N-CSR 1 d86654dncsr.htm LEGG MASON LOW VOLATILITY HIGH DIVIDEND ETF Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-23096

 

 

Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Marc A. De Oliveira

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-877-721-1926

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2020

 

 

 


ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


LOGO

 

Annual Report   October 31, 2020

LEGG MASON

LOW VOLATILITY

HIGH DIVIDEND ETF

LVHD

 

 

 

 

Beginning in or after April 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund intends to no longer mail paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports like this one, 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 a website, 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 (“e-delivery”), you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you have not already elected e-delivery, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge by contacting 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 Legg Mason Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.

 

LOGO

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE


What’s inside      
Letter from the president     II  
Fund overview     1  
Fund at a glance     6  
Fund expenses     7  
Fund performance     8  
Schedule of investments     10  
Statement of assets and liabilities     14  
Statement of operations     15  
Statements of changes in net assets     16  
Financial highlights     17  
Notes to financial statements     18  
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     28  
Additional shareholder information     29  
Statement regarding liquidity risk management program     30  
Additional information     32  
Important tax information     39  

Fund objective

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of equity securities of U.S. companies with relatively high yield and low price and earnings volatility.

 

Letter from the president

 

LOGO

 

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the annual report of Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF for the twelve-month reporting period ended October 31, 2020. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.

Special shareholder notices

Effective March 31, 2020, Michael LaBella, CFA, Russell Shtern, CFA, and Michael Ripper, CFA, UK, are the Fund’s portfolio managers and have primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Each is employed by QS Investors, LLC (“QS Investors”), the Fund’s subadviser, and is responsible for the strategic oversight of the Fund’s investments. Mr. LaBella and Mr. Shtern have been portfolio managers of the Fund since 2015, and Mr. Ripper has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2020. For more information regarding the Fund’s portfolio managers, please see the Fund’s prospectus.

On July 31, 2020, Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”) acquired Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”) in an all-cash transaction. As a result of the transaction, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) and the subadviser(s) became indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, consummation of the transaction automatically terminated the management and subadvisory agreements that were in place for the Fund prior to the transaction. The Fund’s manager and subadviser(s) continue to provide uninterrupted services with respect to the Fund pursuant to new management and subadvisory agreements that were approved by Fund shareholders.

 

II    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF


Franklin Resources, whose principal executive offices are at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403, is a global investment management organization operating, together with its subsidiaries, as Franklin Templeton. As of October 31, 2020, after giving effect to the transaction described above, Franklin Templeton’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $1.4 trillion.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.leggmason.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

 

Fund net asset value and market price,

 

 

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

 

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 30, 2020

    

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   III


Fund overview

 

Q. What is the Fund’s investment strategy?

A. Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index seeks to provide more stable income through investments in stocks of profitable U.S. companies with relatively high dividend yields and lower price and earnings volatility. The Underlying Index is based on a proprietary methodology created and sponsored by QS Investors, LLC (“QS Investors”), the Fund’s subadviser. The Underlying Index is composed of stocks of U.S. companies across a wide range of market capitalizations, including the largest 3,000 U.S. stocks as determined by the Solactive US Broad Market Index.

The Underlying Index’s components are reconstituted annually and rebalanced quarterly. The composition of the Underlying Index and the Fund after reconstitution and rebalancing may fluctuate and exceed the Underlying Index limitations due to market movements. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies. The components of the Underlying Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain sectors and industries, may change over time.

The Fund’s portfolio is rebalanced when the Underlying Index is rebalanced or reconstituted. The Fund may trade at times other than when the Underlying Index is rebalanced or reconstituted for a variety of reasons, including when adjustments may be made to its representative sampling process from time to time or when investing cash.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in securities that compose the Underlying Index.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in certain index futures, options, options on index futures, swap contracts or other derivatives related to its Underlying Index and its component securities; cash and cash equivalents; other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds; exchange-traded notes; and in securities and other instruments not included in its Underlying Index, but which QS Investors believes will help the Fund track its Underlying Index. The Fund may invest in exchange-traded equity index futures to manage sector exposure and for cash management purposes.

Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period?

A. The Russell 3000 Indexi returned 10.15% for the twelve-month reporting period ended October 31, 2020, with considerable volatility within and across quarters. The U.S. equity market finished 2019 with a strong final quarter return, propelled by progress in U.S. and China trade discussions and an increasingly dovish U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”)ii stance. With the arrival of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020, however, U.S. equities declined almost 20% despite a series of moves by the Fed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. On March 15, 2020, the Fed embarked on a large-scale program employing emergency powers in order to stabilize the economy. Chief among these emergency actions was cutting interest rates effectively to zero and a $700 billion round of quantitative easing. Despite these actions, stock prices continued their steep decline. At the end of the first quarter, the White House and Congress reached a deal on a two trillion-dollar stimulus package (approximately 10% of U.S. GDP), against the backdrop of the largest ever unemployment claims number.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   1


Fund overview (cont’d)

 

Retail sales increased 17% between April and May 2020 as states began to lift restrictions. This led to a strong recovery in equity markets in the second calendar quarter of 2020, which persisted into the summer. News of a potential treatment for the virus seemed to offset the impact of a summer surge in COVID-19 in parts of the country. August 2020 saw an increase in manufacturing activity, better-than-expected factory orders and fewer jobless claims, pushing U.S. equity markets as measured by the S&P 500 Indexiii to record highs. In addition, the Fed indicated a shift in approach with respect to inflation, suggesting that interest rates may remain low for longer than expected.

September 2020 saw a modest pullback, driven by a rise in COVID-19 cases, delays regarding additional fiscal-stimulus and rising political uncertainty with the upcoming U.S. presidential election. October 2020 was the worst month for U.S. equities since March 2020, when state lockdowns due to the pandemic were announced. The selloff was driven by multiple concerns, including heightened U.S. fiscal policy uncertainty, resurgent COVID-19 cases across much of the country, new or imminent pandemic lockdowns in Europe’s key economic centers, potential downgrades to the global economic outlook, and fears of an unclear or contested U.S. presidential election outcome.

Sector returns varied greatly for the full reporting period. Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary stocks led the way and were largely responsible for the strong return for the twelve-month period, returning over 30% in the Russell 3000 Index. The Energy sector was especially hard hit by the pandemic and posted a double-digit negative return. A supply side price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia dominated the market in the first quarter of 2020, as did a deteriorating demand for oil due to the impact of the coronavirus on global economic growth. Losses in the Energy sector were only partially mitigated by second calendar quarter outperformance, as economies began to ease lockdown restrictions and oil companies in North America reduced supply. At the end of the reporting period, a second wave of COVID-19 emerged. Additionally, crude oil was largely affected by Saudi Arabia’s announcement to markedly cut its price, and Libya began to export the commodity again.

The Financials sector also posted a negative return. Despite measures being taken by the federal government and Fed, bank asset quality, net interest margins and earnings came under pressure, and banks generally were faced with credit losses and capital declines.

The Fund uses a passive investment approach to achieve its investment objective, and therefore made no change in investment approach in response to market conditions.

Performance review

For the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF generated a -9.90% return on a net asset value (“NAV”)iv basis and -9.98% based on its market pricev per share.

The performance table shows the Fund’s total return for the twelve months ended

October 31, 2020 based on its NAV and market price per share as of October 31, 2020. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index, which returned -9.88% for the same period. The Fund’s broad-based market index, the Russell 3000 Index returned 10.15% over the same time frame. The Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Category Averagevi returned -8.57% for the period. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

 

2    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


Performance Snapshot as of October 31, 2020 (unaudited)            
     6 months     12 months  
Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF:    

$ 29.36 (NAV)

    6.38     -9.90 %*† 

$ 29.35 (Market Price)

    6.54     -9.98 %*‡ 
QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index     6.48     -9.88
Russell 3000 Index     15.14     10.15
Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Category Average     8.41     -8.57

The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate so shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.leggmason.com/etf.

Investors buy and sell shares of an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) at market price (not NAV) in the secondary market throughout the trading day. These shares are not individually available for direct purchase from or direct redemption to the ETF. Effective July 1, 2020, market price returns are typically based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares. Prior to July 1, 2020, market price returns generally were based upon the mid-point between the bid and ask on the Fund’s principal trading market when the Fund’s NAV was determined, which was typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (US). Market price performance reported for periods prior to July 1, 2020 continues to reflect market prices calculated based upon the mid-point between the bid and ask on the Fund’s principal trading market typically as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (US). These returns do not represent investors’ returns had they traded shares at other times. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

Information showing the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads for various time periods is available by visiting the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/etf.

As of the Fund’s current prospectus dated March 1, 2020, as revised July 1, 2020, the gross total annual fund operating expense ratio for the Fund was 0.27%.

* Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions at market price, which typically is based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares.

Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?

A. The leading contributors to performance in the Underlying Index for the reporting period were the Industrials and Consumer Staples sectors, by virtue of their weight in the Underlying Index and their positive returns.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   3


Fund overview (cont’d)

 

Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?

A. The leading detractors from performance in the Underlying Index, by virtue of their weight and their returns, were the Real Estate, Utilities and Energy sectors.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund’s daily NAV is available on-line at www.leggmason.com/etf. The Fund is traded under the symbol “LVHD” and its closing market price is available on most financial websites. In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-877-721-1926 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

Thank you for your investment in Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Michael LaBella, CFA

Portfolio Manager

QS Investors, LLC

 

LOGO

Russell Shtern, CFA

Portfolio Manager

QS Investors, LLC

 

LOGO

Michael Ripper

Portfolio Manager

QS Investors, LLC

November 16, 2020

RISKS: Equity securities are subject to market and price fluctuations. Dividends are not guaranteed, and a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend at any time. In rising markets, the value of large-cap stocks may not rise as much as smaller-cap stocks. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. The Fund may focus its investments in certain industries, increasing its vulnerability to market volatility. There is no

 

4    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation to the index it seeks to track. The Fund does not seek to outperform the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Derivatives, such as options and futures, can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and the Fund’s investment strategies.

The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. The Fund’s top five sector holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of October 31, 2020 were: Utilities (18.4%), Consumer Staples (16.5%), Real Estate (15.7%), Health Care (11.2%) and Industrials (10.8%). The Fund’s composition may differ over time.

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market, sector or rules-based investment process. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.

 

i 

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market.

 

ii 

The Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

 

iii 

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of the stocks of 500 leading companies, and is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S.

 

iv 

Net Asset Value (NAV) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets and dividing the results by the number of shares outstanding.

 

v 

Market price is determined by supply and demand. It is the price at which an investor purchases or sells shares of the Fund. The market price may differ from the Fund’s NAV.

 

vi 

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the twelve-month ended October 31, 2020, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 579 funds for the six-month period and among the 572 funds for the twelve-month period in the Fund’s Lipper category.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   5


Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 and does not include derivatives such as futures contracts. The composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

6    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on May 1, 2020 and held for the six months ended October 31, 2020.

Actual expenses

The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The table below titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Based on actual total return1       Based on hypothetical total return1

Actual

Total

Return2

 

Beginning

Account

Value

 

Ending

Account

Value

 

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

Expenses

Paid During

the Period3

     

Hypothetical

Annualized

Total Return

 

Beginning
Account

Value

 

Ending

Account
Value

 

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

Expenses

Paid During

the Period3

    6.38%       $ 1,000.00     $ 1,063.80       0.27 %     $ 1.40         5.00 %       $1,000.00       $ 1,023.78       0.27 %     $ 1.37

 

1  

For the six months ended October 31, 2020.

 

2 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

3 

Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184), then divided by 366.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   7


Fund performance (unaudited)

 

Net Asset Value       
Average annual total returns1        
Twelve Months Ended 10/31/20      -9.90
Inception* through 10/31/20      6.69  
Cumulative total returns1        
Inception date of 12/28/15 through 10/31/20      36.86

 

Market Price       
Average annual total returns2        
Twelve Months Ended 10/31/20      -9.98
Inception* through 10/31/20      6.68  

 

Cumulative total returns2        
Inception date of 12/28/15 through 10/31/20      36.80

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors would pay on distributions or the sale of shares. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower.

Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund at market price, not NAV, in the secondary market throughout the trading day. These shares are not individually available for direct purchase from or direct redemption to the Fund. The Fund’s per share NAV is the value of one share of the Fund and is calculated by dividing the value of total assets less total liabilities by the number of shares outstanding. The NAV return is based on the NAV of the Fund and effective July 1, 2020, market price returns typically will be based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares. Prior to July 1, 2020, market price returns generally were based upon the mid-point between the bid and ask on the Fund’s principal trading market when the Fund’s NAV was determined, which was typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (US). Market price performance reported for periods prior to July 1, 2020 will continue to reflect market prices calculated based upon the mid-point between the bid and ask on the Fund’s principal trading market typically as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (US). These returns do not represent investors’ returns had they traded shares at other times. NAV and market price returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at NAV and market price, respectively. As with other exchange-traded funds, NAV returns and market price returns may differ because of factors such as the supply and demand for Fund shares and investors’ assessment of the underlying value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

 

1 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value.

 

2 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at market price.

 

*

Inception date of the Fund is December 28, 2015.

 

8    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


Historical performance

Value of $10,000 invested in

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF vs QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index and Russell 3000 Index† — December 28, 2015 - October 31, 2020

 

LOGO

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at NAV. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors would pay on distributions or the sale of shares. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower.

 

Hypothetical illustration of $10,000 invested in Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF on December 28, 2015 (inception date), assuming the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value through October 31, 2020. The hypothetical illustration also assumes a $10,000 investment in the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index and the Russell 3000 Index (the “Index”). The Fund’s per share NAV is the value of one share of the Fund and is calculated by dividing the value of total assets less total liabilities by the number of shares outstanding. The NAV return is based on the NAV of the Fund. QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index (the “Underlying Index”) is an index composed of equity securities of U.S. companies with relatively high yield and low price and earnings volatility. The Underlying Index is based on a proprietary methodology created and sponsored by QS Investors, LLC, the Fund’s subadviser. The Underlying Index is composed of stocks of U.S. companies across a wide range of market capitalizations, including the largest 3,000 U.S. stocks as determined by the Solactive US Broad Market Index. The Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market. The indices are not subject to the same management and trading expenses as a fund. An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market, sector, or rules-based investment process. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   9


Schedule of investments

October 31, 2020

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Common Stocks — 98.9%                
Communication Services — 6.3%                

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.6%

               

Verizon Communications Inc.

    299,478       $17,067,251  

Media — 3.7%

               

Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.

    626,019       11,324,684  

Omnicom Group Inc.

    288,268       13,606,250  

Total Media

            24,930,934  

Total Communication Services

            41,998,185  
Consumer Discretionary — 1.2%                

Distributors — 1.2%

               

Genuine Parts Co.

    88,939       8,042,754  
Consumer Staples — 16.5%                

Beverages — 4.7%

               

Coca-Cola Co.

    332,500       15,979,950  

PepsiCo Inc.

    114,562       15,269,969  

Total Beverages

            31,249,919  

Food Products — 9.5%

               

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    330,279       15,272,101  

Campbell Soup Co.

    208,128       9,713,334  

General Mills Inc.

    257,904       15,247,284  

JM Smucker Co.

    95,805       10,749,321  

Kellogg Co.

    207,458       13,047,034  

Total Food Products

            64,029,074  

Household Products — 2.3%

               

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    115,714       15,342,519  

Total Consumer Staples

            110,621,512  
Financials — 7.2%                

Banks — 5.7%

               

First Hawaiian Inc.

    137,566       2,374,389  

FNB Corp.

    253,840       1,919,030  

Huntington Bancshares Inc.

    1,572,952       16,421,619  

Park National Corp.

    6,065       555,857  

People’s United Financial Inc.

    374,926       4,000,461  

S&T Bancorp Inc.

    18,231       360,792  

WesBanco Inc.

    29,413       714,442  

Zions Bancorp NA

    375,979       12,132,842  

Total Banks

            38,479,432  

Capital Markets — 0.1%

               

Cohen & Steers Inc.

    11,397       641,765  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


 

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Insurance — 0.1%

               

American National Group Inc.

    5,097       $350,673  

Safety Insurance Group Inc.

    5,750       402,500  

Total Insurance

            753,173  

Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.6%

               

Arbor Realty Trust Inc.

    356,296       4,211,419  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.7%

               

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

    483,926       4,021,425  

Provident Financial Services Inc.

    23,301       316,195  

Total Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

            4,337,620  

Total Financials

            48,423,409  
Health Care — 11.2%                

Biotechnology — 4.0%

               

AbbVie Inc.

    186,381       15,861,023  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    186,765       10,860,385  

Total Biotechnology

            26,721,408  

Health Care Providers & Services — 0.9%

               

CVS Health Corp.

    111,014       6,226,775  

Pharmaceuticals — 6.3%

               

Johnson & Johnson

    91,931       12,604,659  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    189,932       14,284,786  

Pfizer Inc.

    432,852       15,357,589  

Total Pharmaceuticals

            42,247,034  

Total Health Care

            75,195,217  
Industrials — 10.8%                

Air Freight & Logistics — 3.3%

               

United Parcel Service Inc., Class B Shares

    140,621       22,092,965  

Electrical Equipment — 5.0%

               

Eaton Corp. PLC

    177,614       18,434,557  

Emerson Electric Co.

    234,282       15,179,131  

Total Electrical Equipment

            33,613,688  

Industrial Conglomerates — 2.5%

               

3M Co.

    105,754       16,916,410  

Total Industrials

            72,623,063  
Information Technology — 9.1%                

Communications Equipment — 1.0%

               

Juniper Networks Inc.

    354,213       6,985,080  

IT Services — 6.2%

               

International Business Machines Corp.

    127,273       14,211,303  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   11


Schedule of investments (cont’d)

October 31, 2020

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

 

Security   Shares     Value  

IT Services — continued

               

Paychex Inc.

    190,453       $15,664,759  

Western Union Co.

    593,727       11,542,053  

Total IT Services

            41,418,115  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.9%

               

Seagate Technology PLC

    264,453       12,646,143  

Total Information Technology

            61,049,338  
Materials — 2.5%                

Chemicals — 0.9%

               

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A Shares

    90,824       6,216,903  

Containers & Packaging — 1.6%

               

Packaging Corp. of America

    91,105       10,430,611  

Total Materials

            16,647,514  
Real Estate — 15.7%                

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 15.7%

               

CoreCivic Inc.

    132,252       847,735  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    93,057       14,535,503  

CubeSmart

    188,204       6,385,762  

Four Corners Property Trust Inc.

    34,990       886,647  

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.

    137,661       5,003,977  

Getty Realty Corp.

    13,719       360,535  

Highwoods Properties Inc.

    68,650       2,043,711  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

    43,541       835,116  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    352,224       3,613,818  

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A Shares

    36,979       2,291,219  

Lexington Realty Trust

    119,802       1,189,634  

Life Storage Inc.

    41,858       4,778,091  

LTC Properties Inc.

    20,858       688,523  

Macerich Co.

    687,613       4,785,787  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.

    28,488       394,559  

National Health Investors Inc.

    22,344       1,252,381  

National Retail Properties Inc.

    103,062       3,299,015  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., Class A Shares

    82,582       943,086  

Public Storage

    88,621       20,300,412  

Realty Income Corp.

    199,297       11,531,324  

STORE Capital Corp.

    175,864       4,519,705  

Ventas Inc.

    220,460       8,701,556  

WP Carey Inc.

    100,120       6,268,513  

Total Real Estate

            105,456,609  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


 

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

 

Security          Shares     Value  
Utilities — 18.4%                        

Electric Utilities — 11.0%

                       

ALLETE Inc.

            39,515     $ 2,038,184  

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

            178,751       16,075,077  

Duke Energy Corp.

            174,311       16,055,786  

Evergy Inc.

            195,700       10,802,640  

Exelon Corp.

            88,535       3,531,661  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

            107,563       8,773,914  

PPL Corp.

            599,828       16,495,270  

Total Electric Utilities

                    73,772,532  

Multi-Utilities — 7.4%

                       

Consolidated Edison Inc.

            180,589       14,174,431  

DTE Energy Co.

            148,383       18,313,430  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

            297,207       17,282,587  

Total Multi-Utilities

                    49,770,448  

Total Utilities

                    123,542,980  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $669,726,321)

 

            663,600,581  
     Rate                
Short-Term Investments — 0.9%                        

Invesco Treasury Portfolio, Institutional Class (Cost — $5,991,695)

    0.010     5,991,695       5,991,695  

Total Investments — 99.8% (Cost — $675,718,016)

                    669,592,276  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.2%

                    1,397,236  

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

                  $ 670,989,512  

At October 31, 2020, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Market
Value
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
Contracts to Buy:                                             
E-mini S&P 500 Index      44        12/20      $ 7,411,962      $ 7,182,340      $ (229,622)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   13


Statement of assets and liabilities

October 31, 2020

 

Assets:         

Investments, at value (Cost — $675,718,016)

   $ 669,592,276  

Dividends and interest receivable

     1,094,775  

Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts

     692,584  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     1,027  

Total Assets

     671,380,662  
Liabilities:         

Payable to broker — net variation margin on open futures contracts

     229,622  

Investment management fee payable

     161,528  

Total Liabilities

     391,150  
Total Net Assets    $ 670,989,512  
Net Assets:         

Par value (Note 5)

   $ 229  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     791,076,779  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (120,087,496)  
Total Net Assets    $ 670,989,512  
Shares Outstanding      22,850,000  
Net Asset Value      $29.36  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


Statement of operations

For the Year Ended October 31, 2020

 

Investment Income:         

Dividends

   $ 29,645,729  

Interest

     20,866  

Total Investment Income

     29,666,595  
Expenses:         

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     2,020,741  

Total Expenses

     2,020,741  
Net Investment Income      27,645,854  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4):         

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

        

Investment transactions

     (49,587,183)  

Futures contracts

     1,080,094  

Net Realized Loss

     (48,507,089)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

        

Investments

     (75,092,018)  

Futures contracts

     (280,068)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (75,372,086)  
Net Loss on Investments and Futures Contracts      (123,879,175)  
Decrease in Net Assets From Operations    $ (96,233,321)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   15


Statements of changes in net assets

 

 

For the Years Ended October 31,    2020      2019  
Operations:                  

Net investment income

   $ 27,645,854      $ 23,067,583  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (48,507,089)        7,200,873  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (75,372,086)        63,841,603  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

     (96,233,321)        94,110,059  
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):                  

Total distributable earnings

     (26,558,647)        (17,910,014)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

     (26,558,647)        (17,910,014)  
Fund Share Transactions (Note 5):                  

Net proceeds from sale of shares (11,700,000 and 10,250,000 shares issued, respectively)

     357,084,480        327,352,803  

Cost of shares repurchased (13,250,000 and 5,000,000 shares repurchased, respectively)

     (387,325,237)        (157,610,637)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     (30,240,757)        169,742,166  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets      (153,032,725)        245,942,211  
Net Assets:                  

Beginning of year

     824,022,237        578,080,026  

End of year

   $ 670,989,512      $ 824,022,237  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


Financial highlights

 

 

For a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended October 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
     20201     20191     20181     20171     20161,2  
Net asset value, beginning of year     $33.77       $30.19       $30.60       $27.55       $24.96  
Income (loss) from operations:          

Net investment income

    1.13       1.11       1.09       1.03       0.80  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (4.45)       3.36       (0.41)       3.03       2.26 3  

Total income (loss) from operations

    (3.32)       4.47       0.68       4.06       3.06  
Less distributions from:          

Net investment income

    (1.09)       (0.89)       (1.09)       (1.01)       (0.47)  

Total distributions

    (1.09)       (0.89)       (1.09)       (1.01)       (0.47)  
Net asset value, end of year     $29.36       $33.77       $30.19       $30.60       $27.55  

Total return, based on NAV4

    (9.90)     15.15     2.25     14.89     12.28
Net assets, end of year (000s)     $670,990       $824,022       $578,080       $446,764       $95,045  
Ratios to average net assets:          

Gross expenses

    0.27     0.27     0.27     0.29     0.30 %5  

Net expenses

    0.27       0.27       0.27       0.29       0.30 5  

Net investment income

    3.69       3.50       3.60       3.45       3.42 5  
Portfolio turnover rate6     48     29     44     28     48

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the period December 28, 2015 (inception date) to October 31, 2016.

 

3 

Calculation of the net gain per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

 

4 

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

5 

Annualized.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   17


Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”) is a separate diversified investment series of Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.

The Fund is an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly-traded securities. The Fund is designed to track an index. Similar to shares of an index mutual fund, each share of the Fund represents an ownership interest in an underlying portfolio of securities intended to track an index. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought from and redeemed by the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on net asset value (“NAV”), shares of the Fund may be directly purchased from and redeemed by the Fund at NAV solely by certain large institutional investors who have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor (“Authorized Participants”). Also unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

Shares of the Fund are listed and traded at market prices on NASDAQ. The market price for the Fund’s shares may be different from the Fund’s NAV. The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV only in blocks of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”). Only Authorized Participants may purchase or redeem Creation Units directly with the Fund at NAV. Creation Units are issued and redeemed generally in-kind for a basket of securities and/or cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Fund are not redeemable securities. Shareholders who are not Authorized Participants may not redeem shares directly from the Fund at NAV.

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index seeks to provide more stable income through investments in stocks of profitable U.S. companies with relatively high dividend yields and lower price and earnings volatility. The Underlying Index is based on a proprietary methodology created and sponsored by QS Investors, LLC, the Fund’s subadviser.

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed,

 

18    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will use the currency exchange rates, generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. (London Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Trustees. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   19


Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Trustees quarterly.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:

 

ASSETS  
Description  

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

   

Other Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Common Stocks†   $ 663,600,581                 $ 663,600,581  
Short-Term Investments†     5,991,695                   5,991,695  
Total Investments   $ 669,592,276                 $ 669,592,276  

 

20    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


LIABILITIES  
Description  

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

   

Other Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Other Financial Instruments:                                

Futures Contracts

  $ 229,622                 $ 229,622  

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

(b) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain or manage exposure to certain assets classes, sectors, or markets or for cash management purposes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the ‘‘initial margin’’ and subsequent payments (‘‘variation margin’’) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.

(c) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions, where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Fund’s subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.

With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   21


Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.

The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets or NAV over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.

Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.

As of October 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any open OTC derivative transactions with credit related contingent futures in a net liability position.

(d) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(e) REIT distributions. The character of distributions received from Real Estate Investment Trusts (‘‘REITs’’) held by the Fund is generally comprised of net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital. It is the policy of the Fund to estimate the character of

 

22    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


distributions received from underlying REITs based on historical data provided by the REITs. After each calendar year end, REITs report the actual tax character of these distributions. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts reported by the REITs are reflected in the Fund’s records in the year in which they are reported by the REITs by adjusting related investment cost basis, capital gains and income, as necessary.

(f) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid on a quarterly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(g) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of October 31, 2020, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

(h) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:

 

       

Total Distributable

Earnings (Loss)

      

Paid-in

Capital

 
(a)      $ (33,922,875)        $ 33,922,875  

 

(a)  

Reclassifications are due to book/tax differences in the treatment of an in-kind distribution of securities.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and QS Investors, LLC (“QS Investors”) is the Fund’s subadviser. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) manages the portion of the Fund’s cash and short-term instruments allocated to it. As of July 31, 2020, LMPFA, QS Investors and Western Asset are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”). Prior to July 31, 2020, LMPFA, QS Investors and Western Asset were wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”). As of July 31, 2020, Legg Mason is a subsidiary of Franklin Resources.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   23


Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Fund is responsible for paying interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses and the management fee payable to LMPFA under the investment management agreement.

Under the investment management agreement and subject to the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, LMPFA provides or causes to be furnished all investment management, supervisory, administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund, including certain distribution services (provided pursuant to a separate distribution agreement) and investment advisory services (provided pursuant to separate subadvisory agreements) under a unitary fee structure. The Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.27% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As compensation for its subadvisory services, LMPFA pays QS Investors 90% of the management fee paid by the Fund to LMPFA, net of (i) all fees and expenses incurred by LMPFA under the investment management agreement (including without limitation any subadvisory fee paid to another subadviser to the Fund) and (ii) expense waivers, if any, and reimbursements. LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly a fee of 0.02% of the portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets allocated to Western Asset for the management of cash and other short term instruments, net of expense waivers, if any, and reimbursements.

As of July 31, 2020 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”) is an indirect, wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Franklin Resources and serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. Prior to July 31, 2020, LMIS was a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason.

The Fund’s Board of Trustees has adopted a Rule 12b-1 shareholder services and distribution plan and under that plan, the Fund is authorized to pay service and/or distribution fees calculated at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets. No service and/or distribution fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees.

As of July 31, 2020, all officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust. Prior to July 31, 2020, all officers and one Trustee of the Trust were employees of Legg Mason and did not receive compensation from the Trust.

 

24    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


3. Investments

During the year ended October 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 358,792,566  
Sales        354,422,938  

During the year ended October 31, 2020, in-kind transactions (Note 5) were as follows:

 

Contributions      $ 356,958,803  
Redemptions        389,784,054  
Realized gain (loss)*        49,846,025  

 

*

Net realized gains on redemptions in-kind are not taxable to the remaining shareholders of the Fund.

The in-kind contributions and in-kind redemptions shown in this table may not agree with the Fund Share Transactions on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. This table represents the accumulation of the Fund’s daily net shareholder transactions while the Statement of Changes in Net Assets reflects gross shareholder transactions including any cash component of the transactions.

At October 31, 2020, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

      Cost     

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Net

Unrealized

Depreciation

 
Securities    $ 680,513,276      $ 34,229,761      $ (45,150,761)      $ (10,921,000)  
Futures contracts                    (229,622)        (229,622)  

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2020.

 

LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1  
       

Equity

Risk

 
Futures contracts2      $ 229,622  

 

1  

Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation.

 

2 

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   25


Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2020. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.

 

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
     

Equity

Risk

 
Futures contracts    $ 1,080,094  

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
     

Equity

Risk

 
Futures contracts    $ (280,068)  

During the year ended October 31, 2020, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:

 

       

Average Market

Value

 
Futures contracts (to buy)      $ 5,146,855  

5. Fund share transactions

At October 31, 2020, the Trust had an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with a par value of $0.00001 per share. Fund shares are issued and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Units or Creation Unit aggregations, where 50,000 shares of the Fund constitute a Creation Unit. Such transactions are generally on an in-kind basis, with a separate cash payment, which is a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Transactions in capital shares of the Fund are disclosed in detail in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. Authorized Participants are subject to standard creation and redemption transaction fees to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. Creations and redemptions for cash (when cash creations and redemptions are available or specified) may be subject to an additional variable fee.

6. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, was as follows:

 

        2020        2019  
Distributions paid from:                      
Ordinary income      $ 26,558,647        $ 17,910,014  

 

26    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


As of October 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net      $ 6,135,502  
Deferred capital losses*        (115,301,998)  
Other book/tax temporary differences(a)        229,622  
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)        (11,150,622)  
Total distributable earnings (loss) — net      $ (120,087,496)  

 

*

These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or long-term losses. The losses will be deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character as they were originally deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

 

(a) 

Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts.

 

(b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and book/tax differences in the treatment of distributions from real estate investment trusts.

7. Other matter

The outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has continued to rapidly spread around the world, causing considerable uncertainty for the global economy and financial markets. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, impair the Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report   27


Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust and Shareholders of Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (one of the funds constituting Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2020, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period ended October 31, 2020 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period ended October 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements and financial highlights of the Fund as of October 31, 2016 and for the period December 28, 2015 (inception date) through October 31, 2016 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 21, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and broker. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

December 17, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds since 1948.

 

28    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF 2020 Annual Report


Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

 

Results of special meeting of shareholders

On July 14, 2020 a special meeting of shareholders was held for the following purposes: 1) to approve a new management agreement between the Fund and its investment manager; and 2) to approve a new subadvisory agreement with respect to each of the Fund’s subadvisers. The following table provides the number of votes cast for or against, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes as to each matter voted on at the special meeting of shareholders. Each item voted on was approved.

 

Item Voted On    Voted For      Voted Against      Abstentions     

Broker

Non-Votes

 
To Approve a New Management Agreement with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC      398,490,556.644        3,307,320.874        10,204,123.958        0  
To Approve a New Subadvisory Agreement with QS Investors, LLC      397,767,637.211        3,783,278.335        10,451,085.931        0  
To Approve a New Subadvisory Agreement with Western Asset Management Company, LLC      397,514,511.906        3,782,119.029        10,705,370.542        0  

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   29


Statement regarding liquidity risk management program (unaudited)

 

As required by law, the fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) that is designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that the fund could not meet requests to redeem its shares without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”), the fund’s manager, is the administrator of the Program. The Manager has established a liquidity risk management committee (the “Committee”) to administer the Program on a day-to-day basis.

The Committee, on behalf of the Manager, provided the fund’s Board of Trustees with a report that addressed the operation of the Program, assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including, if applicable, the operation of any highly liquid investment minimum (“HLIM”), and described any material changes that had been made to the Program or were recommended (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”).

The Report confirmed that there were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period and that no changes were recommended.

The Report also confirmed that, throughout the Reporting Period, the Committee had monitored the fund’s portfolio liquidity and liquidity risk on an ongoing basis, as described in the Program and in Board reporting throughout the Reporting Period.

The Report discussed the Committee’s annual review of the Program, which addressed, among other things, the following elements of the Program:

Assessment, Management, and Periodic Review of Liquidity Risk. The Committee reviewed the fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. The Committee noted that the fund’s investment strategy continues to be appropriate for an open-end fund, taking into account, among other things, whether and to what extent the fund held less liquid and illiquid assets and the extent to which any such investments affected the fund’s ability to meet redemption requests. In managing and reviewing the fund’s liquidity risk, the Committee also considered the extent to which the fund’s investment strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, the extent to which the fund uses borrowing for investment purposes, and the extent to which the fund uses derivatives (including for hedging purposes). The Committee also reviewed the fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In assessing the fund’s cash flow projections, the Committee considered, among other factors, historical net redemption activity, redemption policies, ownership concentration, distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with the fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections. The Committee also considered the fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources, including, if applicable, the fund’s participation in a credit facility, as components of the fund’s ability to meet redemption requests.

 

30    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF


The Committee considered the relationship between the fund’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, the fund’s shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee also considered the effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of the fund’s portfolio.

Liquidity Classification. The Committee reviewed the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing the fund’s investments into one of four liquidity buckets. In reviewing the fund’s investments, the Committee considered, among other factors, whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum. The Committee performed an analysis to determine whether the fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum, and determined that no such minimum is required because the fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

Compliance with Limitation on Illiquid Investments. The Committee confirmed that during the Reporting Period, the fund did not acquire any illiquid investment such that, after the acquisition, the fund would have invested more than 15% of its assets in illiquid investments that are assets, in accordance with the Program and applicable SEC rules.

Redemptions in Kind. The Committee confirmed that no redemptions in-kind were effected by the fund during the Reporting Period.

The Report stated that the Committee concluded that the Program is reasonably designed and operated effectively to assess and manage the fund’s liquidity risk throughout the Reporting Period.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   31


Additional information (unaudited)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

The business and affairs of Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Trustees. The business address of each Trustee is c/o Jane Trust, Legg Mason, 100 International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Fund is set forth below.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

Independent Trustees†
Paul R. Ades  
Year of birth   1940
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Paul R. Ades, PLLC (law firm) (since 2000)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
Andrew L. Breech  
Year of birth   1952
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1991
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   President, Dealer Operating Control Service, Inc. (automotive retail management) (since 1985)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
Dwight B. Crane  
Year of birth   1937
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1981
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School (since 2007); formerly, Professor, Harvard Business School (1969 to 2007); Independent Consultant (since 1969)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None

 

32    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF


 

Independent Trustees† (cont’d)    
Althea L. Duersten  
Year of birth   1951
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2014
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Retired (since 2011); formerly, Chief Investment Officer, North America, JPMorgan Chase (investment bank) and member of JPMorgan Executive Committee (2007 to 2011)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   Non-Executive Director, Rokos Capital Management LLP (since 2019)
Stephen R. Gross  
Year of birth   1947
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1986
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Chairman Emeritus (since 2011) and formerly, Chairman, HLB Gross Collins, P.C. (accounting and consulting firm) (1979 to 2011); Executive Director of Business Builders Team, LLC (since 2005); Principal, Gross Consulting Group, LLC (since 2011); CEO, Gross Capital Partners, LLC (since 2014); CEO, Trusted CFO Solutions, LLC (since 2011)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
Susan M. Heilbron  
Year of birth   1945
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1991
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Retired; formerly, President, Lacey & Heilbron (communications consulting) (1990 to 2002); General Counsel and Executive Vice President, The Trump Organization (1986 to 1990); Senior Vice President, New York State Urban Development Corporation (1984 to 1986); Associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (1980 to 1984) and (1977 to 1979)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   Formerly, Director, Lincoln Savings Bank, FSB (1991 to 1994); Director, Trump Shuttle, Inc. (air transportation) (1989 to 1990); Director, Alexander’s Inc. (department store) (1987 to 1990)

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   33


Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

Independent Trustees† (cont’d)    
Frank G. Hubbard  
Year of birth   1937
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1993
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   President, Fealds, Inc. (business development) (since 2016); formerly, President, Avatar International Inc. (business development) (1998 to 2015)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
Howard J. Johnson  
Year of birth   1938
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee and Chairman
Term of office1 and length of time served2   From 1981 to 1998 and since 2000 (Chairman since 2013)
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Retired; formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Imaging LLC (technology company) (2003 to 2012)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
Jerome H. Miller  
Year of birth   1938
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1995
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Retired; formerly, President, Shearson Lehman Asset Management (1991 to 1993), Vice Chairman, Shearson Lehman Hutton Inc. (1989 to 1992) and Senior Executive Vice President, E.F. Hutton Group Inc. (1986 to 1989)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
Ken Miller  
Year of birth   1942
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Retired; formerly, President, Young Stuff Apparel Group, Inc. (apparel manufacturer), division of Li & Fung (1963 to 2012)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None

 

34    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF


 

 

Independent Trustees† (cont’d)    
Thomas F. Schlafly  
Year of birth   1948
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Chairman, The Saint Louis Brewery, LLC (brewery) (since 2012); formerly, President, The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. (1989 to 2012); Senior Counsel (since 2017) and formerly, Partner (2009 to 2016), Thompson Coburn LLP (law firm)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   49
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   Director, CNB St. Louis Bank (since 2006)
 
Interested Trustee and Officer    
Jane Trust, CFA3  
Year of birth   1962
Position(s) with Trust   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2015
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 150 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Managing Director (2018 to 2020) and Managing Director (2016 to 2018) of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen by Trustee   147
Other board memberships held by Trustee during the past five years   None
 
Additional Officers    
Ted P. Becker  
Legg Mason
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Year of birth   1951
Position(s) with Trust   Chief Compliance Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Vice President, Global Compliance of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Chief Compliance Officer of LMPFA (since 2006); Chief Compliance Officer of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason, Inc. (2006 to 2020); Managing Director of Compliance of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020)

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   35


Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

Additional Officers (cont’d)    
Susan Kerr  
Legg Mason
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Year of birth   1949
Position(s) with Trust   Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2013
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Senior Compliance Analyst, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2013) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer (since 2012), Senior Compliance Officer (since 2011) and Assistant Vice President (since 2010) of Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”); formerly, Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2010 to 2020)
Jenna Bailey  
Legg Mason
100 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
Year of birth   1978
Position(s) with Trust   Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2015
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Senior Compliance Analyst of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); formerly, Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2013 to 2020); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2020)
Marc A. De Oliveira*  
Legg Mason
100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
Year of birth   1971
Position(s) with Trust   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2020
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Assistant Secretary of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Managing Director (2016 to 2020) and Associate General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020)

 

36    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF


 

 

Additional Officers (cont’d)    
Thomas C. Mandia  
Legg Mason
100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
Year of birth   1962
Position(s) with Trust   Senior Vice President
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2020
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Senior Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (“LMAS”) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (“LMFAM”) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers); formerly, Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020)
Christopher Berarducci  
Legg Mason
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Year of birth   1974
Position(s) with Trust   Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2014 and 2019
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal Financial Officer (since 2019) of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Managing Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011 to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co.
Jeanne M. Kelly  
Legg Mason
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Year of birth   1951
Position(s) with Trust   Senior Vice President
Term of office1 and length of time served2   Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   U.S. Fund Board Team Manager, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Senior Vice President of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); formerly, Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020); Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015)

 

Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

*

Effective August 6, 2020, Mr. De Oliveira became Secretary and Chief Legal Officer.

 

1 

Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   37


Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

2 

Indicates the earliest year in which the Trustee became a board member for a fund in the Legg Mason fund complex or the officer took such office.

 

3

Ms. Trust is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of her position with LMPFA and/or certain of its affiliates.

 

38    Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF


Important tax information (unaudited)

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended October 31, 2020:

 

Record date:      11/8/2019        12/31/2019        2/7/2020        5/8/2020        8/7/2020  
Payable date:      11/12/2019        1/3/2020        2/11/2020        5/12/2020        8/11/2020  
Ordinary Income:               

Qualified Dividend Income for Individuals

     80.87      61.01      100.00      100.00      100.00
Dividends Qualifying for the Dividends               

Received Deduction for Corporations

     81.32      61.33      95.38      95.38      95.38

 

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF   39


Legg Mason

Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

 

Trustees

Paul R. Ades

Andrew L. Breech

Dwight B. Crane

Althea L. Duersten

Stephen R. Gross

Susan M. Heilbron

Frank G. Hubbard

Howard J. Johnson

Chairman

Jerome H. Miller

Ken Miller

Thomas F. Schlafly

Jane Trust

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

QS Investors, LLC

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

 

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

The Fund is a separate investment series of Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, a Maryland statutory trust.

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF

Legg Mason Funds

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926, (2) at www.leggmason.com/etf and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Investors should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

www.leggmason.com

© 2020 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC

Member FINRA, SIPC


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Legg Mason Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds’ distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.

The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You

The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:

 

 

Personal information included on applications or other forms;

 

 

Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;

 

 

Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation;

 

 

Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and

 

 

Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individual’s total debt, payment history, etc.).

How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You

The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law.

The Funds may disclose information about you to:

 

 

Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely for the Funds;

 

 

Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds’ employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

 

Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform. The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.

Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices

The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.

The Funds’ Security Practices

The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.

Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary, so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.

In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.leggmason.com, or contact the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Revised April 2018

Legg Mason California Consumer Privacy Act Policy

Although much of the personal information we collect is “nonpublic personal information” subject to federal law, residents of California may, in certain circumstances, have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). For example, if you are a broker, dealer, agent, fiduciary, or representative acting by or on behalf of, or for, the account of any other person(s) or household, or a financial advisor, or if you have otherwise provided personal information to us separate from the relationship we have with personal investors, the provisions of this Privacy Policy apply to your personal information (as defined by the CCPA).

 

 

In addition to the provisions of the Legg Mason Funds Security and Privacy Notice, you may have the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

 

 

You also have the right to request the deletion of the personal information collected or maintained by the Funds.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights you have in respect of your personal information, you should advise the Funds by contacting them as set forth below. The rights noted above are subject to our other legal and regulatory obligations and any exemptions under the CCPA. You may designate an authorized agent to make a rights request on your behalf, subject to the identification process described below. We do not discriminate based on requests for information related to our use of your personal information, and you have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment related to the exercise of your privacy rights.

We may request information from you in order to verify your identity or authority in making such a request. If you have appointed an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, or you are an authorized agent making such a request (such as a power of attorney or other written permission), this process may include providing a password/passcode, a copy of government issued identification, affidavit or other applicable documentation, i.e. written permission. We may require you to verify your identity directly even when using an authorized agent, unless a power of attorney has been provided. We reserve the right to deny a request submitted by an agent if suitable and appropriate proof is not provided.

For the 12-month period prior to the date of this Privacy Policy, the Legg Mason Funds have not sold any of your personal information; nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.

Contact Information

Address: Data Privacy Officer, 100 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202

Email: DataProtectionOfficer@franklintempleton.com

Phone: 1-800-396-4748

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Revised October 2020

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


ETF Index Disclaimers

 

Solactive AG does not sponsor, promote, sell or support in any manner the Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”). Solactive AG does not offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Solactive US Broad Market Index (the “Solactive Index” or the “Underlying Index”) and/or Solactive Index trade mark or the Solactive Index Price at any time or in any other respect. The Solactive Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Solactive Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Fund, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Solactive Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Solactive Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Solactive Index or Solactive Index trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in the Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in the Fund.

Solactive AG does not offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Fund’s Underlying Index and/or Underlying Index trade mark or the Underlying Index Price at any time or in any other respect. The Fund’s Underlying Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Underlying Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Fund, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Underlying Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Underlying Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Underlying Index or Underlying Index trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in the Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in the Fund.

QS Investors, LLC (“QS Investors”) does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and QS Investors shall not have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. QS Investors 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, either in connection with the Fund or for any other use. QS Investors 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 QS Investors 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.


www.leggmason.com

© 2020 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC Member FINRA, SIPC

ETFF323381 12/20 SR20-4032


ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The Board of Trustees of the registrant has determined that Dwight B. Crane possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Dwight B. Crane as the Audit Committee’s financial expert Dwight B. Crane is an “independent” Trustees pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2020 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $90,000 in October 31, 2019 and $81,600 in October 31, 2020.

b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements were $0 in October 31, 2019 and $0 in October 31, 2020.

c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $0 in October 31, 2019 and $0 in October 31, 2020. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

d) All Other Fees.

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) for the Item 4 for the Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, were $0 in October 31, 2019 and $0 in October 31, 2020.

All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisors, LLC (“LMPFA”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.

(e) Audit Committee’s pre–approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.


(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.

The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

(2) For the Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2020; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2020; and Other Fees were 100% and 100% for October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2020.

(f) N/A

(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust during the reporting period were $472,562 in October 31, 2019 and $672,688 in October 31, 2020.


(h) Yes. Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

  a)

The independent board members are acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

Paul R. Ades

Andrew L. Breech

Dwight B. Crane

Althea L. Duersten

Stephen R. Gross

Susan M. Heilbron

Frank G. Hubbard

Howard J. Johnson

Jerome H. Miller

Ken Miller

Thomas F. Schlafly

 

  b)

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

  Not

applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

  Not

applicable.

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

  Not

applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

  Not

applicable.


ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

  Not

applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.

Exhibit  99.CODE ETH

(a) (2)  Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CERT

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.906CERT


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

 

Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust
By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   December 28, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   December 28, 2020
By:  

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

  Christopher Berarducci
  Principal Financial Officer
Date:   December 28, 2020