       10  
                         
Vietnam     1/31/2019       2/11/2019       11  
      2/1/2019       2/12/2019       11  

 

*These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible.

 

TAXES

 

The following discussion is applicable to all Funds, except for the AMLP Fund. Each Fund intends to qualify for and has elected or intends to elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, a company must annually distribute at least 90% of its net investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements relating to the nature of its income and the diversification of its assets. If a Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the relevant Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

 

Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein and in the Prospectus.

 

Each Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its net capital gains for twelve months ended October 31 of such year. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.

 

As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of each Fund has the right to reject an order to purchase Shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of such Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Code, that Fund would have a basis in the Deposit Securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

 

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Each Fund may make investments that are subject to special federal income tax rules, such as investments in repurchase agreements, money market instruments, convertible securities and structured notes. Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the timing of income or gain, the treatment of income as capital or ordinary and the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term. The application of these special rules would therefore also affect the character of distributions made by the relevant Fund. Each Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of its investments earlier than anticipated in order to meet its distribution requirements.

 

Certain of a Fund’s investments may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss, the deductibility of which is more limited, (iv) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (v) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash and (vii) produce non-qualifying income for purposes of the income test required to be satisfied by a RIC. The application of these rules could cause the Fund to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the nondeductible 4% excise tax and, under certain circumstances, could affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. Each Fund will monitor its investments and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions.

 

Each Fund may invest in stocks of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. In general under the PFIC rules, an “excess distribution” received with respect to PFIC stock is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC stock. A Fund itself will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior taxable years (and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior taxable years) even though the Fund distributes the corresponding income to shareholders. Excess distributions include any gain from the sale of PFIC stock as well as certain distributions from a PFIC. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.

 

A Fund may be able to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC stock. Under an election that currently may be available, the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions, would not apply. Alternatively, a Fund may be able to elect to mark to market its PFIC stock, resulting in the stock being treated as sold at fair market value on the last business day of each taxable year. Any resulting gain would be reported as ordinary income, and mark-to-market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of the Fund’s shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included in income in prior years.

 

Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income with respect to PFIC stock, as well as subject a Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC stock, the amount that must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC stock. Note that distributions from a PFIC are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on “qualified dividends.”

 

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Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC.

 

Under Section 988 of the Code, special rules are provided for certain transactions in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer’s functional currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from forward contracts, from futures contracts that are not “regulated futures contracts,” and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss under Section 988 of the Code. Also, certain foreign exchange gains or losses derived with respect to foreign fixed income securities are also subject to Section 988 treatment. In general, therefore, Section 988 gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund’s net capital gain.

 

Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax 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 stock or securities of foreign corporations, or if at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs, that Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by that 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) its pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his taxable income or to use it (subject to limitations) as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass-through” for that year. Various other limitations, including a minimum holding period requirement, apply to limit the credit and/or deduction for foreign taxes for purposes of regular federal tax and/or alternative minimum tax.

 

A Fund may gain commodity exposure through investment in exchange traded funds that are treated as RICs or “qualified publicly traded partnerships” or grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An exchange traded fund that seeks to qualify as a RIC may gain commodity exposure through investment in commodity-linked notes and in subsidiaries that invest in commodity-linked instruments. Although the IRS has issued numerous favorable private letter rulings to certain RICs that gain commodity exposure in this manner, such rulings can be relied on only by the taxpayers to whom they are issued. Moreover, the IRS currently is reconsidering whether and how a RIC should be permitted to gain commodity exposure, and the IRS has currently suspended the issuance of private letter rulings relating to the tax treatment of income and gains generated by investments in commodity index-linked notes and income generated by investments in a subsidiary. The IRS also recently issued proposed regulations that, if finalized, would generally treat a Fund’s income inclusion with respect to a subsidiary as qualifying income only if there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the subsidiary that are attributable to such income inclusion. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final. Future IRS guidance could limit the ability of an exchange traded fund that qualifies as a RIC to gain commodity exposure regardless of whether that exchange traded fund previously received a favorable IRS private letter ruling with respect to such investment activity. Investments by a Fund in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” and grantor trusts that engage in commodity trading must be monitored and limited so as to enable the Fund to satisfy certain asset diversification and qualifying income tests for qualification as a RIC. Failure to satisfy either test would jeopardize the Fund’s status as a RIC. Loss of such status could materially adversely affect the Fund.

 

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Distributions from each Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, and distributions of income from securities lending, are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of each Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service will be taxable dividends to Shareholders acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends 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 shareholders have held the Shares.

 

Dividends declared by each Fund in October, November or December and paid to shareholders of record of such months during the following January may be treated as having been received by such shareholders in the year the distributions were declared.

 

Long-term capital gains tax of non-corporate taxpayers are generally taxed at a maximum rate of either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the taxpayer’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by each Fund to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by each Fund and the shareholder. Each Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends received deduction. In addition, each Fund will report the amount of dividends to non-corporate shareholders eligible for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains.

 

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

 

The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of a Fund may be disallowed if other substantially identical Shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date on which the Shares are disposed. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six (6) months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders (including undistributed capital gain included in income). Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to state and local taxes.

 

Reporting to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B not only the gross proceeds of Fund shares you sell or redeem but also their cost basis is required. Shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections with respect to their accounts.

 

If, for any calendar year, the total distributions made exceed a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will, for federal income tax purposes, be treated as a tax free return of capital to each shareholder up to the amount of the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale of shares. The amount treated as a tax free return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her shares, thereby increasing the shareholder’s potential gain or reducing the shareholder’s potential loss on the subsequent sale of the shares.

 

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Distributions of ordinary income paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities (“Foreign Shareholders”) that are not effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. However, Foreign Shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. withholding or income tax on gains realized on the sale of Shares or on dividends from capital gains unless (i) such gain or capital gain dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. or (ii) in the case of a non-corporate shareholder, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or capital gain dividend and certain other conditions are met. Gains on the sale of Shares and dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.

 

The Funds are not required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions to foreign shareholders that are properly reported by a Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” provided that the income would not be subject to federal income tax if earned directly by the foreign shareholder. However a Fund may withhold tax on these amounts regardless of the fact that it is not required to do so. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax.

 

Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), a Foreign Shareholder is subject to withholding tax in respect of a disposition of a U.S. real property interest and any gain from such disposition is subject to U.S. federal income tax as if such person were a U.S. person. Such gain is sometimes referred to as “FIRPTA gain.” If a Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” and is not domestically controlled, any gain realized on the sale or exchange of Fund shares by a Foreign Shareholder that owns at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition more than 5% of a class of Fund shares would be FIRPTA gain. A Fund will be a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if, in general, 50% or more of the fair market value of its assets consists of U.S. real property interests, including stock of certain U.S. REITs. The rate of withholding by a Fund, if the Fund is categorized as a real property holding corporation under the FIRPTA rules, on a distribution to a nonresident alien or foreign corporation from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest by the Fund is 21%.

 

The Code provides a look-through rule for distributions of FIRPTA gain by a RIC if all of the following requirements are met: (i) the RIC is classified as a “qualified investment entity” (which includes a RIC if, in general more than 50% of the RIC’s assets consists of interest in REITs and U.S. real property holding corporations); and (ii) you are a Foreign Shareholder that owns more than 5% of the Fund’s shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. If these conditions are met, Fund distributions to you to the extent derived from gain from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, may also be treated as FIRPTA gain and therefore subject to U.S. federal income tax, and requiring that you file a nonresident U.S. income tax return. Also, such gain may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a Foreign Shareholder that is a corporation. Even if a Foreign Shareholder does not own more than 5% of a Fund’s shares, Fund distributions that are attributable to gain from the sale or disposition of a U.S. real property interest will be taxable as ordinary dividends subject to withholding at a 30% or lower treaty rate.

 

Withholding is required (at a 30% rate) with respect to payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2019) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to a Fund to enable the applicable withholding agent to determine whether withholding is required.

 

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Non-U.S. Shareholders may also be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their shares of the Fund.

 

Some shareholders may be subject to a withholding tax on distributions of ordinary income, capital gains and any cash received on redemption of Creation Units (“backup withholding”). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with a Fund or who, to a Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding. Any tax withheld as a result of backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax imposed on the record owner of the account and may be claimed as a credit on the record owner’s federal income tax return. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

 

The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under federal, state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, possibly retroactively.

 

FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS

 

Each Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark to market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Each Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the relevant Fund.

 

In order for a Fund to continue to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a RIC, at least 90% of its gross income for a taxable year must be derived from qualifying income, i.e., dividends, interest, income derived from loans or securities, gains from the sale of securities or of foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to the relevant Fund’s business of investing in securities (including net income derived from an interest in certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships”). It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities or derived with respect to the relevant Fund’s business of investing in securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement.

 

Each Fund distributes to shareholders at least annually any net capital gains which have been recognized for federal income tax purposes, including unrealized gains at the end of each Fund’s fiscal year on futures or options transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions of capital gains realized on a Fund’s other investments and shareholders are advised on the nature of the distributions.

 

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TAXATION OF THE AMLP FUND

 

Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices as in effect as of the date of this SAI, all of which are subject to change, including the following information which also supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Federal Income Taxation.”

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Fund Shares. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that the Fund shareholder holds Fund Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code, and does not hold Fund Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Fund Shares, to Fund shareholders holding Fund Shares through a partnership (or other pass-through entity) or to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in Fund Shares.

 

The Fund is taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes and as such is obligated to pay federal and applicable state and foreign corporate taxes on its taxable income. This differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Code in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. As a result, the Fund will be obligated to pay federal and state taxes on its taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies which are not so obligated.

 

As discussed below, the Fund expects that a portion of the distribution it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes currently paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund invests its assets primarily in MLPs, which generally are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a partner in the MLPs, the fund must report its allocable share of the MLPs’ taxable income in computing its taxable income, regardless of the extent (if any) to which the MLPs make distributions. Based upon the Adviser’s review of the historic results of the types of MLPs in which the Fund invests, the Adviser expects that the cash flow received by the fund with respect to its MLP investments will generally exceed the taxable income allocated to the Fund (and this excess generally will not be currently taxable to the Fund but, rather, will result in a reduction of the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in each MLP as described in the following paragraph). This is the result of a variety of factors, including significant non-cash deductions, such as accelerated depreciation. There is no assurance that the Adviser’s expectation regarding the tax character of MLP distributions will be realized. If this expectation is not realized, there may be greater tax expense borne by the Fund and less cash available to distribute to you or to pay to expenses.

 

The Fund will also be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular graduated corporate tax rates on any gain recognized by the applicable Fund on any sale of equity securities of an MLP. Cash distributions from an MLP to the Fund that exceed such Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in such Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of any taxable gain (or decrease the amount of any tax loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities.

 

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The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the NAV. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions regarding the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations currently 21% and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.

 

The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. The tax basis of Shares of the Fund must be reduced by any distribution which is treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of the Fund may be disallowed if Fund Shares or other substantially identical shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date on which the Shares are disposed. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

 

Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service (see above) will nevertheless generally be taxable dividends to shareholders acquiring such additional Shares.

 

Distributions by the Fund will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from such Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder who is a nonresident alien or foreign entity (“Non-U.S. Shareholder”) generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If an income tax treaty applies to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, the Non-U.S. Shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty in order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding tax.

 

If the amount of a distribution exceeds a Non-U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s tax basis in such Fund’s shares. To the extent that any distribution received by a Non-U.S. Shareholder exceeds the sum of (i) such Non-U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and (ii) such Non-U.S. Shareholder’s tax basis in such Fund’s shares, such excess will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares and will be taxed as described below.

 

A redemption of common shares will be treated as a sale or exchange of such shares, provided the redemption either is not essentially equivalent to a dividend, is a substantially disproportionate redemption, is a complete redemption of a shareholder’s entire interest in the Fund, or is in partial liquidation of such Fund. Redemptions that do not qualify for sale or exchange treatment will be treated as described above.

 

A Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on a redemption that is treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or on gain realized on the sale, exchange or other non-redemption disposition of the Fund’s shares, except in the following cases:

 

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- the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder in the U.S. or, if the Non-U.S. Shareholder is a qualifying resident of a country with which the U.S. has a tax treaty, such gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such Non-U.S. Shareholder in the U.S.,

 

- the Non-U.S. Shareholder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and who has a “tax home” in the U.S., or

 

- the Fund is or has been a U.S. real property holding corporation, as defined below, at any time within the five-year period preceding the date of disposition of the common shares or, if shorter, within the period during which the Non-U.S. Shareholder has held the common shares. Generally, a corporation is a U.S. real property holding corporation if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests, as defined in the Code and applicable regulations, equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. The Fund may be, or may prior to a Non-U.S. Shareholder’s disposition of common shares become, a U.S. real property holding corporation. The rate of withholding by a Fund, if the Fund is categorized as a real property holding corporation under the FIRPTA rules, on a distribution to a nonresident alien or foreign corporation from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest by the Fund is 21%.

 

Any Non-U.S. Shareholder who is described in one of the foregoing cases is urged to consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the redemption, sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares.

 

Withholding of U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) is required with respect to payments of dividends and (effective January 1, 2019) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to enable the applicable withholding agent to determine whether withholding is required.

 

Non-U.S. Shareholders may also be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their shares of the Fund.

 

Federal regulations generally require the Fund to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a “backup withholding” tax with respect to dividends and the proceeds of any redemption paid to you if you fail to furnish the applicable Fund or the Fund’s paying agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9, Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable form. Furthermore, the Service may notify the applicable Fund to institute backup withholding if the Service determines that your TIN is incorrect or if you have failed to properly report taxable dividends or interest on a federal tax return. A TIN is either the Social Security number or employer identification number of the record owner of the account. Any tax withheld as a result of backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax imposed on the record owner of the account and may be claimed as a credit on the record owner’s federal income tax return. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

 

The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under federal, state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, possibly retroactively.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NAV

 

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

 

The NAV per Share of each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the relevant Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares of the relevant Fund outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including without limitation, the management and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV per Share is calculated by the Custodian and determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open.

 

In computing each Fund’s NAV, the relevant Fund’s securities holdings traded on a national securities exchange are valued based on their last sale price. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Securities regularly traded in an over-the-counter market are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market or in the case of the NASDAQ, at the NASDAQ official closing price. Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued based on fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

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

 

General Policies. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid either quarterly or annually depending on the Fund. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of each Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

 

Dividends and other distributions on Fund Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the relevant Fund.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Service. No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.

 

INDICATIVE INTRA-DAY VALUE

 

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

 

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The applicable Exchange calculates the IIV during hours of trading on the Exchange by dividing the “Estimated Fund Value” as of the time of the calculation by the total number of outstanding Shares. “Estimated Fund Value” is the sum of the estimated amount of cash held in a Fund’s portfolio, the estimated amount of accrued interest owing to a Fund and the estimated value of the securities held in a Fund’s portfolio, minus the estimated amount of liabilities. The IIV will be calculated based on the same portfolio holdings disclosed on a Fund’s website. In determining the estimated value for each of the component securities, the IIV will use last sale, market prices or other methods that would be considered appropriate for pricing equity securities held by registered investment companies. Although the Funds provide the independent third party calculator with information to calculate the IIV, the Funds are not involved in the actual calculation of the IIV and are not responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IIV. The Funds makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.

 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

 

Counsel. Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10036, is counsel to the Trust.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. _________, serves as each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. They audit each Fund’s financial statements and perform other related audit services.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The financial statements and financial highlights in the November 30, 2019 Annual Reports for each of the Funds are incorporated in this Statement of Additional Information by reference. The financial statements and financial highlights in the Annual Reports have been audited by _____, whose report thereon appears in the Annual Reports. You can obtain additional copies of such Annual Reports at no charge by writing or telephoning the Funds at the address or number on the front page of this Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

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APPENDIX A

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures and Guidelines

 

1. Policy Statement & General Background

 

a. Overview

 

An investment adviser that exercises voting authority over clients’ proxies must adopt written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that those proxies are voted in the best economic interests of clients. An adviser’s policies and procedures must address how the adviser resolves material conflicts of interest between its interests and those of its clients. An investment adviser must comply with certain record keeping and disclosure requirements with respect to its proxy voting responsibilities. In addition, an investment adviser to ERISA accounts has an affirmative obligation to vote proxies for an ERISA account, unless the client expressly retains proxy voting authority.

 

b. Policy Summary

 

With respect to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, any assignment of voting authority over the Funds’ voting securities is typically delegated to ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”) as the Funds’ investment adviser, or the Funds’ sub-adviser by the respective Funds’ Board of Trustees/Directors. If the Funds’ day-to-day investment decisions are performed by the Funds’ investment sub-adviser(s), Funds’ Board of Trustees/Directors may elect to delegate the responsibility of voting proxies to such sub-adviser to be voted in accordance to the sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. For securities in the portfolio of a Fund that is managed by more than one sub-adviser, each sub-adviser shall make voting decisions pursuant to their own proxy voting policies and procedures, as adopted in conformance with the Advisers Act for their respective portions of the Fund’s portfolio, unless directed otherwise. In addition, proxy voting authority may be delegated to AAI where it serves as the Funds’ sub-adviser.

 

AAI has adopted and implemented the following policies and procedures, which it believes are reasonably designed to: (1) ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interest of clients and (2) address material conflicts of interest that may arise. AAI will provide clients with a copy of its policies and procedures, as they may be updated from time to time, upon request. Information regarding AAI’s proxy voting decisions is confidential. Therefore, the information may be shared on a need to know basis only, including within AAI. Advisory clients may obtain information on how their proxies were voted by AAI. However, AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records to third parties; the investment company clients’ proxy records will be disclosed to shareholders by publicly-available annual filings or each investment company’s proxy voting record for 12-month periods ending June 30th.

 

c. Policy

 

All proxies regarding client securities for which AAI has authority to vote will, unless AAI determines in accordance with policies stated below to refrain from voting, be voted in a manner considered by AAI to be in the best interest of AAI’s clients. The best interest of clients is defined for this purpose as the interest of enhancing or protecting the economic value of client accounts, considered as a group rather than individually, as AAI determines in its sole and absolute discretion. There may also be instances where a fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, and by law, the fund may be required to vote proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the acquired fund (i.e., “echo vote”). In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, AAI will vote as the client clearly instructs, provided AAI receives such instructions in time to act accordingly.

 

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AAI endeavors to vote, in accordance with this Policy, all proxies of which it becomes aware, subject to the following general exceptions (unless otherwise agreed) when AAI expects to routinely refrain from voting:

 

i. Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where the security has been loaned from the client’s account and subsequently, AAI determines that the type of proxy issue is not material to shareholders. AAI will utilize the below considerations to determine if a security then on loan should be recalled for voting purposes. Decisions will generally be made on a case-by-case basis depending on whether, in AAI’s judgment,:

 

the matter to be voted on has critical significance to the potential value of the security in question;
the security represents a significant holding and whether the security is considered a long-term holding; and
AAI believes it can recall the security in time to cast the vote.

 

ii. Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where AAI deems the costs to the client and/or the administrative inconvenience of voting the security outweigh the benefit of doing so (e.g., international issuers who impose share blocking restrictions).

 

AAI seeks to avoid the occurrence of actual or apparent material conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process by voting in accordance with predetermined voting guidelines and observing other procedures that are intended to guard against and manage conflicts of interest (refer to Section 2.b., Conflicts of Interest, below).

 

2. Operating Procedures & Control Activities

 

Where proxy voting is delegated to the sub-adviser, the sub-adviser will adopt proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. AAI has adopted the following proxy voting procedures and controls for any client securities which AAI has authority to vote on:

 

a. Proxy Committee

 

AAI has established a Proxy Committee whose standing members are determined by AAI’s Chief Compliance Officer. These members participate as voting authorities on the Proxy Committee. Each standing member may designate a senior portfolio manager or a senior analyst officer to act as a substitute in a given matter on their behalf. Additionally, the Proxy Committee regularly involves other associates who participate as needed to enable effective execution of the Committee’s responsibilities.

 

The Proxy Committee’s functions include, in part,

 

i. direction of the vote on proposals where there has been a recommendation to the Proxy Committee not to vote according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines (stated in 2.c.i) or on proposals which require special, individual consideration in accordance with Section 2.c.iii.;
ii. review periodically this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure to ensure consistency with internal policies, client disclosures and regulatory requirements;
iii. development and modification of Voting Procedures, as stated in Section 2.d., as it deems appropriate or necessary.

 

b. Conflicts of Interest

 

For purposes of this policy, a material conflict of interest is a relationship or activity engaged in by AAI, an AAI affiliate, or an AAI associate that creates an incentive (or appearance thereof) to favor the interests of AAI, the affiliate, or associate, rather than the clients’ interests. For example, AAI may have a conflict of interest if either AAI has a significant business relationship with a company that is soliciting a proxy, or if an AAI associate involved in the proxy voting decision-making process has a significant personal or family relationship with the particular company. A conflict of interest is considered to be “material” to the extent that a reasonable person could expect the conflict to influence AAI’s decision on the particular vote at issue. In all cases where there is deemed to be a material conflict of interest, AAI will seek to resolve it in the clients’ best interests.

 

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AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”) or another independent third party. In providing proxy voting services to AAI, ISS provides vote recommendations on a pre-determined policy. Generally, AAI will vote proxies based on ISS’ pre-determined voting policy. In doing so, AAI demonstrates that its vote would not be a product of a conflict of interest as AAI would have little or no discretion on how the proxy was voted.

 

AAI has undertaken a review of ISS’ conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.

 

c. Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

i. AAI’s Proxy Voting Guidelines – General Practices

 

The Proxy Committee has adopted the guidelines for voting proxies specified in Appendix A of this policy. AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor to implement its proxy voting process as AAI’s proxy voting agent. In general, whenever a vote is solicited, ISS or another independent third party will execute the vote according to AAI’s Voting Guidelines.

 

ii. Ability to Vote Proxies Other than as Provided by Voting Guidelines

 

A portfolio manager or other party involved with a client’s account may conclude that the best interest of the firm’s client, as defined above, requires that a proxy be voted in a manner that differs from the predetermined proxy Voting Guidelines. In this situation, he or she will request that the Proxy Committee consider voting the proxy other than according to such Guidelines. If any person, group, or entity requests the Proxy Committee (or any of its members) vote a proxy other than according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines, that person will furnish to the Proxy Committee a written explanation of the reasons for the request and a description of the person’s, group’s, or entity’s relationship, if any, with the parties proposing and/or opposing the matter’s adoption. The Proxy Committee may consider the matter including any potential conflicts of interest. A research analyst or portfolio manager must disclose in writing any inappropriate attempt to influence their recommendation or any other personal interest that they have with the issuer.

 

iii. Other Proxy Proposals

 

For the following categories of proposals either the Proxy Committee will determine how proxies related to all such proposals will be voted, or the proxies will be voted in accordance with ISS’ or a an individual client’s guidelines.

 

New Proposals. For each new type of proposal that is expected to be proposed to shareholders of multiple companies, the Proxy Committee will develop a Voting Guideline which will be incorporated into this Policy.

 

Accounts Adhering to Taft Hartley Principles. All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Taft Hartley Guidelines developed by ISS.

 

Accounts Adhering to Socially Responsible Principles. All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Socially Responsible Guidelines developed by ISS or as specified by the client.

 

Proxies of International Issuers which Block Securities Sales between the Time a Shareholder submits a Proxy and the Vote. In general, AAI will refrain from voting such securities. However, in the exceptional circumstances that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to vote such proxies, all proposals for these securities will be voted only on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee and to the extent practicable in accordance with the Voting Guidelines set forth in this Policy.

 

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Proxies of Investment Company Shares. Proposals on issues other than those provided in Section 2.c.i will be voted on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee.

 

Executive/Director Compensation. Except as provided in Section 2.c.i, proposals relating to compensation of any executive or director will be voted as recommended by ISS or as otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee.

 

Preemptive Rights. Proposals to create or eliminate shareholder preemptive rights. In evaluating these proposals the Proxy Committee will consider the size of the company and the nature of its shareholder base.

 

d. Voting Procedures

 

The Proxy Committee has developed the following procedures to aid the voting of proxies according to the Voting Guidelines. The Proxy Committee may revise these procedures from time to time, as it deems necessary or appropriate to affect the purposes of this Policy.

 

i. AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor, to implement its proxy voting process as AAI’s proxy voting agent. This retention is subject to AAI continuously assessing the vendor’s independence from AAI and its affiliates, and the vendor’s ability to perform its responsibilities (and, especially, its responsibility to vote client proxies in accordance with AAI’s proxy voting guidelines) free of any actual, potential or apparent material conflicts of interests that may arise between the interests of the vendor, its affiliates, the vendor’s other clients and the owners, officers or employees of any such firm, on the one hand, and AAI’s clients, on the other hand. As means of performing this assessment, AAI will require various reports and notices from the vendor, as well as periodic audits of the vendor’s voting record and other due diligence.

 

ii. ISS will provide proxy analysis and record keeping services in addition to voting proxies on behalf of AAI in accordance with this Policy.

 

iii. On a daily basis, AAI or designee will send to ISS a holdings file detailing each equity holding held in all accounts over which AAI has voting authority.

 

iv. AAI will complete a Vote Authorization Registration with ISS for any new client, which will describe how ballots will be executed on behalf of the client. In addition, AAI will complete and provide the client’s custodian bank with a Letter of Authorization. The letter will serve as notice that AAI has retained ISS to act as the voting agent for the securities held in the client’s account and will instruct the custodian bank to forward all ballots, meeting notices, and other proxy materials to ISS.

 

v. ISS will receive proxy material information from Proxy Edge or the custodian bank for the account. This will include issues to be voted upon, together with a breakdown of holdings for AAI accounts. ISS will then reconcile information it receives from Proxy Edge and custodian banks. Any discrepancies will be promptly noted and resolved by ISS, with notice to AAI.

 

vi. Whenever a vote is solicited, ISS will execute the vote according to AAI’s Voting Guidelines which will be delivered by AAI to ISS as set forth in Appendix A of these policies and procedures and anytime there is a material change to these guidelines.

 

If ISS is unsure how to vote a particular proxy, ISS will issue a request for voting instructions to AAI over a secure website. AAI personnel will check this website regularly. The request will be accompanied by a recommended vote. The recommended vote will be based upon ISS’ understanding of the Voting Guidelines previously delivered to ISS. AAI will promptly provide ISS with any amendments or modifications to the Voting Guidelines if necessary. AAI will return a final instruction to vote to ISS, which ISS will record with Proxy Edge or the custodian bank as our agent.

 

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vii. Each time that ISS will send AAI a request to vote, the request will be accompanied by the recommended vote determined in accordance with AAI’s Voting Guidelines. ISS will vote as indicated in the request unless the client has reserved discretion, the Proxy Committee determines that the best interest of clients requires another vote, or the proposal is a matter as to which the Proxy Committee affords special, individual consideration under Section 2.c.ii. In such situations, ISS will vote based on the direction of the client or the Proxy Committee, as the case may be. The interests of AAI’s Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible clients may impact a proposal that normally should be voted in a certain way. ISS will inform AAI of all proposals having impact on its Taft Hartley and or Socially Responsible clients. The Proxy Voting Committee will be consulted before a vote is placed in cases where Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible issues are presented.

 

viii. ISS will have procedures in place to ensure that a vote is cast on every security holding maintained by AAI on which a vote is solicited unless otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee. On a yearly basis, or as required by our clients, AAI will receive a report from ISS detailing AAI’s voting for the previous period.

 

e. Proxy Advisory Firm Oversight

 

i. Initial Assessment

 

In selecting a third-party proxy advisory firm, AAI will perform an initial due diligence review to ensure that voting determinations are made in the best interests of AAI clients and in accordance with these policies and procedures. AAI’s review will include, but is not limited to, assessing:

 

The necessary resources to fulfill the proxy voting responsibilities;
Policies and procedures with respect to obtaining issuer and client input on proxy voting policies; and
Transparency regarding voting recommendations and research methodologies.

 

ii. Ongoing Reviews

 

In addition to the initial evaluation of a proxy advisory firm, AAI will conduct ongoing assessments of the proxy advisory firm’s business. Such reviews will occur at periodic intervals and will include, but are not limited to:

 

Summary of material changes, if any, to the proxy advisory firm’s business and how such changes impact the services provided to AAI and its clients;
Methodology updates to guidelines and voting recommendations; and
Disclosure of conflicts of interest.

 

f. Securities Lending

 

Each Fund advised by AAI, where authorized by its respective Board, may engage in securities lending transactions, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and limitations. The Adviser will be required to monitor for scheduled or anticipated proxy votes relating to securities on loan and determine whether the securities should be recalled from loan on the relevant record date. There may be situations where the Adviser may not be able to recall the security in time to cast the vote.

 

g. Supervision

 

Managers and supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that their associates understand and follow this policy and any applicable procedures adopted by the business group to implement the policy. The Proxy Committee has ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this Policy.

 

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h. Escalation

 

With the exception of conflicts of interest-related matters, issues arising under this policy should be escalated to AAI’s CCO, or designee. Issues involving potential or actual conflicts of interest should be promptly communicated to Compliance or Legal. Compliance will notify the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer(s), if a material conflict of interest is deemed to have arisen.

 

i. Monitoring

AAI’s Compliance Department is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the proxy voting process. The Compliance Department’s monitoring will take into account the following elements: (1) periodic review of ISS votes to ensure that ISS is accurately voting consistent with AAI’s Proxy Guidelines and such voting recommendations are based on accurate and complete information; and (2) review of the Funds’ N-PX report to ensure that it’s filed in a timely and accurate manner. Additionally, AAI will review ISS’ conflicts of interest policies.

 

AAI’s Compliance Committee monitors proxy matters for its clients including monitoring material conflicts of interest identified.

 

j. Availability of Proxy Policy and Voting Record

 

A summary disclosure regarding the provisions of this Policy will be available in AAI’s Form ADV, to the extent AAI is required to prepare Part 2 to Form ADV. Upon receipt of a Client’s request for more information, AAI will provide to the Client a copy of this Policy and/or how AAI voted proxies for the Client pursuant to this Policy for up to a one-year period.

 

AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records; rather, AAI will disclose such information by publicly available annual filings. AAI will create and maintain records of each investment company’s proxy record for 12-month periods ended June 30th. AAI will compile the following information for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting during the period covered by the annual report and which the company was entitled to vote:

 

The name of the issuer of the security;
The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if symbol is available through reasonably practicable means);
The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number for the portfolio security (if number is available through reasonably practicable means);
The shareholder meeting date;
A brief identification of the matter voted on;
Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;
Whether the company cast its vote on the matter;
How the company cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding the election of directors); and
Whether the company cast its vote for or against management.

 

k. Other Recordkeeping Requirements

 

Business groups and support partners are responsible for maintaining all records necessary to evidence compliance with this policy. The records must be properly maintained and readily accessible in order to evidence compliance with this policy.

 

These records include:

 

Proxy Committee Meeting Minutes and Other Materials (routine oversight matters are discussed within AAI’s Compliance Committee meetings and will be documented within the Compliance Committee’s materials);
Analysis and Supporting Materials of Investment Management Personnel Concerning Proxy Decisions and Recommendations;
Conflicts of Interest Review Documentation, including Conflicts of Interest Forms; and

 

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Client Communications Regarding Proxy Matters.

 

Records should be retained for a period of not less than six years. Records must be retained in an appropriate office of AAI for the first three years.

 

 

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APPENDIX A

 

Summary of Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

AAI has adopted Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.’s (“ISS”) standard benchmark proxy voting guidelines and ISS’ sustainability proxy voting guidelines. AAI will apply the most appropriate guidelines to ensure proxy votes are voted consistent with proxy voting policies and procedures and in the best interests of clients.

 

ISS has created multiple guidelines to cover various markets, including, but not limited to: U.S., Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, Africa and Australia. AAI retains the right to override any of ISS’ guidelines on a case-by-case basis. A concise summary of ISS’ current Proxy Voting Guidelines can be found at: http://www.issgovernance.com/policy.

 

 

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APPENDIX B

 

RiverFront Investment Group:

Proxy Voting Policy

 

Proxy Voting

 

 

Issue

 

Investment advisers who exercise voting authority with respect to client securities must adopt and implement written policies and procedures, reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interest of its clients. The procedures must address material conflicts that may arise in connection with proxy voting. The Rule further requires the adviser to provide a concise summary of the adviser’s proxy voting process and offer to provide copies of the complete proxy voting policy and procedures to clients upon request. Finally, the Rule requires that the adviser disclose to clients how they may obtain information regarding voted proxies.

 

RiverFront votes proxies for certain of its clients; therefore, it has adopted and implemented these Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.

 

Policy

 

Proxies are an asset of a client, and as such should be treated with the same care, diligence, and loyalty as any asset belonging to a client. To that end, RiverFront (through Broadridge, as described below) will vote or withhold a decision to vote in a way that it believes, consistent with its fiduciary duty, will cause the value of the issue to increase the most or decline the least.

 

If a client wishes to use any general or specific proxy voting guidelines, these should be discussed with the client’s Sponsor Firm. The Sponsor Firm may determine whether to allow these exceptions and how they will be implemented. Clients may wish to have their proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the client’s cost; this type of request should also be discussed with the client’s Sponsor Firm. RiverFront will rely on information from the Sponsor Firm to process any exceptions to the guidelines and/or policy.

 

Procedures for Voting Proxies

 

RiverFront has voting responsibility for all client accounts (including registered investment company client accounts) over which it has discretion, unless explicitly noted otherwise in the client’s Advisory Agreement or, for clients that are registered investment companies, the Sub-Advisory Agreement. RiverFront will generally cast votes for all shares for which it has voting authority.

 

In light of RiverFront’s fiduciary duties,and given the complexity of the issues that may be raised in connection with proxy votes, RiverFront has retained Broadridge Financial Solutions (“Broadridge”) to assist in the coordination and voting of client proxies. Broadridge specializes in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to investment managers. The services provided to RiverFront include timely delivery of meeting and record date information, proxy analysis and voting through an electronic web-based vote execution platform, and detailed recordkeeping for RiverFront’s proxy voting function.

 

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Broadridge will vote client proxies according to Glass Lewis & Co.’s (“Glass Lewis”) recommendations (described below). Glass Lewis is a leading provider of governance and engagement support services to institutional investors and corporations, offering research, proxy vote management, and technology platforms. The following guidelines will be followed:

 

Broadridge to monitor and keep track of all proxy votes; and,
Broadridge to vote pursuant to the guidelines suggested by Glass Lewis.
In certain limited circumstances, a proxy may be received from sources other than Broadridge. In such circumstances, RiverFront will forward the proxy to Broadridge.

 

Resolving Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

We recognize that conflicts of interest may arise for a variety of reasons. Under certain circumstances, RiverFront may face a conflict of interest voting proxies for client accounts. For example, RiverFront has voting discretion with respect to client accounts (including registered investment company clients) that own securities of mutual funds or ETFs for which RiverFront serves as a sub-adviser. Determinations by RiverFront as to whether and how to vote proxies with respect to such securities may pose a conflict of interests for RiverFront, particularly to the extent that the proxy relates to the (continued) appointment of RiverFront as the mutual fund or ETF sub-adviser. When faced with a conflict of interest in voting a client’s proxy, Broadridge and RiverFront use the pre-determined guidelines and research from Glass Lewis to determine the appropriate vote by RiverFront. In similar and other circumstances, the Investment Team will reasonably try to assess any material conflicts between RiverFront’s interests and those of its clients with respect to proxy voting. If the Investment Team detects a conflict of interest, Broadridge will use pre-determined guidelines and their research to make an objective voting decision.

 

Notwithstanding such proxy voting processes, proxy voting decisions made by RiverFront may benefit the interests of RiverFront and/or another client account, provided that RiverFront believes such voting decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary duties.

 

Recordkeeping

 

RiverFront will maintain the documentation described in the following section for a period of not less than five (5) years, the first two (2) years at its principal place of business. The CCO will be responsible for the following procedures and for ensuring that the required documentation is retained.

 

Client request to review proxy votes:

 

Clients are informed that they should direct proxy voting information requests to RiverFront.
Any request, whether written (including email) or oral, received by any Employee of RiverFront, must be promptly forwarded to the CCO or her designee, for processing. All written requests must be retained in a permanent file.
In order to facilitate the management of the proxy voting recordkeeping process, and to facilitate the dissemination of such proxy voting records to clients, RiverFront may distribute to any client requesting proxy voting information the complete proxy voting record for that client for the period requested.
RiverFront will furnish the information requested, free of charge, to the client within a reasonable time period (within 10 business days). RiverFront will maintain a copy of the written record provided in response to client’s written (including email) or oral request.

 

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Clients are permitted to request the proxy voting record for the five-year period prior to their request.

 

Glass Lewis Proxy Paper™ Guidelines (provided by Glass Lewis)

 

The purpose of Glass Lewis proxy research and advice is to facilitate shareholder voting in favor of governance structures that will drive performance, create shareholder value and maintain a proper tone at the top. Glass Lewis evaluates its Proxy Paper™ Guidelines on an ongoing basis and formally updates the policy on an annual basis. These guidelines are maintained by RiverFront and incorporated into this policy by reference.

 

RiverFront reviews the Glass Lewis guidelines annually to ensure they are consistent with clients’ best interest. Additionally, RiverFront will review Glass Lewis’ policies and procedures regarding potential conflicts of interest to confirm that Glass Lewis remains independent and objective in the formation of its voting decisions. Lastly, RiverFront will periodically review a sample of proxy votes to test whether the votes were in compliance with Glass Lewis’ stated voting guidelines.

 

Proxy statements received regarding client securities:

 

Upon physical receipt of a proxy, it is forwarded to Broadridge for processing.

Note: RiverFront is permitted to rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC’s EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies.

 

Proxy voting records:

 

Proxy voting records for proxies voted by Broadridge are available via ProxyEdge, which is a web-based database.

 

Disclosure

 

RiverFront will ensure that Part 2A of Form ADV is updated as necessary to reflect: (i) all material changes to the Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures; ((ii) conflicts of interest of RiverFront with those of its clients with respect to proxy voting; and (iii) information about how clients may obtain information on how RiverFront voted proxies.

 

Responsibility

 

The CCO and/or her designees are responsible for managing the relationship with Broadridge, ensuring that proxies are being properly voted, and confirming that Broadridge is retaining the appropriate proxy voting records.

 

Last Updated August 2018

 

B-3

 

Item 28. Exhibits    
       
  (a) (1) Certificate of Trust of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(1)
       
    (2) Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(2)
       
    (3) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated September 14, 2015 (6).
       
  (b)   By-Laws of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(2)
       
  (c)   Provisions of instruments defining rights of security holders are contained in Articles 4 and 7 of the Declaration of Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of this filing).
       
  (d) (1) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. dated May 31, 2018 with respect to the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Workplace Equality Portfolio, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF. (8)
       
     (2) Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 31, 2018 with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
     (3) Amendment dated August 21, 2018 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 31, 2018 with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF and ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (8).

 

 

 

     (4) Amendment dated November 1, 2018 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 31, 2018 (8).
       
     (5) Amendment dated January 2, 2020 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 31, 2018 with respect to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (filed herewith).
       
     (6) Sub-Advisory Agreement dated June10, 2013 between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC, with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (4).
       
     (7) Amendment dated March 31, 2016 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement dated June10, 2013 between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC, with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (4).
       
     (8) Amendment dated July 1, 2016 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement dated June10, 2013 between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC, with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (4).
       
     (9) Sub-Advisory Agreement dated May 31, 2018 between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC, with respect to the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (8).
       
     (10) Amendment dated November 1, 2018 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement dated June10, 2013 between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC, with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (8).
       
     (11) Fee Waiver Letter Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (8).
       
  (e) (1) Distribution Agreement dated April 16, 2018 between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF, Workplace Equality Portfolio, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, and ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (8).

 

 

 

    (2) Form of Authorized Participant Agreement.(3)
       
    (3) Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to Distribution Agreement dated April 16, 2018 between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
  (f)   None.
       
  (g) (1) Master Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the Alerian Energy Infrastructure Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, Cohen & Steers Global Reality Majors ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF, and Workplace Equality Portfolio.(4)
       
    (2) Amendment dated June 2, 2016 to Master Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.(4)

 

 

 

     (3) Amendment dated December 29, 2017 to Master Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF. (6)
       
     (4) Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to Master Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
  (h) (1) Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. dated March 6, 2017 with respect to Alerian Energy Infrastructure Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, Cohen & Steers Global Reality Majors ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF, U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund, Workplace Equality Portfolio, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.(4)
       
     (2) Amendment dated December 29, 2017 to the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. dated March 6, 2017 with respect to the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF. (6)
       
     (3) Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. dated March 6, 2017 with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
    (4) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the Alerian Energy Infrastructure Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, Cohen & Steers Global Reality Majors ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF and Workplace Equality Portfolio.(4)

 

 

 

    (5) Amendment dated June 2, 2016 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.(4)
       
     (6) Amendment dated December 29, 2017 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF. (6)
       
     (7) Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated June 30, 2015 with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
    (8) Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Alerian Energy Infrastructure Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, Cohen & Steers Global Reality Majors ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF, U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund and Workplace Equality Portfolio.(4)

 

 

 

    (9) Amendment dated June 2, 2016 to the Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.(4)
       
     (10) Amendment dated December 29, 2017 to the Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF. (6)
       
     (11) Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to the Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
  (i) (1) Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF, Workplace Equality Portfolio, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8).
       
    (2) Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).

 

 

 

  (j) (1) Consent of independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, Sprott Gold Miners ETF, Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF, Workplace Equality Portfolio, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (8)
       
    (2) Consent of independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Barron’s 400 ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, Alerian MLP ETF, Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
       
  (k)   Not applicable.
       
  (l)   Not applicable.

 

 

 

  (m)   Not applicable.
       
  (n)   Not applicable.
       
  (p) (1) Code of Ethics for the Trust.(2)
       
    (2) Code of Ethics for ALPS Holdings, Inc. revised as of July 1, 2017. (5)
       
    (3) Amended Code of Ethics for RiverFront Investment Group, LLC. (7)
       
  (q)   Powers of Attorney for Mary K. Anstine, Jeremy W. Deems, and Rick A. Pederson. (5)

 

(1)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 23, 2008.
(2)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on May 1, 2008.
(3)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 29, 2013.
(4)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 286 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 30, 2017.
(5)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on October 13, 2017.
(6)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 289 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on December 27, 2017.
(7)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 30, 2018.
(8)Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 296 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 29, 2019.

 

Item 29.Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.

 

None.

 

 

 

Item 30.Indemnification.

 

Reference is made to Article Eight of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust which is incorporated by reference herein:

 

The Registrant (also, the “Trust”) is organized as a Delaware business trust is operated pursuant to a Declaration of Trust, dated September 13, 2007 (the “Declaration of Trust”), that permits the Registrant to indemnify every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. This indemnification is subject to the following conditions:

 

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

 

(a) For any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising out of a final adjudication by the court of other body before which the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;

 

(b) With respect to any matter as to which the Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

 

(c) In the event of a settlement of other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8.5.2) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of this office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by : (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.5) acting on the matter); or (ii) a writer opinion of independent legal counsel.

 

The rights of indemnification under the Declaration of Trust may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, and shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained in the Declaration of Trust shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

 

 

 

Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust, provided that either: Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of this office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by : (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.5) acting on the matter (provided that a majority of Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or (ii) a written opinion of independent legal counsel.

 

(a) Such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or

 

(b) A majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to the facts available upon a full trial), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

As used in Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a) A “Disinterested Trustee” is one (i) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustees, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (ii) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending;

 

(b) “Claim,” “action,” “suite” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and

 

(c) “Liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

 

 

 

Item 31.Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers

 

ALPS ADVISORS, INC.

 

Name*

Position with ALPS Advisors, Inc. Other Business Connections

Type of Business

Laton Spahr President, Director None Fund Servicing
Mike Sleightholme Authorized Representative None Fund Servicing
Bradley J. Swenson Executive Vice President, Director See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI Fund Servicing
Robert J. Szydlowski Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. Fund Servicing
Eric T. Parsons Vice President, Controller, Assistant Treasurer Vice President, Corporate Controller, ALPS Holdings, Inc., and Vice President, Controller, Assistant Treasurer ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. Fund Servicing
Joseph J. Frank** Secretary Secretary, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and Red Rocks Capital LLC. Fund Servicing
Patrick J. Pedonti** Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and Red Rocks Capital LLC. Fund Servicing
William R. Parmentier, Jr. Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer Not Applicable Not Applicable
Matthew Sutula Interim Chief Compliance Officer See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI Fund Servicing
Richard C. Noyes Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI Fund Servicing

 

 

 

Mark T. Haley Vice President Not Applicable Not Applicable
Wyck Brown Senior Vice President Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager of Red Rocks Capital, LLC Fund Servicing
Dennis P. Emanuel Director of ETF and Closed-End Fund Strategy Not Applicable Not Applicable
Ryan Mischker Vice President, Portfolio Management and Research Not Applicable Not Applicable
Andy Hicks Vice President, Index Management Not Applicable Not Applicable
Hilary Quinn Vice President Vice President, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. Fund Servicing
Jennifer Craig Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President Fund Servicing

 

*The principal business address for each of the ALPS Advisors, Inc. representatives is: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

RIVERFRONT INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

Name* Position with
RiverFront Investments LLC

Other Business

Connections

Type of

Business

Paul Michael Jones, CFA Board Member

Redeemer Lutheran Child Development (Volunteer)

 

Riverside School (Volunteer)

Non-Profit

 

Non-Profit

Rod Smyth

Chairman, Director of Investments

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) – Chairman, Investment Advisory Committee (Compensated)

Financial Services

 

 

 

Doug Sandler, CFA Global Strategist Trolley Fund, LLC, Consultant to Private Fund, advising small local businesses (Volunteer) For-Profit
Pete Quinn President & CEO

Mr. Mac Foundation (Volunteer)

Charitable Foundation

Karrie Southall, CIPM Chief Operating Officer

Women in ETFs, Co-Head of Global Finance and Operations Committee (Volunteer)

 

We. Inc., Co-Treasurer for Global Governance Committee (Volunteer)

 

St. Catherine’s Alumni Board Member (Volunteer)

Non-Profit

 

Non-Profit

 

Non-Profit

Timothy Anderson, CFA Global Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer None N/A
Adam Grossman, CFA Global Equity CIO Board Member, Redeemer Lutheran Church (Volunteer) Non-profit
Chris Konstantinos, CFA Chief Investment Strategist, Director of International Strategy

Treasurer and Foundation Member, Children’s Home Society, (Volunteer)

Non-Profit

Rob Glownia, CFA, CPM Senior Portfolio Manager

Richmond Tool Bank, Board member (Volunteer)

Non-Profit

Scott Hays, CFA Quantitative Portfolio Manager N/A N/A
Julie Gibbs Chief Compliance Officer N/A N/A

 

*The principal business address for each of the RiverFront representatives is: 1214 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

 

 

 

Item 32.Principal Underwriters.

 

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, and Select Sector SPDRs Trust.

 

(b) To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., are as follows:

 

Name* Position with Underwriter Positions with Fund
Bradley J. Swenson Director, President & Chief Operating Officer None
Robert J. Szydlowski Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer None
Richard C. Noyes Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary None
Steven Price Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer None
Patrick J. Pedonti** Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary None
Eric T. Parsons Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer None
Joseph J. Frank** Secretary None
Liza Orr Vice President, Senior Counsel None
Jed Stahl Vice President, Senior Counsel None
Josh Eihausen Vice President, Associate Senior Counsel None
James Stegall Vice President, Institutional Sales Manager None
Gary Ross Senior Vice President None
Kevin Ireland Senior Vice President None
Mark Kiniry Senior Vice President None
Stephen J. Kyllo Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer None
Hilary Quinn Vice President None
Jennifer Craig Assistant Vice President None

 

*Except as otherwise noted, the principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
**The principal business address for Messrs. Pedonti, Frank and Fleming is 333 W. 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

 

 

 

(c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33.Location of Accounts and Records

 

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained at the following offices: (1) ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203; (2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203; (3) State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1 Iron Street – CCB0700, Boston, MA 02210; and (4) RiverFront Investments, LLC, 9011 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23236.

 

Item 34.Management Services

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 35.Undertakings.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 298 of its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Denver, and State of Colorado, on the 28th day of January, 2020.

 

  ALPS ETF TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Bradley J. Swenson
    Bradley J. Swenson
    President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signatures   Title   Date
         
/s/ Mary K. Anstine   Trustee   January 28, 2020
Mary K. Anstine*        
         
/s/ Jeremy W. Deems   Trustee   January 28, 2020
Jeremy W. Deems*        
         
/s/ Rick A. Pederson   Trustee   January 28, 2020
Rick A. Pederson*        
         
/s/ Edmund J. Burke   Trustee   January 28, 2020
Edmund J. Burke*        
         
/s/ Bradley J. Swenson   President   January 28, 2020
Bradley J. Swenson        
         
/s/ Kathryn Burns   Treasurer   January 28, 2020
Kathryn Burns        

 

*Signature affixed by Sharon Akselrod pursuant to a power of attorney dated June 4, 2018.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibits  
(d)(5) Amendment dated January 2, 2020 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 31, 2018 relating to the ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF