N-CSR 1 simplifyetf_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

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: 811-23570

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

54 West 40th Street

New York, NY 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 741-2438

 

Date of fiscal year end: June 30

 

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2022

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 

 

Item 1.Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)Include a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1).

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

Annual Report

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (AGGH)

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (EAFD)

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (EMGD)

Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK)

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT)

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX)

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX)

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF (QQC)

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (QQD)

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF (TYA)

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF (CYA)

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF (SPYC)

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD)

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF (SPBC)

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF (SPUC)

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (RTYD)

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF (VCLO)

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF (VCAR)

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF (FIG)

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA)

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Table of Contents

 

 

Letter to Shareholders   1
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance:    
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   2
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   3
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   4
Simplify Health Care ETF   5
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   7
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   9
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   10
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   12
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   14
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   16
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   18
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   20
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   22
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   24
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   26
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   28
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   29
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   31
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   33
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   34
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   35
Fees and Expenses   37
Schedule of Investments:    
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   39
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   46
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   47
Simplify Health Care ETF   48
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   50
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   52
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   59
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   61
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   62
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   63
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   64
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   66
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   67
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   68
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   69
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   70
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   71
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   73

 

This report is provided for the general information of shareholders and is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

 

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Table of Contents

 

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments:    
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   75
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   77
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   79
Statements of Assets and Liabilities   81
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities   86
Statements of Operations   87
Consolidated Statements of Operations   92
Statements of Changes in Net Assets   93
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets   99
Statement of Cash Flows   100
Financial Highlights   101
Consolidated Financial Highlights   110
Notes to Financial Statements   112
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   134
Trustees and Officers   136
Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory   137
Liquidity Risk Management   143
Additional Information   144

 

This report is provided for the general information of shareholders and is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

 

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Letter to Shareholders (Unaudited)

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

I am honored to write on behalf of all of us at Simplify Exchange Traded Funds (“Simplify ETFs”) and Simplify Asset Management (“Simplify”). First, thank you for your trust and investment in our strategies. This past year has been one of the most challenging years to invest. It’s been a rare year when both bonds and equities have struggled. It’s also been a reminder that alternative exposures and portfolio diversification are crucial.

 

Our mission at Simplify is to help advisors and asset managers with their greatest investment needs: diversifying and de-risking portfolios, generating attractive income, and improving risk-adjusted returns. We are here to help our advisors and their clients remain invested and focused on the long term – staying the course on financial plans and retirement goals. We believe that transparency, education, and accessibility are more important than ever.

 

The past 12 months, as of June 30, 2022, US equities are down over 10% in this period, nearly 20% from the November highs. International equities have fared even worse in US dollar terms partly due to the strengthening USD. US bonds are down over 10% in the same period on the back of higher interest rates and wider credit spreads.

 

The steep increase in inflation globally have led to higher policy rates and financial conditions. In the US, the 10-year Treasury yield nearly doubled to 3% and June 2022 CPI year-over-year was a stunning 8.5%. Among alternatives, commodities were significantly higher, driven by energy and food prices. Volatility remains elevated, with the VIX Index1 almost doubling over the year.

 

Looking ahead, the threat of stagflation and recession, geopolitical pressures, disruption in food and energy markets, threats from pandemics, and political uncertainty suggest more volatility investment environment that requires steadfast focus on long-term investment goals and nimbleness in taking advantage of present opportunities.

 

As always, we are here to help and look forward to sharing our perspectives and strategies. We encourage you to reach out to your financial advisor and/or visit our website at www.simplify.us to learn more about Simplify’s strategies, team and perspectives.

 

Thank you for your trust in us.

 

Best regards,

 

 

Paul Kim

President, Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

CEO and co-founder, Simplify Asset Management Inc.

 

1The Cboe Volatility Index of often referred to as “the VIX” is a real-time market index representing the market’s expectations for volatility over the coming 30 days. It is often used as a way to gauge market sentiment, and in particular the degree of fear among market participants.

 

1

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF [Ticker: AGGH]

 

Since its inception on February 14, 2022, performance for AGGH has been -4.89% vs. Bloomberg Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index return of -6.68%. The fund’s outperformance was driven by its position in two hedges; a credit hedge in the form of two equity total rate of return swaps and equity puts and its ownership of the Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX). The equity hedges contributed roughly one third of the outperformance while the interest rate hedge contributed the other two thirds.

 

Equity markets experienced a drawdown and credit spreads widened since the fund’s inception. During the period rates and implied volatilities also increased. Both hedges performed in the manner expected. There were a variety of factors driving the changes in the equity valuation, credit spread and rate environment including central bank policy, changes in realized and expected inflation as well changes in expectation relating to future economic growth.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect that credit risk may remain elevated and as such believe our credit hedge to remain viable. Additionally, we expect to continue focusing on shorter-dated equity puts as hedges given the high equity volatility environment. Finally, we continue to see value in an asymmetric duration hedge like PFIX.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF NAV   -4.89%
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF Market Price   -4.74%
Bloomberg Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index   -6.68%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.54% and the net expense ratio is 0.29%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception February 14, 2022.

 

The Bloomberg Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

2

 

 

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF [Ticker: EAFD]

 

Since its inception on January 10, 2022, EAFD returned -21.47% vs. the MSCI EAFE IMI Index benchmark return of -20.53% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to the 300bps option budget on downside protection. The option value decayed away during this period resulting in net losses on option premium.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF NAV   -21.47%
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF Market Price   -22.48%
MSCI EAFE IMI Index   -20.53%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.57% and the net expense ratio is 0.32%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception January 10, 2022.

 

The MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (IMI), is an equity index which captures large, mid and small cap representation across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the US and Canada. With 3,153 constituents, the index is comprehensive, covering approximately 99% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

3

 

 

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Emerging Markets PLUS Downside Convexity ETF [Ticker: EMGD]

 

Since its inception on January 10, 2022, EMGD returned -19.50% vs. the MSCI Emerging Markets Index benchmark return of -18.75% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to the 300bps option budget on downside protection. The option value decayed away during this period resulting in net losses on option premium.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Emerging Markets PLUS Downside Convexity ETF NAV   -19.50%
Simplify Emerging Markets PLUS Downside Convexity ETF Market Price   -21.26%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index   -18.75%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.61% and the net expense ratio is 0.36%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception January 10, 2022.

 

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid cap representation across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 1,382 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

4

 

 

Simplify Health Care ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Health Care ETF [Ticker: PINK]

 

Since its inception on October 7, 2021, PINK has returned -1.38% vs the MSCI USA IMI Health Care Index benchmark of -4.37%.

 

Relative outperformance has been marked by idiosyncratic overweights in several Drug, HMO and Medtech names. A material underweighting in Covid-Vaccine related names also assisted outperformance.

 

For 2022 PINK has slightly underperformed the benchmark to date due to an extreme dichotomy of stock factors. A handful of large cap pharma names have driven the entire group performance vs extreme underperformance of Medtech.

 

In the next 12 months, PINK anticipates a material reversal in the performance of Medtech vs Pharma with a return to idiosyncratic stock-picking to drive outperformance.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period October 7, 2021* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

5

 

 

Simplify Health Care ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Health Care ETF NAV   -1.38%
Simplify Health Care ETF Market Price   -0.96%
MSCI USA IMI Health Care (NET (USD) Index   -4.37%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.50% and the net expense ratio is 0.50%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception October 7, 2021.

 

The MSCI USA Investable Market Index (IMI) Health Care is designed to capture the large, mid and small cap segments of the US equity universe. All securities in the index are classified in the Health Care sector as per the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®). Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

6

 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF [Ticker: HEQT]

 

HEQT posted a -7.46% total return since inception, outperforming the S&P 500 Index Total Return by 9.6% over that time. Put spread collars functioned well to limit drawdowns, and our regular monthly expiry 5% out of the money puts were frequently monetized with gains. Upside call strikes were tested but did not detract from performance during the general weakness in the market. As equity implied volatility has risen and call strikes have richened relative to puts, this has enabled better upside economics/return potential for collar strategies.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect comparable elevated levels of implied volatility (especially in calls relative to puts) and collar strategies should continue to enhance returns.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period November 1, 2021* to June 30, 2022

 

 

 

*Inception date.

 

7

 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF NAV   -7.46%
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF Market Price   -7.79%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -17.10%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.53% and the net expense ratio is 0.53%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception November 1, 2021.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

8

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF [Ticker: CDX]

 

Since its inception on February 14, 2022, performance for CDX has been -9.74% vs. ICE BofA US High Yield Index -10.02%. The fund’s outperformance was driven by its credit hedge in the form of two equity total rate of return swaps and equity puts. During the period since the fund’s inception equity markets experienced a drawdown and credit spreads widened. There were a variety of factors driving the changes in the equity valuations and credit spreads including central bank policy, changes in realized and expected inflation as well changes in expectation relating to future economic growth.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect that credit risk may remain elevated and as such believe our credit hedge to remain viable. Additionally, we expect to continue focusing on shorter-dated equity puts as hedges given the high equity volatility environment.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF NAV   -9.74%
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF Market Price   -9.64%
ICE BofA US High Yield Index   -10.02%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.75% and the net expense ratio is 0.50%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception February 14, 2022.

 

The ICE BofA US High Yield Index is market capitalization weighted and is designed to measure the performance of U.S. dollar denominated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk”) corporate debt publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

9

 

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF [Ticker: PFIX]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, performance for PFIX was 41.18%, while the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index return was -18.82%. The fund’s outperformance was driven by its position in payer swaptions which increased significantly in value as long-dated USD rates increased. Additionally, an increase in implied volatilities also contributed to the increase in value of the swaption position. These changes more than offset the modest time decay that the payer swaptions experienced over the course of the year.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect fixed income volatility to remain elevated and expect Fed decisions to be the primary driver of Treasury curve moves.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period ended May 10, 2021 to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

10

 

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   One Year  

Since

Inception*

 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF NAV   41.18%   12.63%
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF Market Price   36.69%   11.28%
ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index   -18.62%   -13.05%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.50% and the net expense ratio is 0.50%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception May 10, 2021.

 

The ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index is part of a series of indices intended to the assess U.S. Treasury market. The Index is market value weighted and is designed to measure the performance of U.S. dollar denominated, fixed rate securities with minimum term to maturity greater than twenty years. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

11

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF [Ticker: QQC]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, QQC returned -22.39% vs. the Nasdaq 100 Total Return benchmark return of -20.38% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to net losses on option premium, where neither call nor put ladders could add value relative to their annualized spending budget during this middle of the road drawdown.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts and calls.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period December 10, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

12

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   One Year  

Since

Inception*

 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF NAV   -22.39%   -6.89%
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF Market Price   -22.80%   -6.88%
Nasdaq 100 Total Return Index   -20.38%   -4.03%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.70% and the net expense ratio is 0.45%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception December 10, 2020.

 

The Nasdaq 100 Total Return Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market based on market capitalization. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

13

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF [Ticker: QQD]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, QQD returned -21.94% vs. the Nasdaq 100 Total Return benchmark return of -20.38% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to net losses on option premium. However, the fund targets a 300bps option budget on a rolling annual basis, so the fiscal year performance reflects some unrealized option gains over the period.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period December 10, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

14

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   One Year  

Since

Inception*

 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF NAV   -21.94%   -7.17%
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF Market Price   -22.12%   -7.17%
Nasdaq 100 Total Return Index   -20.38%   -4.03%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.70% and the net expense ratio is 0.45%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception December 10, 2020.

 

The Nasdaq 100 Total Return Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market based on market capitalization. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

15

 

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF [Ticker: TYA]

 

Since its inception on September 27, 2021, TYA returned -26.47% vs. the ICE US Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index benchmark return of -20.19% for the same period. The negative returns were due to uptick in yields. During this period the yield curve flattened as 30yr US Treasury increased by 1.10%, while yield on the 7yr increased by 1.74%. TYA achieves to take similar duration exposure to the benchmark via US Treasury Note Future Contract which typically references 7yr US Treasury Note and this larger increase in yield of the 7yr vs. 30yr resulted in underperformance of TYA.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect the yield curve to steepen as the flattening has been extreme as compared to historical standards, which could potentially contribute to TYA performance vs. its benchmark.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period September 27, 2021* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

16

 

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF NAV   -26.47%
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF Market Price   -26.75%
ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index   -20.19%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.25% and the net expense ratio is 0.15%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.15%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception September 27, 2021.

 

The ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index is part of a series of indices intended to the assess U.S. Treasury market. The Index is market value weighted and is designed to measure the performance of U.S. dollar denominated, fixed rate securities with minimum term to maturity greater than twenty years. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

17

 

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF [Ticker: CYA]

 

Since its inception on September 13, 2021, CYA returned -15.01% vs. the ICE BofA 3 Month Treasury Bill Index benchmark return of 0.16% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to losses in both the income generating strategy and the tail hedge option overlay. About one third of the losses stemmed from the income investments and the remaining two-thirds of losses came from option overlay declines. The decline in option overlay is in line with our expected 12% annual option budget.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period September 13, 2021* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

18

 

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF NAV   -15.01%
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF Market Price   -14.97%
ICE BofA 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index   0.16%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.75% and the net expense ratio is 0.50%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.50%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception September 13, 2021.

 

The ICE BofA 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index measures the performance of a single issue of outstanding treasury bill which matures closest to, but not beyond, three months from the rebalancing date. The issue is purchased at the beginning of the month and held for a full month; at the end of the month that issue is sold and rolled into a newly selected issue. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

19

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF [Ticker: SPYC]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, SPYC returned -11.68% vs. the S&P 500 Total Return Index benchmark return of -10.62% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to net losses on option premium, where neither call nor put ladders could add value relative to their annualized spending budget during this middle of the road drawdown.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts and calls.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

For the period September 3, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

20

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   One Year  

Since

Inception*

 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF NAV   -11.68%   4.97%
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF Market Price   -11.94%   5.17%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -10.62%   6.71%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.53% and the net expense ratio is 0.28%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception September 3, 2020.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

21

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF [Ticker: SPD]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, SPD returned -11.38% vs. the S&P 500 Index Total Return benchmark return of -10.62% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to net losses on option premium. However, the fund targets a 300bps option budget on a rolling annual basis, so the fiscal year performance reflects some unrealized option gains over the period.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
For the period September 3, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

22

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

       Since 
   One Year   Inception* 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF NAV   -11.38%   4.41%
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF Market Price   -11.57%   4.76%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -10.62%   6.71%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.53% and the net expense ratio is 0.28%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception September 3, 2020.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

23

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF [Ticker: SPBC]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, performance for SPBC was -17.66%, while the S&P 500 Index Total Return return was -10.62% for the same period as bitcoin retreated from its highs of Nov 2021 more aggressively than the equity markets. The growing market concern about cryptocurrencies as an inflation hedge led to the deepening of the GBTC discount to Net Asset Value which ended -31% on June 30, 2022.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect SPBC to continue to track the broader equity and cryptocurrency markets. We expect risk markets to continue to reflect a challenging environment.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
For the period May 24, 2021* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

24

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

       Since 
   One Year   Inception* 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF NAV   -17.66%   -15.06%
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF Market Price   -17.86%   -14.64%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -10.62%   -7.61%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.74% and the net expense ratio is 0.74%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception May 24, 2021.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

25

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF [Ticker: SPUC]

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, SPUC returned -11.99% vs. the S&P 500 Index TR benchmark return of -10.62% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to net losses on option premium, as we saw a drawdown over the period of just over 10%, whereby the call premium were greatly eroded.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated calls.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
For the period September 3, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

26

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

       Since 
   One Year   Inception* 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF NAV   -11.99%   5.62%
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF Market Price   -12.26%   5.86%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -10.62%   6.71%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.53% and the net expense ratio is 0.28%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception September 3, 2020.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

27

 

 

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF [Ticker: RTYD]

 

Since its inception on January 10, 2022, RTYD returned -18.50% vs. the Russell 2000 Index benchmark return of -21.47% for the same period.

 

The fund’s outperformance is due to the S&P 600 Small Cap Index outperforming Russell 2000 Index and unrealized gain on option premium.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect equity markets to remain in a high volatility environment, where the fund will continue focusing on rolling shorter-dated puts.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF NAV    -18.50 %
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF Market Price    -19.25 %
Russell 2000 Index    -21.47 %

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.56% and the net expense ratio is 0.31%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) The Fund’s advisor has agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to keep the Fund’s expenses from exceeding 0.25%. Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception January 10, 2022.

 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the US equity universe. The Russell 2000 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 2000 is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap opportunity set. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

28

 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF [Ticker: VCLO]

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, VCLO returned -40.74% vs. the S&P 500 Index Total Return benchmark return of -10.62% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to high exposure to multiple cloud companies, which have seen their multiples compress in the midst of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes in response to rising inflation.

 

In the next 12 months, the fund’s performance with concentrated exposure to cloud and cybersecurity names could continue to deviate from the broader U.S. market.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
For the period December 28, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

29

 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

         
       Since 
   One Year   Inception* 
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF NAV   -40.74%   -26.18%
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF Market Price   -41.99%   -25.29%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -10.62%   2.38%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.95% and the net expense ratio is 0.95%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception December 28, 2020.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

30

 

 

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Volt Robocar Disruption and Tech ETF [Ticker: VCAR]

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, VCAR returned -22.91% vs. the S&P 500 Index Total Return benchmark return of -10.62% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to high exposure to multiple tech companies, which have seen their multiples compress in the midst of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes in response to rising inflation.

 

In the next 12 months, the fund’s performance with concentrated exposure to robocar and technology names could continue to deviate from the broader U.S. market.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
For the period December 28, 2020* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

31

 

 

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

       Since 
   One Year   Inception* 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF NAV   -22.91%   -18.90%
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF Market Price   -23.31%   -18.91%
S&P 500 Index Total Return   -10.62%   2.38%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.95% and the net expense ratio is 0.95%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception December 28, 2020.

 

The S&P 500 Index Total Return is a stock market index that tracks 500 large companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

32

 

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF [Ticker: FIG]

 

Since its inception on May 16, 2022, FIG returned -5.61%, while the Bloomberg US EQ:FI 60:40 Index benchmark returned -4.37% for the same period.

 

The fund’s underperformance is due to a combination of factors including the fund’s use of bond aggregate which underperformed the Bloomberg Bond Aggregate. Additionally, the higher equity weight relative to the benchmark contributed negatively to performance as large cap equities fell. However, the underperformance was offset by outperformance in the fund’s investment in managed futures, and a timely investment in US Treasuries.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect risk markets to continue to reflect a challenging environment, particularly for equities due to a reduction in monetary accommodation combined with a broadly slowing global economy. Positions in bond substitutes offer relatively attractive risk reward in a slowing economy and we anticipate that our rate positions will benefit as inflation retreats and the economy cools. We see significant opportunities in our relative outperformance positioning for higher quality assets vs lower quality assets under these conditions.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF NAV   -5.61%
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF Market Price   -5.66%
Bloomberg US EQ:FI 60:40 Index   -4.37%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.75% and the net expense ratio is 0.75%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception May 16, 2022.

 

The Bloomberg US EQ:FI 60:40 Index is designed to measure cross-asset market performance in the US. The index rebalances monthly to 60% equities and 40% fixed. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

33

 

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF [Ticker: CTA]

 

Since its inception on March 7, 2022, CTA gained 9.07% as commodity and fixed income markets trended very consistently amid rising inflation due to geopolitical stresses and the resumption central bank hike cycles. Long positions in commodities with positive spot price performance due to supply shortages combined with heavily backwardated curves contributed the bulk of Q1 performance. Separately, rising interest rates and broad equity market weakness drove positive price return from precious metal (Gold, Silver) and Copper shorts, and short duration positions in money market futures in the US and Canada curves outperformed. As physical commodity prices eased further in May and June, a quick shift into flat to slightly short positions (especially the energy complex) added to returns.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect the prevailing market consensus for persistent inflation and accompanying economic/equity and bond market volatility to bode favorably for uncorrelated and trend-based strategies.

 

At June 30, 2022, the fund’s financial statements covered a period of less than 6 months, therefore a line graph is not presented.

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

   Cumulative 
   Total Return* 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF NAV   9.07%
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF Market Price   8.57%
Societe Generale CTA Index   7.94%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.75% and the net expense ratio is 0.75%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception March 7, 2022.

 

The Societe Generale CTA Index is designed to track the largest 20 (by AUM) CTAs and be representative of the managed futures space. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

34

 

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF [Ticker: SVOL]

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, SVOL returned -6.23% vs. the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index benchmark return of -23.28% for the same period. The fund’s performance is due to challenging equity market conditions where S&P500 Index returned -10.62% causing VIX to go up by 81%. The impact of rising VIX was lower on SVOL due to moderate exposure of short 25% VIX futures, which further benefitted from lower volatility than VIX. Short positions in VIX futures also continued to gain from roll down in upward sloping VIX curve aka Contango.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect SVOL to continue to be correlated with S&P500 Index with potentially higher return and lower risk due to persistence of Contango in VIX curve.

 

HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
For the period May 12, 2021* to June 30, 2022

 

 

*Inception date.

 

35

 

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (Continued)

June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Average Annual Total Return as of June 30, 2022

 

       Since 
   One Year   Inception* 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF NAV   -6.23%   1.16%
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF Market Price   -6.36%   0.63%
S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index   -23.28%   -48.88%

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Fund NAV returns are calculated using the Fund’s daily 4:00 p.m. NAV. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Index returns do not include expenses. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 0.54% and the net expense ratio is 0.54%. (Actual expenses excluding acquired fund fees and expenses can be referenced in the Financial Highlights section later in this report.) Returns less than one year are not annualized. The performance table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. For the Fund’s most recent month end performance, please call 1 (855) 772-8488.

 

*Since Inception May 12, 2021.

 

The S&P 500® VIX Short-Term Futures Index utilizes prices of the next two near-term VIX® futures contracts to replicate a position that rolls the nearest month VIX futures to the next month on a daily basis in equal fractional amounts. This results in a constant one-month rolling long position in first and second month VIX futures contracts. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade. The ETF may be non-diversified, which may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s Shares and greater risk of loss. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. The fund is new and has limited operating history to judge.

 

As a shareholder of one or more of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of fund shares, and (2) ongoing costs, including unitary advisory fees and other Fund expenses. In the most recent six-month period the Funds, except for Simplify Health Care ETF, Simplify Hedged Equity ETF, Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF, Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF, Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF, Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF, Simplify Macro Strategy ETF, Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF, limited these expenses; had they not done so, expenses would have been higher. The expense examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

 

36

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Fees and Expenses (Unaudited)

 

 

The examples in the tables are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2022 except otherwise noted below, to June 30, 2022).

 

Actual expenses

 

The first line in the following tables provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

 

The second line in the following tables provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% 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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only, and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore the second line in 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 transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1,
2022
   Ending
Account Value
June 30,
2022
   Annualized
Expense Ratio
   Expenses Paid
During the
Period Per
$1,000(1)
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $951.10    0.25%  $0.91(2) 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $785.30    0.25%  $1.05(3) 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $805.00    0.25%  $1.06(3) 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Health Care ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $882.30    0.50%  $2.33 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.32    0.50%  $2.51 
Simplify Hedge Equity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $902.80    0.50%  $2.36 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.32    0.50%  $2.51 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $902.60    0.25%  $0.89(2) 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,529.20    0.50%  $3.14 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.32    0.50%  $2.51 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $682.40    0.25%  $1.04 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $702.70    0.25%  $1.06 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $739.50    0.15%  $0.65 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,024.05    0.15%  $0.75 

 

37

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Fees and Expenses (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

   Beginning
Account Value
January 1,
2022
   Ending
Account Value
June 30,
2022
  
Annualized
Expense Ratio
   Expenses Paid
During the
Period Per
$1,000(1)
 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $883.50    0.50%(4)  $2.34 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.32    0.50%  $2.51 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $781.60    0.25%  $1.10 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $805.50    0.25%  $1.12 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $730.10    0.50%  $2.14 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.32    0.50%  $2.51 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $758.60    0.25%  $1.09 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $882.30    0.25%  $1.10(3)
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.55    0.25%  $1.25 
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $492.10    0.95%  $3.51 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.08    0.95%  $4.76 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $590.70    0.95%  $3.75 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.08    0.95%  $4.76 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $943.90    0.45%  $0.52(5) 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.56    0.45%  $2.26 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,090.70    0.75%  $2.47(6) 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.08    0.75%  $3.76 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $885.90    0.50%(7)  $2.34 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.32    0.50%  $2.51 

 

(1)Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
(2)Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 136 (the number of days in the period February 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2022), then divided by 365.
(3)Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 171 (the number of days in the period January 11, 2022 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2022), then divided by 365.
(4)Ratio does not include the additional affiliated funds fee waivers.
(5)Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 43 (the number of days in the period May 17, 2022 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2022), then divided by 365.
(6)Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 115 (the number of days in the period March 8, 2022 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2022), then divided by 365.
(7)Ratio does not include interest expense on reverse repurchase agreement.

 

38

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 98.9%          
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF(a)(b)   11,182   $1,136,986 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF(c)   568    32,075 
Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $1,245,389)        1,169,061 

 

  Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
    
Purchased Options – 0.7%               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 0.7%               
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $365, Expires 7/27/22   2   $ 73,000     1,291 
SPDR S&P 500, August Strike Price $355, Expires 8/19/22   5     177,500     3,550 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   2     74,000     3,028 
                7,869 
                  
Total Purchased Options (Cost $5,398)          7,869 
                
Total Investments – 99.6%               
(Cost $1,250,787)         $1,176,930 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.4%          5,269 
Net Assets – 100.0%            $1,182,199 

 

  

Number of

Contracts

    Notional
Amount
    
Written Option – (0.0)%†               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – (0.0)%†               
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $185, Expires 9/16/22               
(Premiums Received $436)   (5)   $ (92,500)    $ (118)

 

Less than 0.05%
(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $589,744 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(c)Affiliated fund managed by Simplify Asset Management Inc.

 

At June 30, 2022, over the counter total return swap contracts outstanding were as follows:

 

 
Reference
Obligation/Index
   
Termination
Date(a)
    Financing
Rate Paid
(Received)
by the Fund
    
 
Counterparty
   
Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(b)
 
Morgan Stanley Custom Junk Index*  2/20/2024     1.28%(c)  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   107,748   $ 5,398  
Morgan Stanley Custom Quality Index*  2/20/2024     1.98%(c)  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   (164,390)    (193 )
                     $ 5,205  

 

*The components of the basket shown below.
(a)The Fund pays/receives annual coupon payments in accordance with the swap contract. On the termination date of the swap contract(s), the Fund will either receive from or pay to the counterparty an amount equal to the net of the accrued financing fees and the value of the reference security subtracted from the original notional cost (notional multiplied by the price change of the reference security).
(b)There are no upfront payments on the swap contracts, therefore the unrealized gain (loss) on the swap contracts is equal to their market value.
(c)Payments made quarterly.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

39

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

*The following table shows the individual positions and related values of the securities within the Morgan Stanley Custom Junk Index basket.

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks               
Basic Materials               
Alcoa Corp.   (15)  $(669)   0.65%
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.   (45)   (987)   0.96%
Chemours Co. (The)   (30)   (970)   0.95%
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.   (60)   (918)   0.90%
Sylvamo Corp.   (20)   (667)   0.65%
U.S. Steel Corp.   (52)   (939)   0.91%
         (5,150)     
Communications               
Altice USA, Inc., Class A   (117)   (1,085)   1.06%
AT&T, Inc.   (80)   (1,681)   1.64%
Commscope Holding Co., Inc.   (141)   (863)   0.84%
Dish Network Corp., Class A   (60)   (1,079)   1.05%
Echostar Corp., Class A   (15)   (280)   0.27%
Lumen Technologies, Inc.   (106)   (1,155)   1.13%
Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A   (6)   (1,053)   1.03%
Paramount Global, Class B   (44)   (1,089)   1.06%
Telephone And Data Systems, Inc.   (69)   (1,091)   1.07%
Viasat, Inc.   (34)   (1,048)   1.02%
Warner Bros Discovery Inc.   (71)   (959)   0.94%
Wayfair, Inc., Class A   (10)   (440)   0.43%
         (11,823)     
Consumer, Cyclical               
Alaska Air Group, Inc.   (27)   (1,066)   1.04%
American Airlines Group, Inc.   (83)   (1,056)   1.03%
Aramark   (11)   (328)   0.32%
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.   (27)   (1,025)   1.00%
Carnival Corp.   (112)   (972)   0.95%
Copa Holdings SA, Class A   (7)   (456)   0.44%
Core & Main, Inc., Class A   (12)   (268)   0.26%
Delta Air Lines, Inc.   (36)   (1,041)   1.02%
Foot Locker Inc.   (37)   (928)   0.91%
Gap, Inc. (The)   (118)   (969)   0.94%
Hanesbrands, Inc.   (85)   (878)   0.86%
Jetblue Airways Corp.   (125)   (1,046)   1.02%
Kohl’s Corp.   (21)   (753)   0.73%
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B   (76)   (674)   0.66%
Nordstrom, Inc.   (40)   (854)   0.83%
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.   (93)   (1,038)   1.01%
Penn National Gaming, Inc.   (36)   (1,101)   1.07%
PVH Corp.   (14)   (780)   0.76%
Qurate Retail, Inc., Series A   (310)   (890)   0.87%
Resideo Technologies, Inc.   (16)   (307)   0.30%
RH   (4)   (777)   0.76%
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.   (28)   (976)   0.95%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)               
Consumer, Cyclical (continued)               
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.   (33)  $(390)   0.38%
Southwest Airlines Co.   (27)   (960)   0.94%
Travel + Leisure Co.   (24)   (918)   0.90%
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.   (30)   (1,046)   1.02%
Victoria’s Secret & Co.   (32)   (903)   0.88%
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   (29)   (1,095)   1.07%
         (23,495)     
Consumer, Non-cyclical               
ADT, Inc.   (167)   (1,025)   1.00%
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.   (210)   (953)   0.93%
Cardinal Health, Inc.   (22)   (1,154)   1.13%
Clarivate PLC   (56)   (780)   0.76%
Coty, Inc., Class A   (148)   (1,185)   1.16%
Davita, Inc.   (12)   (973)   0.95%
ENDO International PLC   (1,158)   (539)   0.53%
Exact Sciences Corp.   (16)   (634)   0.62%
Guardant Health, Inc.   (28)   (1,133)   1.10%
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.   (47)   (967)   0.94%
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (20)   (739)   0.72%
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC   (7)   (1,154)   1.13%
Kroger Co. (The)   (23)   (1,110)   1.08%
Mednax, Inc.   (23)   (484)   0.47%
Nektar Therapeutics, Class A   (176)   (669)   0.65%
Novavax, Inc.   (26)   (1,346)   1.31%
Oak Street Health, Inc.   (32)   (525)   0.51%
Organon & Co.   (33)   (1,114)   1.09%
Perrigo Co. PLC   (29)   (1,164)   1.14%
Post Holdings, Inc.   (14)   (1,164)   1.14%
Sabre Corp.   (171)   (997)   0.97%
Shift4 Payments, Inc., Class A   (26)   (848)   0.83%
Stoneco Ltd., Class A   (127)   (976)   0.95%
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.   (27)   (1,135)   1.11%
US Foods Holding Corp.   (38)   (1,153)   1.12%
Viatris, Inc.   (105)   (1,099)   1.07%
         (25,020)     
Energy               
Apa Corp.   (25)   (868)   0.85%
Cheniere Energy, Inc.   (8)   (1,100)   1.07%
Equities Corp.   (26)   (900)   0.88%
Kosmos Energy Ltd.   (146)   (906)   0.89%
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   (13)   (1,064)   1.04%
New Fortress Energy, Inc., Class A   (26)   (1,020)   1.00%
Nov, Inc.   (61)   (1,027)   1.00%
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   (21)   (1,230)   1.20%
PBF Energy, Inc., Class A   (29)   (832)   0.81%
Sunrun, Inc.   (46)   (1,080)   1.05%
Valero Energy Corp.   (9)   (998)   0.97%
         (11,025)     

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

41

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)               
Financial               
Air Lease Corp., Class A   (33)  $(1,108)   1.08%
Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.   (24)   (877)   0.85%
Western Union Co. (The)   (67)   (1,103)   1.08%
         (3,088)     
Industrial               
Berry Global Group, Inc.   (20)   (1,080)   1.05%
Energizer Holdings, Inc.   (41)   (1,164)   1.14%
FedEx Corp.   (5)   (1,213)   1.18%
Fluor Corp.   (21)   (518)   0.50%
Gates Industrial Corp. PLC   (45)   (488)   0.48%
General Electric Co.   (17)   (1,113)   1.09%
O-I Glass, Inc., Class I   (67)   (939)   0.92%
Ryder System, Inc.   (14)   (997)   0.97%
Silgan Holdings, Inc.   (12)   (510)   0.50%
Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc., Class A   (37)   (1,083)   1.06%
TD Synnex Corp.   (11)   (1,008)   0.98%
Vertiv Holdings Co., Class A   (100)   (824)   0.80%
Westrock Co.   (26)   (1,025)   1.00%
XPO Logistics, Inc.   (19)   (911)   0.89%
         (12,873)     
Technology               
Coupa Software, Inc.   (10)   (593)   0.58%
Dell Technologies, Inc., Class C   (23)   (1,040)   1.02%
Dxc Technology Co.   (34)   (1,035)   1.01%
Everbridge, Inc.   (18)   (502)   0.49%
Fastly, Inc., Class A   (98)   (1,143)   1.12%
Kyndryl Holdings Inc.   (105)   (1,024)   1.00%
NCR Corp.   (33)   (1,036)   1.01%
Solarwinds Corp.   (61)   (629)   0.61%
Unity Software, Inc.   (30)   (1,098)   1.07%
Western Digital Corp.   (21)   (955)   0.93%
Xerox Holdings Corp.   (65)   (966)   0.94%
         (10,021)     
Total      $(102,495)   100.00%

 

*The following table shows the individual positions and related values of the securities within the Morgan Stanley Custom Quality Index basket.

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks               
Basic Materials               
Diversey Holdings Ltd.   185   $1,220    0.74%
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   14    1,684    1.03%
RPM International, Inc.   21    1,663    1.01%
Sherwin-Williams Co/The   7    1,609    0.98%
         6,176      
Communications               
Interpublic Group of Cos Inc/T   59    1,615    0.98%
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A   10    1,567    0.95%
Omnicom Group, Inc.   25    1,600    0.98%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)               
Communications (continued)               
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.   274   $1,679    1.02%
         6,461      
Consumer, Cyclical               
Autozone, Inc.   1    1,756    1.07%
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.   4    1,664    1.01%
Home Depot, Inc. (The)   6    1,614    0.98%
Lululemon Athletica Inc.   6    1,570    0.95%
Marriott International, Inc., Class A   11    1,446    0.88%
O’reilly Automotive, Inc.   3    1,736    1.06%
Pool Corp.   5    1,634    0.99%
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.   73    1,553    0.94%
Thor Industries, Inc.   22    1,659    1.01%
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   23    1,523    0.93%
Yum! Brands, Inc.   15    1,669    1.02%
         17,824      
Consumer, Non-cyclical               
Anthem, Inc.   4    1,716    1.04%
Avery Dennison Corp.   10    1,654    1.01%
Chemed Corp.   4    1,700    1.03%
Cigna Corp.   7    1,755    1.07%
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   22    1,778    1.08%
CVS Health Corp.   18    1,667    1.01%
Danaher Corp.   7    1,703    1.04%
FleetCor Technologies Inc.   7    1,507    0.92%
Global Payments, Inc.   15    1,613    0.98%
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.   19    1,784    1.08%
Hershey Co. (The)   8    1,717    1.04%
J M Smucker Co. (The)   13    1,683    1.02%
Johnson & Johnson   10    1,719    1.05%
Kraft Heinz Co. (The)   45    1,735    1.05%
Moody’s Corp.   6    1,706    1.04%
Philip Morris International, Inc.   17    1,655    1.01%
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   3    1,734    1.05%
Rollins, Inc.   50    1,754    1.07%
Sotera Health Co.   80    1,560    0.95%
Stryker Corp.   8    1,617    0.98%
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   3    1,737    1.06%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   4    1,820    1.11%
Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class A   10    1,778    1.08%
WEX Inc.   10    1,589    0.97%
         40,681      
Energy               
Antero Midstream Corp.   167    1,509    0.92%
DT Midstream Inc.   32    1,569    0.95%
Oneok, Inc.   28    1,530    0.93%
         4,608      
Financial               
Aflac Inc.   30    1,679    1.02%
American Express Co.   11    1,560    0.95%
American Financial Group Inc/O   12    1,711    1.04%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

43

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)               
Financial (continued)               
Arthur J Gallagher & Co.   11   $1,757    1.07%
AvalonBay Communities Inc.   9    1,704    1.04%
Brown & Brown, Inc.   30    1,748    1.06%
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   15    1,698    1.03%
Credit Acceptance Corp.   3    1,520    0.93%
Discover Financial Services   17    1,644    1.00%
Duke Realty Corp.   31    1,685    1.02%
Erie Indemnity Co., Class A   9    1,809    1.10%
Extra Space Storage Inc.   10    1,733    1.05%
First American Financial Corp.   31    1,656    1.01%
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   17    1,618    0.98%
Life Storage Inc.   15    1,717    1.04%
OMEGA Healthcare Investors, Inc.   58    1,639    1.00%
Onemain Holdings, Inc., Class A   44    1,631    0.99%
Primerica, Inc.   14    1,680    1.02%
ProLogis, Inc.   14    1,682    1.02%
Rocket Cos., Inc., Class A   236    1,735    1.06%
Synchrony Financial   54    1,492    0.91%
Western Alliance Bancorp   23    1,595    0.97%
         36,693      
Industrial               
Allegion PLC   16    1,600    0.97%
AMETEK Inc.   15    1,611    0.98%
Amphenol Corp., Class A   25    1,602    0.97%
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   16    1,618    0.98%
Dover Corp.   13    1,609    0.98%
Esab Corp.   36    1,593    0.97%
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.   26    1,586    0.96%
Generac Holdings, Inc.   7    1,394    0.85%
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.   1    1,620    0.99%
Middleby Corp. (The)   12    1,542    0.94%
Nordson Corp.   8    1,652    1.00%
Pentair PLC   36    1,636    1.00%
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   15    1,620    0.99%
Trex Co Inc.   30    1,628    0.99%
         22,311      
Technology               
Accenture PLC, Class A   6    1,625    0.99%
Black Knight, Inc.   26    1,667    1.01%
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.   12    1,700    1.03%
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   24    1,622    0.99%
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   17    1,580    0.96%
Fiserv, Inc.   18    1,601    0.97%
International Business Machine   12    1,695    1.03%
Intuit, Inc.   4    1,676    1.02%
N-Able, Inc.   157    1,409    0.86%
Paychex, Inc.   14    1,589    0.97%
Texas Instruments, Inc.   11    1,622    0.99%
Tyler Technologies Inc.   5    1,719    1.04%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)               
Technology (continued)               
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A   5   $1,569    0.95%
         21,074      
Utilities               
Alliant Energy Corp.   30    1,731    1.05%
Essential Utilities Inc.   39    1,781    1.08%
Eversource Energy   20    1,725    1.05%
NRG Energy Inc.   42    1,606    0.98%
Xcel Energy, Inc.   25    1,768    1.08%
         8,611      
Total       $164,439    100.00%

 

Affiliates

 

Fiscal year to date transactions with companies which are or were affiliates are as follows:

 


Affiliate
  Value at
beginning
of the
period
   Purchases
Cost
   Sales
Proceeds
   Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
   Net Change
in Unrealized
   Value at the
end of the
period
   Number of
Shares at
the end of
the period
  
Dividend
Income
   Capital Gain
Distributions
 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF  $   $72,575   $(58,275)  $12,027   $5,748   $32,075    568   $7   $ 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   98.9%
Purchased Options   0.7%
Total Investments   99.6%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   0.4%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

45

 

 

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 97.9%          
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $23,255,217)   328,326   $19,321,985 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 1.7%               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 1.7%               
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, August Strike Price $62, Expires 8/19/22   1,286   $7,973,200    244,340 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   230    7,820,000    17,595 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   54    1,998,000    81,756 
              343,691 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $202,806)            343,691 
                
Total Investments – 99.6%               
(Cost $23,458,023)           $19,665,676 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.4%            75,173 
Net Assets – 100.0%            $19,740,849 

 

(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $16,478,000 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   97.9%
Purchased Options   1.7%
Total Investments   99.6%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   0.4%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46

 

 

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 98.9%          
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $8,293,066)   150,382   $7,377,741 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 1.1%               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 1.1%               
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, August Strike Price $34, Expires 8/19/22   1,855   $6,307,000    33,575 
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, August Strike Price $38, Expires 8/19/22   393    1,493,400    27,510 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   87    2,958,000    6,656 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   10    370,000    15,140 
              82,881 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $101,254)            82,881 
                
Total Investments – 100.0%               
(Cost $8,394,320)           $7,460,622 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.0%†            1,011 
Net Assets – 100.0%            $7,461,633 

 

Less than 0.05%
(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $3,777,620 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   98.9%
Purchased Options   1.1%
Total Investments   100.0%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   0.0%†
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

47

 

 

Simplify Health Care ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

Shares   Value 
Common Stocks – 98.1%         
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 96.8%         
Abbott Laboratories  6,894   $749,033 
AbbVie, Inc.  3,641    557,655 
Align Technology, Inc.*  128    30,294 
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*  880    128,348 
Amgen, Inc.  829    201,696 
AtriCure, Inc.*  7,196    294,028 
Baxter International, Inc.  4,290    275,547 
Becton Dickinson and Co.  2,145    528,807 
Bio-Techne Corp.  715    247,848 
Boston Scientific Corp.*  7,290    271,698 
Centene Corp.*  18,991    1,606,828 
Cigna Corp.  6,034    1,590,080 
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)  1,068    334,412 
CVS Health Corp.  5,714    529,459 
Danaher Corp.  406    102,929 
Dexcom, Inc.*  3,139    233,950 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*  529    50,303 
Elevance Health, Inc.  2,805    1,353,637 
Eli Lilly & Co.  5,013    1,625,365 
Embecta Corp.*  431    10,913 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.  2,694    166,516 
HCA Healthcare, Inc.  447    75,123 
Henry Schein, Inc.*  1,100    84,414 
Horizon Therapeutics Plc*  13,160    1,049,642 
Humana, Inc.  2,518    1,178,600 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*  75    26,305 
Illumina, Inc.*  270    49,777 
Insulet Corp.*  553    120,521 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*  4,348    872,687 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc.*  1,815    393,837 
Johnson & Johnson  11,910    2,114,144 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings  2,179    510,670 
Lantheus Holdings, Inc.*  22,195    1,465,536 
LivaNova PLC*  2,684    167,669 
McKesson Corp.  3,874    1,263,737 
Medtronic PLC  4,644    416,799 
PerkinElmer, Inc.  495    70,399 
Pfizer, Inc.  827    43,360 
QuidelOrtho Corp.*  2,422    235,370 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*  2,495    1,474,869 
ResMed, Inc.  6,117    1,282,307 
Sanofi, ADR  22,443    1,122,823 
Seagen, Inc.*  990    175,171 
Shockwave Medical, Inc.*  1,307    249,859 
STERIS PLC  440    90,706 
Stryker Corp.  1,662    330,622 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.*  6,571    345,372 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.  1,210    657,369 
United Therapeutics Corp.*  5,439    1,281,646 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

48

 

 

Simplify Health Care ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

  Shares   Value 
Common Stocks (continued)        
Consumer, Non-cyclical (continued)          
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   7,017   $3,604,142 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   442    124,551 
ViewRay, Inc.*   173,696    460,294 
Waters Corp.*   990    327,670 
Zoetis, Inc.   899    154,529 
         32,709,866 
Industrial – 1.0%          
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   2,255    267,827 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*   55    63,182 
         331,009 
Technology – 0.3%          
Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*   605    119,814 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $36,332,602)        33,160,689 
           
Total Investments – 98.1%          
(Cost $36,332,602)       $33,160,689 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 1.9%        643,437 
Net Assets – 100.0%       $33,804,126 

 

*Non Income Producing

ADR : American Depositary Receipt

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Common Stocks   98.1%
Total Investments   98.1%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   1.9%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

49

 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 96.3%          
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $41,357,874)   94,873   $35,971,098 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 5.4%               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 5.4%               
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $4,225, Expires 7/15/22   31   $13,097,500    1,390,505 
S&P 500 Index, August Strike Price $3,715, Expires 8/19/22   31    11,516,500    363,940 
S&P 500 Index, September Strike Price $3,480, Expires 9/16/22   34    11,832,000    277,270 
              2,031,715 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $1,370,334)           2,031,715 
                
Total Investments – 101.7%               
(Cost $42,728,208)          $38,002,813 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (1.7)%           (639,574)
Net Assets – 100.0%            $37,363,239 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Written Options – (1.7)%               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – (1.3)%               
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $4,600, Expires 7/15/22   (31)  $(14,260,000)  $(155)
S&P 500 Index, August Strike Price $4,110, Expires 8/19/22   (31)   (12,741,000)   (67,580)
S&P 500 Index, September Strike Price $3,890, Expires 9/16/22   (34)   (13,226,000)   (400,690)
              (468,425)
Puts – Exchange-Traded – (0.4)%               
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,560, Expires 7/15/22   (31)   (11,036,000)   (60,605)
S&P 500 Index, August Strike Price $3,150, Expires 8/19/22   (31)   (9,765,000)   (51,770)
S&P 500 Index, September Strike Price $2,925, Expires 9/16/22   (34)   (9,945,000)   (60,860)
              (173,235)
                
Total Written Options (Premiums Received $1,159,509)          $(641,660)

 

(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $18,957,500 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

50

 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   96.3%
Purchased Options   5.4%
Total Investments   101.7%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (1.7)%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

51

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

  Principal   Value 
U.S. Treasury Bills – 74.5%        
U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.75%, 7/14/2022(a)(b)  $5,000,000   $4,998,163 
U.S. Treasury Bill, 1.60%, 8/25/2022(a)(b)   10,400,000    10,376,524 
U.S. Treasury Bill, 1.48%, 9/8/2022(a)   7,000,000    6,979,316 
Total U.S. Treasury Bills (Cost $22,362,030)        22,354,003 

 

   Shares     
Exchange-Traded Funds – 1.3%          
VanEck Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF          
(Cost $457,425)   14,909    402,841 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
      
Purchased Options – 0.7%             
              
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 0.7%                 
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,650, Expires 7/27/22   10   $ 3,650,000     61,150 
SPDR S&P 500, August Strike Price $355, Expires 8/19/22   109     3,869,500     77,390 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   46     1,702,000     69,644 
                208,184 
                  
Total Purchased Options (Cost $148,744)             208,184 
                  
Total Investments – 76.5%                 
(Cost $22,968,199)            $22,965,028 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 23.5%             7,045,347 
Net Assets – 100.0%              $30,010,375 

 

  Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Written Option – (0.0)%†               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – (0.0)%†                 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $185, Expires 9/16/22                 
(Premiums Received $21,103)   (231)  $ (4,273,500 )  $(5,429)

 

Less than 0.05%
(a)Represents a zero coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the effective yield.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $14,276,981 and cash in the amount of $4,050,000 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

52

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

At June 30, 2022, over the counter total return swap contracts outstanding were as follows:

 

Reference
Obligation/Index
  Termination
Date(a)
  Financing
Rate Paid
(Received)
by the Fund
   Counterparty  Notional Amount   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(b)
 
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF  3/28/2023   (0.84)%(c)  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   (21,965,308)  $ (389,429 )
Morgan Stanley Custom Junk Index*  2/20/2024   1.28%(c)  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   7,239,902     347,411  
Morgan Stanley Custom Quality Index*  2/20/2024   1.98%(c)  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   (10,224,094)    (12,467 )
VanEck Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF  3/28/2023   1.98%(c)  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   (6,175,642)    (75,610 )
                   $ (130,095 )

 

*The components of the basket shown below.
(a)The Fund pays/receives annual coupon payments in accordance with the swap contract. On the termination date of the swap contract(s), the Fund will either receive from or pay to the counterparty an amount equal to the net of the accrued financing fees and the value of the reference security subtracted from the original notional cost (notional multiplied by the price change of the reference security).
(b)There are no upfront payments on the swap contracts, therefore the unrealized gain (loss) on the swap contracts is equal to their market value.
(c)Payments made quarterly.

 

*The following table shows the individual positions and related values of the securities within the Morgan Stanley Custom Junk Index basket.

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks               
Basic Materials               
Alcoa Corp.   (988)  $(45,027)   0.65%
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.   (3,007)   (66,476)   0.96%
Chemours Co. (The)   (2,040)   (65,316)   0.95%
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.   (4,024)   (61,854)   0.90%
Sylvamo Corp.   (1,374)   (44,889)   0.65%
U.S. Steel Corp.   (3,530)   (63,215)   0.91%
         (346,777)     
Communications               
Altice USA, Inc., Class A   (7,896)   (73,034)   1.06%
AT&T, Inc.   (5,399)   (113,170)   1.64%
Commscope Holding Co., Inc.   (9,495)   (58,111)   0.84%
Dish Network Corp., Class A   (4,053)   (72,672)   1.05%
Echostar Corp., Class A   (978)   (18,884)   0.27%
Lumen Technologies, Inc.   (7,129)   (77,779)   1.13%
Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A   (436)   (70,936)   1.03%
Paramount Global, Class B   (2,972)   (73,344)   1.06%
Telephone And Data Systems, Inc.   (4,653)   (73,477)   1.07%
Viasat, Inc.   (2,303)   (70,544)   1.02%
Warner Bros Discovery Inc.   (4,811)   (64,562)   0.94%
Wayfair, Inc., Class A   (681)   (29,663)   0.43%
         (796,176)     
Consumer, Cyclical               
Alaska Air Group, Inc.   (1,793)   (71,794)   1.04%
American Airlines Group, Inc.   (5,606)   (71,084)   1.03%
Aramark   (720)   (22,062)   0.32%
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.   (1,802)   (69,013)   1.00%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

53

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)            
Consumer, Cyclical (continued)            
Carnival Corp.   (7,569)  $(65,469)   0.95%
Copa Holdings SA, Class A   (484)   (30,698)   0.44%
Core & Main, Inc., Class A   (809)   (18,047)   0.26%
Delta Air Lines, Inc.   (2,421)   (70,124)   1.02%
Foot Locker Inc.   (2,476)   (62,513)   0.91%
Gap, Inc. (The)   (7,921)   (65,272)   0.94%
Hanesbrands, Inc.   (5,743)   (59,091)   0.86%
Jetblue Airways Corp.   (8,417)   (70,451)   1.02%
Kohl’s Corp.   (1,421)   (50,714)   0.73%
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B   (5,140)   (45,390)   0.66%
Nordstrom, Inc.   (2,723)   (57,529)   0.83%
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.   (6,287)   (69,908)   1.01%
Penn National Gaming, Inc.   (2,437)   (74,138)   1.07%
PVH Corp.   (923)   (52,538)   0.76%
Qurate Retail, Inc., Series A   (20,873)   (59,907)   0.87%
Resideo Technologies, Inc.   (1,065)   (20,685)   0.30%
RH   (247)   (52,339)   0.76%
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.   (1,884)   (65,757)   0.95%
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.   (2,201)   (26,239)   0.38%
Southwest Airlines Co.   (1,789)   (64,615)   0.94%
Travel + Leisure Co.   (1,593)   (61,823)   0.90%
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.   (1,990)   (70,471)   1.02%
Victoria’s Secret & Co.   (2,173)   (60,775)   0.88%
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   (1,946)   (73,744)   1.07%
         (1,582,190)     
Consumer, Non-cyclical               
ADT, Inc.   (11,227)   (69,047)   1.00%
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.   (14,140)   (64,195)   0.93%
Cardinal Health, Inc.   (1,487)   (77,737)   1.13%
Clarivate PLC   (3,791)   (52,545)   0.76%
Coty, Inc., Class A   (9,964)   (79,814)   1.16%
Davita, Inc.   (820)   (65,552)   0.95%
ENDO International PLC   (77,956)   (36,304)   0.53%
Exact Sciences Corp.   (1,084)   (42,704)   0.62%
Guardant Health, Inc.   (1,891)   (76,269)   1.10%
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.   (3,183)   (65,095)   0.94%
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (1,344)   (49,769)   0.72%
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC   (498)   (77,737)   1.13%
Kroger Co. (The)   (1,579)   (74,747)   1.08%
Mednax, Inc.   (1,552)   (32,601)   0.47%
Nektar Therapeutics, Class A   (11,855)   (45,050)   0.65%
Novavax, Inc.   (1,762)   (90,610)   1.31%
Oak Street Health, Inc.   (2,149)   (35,323)   0.51%
Organon & Co.   (2,222)   (74,981)   1.09%
Perrigo Co. PLC   (1,932)   (78,398)   1.14%
Post Holdings, Inc.   (952)   (78,358)   1.14%
Sabre Corp.   (11,512)   (67,114)   0.97%
Shift4 Payments, Inc., Class A   (1,727)   (57,091)   0.83%
Stoneco Ltd., Class A   (8,536)   (65,725)   0.95%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

54

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)            
Consumer, Non-cyclical (continued)            
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.   (1,828)  $(76,441)   1.11%
US Foods Holding Corp.   (2,531)   (77,651)   1.12%
Viatris, Inc.   (7,068)   (73,997)   1.07%
         (1,684,855)     
Energy               
Apa Corp.   (1,675)   (58,458)   0.85%
Cheniere Energy, Inc.   (557)   (74,065)   1.07%
Equities Corp.   (1,761)   (60,592)   0.88%
Kosmos Energy Ltd.   (9,856)   (61,009)   0.89%
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   (871)   (71,645)   1.04%
New Fortress Energy, Inc., Class A   (1,736)   (68,682)   1.00%
Nov, Inc.   (4,090)   (69,163)   1.00%
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   (1,407)   (82,830)   1.20%
PBF Energy, Inc., Class A   (1,932)   (56,079)   0.81%
Sunrun, Inc.   (3,114)   (72,733)   1.05%
Valero Energy Corp.   (632)   (67,211)   0.97%
         (742,467)     
Financial               
Air Lease Corp., Class A   (2,231)   (74,580)   1.08%
Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.   (1,594)   (59,061)   0.85%
Western Union Co. (The)   (4,512)   (74,309)   1.08%
         (207,950)     
Industrial               
Berry Global Group, Inc.   (1,331)   (72,733)   1.05%
Energizer Holdings, Inc.   (2,765)   (78,391)   1.14%
FedEx Corp.   (360)   (81,675)   1.18%
Fluor Corp.   (1,433)   (34,873)   0.50%
Gates Industrial Corp. PLC   (3,040)   (32,861)   0.48%
General Electric Co.   (1,177)   (74,968)   1.09%
O-I Glass, Inc., Class I   (4,517)   (63,243)   0.92%
Ryder System, Inc.   (945)   (67,127)   0.97%
Silgan Holdings, Inc.   (831)   (34,358)   0.50%
Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc., Class A   (2,489)   (72,913)   1.06%
TD Synnex Corp.   (745)   (67,892)   0.98%
Vertiv Holdings Co., Class A   (6,753)   (55,508)   0.80%
Westrock Co.   (1,732)   (69,018)   1.00%
XPO Logistics, Inc.   (1,273)   (61,324)   0.89%
         (866,884)     
Technology               
Coupa Software, Inc.   (699)   (39,918)   0.58%
Dell Technologies, Inc., Class C   (1,516)   (70,062)   1.02%
Dxc Technology Co.   (2,298)   (69,662)   1.01%
Everbridge, Inc.   (1,213)   (33,819)   0.49%
Fastly, Inc., Class A   (6,628)   (76,947)   1.12%
Kyndryl Holdings Inc.   (7,052)   (68,972)   1.00%
NCR Corp.   (2,243)   (69,790)   1.01%
Solarwinds Corp.   (4,135)   (42,382)   0.61%
Unity Software, Inc.   (2,008)   (73,945)   1.07%
Western Digital Corp.   (1,434)   (64,285)   0.93%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

55

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)               
Technology (continued)               
Xerox Holdings Corp.  (4,381)  $(65,060)  0.94%
         (674,842)     
Total      $(6,902,141)   100.00%

 

*The following table shows the individual positions and related values of the securities within the Morgan Stanley Custom Quality Index basket.

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks            
Basic Materials            
Diversey Holdings Ltd.   11,500   $75,898    0.74%
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   879    104,713    1.03%
RPM International, Inc.   1,314    103,425    1.01%
Sherwin-Williams Co/The   447    100,077    0.98%
         384,113      
Communications               
Interpublic Group of Cos Inc/T   3,649    100,450    0.98%
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A   604    97,453    0.95%
Omnicom Group, Inc.   1,564    99,501    0.98%
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.   17,030    104,391    1.02%
         401,795      
Consumer, Cyclical               
Autozone, Inc.   51    109,225    1.07%
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.   266    103,487    1.01%
Home Depot, Inc. (The)   366    100,350    0.98%
Lululemon Athletica Inc.   358    97,652    0.95%
Marriott International, Inc., Class A   661    89,925    0.88%
O’reilly Automotive, Inc.   171    107,943    1.06%
Pool Corp.   289    101,599    0.99%
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.   4,521    96,606    0.94%
Thor Industries, Inc.   1,380    103,162    1.01%
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   1,441    94,710    0.93%
Yum! Brands, Inc.   915    103,820    1.02%
         1,108,479      
Consumer, Non-cyclical               
Anthem, Inc.   221    106,704    1.04%
Avery Dennison Corp.   635    102,837    1.01%
Chemed Corp.   225    105,713    1.03%
Cigna Corp.   414    109,149    1.07%
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   1,380    110,601    1.08%
CVS Health Corp.   1,119    103,702    1.01%
Danaher Corp.   418    105,933    1.04%
FleetCor Technologies Inc.   446    93,693    0.92%
Global Payments, Inc.   907    100,343    0.98%
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.   1,178    110,946    1.08%
Hershey Co. (The)   496    106,800    1.04%
J M Smucker Co. (The)   818    104,670    1.02%
Johnson & Johnson   602    106,875    1.05%
Kraft Heinz Co. (The)   2,829    107,892    1.05%
Moody’s Corp.   390    106,121    1.04%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

56

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)            
Consumer, Non-cyclical (continued)            
Philip Morris International, Inc.   1,042   $102,900    1.01%
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   182    107,808    1.05%
Rollins, Inc.   3,123    109,063    1.07%
Sotera Health Co.   4,952    97,000    0.95%
Stryker Corp.   505    100,538    0.98%
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   199    108,018    1.06%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   220    113,214    1.11%
Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class A   639    110,590    1.08%
WEX Inc.   635    98,840    0.97%
         2,529,950      
Energy               
Antero Midstream Corp.   10,370    93,845    0.92%
DT Midstream Inc.   1,990    97,571    0.95%
Oneok, Inc.   1,715    95,163    0.93%
         286,579      
Financial               
Aflac Inc.   1,887    104,424    1.02%
American Express Co.   700    97,028    0.95%
American Financial Group Inc/O   767    106,443    1.04%
Arthur J Gallagher & Co.   670    109,242    1.07%
AvalonBay Communities Inc.   546    105,987    1.04%
Brown & Brown, Inc.   1,863    108,682    1.06%
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   933    105,585    1.03%
Credit Acceptance Corp.   200    94,549    0.93%
Discover Financial Services   1,081    102,239    1.00%
Duke Realty Corp.   1,907    104,769    1.02%
Erie Indemnity Co., Class A   585    112,498    1.10%
Extra Space Storage Inc.   634    107,810    1.05%
First American Financial Corp.   1,946    102,970    1.01%
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   1,070    100,646    0.98%
Life Storage Inc.   957    106,805    1.04%
OMEGA Healthcare Investors, Inc.   3,615    101,914    1.00%
Onemain Holdings, Inc., Class A   2,713    101,425    0.99%
Primerica, Inc.   873    104,460    1.02%
ProLogis, Inc.   889    104,624    1.02%
Rocket Cos., Inc., Class A   14,663    107,920    1.06%
Synchrony Financial   3,359    92,775    0.91%
Western Alliance Bancorp.   1,405    99,173    0.97%
         2,281,968      
Industrial               
Allegion PLC   1,016    99,512    0.97%
AMETEK Inc.   912    100,169    0.98%
Amphenol Corp., Class A   1,548    99,654    0.97%
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   992    100,591    0.98%
Dover Corp.   825    100,087    0.98%
Esab Corp.   2,264    99,043    0.97%
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.   1,648    98,657    0.96%
Generac Holdings, Inc.   412    86,716    0.85%
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.   88    100,727    0.99%
Middleby Corp. (The)   765    95,863    0.94%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

57

 

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value   % of
basket
 
Common Stocks (continued)            
Industrial (continued)            
Nordson Corp.   507   $102,728    1.00%
Pentair PLC   2,224    101,770    1.00%
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   960    100,715    0.99%
Trex Co Inc.   1,861    101,269    0.99%
         1,387,501      
Technology               
Accenture PLC, Class A   364    101,059    0.99%
Black Knight, Inc.   1,586    103,696    1.01%
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.   742    105,761    1.03%
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   1,494    100,853    0.99%
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   1,072    98,274    0.96%
Fiserv, Inc.   1,119    99,550    0.97%
International Business Machine   747    105,432    1.03%
Intuit, Inc.   270    104,213    1.02%
N-Able, Inc.   9,738    87,643    0.86%
Paychex, Inc.   868    98,808    0.97%
Texas Instruments, Inc.   656    100,858    0.99%
Tyler Technologies Inc.   322    106,917    1.04%
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A   332    97,565    0.95%
         1,310,629      
Utilities               
Alliant Energy Corp.   1,836    107,617    1.05%
Essential Utilities Inc.   2,416    110,780    1.08%
Eversource Energy   1,270    107,289    1.05%
NRG Energy Inc.   2,617    99,888    0.98%
Xcel Energy, Inc.   1,554    109,979    1.08%
         535,553      
Total       $10,226,567    100.00%

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

Industry  % of
Net Assets
 
U.S. Treasury Bills   74.5%
Exchange-Traded Funds   1.3%
Purchased Options   0.7%
Total Investments   76.5%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   23.5%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

58

 

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Principal   Value 
U.S. Government Obligations – 40.1%            
U.S. Treasury Note, 0.75%, 4/30/2026            
(Cost $127,724,530)  $ 131,875,000   $ 121,062,280 

 

   Notional
Amount
        
Purchased Swaptions – 19.3%             
              
Puts – Over the Counter – 19.3%             
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.00% and received quarterly a floating rate of SOFR, Expires 5/11/28 (counterparty: Bank of America NA)(a)    260,000,000     4,477,730  
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.25% and received quarterly a floating rate of 3-month LIBOR, Expires 5/11/28 (counterparty: Bank of America NA)(a)    760,000,000     16,567,526  
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.00% and received quarterly a floating rate of SOFR, Expires 5/11/28 (counterparty: Barclays)    340,000,000     156,366  
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.00% and received quarterly a floating rate of SOFR, Expires 5/11/28 (counterparty: Goldman Sachs International)    300,000,000     1,636,159  
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.25% and received quarterly a floating rate of 3-month LIBOR, Expires 5/12/28 (counterparty: Goldman Sachs International)    930,000,000     19,036,499  
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.00% and received quarterly a floating rate of SOFR, Expires 5/11/28 (counterparty: Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC)    920,000,000     2,685,024  
Interest Rate Swaption, pay semi annually a fixed rate of 4.25% and received quarterly a floating rate of 3-month LIBOR, Expires 5/11/28 (counterparty:Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC)    710,000,000     13,676,054  
           58,235,358  
              
Total Purchased Swaptions (Cost $0)          58,235,358  
              
Total Investments – 59.4%             
(Cost $127,724,530)        $ 179,297,638  
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 40.6%          122,679,106  
Net Assets – 100.0%        $ 301,976,744  

 

(a)U.S. Treasury Note with a market value of $18,455,726 has been pledged as collateral by the broker for purchased swaptions as of June 30, 2022.

 

At June 30, 2022, interest rate swap contracts outstanding were as follows:

 

Rate Paid   Rate Received  Payment
Frequency
Paid/
     Maturity   Notional       Upfront
Premium
Paid/
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
 
by Fund   by the Fund  received  Counterparty  Date   Amount   Fair Value   (Received)   (depreciation) 
2.11%  1 day SOFR  Annual/Annual  Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC  May 15, 2048    10,000   $729   $0   $729 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

59

 

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
U.S. Government Obligations   40.1% 
Purchased Swaptions   19.3% 
Total Investments   59.4% 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   40.6% 
Net Assets   100.0% 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

60

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 97.9%          
Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1(a)(b)          
(Cost $7,048,925)   17,945   $5,029,625 

 

   Number of   Notional    
   Contracts   Amount    
Purchased Options – 1.9%               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 0.1%               
Invesco QQQ Trust, December Strike Price $470, Expires 12/16/22   109   $ 5,123,000   600 
Invesco QQQ Trust, December Strike Price $470, Expires 12/15/23   40     1,880,000   6,260 
NASDAQ 100 Index, September Strike Price $19,200, Expires 9/16/22   1     1,920,000   65 
             6,925 
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 1.8%               
Invesco QQQ Trust, August Strike Price $250, Expires 8/19/22   82     2,050,000   39,360 
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,650, Expires 7/27/22   3     1,095,000   18,345 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   61     2,074,000   4,666 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   18     666,000   27,252 
             89,623 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $242,674)             96,548 

 

   Shares     
Money Market Funds – 0.1%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(c)          
(Cost $5,564)   5,564    5,564 
           
Total Investments – 99.9%          
(Cost $7,297,163)       $5,131,737 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.1%        5,201 
Net Assets – 100.0%       $5,136,938 

 

(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.invesco.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $2,242,240 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(c)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   97.9%
Purchased Options   1.9%
Money Market Funds   0.1%
Total Investments   99.9%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   0.1%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

61

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 97.2%          
Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1(a)(b)          
(Cost $24,364,725)   68,479   $19,193,294 

 

   Number of   Notional     
  Contracts   Amount     
Purchased Options – 2.6%            
             
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 2.6%               
Invesco QQQ Trust, August Strike Price $250, Expires 8/19/22   467   $11,675,000    224,160 
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,650, Expires 7/27/22   20    7,300,000    122,300 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   231    7,854,000    17,671 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   102    3,774,000    154,428 
              518,559 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $405,534)             518,559 

 

   Shares     
Money Market Funds – 0.4%        
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(c)          
(Cost $72,521)   72,521    72,521 
           
Total Investments – 100.2%          
(Cost $24,842,780)       $19,784,374 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.2)%        (39,474)
Net Assets – 100.0%       $19,744,900 

 

(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.invesco.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $9,809,800 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(c)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   97.2%
Purchased Options   2.6%
Money Market Funds   0.4%
Total Investments   100.2%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (0.2)%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

62

 

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

  Principal   Value 
U.S. Treasury Bills – 44.6%        
U.S. Treasury Bill, 1.23%, 9/8/2022(a)          
(Cost $17,948,527)  $18,000,000   $17,946,812 

 

  Shares     
Money Market Funds – 26.8%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(b)          
(Cost $10,781,895)   10,781,895    10,781,895 
           
Total Investments – 71.4%          
(Cost $28,730,422)       $28,728,707 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 28.6%        11,485,473 
Net Assets – 100.0%       $40,214,180 

 

(a)Represents a zero coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the effective yield.
(b)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

At June 30, 2022, open futures contracts were as follows:

 

               Value/ 
               Unrealized 
   Number of   Notional   Expiration   Appreciation 
  Contracts   Value   Date   (Depreciation) 
Long position contracts:                
U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note   968   $114,764,528   9/21/22   $(1,128,600)

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
U.S. Treasury Bills   44.6%
Money Market Funds   26.8%
Total Investments   71.4%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   28.6%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

63

 

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 86.0%          
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF(a)(b)(c)   1,214,020   $27,016,073 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF(a)   176,529    9,968,592 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF(a)   1,218,420    22,187,428 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF(a)(b)(c)   1,380,020    30,615,744 
Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $90,780,433)        89,787,837 

 

   Number of   Notional     
  Contracts   Amount     
Purchased Options – 13.7%                  
                   
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 13.7%               
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,650, Expires 7/27/22   492   $179,580,000    3,008,580 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   9,237    314,058,000    706,631 
SPDR S&P 500, August Strike Price $355, Expires 8/19/22   8,838    313,749,000    6,274,980 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   2,865    106,005,000    4,337,610 
              14,327,801 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $10,472,250)             14,327,801 

 

  Shares     
Money Market Funds – 0.7%        
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(d)          
(Cost $697,635)   697,635    697,635 
           
Total Investments – 100.4%          
(Cost $101,950,318)       $104,813,273 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.4)%        (414,003)
Net Assets – 100.0%       $104,399,270 

 

(a)Affiliated fund managed by Simplify Asset Management Inc.
(b)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.simplify.us.
(c)Securities with an aggregate market value of $39,987,720 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(d)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

64

 

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Affiliates

 

Fiscal year to date transactions with companies which are or were affiliates are as follows:

 

Affiliate 

Value at

beginning

of the

period

  

Purchases

Cost

  

Sales

Proceeds

  

Net Realized

Gain/(Loss)

  

Net

Change in

Unrealized

  

Value at the

end of the

period

  

Number of

Shares at

the end of

the period

  

Dividend

Income

  

Capital Gain

Distributions

 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $   $35,203,522   $(5,411,381)  $(404,592)  $(2,371,476)  $27,016,073    1,214,020   $264,114   $ 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF       11,317,371    (3,102,711)   543,163    1,210,769    9,968,592    176,529    924     
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF       26,915,887    (4,530,382)   (796,280)   598,203    22,187,428    1,218,420    39,103     
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF       84,971,394    (48,749,563)   (5,175,995)   (430,092)   30,615,744    1,380,020    721,191     
   $   $158,408,174   $(61,794,037)  $(5,833,704)  $(992,596)  $89,787,837    3,988,989   $1,025,332   $ 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   86.0%
Purchased Options   13.7%
Money Market Funds   0.7%
Total Investments   100.4%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (0.4)%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

65

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 98.2%          
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $68,302,987)   158,633   $60,145,702 

 

   Number of   Notional     
  Contracts   Amount     
Purchased Options – 1.8%            
             
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 0.1%               
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $5,600, Expires 6/16/23   76   $42,560,000    49,780 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $510, Expires 9/16/22   420    21,420,000    1,470 
SPDR S&P 500, March Strike Price $510, Expires 3/17/23   232    11,832,000    19,256 
              70,506 
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 1.7%               
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,650, Expires 7/27/22   38    13,870,000    232,370 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   668    22,712,000    51,102 
SPDR S&P 500, August Strike Price $355, Expires 8/19/22   607    21,548,500    430,970 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   207    7,659,000    313,398 
              1,027,840 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $1,412,868)             1,098,346 

 

  Shares     
Money Market Funds – 0.0%†        
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(c)          
(Cost $12,715)   12,715    12,715 
           
Total Investments – 100.0%          
(Cost $69,728,570)       $61,256,763 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.0)%†        (4,261)
Net Assets – 100.0%       $61,252,502 

 

Less than 0.05%
(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $32,606,900 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(c)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   98.2%
Purchased Options   1.8%
Money Market Funds   0.0%†
Total Investments   100.0%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (0.0)%†
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

66

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 96.7%          
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $496,069,062)   1,134,553   $430,165,770 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 3.3%               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 3.3%               
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $3,650, Expires 7/27/22   500   $182,500,000    3,057,500 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   9,750    331,500,000    745,875 
SPDR S&P 500, August Strike Price $355, Expires 8/19/22   8,571    304,270,500    6,085,410 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   3,117    115,329,000    4,719,138 
              14,607,923 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $10,254,252)             14,607,923 

 

   Shares     
Money Market Funds – 0.2%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(c)          
(Cost $1,040,919)   1,040,919    1,040,919 
           
Total Investments – 100.2%          
(Cost $507,364,233)      $445,814,612 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.2)%       (995,918)
Net Assets – 100.0%       $444,818,694 

 

(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $227,490,000 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(c)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   96.7%
Purchased Options   3.3%
Money Market Funds   0.2%
Total Investments   100.2%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (0.2)%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

67

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 85.5%          
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF(a)          
(Cost $83,290,255)   196,976   $74,683,450 
           
Grantor Trusts – 9.4%          
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust BTC*          
(Cost $16,035,057)   685,302    8,264,742 
           
Money Market Funds – 1.1%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(b)          
(Cost $926,911)   926,911    926,911 
           
Total Investments – 96.0%          
(Cost $100,252,223)       $83,875,103 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 4.0%        3,465,233 
Net Assets – 100.0%       $87,340,336 

 

*Non Income Producing
(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

At June 30, 2022, open futures contracts were as follows:

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Value
   Expiration
Date
  Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long position contracts:                 
S&P 500 E-Mini Future  69   $13,073,775   9/16/22  $4,116 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   85.5%
Grantor Trusts   9.4%
Money Market Funds   1.1%
Total Investments   96.0%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   4.0%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

68

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 99.7%          
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $13,588,368)   31,481   $11,936,021 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 0.2%               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 0.2%               
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $5,600, Expires 6/16/23   34   $19,040,000    22,270 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $510, Expires 9/16/22   161    8,211,000    564 
SPDR S&P 500, March Strike Price $510, Expires 3/17/23   90    4,590,000    7,470 
              30,304 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $267,913)             30,304 

 

   Shares     
Money Market Funds – 0.6%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(c)          
(Cost $66,838)   66,838    66,838 
           
Total Investments – 100.5%          
(Cost $13,923,119)       $12,033,163 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.5)%        (65,060)
Net Assets – 100.0%       $11,968,103 

 

(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $5,118,525 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(c)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   99.7%
Purchased Options   0.2%
Money Market Funds   0.6%
Total Investments   100.5%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (0.5)%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

69

 

 

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 97.9%          
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF(a)(b)          
(Cost $3,535,433)   32,274   $2,982,440 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 2.1%               
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 2.1%               
iShares Russell 2000 ETF, August Strike Price $150, Expires 8/19/22   70   $1,050,000    15,855 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $340, Expires 7/15/22   35    1,190,000    2,677 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $365, Expires 7/27/22   15    547,500    9,683 
SPDR S&P 500, August Strike Price $355, Expires 8/19/22   38    1,349,000    26,980 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   5    185,000    7,570 
              62,765 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $54,426)             62,765 
                
Total Investments – 100.0%               
(Cost $3,589,859)            $3,045,205 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.0%†             432 
Net Assets – 100.0%            $3,045,637 

 

Less than 0.05%
(a)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.ishares.com.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $1,663,380 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds   97.9%
Purchased Options   2.1%
Total Investments   100.0%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   0.0%†
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

70

 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Common Stocks – 32.3%          
Communications – 5.4%          
Alphabet, Inc., Class C*   86   $188,121 
Amazon.com, Inc.*(a)   794    84,331 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A*(a)   304    49,020 
Okta, Inc.*   174    15,730 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*   83    40,997 
Wix.com Ltd.*   121    7,931 
         386,130 
Consumer, Cyclical – 2.2%          
Sonder Holdings, Inc.*   155,633    161,858 
           
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 0.7%          
Teladoc Health, Inc.*(a)   1,501    49,848 
           
Technology – 24.0%          
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*   17    1,300 
Apple, Inc.(a)   1,408    192,502 
Braze, Inc., Class A*   416    15,072 
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A*(a)   8,236    360,325 
Confluent, Inc., Class A*   28    651 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A*(a)   2,563    432,019 
Datadog, Inc., Class A*   126    12,000 
DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.*   24    993 
Dropbox, Inc., Class A*   56    1,175 
Elastic NV*   441    29,842 
Fastly, Inc., Class A*   51    592 
Fortinet, Inc.*   2,267    128,267 
Hashicorp, Inc.*   4,238    124,767 
Intel Corp.   1,964    73,473 
Microsoft Corp.(a)   754    193,650 
NVIDIA Corp.   541    82,010 
PagerDuty, Inc.*   635    15,735 
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Class A*   112    1,016 
salesforce.com, Inc.*   112    18,484 
SentinelOne, Inc., Class A*   45    1,050 
Snowflake, Inc., Class A*(a)   40    5,562 
Twilio, Inc., Class A*   165    13,829 
UserTesting, Inc.*   5,876    29,498 
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A*   9    972 
Zscaler, Inc.*   6    897 
         1,735,681 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,536,615)        2,333,517 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 6.3%               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 3.9%               
Alphabet, Inc., July Strike Price $2,200, Expires 7/15/22   7   $1,540,000    43,190 
Apple, Inc., July Strike Price $142, Expires 7/15/22   341    4,842,200    58,993 
Cloudflare, Inc., January Strike Price $230, Expires 1/20/23   149    3,427,000    2,309 
Cloudflare, Inc., January Strike Price $230, Expires 1/19/24   198    4,554,000    11,880 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., January Strike Price $260, Expires 1/19/24   49    1,274,000    108,290 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

71

 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value 
Purchased Options – 6.3% (continued)               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 3.9% (continued)               
Datadog, Inc., January Strike Price $280, Expires 1/20/23   158   $4,424,000   $6,083 
Datadog, Inc., January Strike Price $290, Expires 1/19/24   63    1,827,000    17,294 
NVIDIA Corp., July Strike Price $180, Expires 7/15/22   449    8,082,000    25,593 
NVIDIA Corp., July Strike Price $190, Expires 7/15/22   511    9,709,000    11,242 
              284,874 
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 2.4%               
Invesco QQQ Trust, August Strike Price $250, Expires 8/19/22   184    4,600,000    88,320 
NASDAQ 100 Index, September Strike Price $7,000, Expires 9/16/22   3    2,100,000    6,870 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   51    1,887,000    77,214 
              172,404 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $1,308,582)             457,278 

 

   Shares     
Money Market Funds – 3.2%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(b)          
(Cost $229,955)   229,955    229,955 
           
Total Investments – 41.8%          
(Cost $4,075,152)       $3,020,750 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 58.2%        4,212,135 
Net Assets – 100.0%       $7,232,885 

 

*Non Income Producing
(a)Securities with an aggregate market value of $1,589,010 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(b)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Common Stocks   32.3%
Purchased Options   6.3%
Money Market Funds   3.2%
Total Investments   41.8%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   58.2%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

72

 

 

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Common Stocks – 59.8%          
Basic Materials – 9.8%          
Albemarle Corp.(a)   244   $50,991 
BHP Group Ltd., ADR   1,135    63,764 
Glencore PLC, ADR*   5,940    64,211 
Rio Tinto PLC, ADR   933    56,913 
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR   1,098    91,716 
Talon Metals Corp.*   154,518    59,536 
Vale SA, ADR   3,912    57,233 
         444,364 
Communications – 9.1%          
Alphabet, Inc., Class C*(a)   33    72,186 
Amazon.com, Inc.*(a)   1,377    146,251 
Netflix, Inc.*(a)   753    131,677 
Walt Disney Co. (The)*   696    65,702 
         415,816 
Consumer, Cyclical – 11.1%          
Aurora Innovation, Inc.*   12,375    23,636 
BYD Co. Ltd., ADR   745    59,958 
Lucid Group, Inc.*   1,390    23,852 
NIO, Inc., ADR*   1,672    36,316 
Rivian Automotive, Inc., Class A*   929    23,913 
Sonder Holdings, Inc.*   94,325    98,098 
Tesla, Inc.*(a)   358    241,084 
         506,857 
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 1.6%          
Coca-Cola Co. (The)   1,169    73,542 
           
Industrial – 5.9%          
Deere & Co.   245    73,370 
FANUC Corp., ADR   7,541    117,187 
Kuka AG, ADR   857    76,153 
         266,710 
Technology – 22.3%          
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*   1,093    83,582 
Apple, Inc.(a)   1,055    144,239 
ASML Holding NV, Class G(a)   249    118,494 
Broadcom, Inc.(a)   195    94,733 
GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.*(a)   556    22,429 
Intel Corp.   2,863    107,105 
Microsoft Corp.(a)   520    133,552 
NVIDIA Corp.   1,174    177,967 
Qualcomm, Inc.   569    72,684 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR   720    58,860 
         1,013,645 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,897,874)        2,720,934 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

73

 

 

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value 
Purchased Options – 9.2%               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 7.1%               
Alphabet, Inc., July Strike Price $2,200, Expires 7/15/22   4   $880,000   $24,680 
Apple, Inc., July Strike Price $142, Expires 7/15/22   208    2,953,600    35,984 
NVIDIA Corp., July Strike Price $180, Expires 7/15/22   274    4,932,000    15,618 
NVIDIA Corp., July Strike Price $190, Expires 7/15/22   312    5,928,000    6,864 
Tesla, Inc., June Strike Price $980, Expires 6/16/23   6    588,000    50,145 
Tesla, Inc., January Strike Price $1,250, Expires 1/19/24   8    1,000,000    67,740 
Tesla, Inc., June Strike Price $2,000, Expires 6/21/24   23    4,600,000    120,865 
              321,896 
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 2.1%               
Invesco QQQ Trust, August Strike Price $250, Expires 8/19/22   114    2,850,000    54,720 
NASDAQ 100 Index, September Strike Price $7,000, Expires 9/16/22   2    1,400,000    4,580 
SPDR S&P 500, September Strike Price $370, Expires 9/16/22   26    962,000    39,364 
              98,664 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $648,479)             420,560 

 

   Shares     
Money Market Funds – 9.5%          
Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Only Portfolio - Class I, 0.91%(b)          
(Cost $431,999)   431,999    431,999 
           
Total Investments – 78.5%          
(Cost $3,978,352)       $3,573,493 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 21.5%        976,942 
Net Assets – 100.0%       $4,550,435 

 

*Non Income Producing
(a)Securities with an aggregate market value of $594,201 and cash in the amount of $533 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.
(b)Rate shown reflects the 7-day yield as of June 30, 2022.

ADR : American Depositary Receipt

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Common Stocks   59.8%
Purchased Options   9.2%
Money Market Funds   9.5%
Total Investments   78.5%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   21.5%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

74

 

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Shares   Value 
Exchange-Traded Funds – 83.5%          
iShares Gold Trust   9,625   $330,234 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF(a)(b)(c)   73,447    1,634,446 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF*(a)(b)(c)   61,160    1,678,230 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF(a)   23,320    424,657 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF(a)(c)   60,764    1,348,049 
Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $5,444,944)        5,415,616 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Purchased Options – 11.6%               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 11.4%               
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price $3,200, Expires 12/16/22   2   $640,000    135,150 
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $393, Expires 7/01/22   605    23,776,500    605 
SPDR S&P 500, December Strike Price $320, Expires 12/16/22   90    2,880,000    605,340 
              741,095 
                
Puts – Exchange-Traded – 0.2%               
SPDR S&P 500, December Strike Price $350, Expires 12/16/22   6   $210,000    9,531 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $1,082,606)             750,626 
                
Total Investments – 95.1%               
(Cost $6,527,550)            $6,166,242 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 4.9%             319,834 
Net Assets – 100.0%            $6,486,076 

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     
Written Option – (0.0)%†               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – (0.0)%†               
SPDR S&P 500, July Strike Price $403, Expires 7/01/22               
(Premiums Received $12,745)   (1,155)  $(46,546,500)  $(1,155)

 

*Non Income Producing
Less than 0.05%
(a)Affiliated fund managed by Simplify Asset Management Inc.
(b)A copy of the security’s annual report to shareholders may be obtained without charge at www.simplify.us.
(c)Securities with an aggregate market value of $1,796,960 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

75

 

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Affiliates

 

Fiscal year to date transactions with companies which are or were affiliates are as follows:

 

Affiliate 

Value at

beginning

of the

period

  

Purchases

Cost

  

Sales

Proceeds

  

Net Realized

Gain/(Loss)

  

Net Change

in Unrealized

  

Value at the

end of the

period

  

Number of

Shares at

the end of

the period

  

Dividend

Income

  

Capital Gain

Distributions

 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $   $1,707,205   $   $   $(72,759)  $1,634,446   73,447   $7,795   $ 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF       1,735,029    (114,908)   (3,100)   61,209    1,678,230    61,160         
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF       391,409            33,248    424,657    23,320    374     
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF       1,391,717            (43,668)   1,348,049   60,764    21,212     
   $   $5,225,360   $(114,908)  $(3,100)  $(21,970)  $5,085,382   218,691  $29,381   $ 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds  83.5%
Purchased Options   11.6%
Total Investments   95.1%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   4.9%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

76

 

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

 Principal   Value 
U.S. Treasury Bills – 72.3%       
U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.75%, 7/14/2022(a)$ 2,750,000   $ 2,748,990 
U.S. Treasury Bill, 1.60%, 8/25/2022(a)  5,000,000     4,988,713 
U.S. Treasury Bill, 1.48%, 9/8/2022(a)  13,000,000     12,961,587 
Total U.S. Treasury Bills (Cost $20,706,884)      20,699,290 
           
Total Investments – 72.3%          
(Cost $20,706,884)    $ 20,699,290 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 27.7%      7,937,214 
Net Assets – 100.0%    $ 28,636,504 

 

(a)Represents a zero coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the effective yield.

 

At June 30, 2022, open futures contracts were as follows:

 

               Value/ 
               Unrealized 
   Number of   Notional   Expiration   Appreciation 
   Contracts   Value   Date   (Depreciation) 
Long position contracts:                  
CAN 10 Year Bond Future  40   $3,853,014   9/20/22   $82,832 
WTI Crude Future  7    701,890   9/20/22    (37,350)
Natural Gas Future  1    54,090   9/28/22    (11,672)
WTI Crude Future  1    97,750   10/20/22    (5,922)
Natural Gas Future  1    56,580   11/28/22    (11,282)
Total unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)               $16,606 
                   
Short position contracts:                  
Natural Gas Future  (1)    (54,240)  7/27/22    19,838 
Soybean Oil Future  (32)    (1,286,592)  8/12/22    130,869 
Gold 100 OZ Future  (8)    (1,445,840)  8/29/22    33,908 
Live Cattle Future  (112)    (5,939,360)  8/31/22    44,265 
Wheat Future (CBT)  (12)    (530,400)  9/14/22    49,277 
Soybean Oil Future  (29)    (1,142,832)  9/14/22    39,005 
Corn Future  (40)    (1,257,500)  9/14/22    38,971 
Bank Accept Future  (14)    (2,625,136)  9/19/22    5,649 
Copper Future  (34)    (3,153,500)  9/28/22    343,574 
Silver Future  (15)    (1,526,400)  9/28/22    47,488 
Sugar #11 (World) Future  (221)    (4,579,120)  9/30/22    138,691 
Soybean Oil Future  (18)    (699,948)  10/14/22    9,182 
Gold 100 OZ Future  (5)    (908,150)  10/27/22    12,798 
Live Cattle Future  (69)    (3,830,190)  10/31/22    21,570 
Cotton No.2 Future  (34)    (1,680,280)  12/7/22    (13,046)
Wheat Future (CBT)  (11)    (495,275)  12/14/22    50,430 
Bank Accept Future  (81)    (15,134,012)  12/19/22    6,403 
WTI Crude Future  (1)    (93,670)  12/20/22    1,320 
Copper Future  (28)    (2,605,050)  12/28/22    283,832 
Natural Gas Future  (5)    (287,500)  12/28/22    96,388 
Silver Future  (11)    (1,127,885)  12/28/22    66,413 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

77

 

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

               Value/ 
               Unrealized 
   Number of   Notional   Expiration   Appreciation 
   Contracts   Value   Date   (Depreciation) 
Short position contracts: (continued)                  
Gold 100 OZ Future  (5)   $(913,750)  12/28/22   $188 
Live Cattle Future  (51)    (2,955,450)  12/30/22    13,592 
WTI Crude Future  (1)    (92,050)  1/20/23    1,368 
Natural Gas Future  (3)    (166,860)  1/27/23    27,553 
WTI Crude Future  (6)    (544,080)  2/21/23    13,876 
Natural Gas Future  (2)    (100,240)  2/24/23    18,949 
Sugar #11 (World) Future  (72)    (1,513,613)  2/28/23    24,245 
Cotton No.2 Future  (11)    (521,290)  3/9/23    (5,988)
Bank Accept Future  (19)    (3,550,691)  3/13/23    (5,022)
3 Month SOFR Future  (115)    (27,792,625)  3/14/23    52,208 
Wheat Future (CBT)  (9)    (409,950)  3/14/23    21,274 
Copper Future.  (4)    (372,950)  3/29/23    4,778 
Sugar #11 (World) Future  (13)    (265,138)  4/28/23    (2,548)
Corn Future  (6)    (188,925)  5/12/23    9,695 
Bank Accept Future  (24)    (4,488,813)  6/19/23    (8,851)
3 Month SOFR Future  (65)    (15,702,375)  6/20/23    (41,150)
3 Month SOFR Future  (8)    (1,936,500)  9/19/23    (10,017)
3 Month SOFR Future  (9)    (2,182,838)  12/19/23    (12,419)
Total unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)               $1,528,556 
Total net unrealized appreciation               $1,545,162 

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
U.S. Treasury Bills   72.3%
Total Investments   72.3%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   27.7%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

78

 

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Principal   Value 
U.S. Government Obligations – 96.2%          
U.S. Treasury Note, 0.38%, 9/15/2024(a)  $100,000,000   $94,484,375 
U.S. Treasury Note, 1.50%, 2/29/2024(b)   1,000,000    977,227 
Total U.S. Government Obligations (Cost $96,475,504)        95,461,602 

 

   Number of   Notional     
   Contracts   Amount     
Purchased Option – 0.0%†               
                
Calls – Exchange-Traded – 0.0%†               
ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures, July Strike Price $35, Expires 7/15/22   6,000   $21,000,000    42,000 
                
Total Purchased Options (Cost $185,903)             42,000 
                
Total Investments – 96.2%               
(Cost $96,661,407)            $95,503,602 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 3.8%             3,761,554 
Net Assets – 100.0%            $99,265,156 

 

Less than 0.05%
(a)Security, or a portion thereof, in the amount of $37,450,000 has been pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements as of June 30, 2022. See Note 5 for additional information.
(b)Securities with an aggregate market value of $977,150 have been pledged as collateral for options as of June 30, 2022.

 

At June 30, 2022, open futures contracts were as follows:

 

               Value/ 
               Unrealized 
   Number of   Notional   Expiration   Appreciation 
   Contracts   Value   Date   (Depreciation) 
Short position contracts:                  
CBOE VIX Future  (380)   $(10,853,674)  7/20/22   $(306,260)
CBOE VIX Future  (526)    (15,347,313)  8/17/22    (158,945)
Total unrealized depreciation               $(465,205)

 

Summary of Investment Type

 

   % of 
Industry  Net Assets 
U.S. Government Obligations   96.2%
Purchased Options   0.0%†
Total Investments   96.2%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities   3.8%
Net Assets   100.0%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

79

 

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

At June 30, 2022, open reverse repurchase agreements were as follows:

 

                 Payable for 
                 Reverse 
   Interest   Trade  Maturity  Face   Repurchase 
Counterparty  Rate   Date  Date  Amount   Agreements 
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   1.55%  6/23/2022  7/25/2022  $37,450,000   $37,461,287 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

80

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2022

 

 

  

Simplify
Aggregate
Bond PLUS
Credit Hedge
ETF

  

Simplify
Developed
Ex-US PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF

  

Simplify
Emerging
Markets

Equity PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF

  

Simplify
Health Care
ETF

 
Assets                    
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value  $1,144,855   $19,665,676   $7,460,622   $33,160,689 
Investments in affiliated securities, at value   32,075             
Cash   417    100,454    2,832    146,509 
Unrealized appreciation on over the counter swaps   5,398             
Receivables:                    
Investment adviser   242    4,878    1,597     
Due from broker   7             
Dividends               13,515 
Securities sold           7,755    2,532,991 
Total assets   1,182,994    19,771,008    7,472,806    35,853,704 
                     
Liabilities                    
Unrealized depreciation on over the counter swaps   193             
Payables:                    
Investment advisory fees   484    9,750    3,192    15,175 
Written options   118             
Securities purchased       20,409    7,981    2,034,403 
Total liabilities   795    30,159    11,173    2,049,578 
Net Assets  $1,182,199   $19,740,849   $7,461,633   $33,804,126 
                     
Net Assets Consist of                    
Paid-in capital  $1,250,025   $25,085,366   $8,712,687   $39,736,660 
Distributable earnings (loss)   (67,826)   (5,344,517)   (1,251,054)   (5,932,534)
Net Assets  $1,182,199   $19,740,849   $7,461,633   $33,804,126 
Number of Common Shares outstanding   50,001    1,025,001    375,001    1,375,001 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $23.64   $19.26   $19.90   $24.58 
Investments, at cost  $1,224,460   $23,458,023   $8,394,320   $36,332,602 
Investments in affiliated securities, at cost  $26,327   $   $   $ 
Premiums received  $436   $   $   $ 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

81

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

       Simplify High       Simplify
Nasdaq
 
   Simplify   Yield PLUS   Simplify   100 PLUS 
   Hedged   Credit Hedge   Interest Rate   Convexity 
   Equity ETF   ETF   Hedge ETF   ETF 
Assets                
Investments, at value  $38,002,813   $22,965,028   $179,297,638   $5,131,737 
Cash   17,281    2,028,947    122,610,907     
Segregated cash balances with authorized participants for deposit securities       628,079    15,668,484     
Cash held as collateral for swaptions       4,050,000         
Unrealized appreciation on over the counter swaps       347,411    729     
Receivables:                    
Due from broker   205    2,654    4,486    26 
Interest           189,729    4 
Dividends               11,653 
Capital shares       1,111,523         
Securities sold               15,830 
Investment adviser       5,793        1,352 
Total assets   38,020,299    31,139,435    317,771,973    5,160,602 
                     
Liabilities                    
Due to broker       458         
Unrealized depreciation on over the counter swaps       477,506         
Payables:                    
Written options   641,660    5,429         
Investment advisory fees   15,400    11,606    126,745    2,707 
Authorized participants       628,079    15,668,484     
Securities purchased       5,982        20,957 
Total liabilities   657,060    1,129,060    15,795,229    23,664 
Net Assets  $37,363,239   $30,010,375   $301,976,744   $5,136,938 
                     
Net Assets Consist of                    
Paid-in capital  $39,500,039   $32,955,582   $254,364,411   $7,666,245 
Distributable earnings (loss)   (2,136,800)   (2,945,207)   47,612,333    (2,529,307)
Net Assets  $37,363,239   $30,010,375   $301,976,744   $5,136,938 
Number of Common Shares outstanding   1,625,001    1,350,001    5,275,001    225,001 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $22.99   $22.23   $57.25   $22.83 
Investments, at cost  $42,728,208   $22,968,199   $127,724,530   $7,297,163 
Premiums received  $1,159,509   $21,103   $   $ 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

82

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Simplify             
   Nasdaq             
   100 PLUS   Simplify       Simplify US 
   Downside   Risk Parity   Simplify Tail   Equity PLUS 
   Convexity   Treasury   Risk Strategy   Convexity 
   ETF   ETF   ETF   ETF 
Assets                
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value  $19,784,374   $28,728,707   $15,025,436   $61,256,763 
Investments in affiliated securities, at value           89,787,837     
Cash   2        396,912     
Segregated cash balances with authorized participants for deposit securities       802,651         
Deposit at Broker for Futures Contracts       10,635,771         
Receivables:                    
Securities sold   51,730    12,759,750        64,076 
Dividends   36,227            199 
Investment adviser   4,206    3,357    56,057    13,572 
Interest   32    60,238    2,731     
Due from broker   31            5,709 
Total assets   19,876,602    52,990,474    105,268,973    61,340,319 
                     
Liabilities                    
Payables:                    
Securities purchased   123,312    11,965,269    810,305    60,610 
Investment advisory fees   8,388    8,374    59,398    27,207 
Distributions payable   2             
Authorized participants       802,651         
Total liabilities   131,702    12,776,294    869,703    87,817 
Net Assets  $19,744,900   $40,214,180   $104,399,270   $61,252,502 
                     
Net Assets Consist of                    
Paid-in capital  $25,413,521   $51,173,865   $116,020,101   $71,968,387 
Distributable earnings (loss)   (5,668,621)   (10,959,685)   (11,620,831)   (10,715,885)
Net Assets  $19,744,900   $40,214,180   $104,399,270   $61,252,502 
Number of Common Shares outstanding   875,001    2,200,001    5,225,001    2,304,000 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $22.57   $18.28   $19.98   $26.59 
Investments, at cost  $24,842,780   $28,730,422   $11,169,885   $69,728,570 
Investments in affiliated securities, at cost  $   $   $90,780,433   $ 
Maintenance Margin Requirement  $   $2,496,569   $   $ 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

83

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

               Simplify 
   Simplify US       Simplify   US Small 
   Equity PLUS       US Equity   Cap PLUS 
   Downside   Simplify US   PLUS Upside   Downside 
   Convexity   Equity PLUS   Convexity   Convexity 
   ETF   GBTC ETF   ETF   ETF 
Assets                
Investments, at value  $445,814,612   $83,875,103   $12,033,163   $3,045,205 
Cash               863 
Deposit at Broker for Futures Contracts       2,177,830         
Receivables:                    
Securities sold   1,290,780    4,843,402    2,288    3,433 
Investment adviser   95,136        2,219    653 
Dividends   3,616    60    29     
Due from broker   42             
Total assets   447,204,186    90,896,395    12,037,699    3,050,154 
                     
Liabilities                    
Payables:                    
Capital shares   1,329,757             
Securities purchased   864,960    3,517,987        3,211 
Investment advisory fees   190,775    38,072    4,422    1,306 
Distributions payable           65,174     
Total liabilities   2,385,492    3,556,059    69,596    4,517 
Net Assets  $444,818,694   $87,340,336   $11,968,103   $3,045,637 
                     
Net Assets Consist of                    
Paid-in capital  $518,076,032   $107,712,452   $14,225,557   $3,656,186 
Distributable earnings (loss)   (73,257,338)   (20,372,116)   (2,257,454)   (610,549)
Net Assets  $444,818,694   $87,340,336   $11,968,103   $3,045,637 
Number of Common Shares outstanding   16,800,001    4,275,001    450,001    150,001 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $26.48   $20.43   $26.60   $20.30 
Investments, at cost  $507,364,233   $100,252,223   $13,923,119   $3,589,859 
Maintenance Margin Requirement  $   $1,409,204   $   $ 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

84

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Simplify Volt
Cloud and
Cybersecurity
Disruption
ETF
   Simplify Volt
RoboCar
Disruption
and Tech ETF
 
Assets        
Investments, at value  $3,020,750   $3,573,493 
Cash       533 
Receivables:          
Securities sold   5,113,579    1,661,043 
Dividends   1,851    1,669 
Total assets   8,136,180    5,236,738 
           
Liabilities          
Payables:          
Securities purchased   896,643    682,195 
Investment advisory fees   6,652    4,108 
Total liabilities   903,295    686,303 
Net Assets  $7,232,885   $4,550,435 
           
Net Assets Consist of          
Paid-in capital  $16,144,657   $8,977,535 
Distributable earnings (loss)   (8,911,772)   (4,427,100)
Net Assets  $7,232,885   $4,550,435 
Number of Common Shares outstanding   975,316    500,420 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $7.42   $9.09 
Investments, at cost  $4,075,152   $3,978,352 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

85

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2022

 

 

   Simplify
Macro
Strategy ETF
   Simplify
Managed
Futures
Strategy ETF
   Simplify
Volatility
Premium ETF
 
Assets               
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value  $1,080,860   $20,699,290   $95,503,602 
Investments in affiliated securities, at value   5,085,382         
Cash   308,079    206,069    13,045,300 
Deposit at Broker for Futures Contracts       7,747,403    28,107,627 
Receivables:               
Due from broker   14,634         
Investment adviser   1,380         
Interest           114,008 
Total assets   6,490,335    28,652,762    136,770,537 
                
Liabilities               
Payables:               
Investment advisory fees   3,104    16,258    44,094 
Written options   1,155         
Reverse repurchase agreement           37,450,000 
Interest on reverse repurchase agreement           11,287 
Total liabilities   4,259    16,258    37,505,381 
Net Assets  $6,486,076   $28,636,504   $99,265,156 
                
Net Assets Consist of               
Paid-in capital  $6,827,857   $27,428,897   $101,882,459 
Distributable earnings (loss)   (341,781)   1,207,607    (2,617,303)
Net Assets  $6,486,076   $28,636,504   $99,265,156 
Number of Common Shares outstanding   275,001    1,050,001    4,475,001 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share  $23.59   $27.27   $22.18 
Investments, at cost  $1,420,198   $20,706,884   $96,661,407 
Investments in affiliated securities, at cost  $5,107,352   $   $ 
Premiums received  $12,745   $   $ 
Maintenance Margin Requirement.  $   $3,767,132   $13,439,946 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

86

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Operations

Year/Period Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

 

Simplify
Aggregate
Bond PLUS
Credit Hedge
ETF(1)

Simplify
Developed
Ex-US PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF(2)

Simplify
Emerging
Markets
Equity PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF(2)

Simplify
Health Care
ETF(3)

Investment Income                    
Unaffiliated dividend income*  $7,517   $415,977   $91,563   $200,500 
Affiliated dividend income   7             
Total income   7,524    415,977    91,563    200,500 
                     
Expenses                    
Investment advisory fees   2,235    64,491    13,688    105,128 
Interest expense   1    21    3     
Total expenses   2,236    64,512    13,691    105,128 
Less fees waived (see Note 6):                    
Waiver   (1,118)   (32,273)   (6,864)    
Net expenses   1,118    32,239    6,827    105,128 
Net investment income (loss)   6,406    383,738    84,736    95,372 
                     
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                    
Net realized gain (loss) from:                    
Investments   (15,261)   (2,389,737)   (467,758)   (3,563,772)
Affiliated investments   12,027             
In-kind redemptions       (305,619)       (327,019)
Swaps   (229)            
Written options   4,334    731,447    150,397     
Net realized gain (loss)   871    (1,963,909)   (317,361)   (3,890,791)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments   (79,606)   (3,792,347)   (933,698)   (3,171,913)
Affiliated investments   5,748             
Swaps   5,205             
Written options   319             
Net unrealized gain (loss)   (68,334)   (3,792,347)   (933,698)   (3,171,913)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (67,463)   (5,756,256)   (1,251,059)   (7,062,704)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(61,057)  $(5,372,518)  $(1,166,323)  $(6,967,332)
* Withholding tax  $   $   $   $9 

 

(1)For the period February 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(2)For the period January 11, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(3)For the period October 8, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

87

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Operations (Continued)

Year/Period Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

  

Simplify
Hedged
Equity ETF(1)
   Simplify High
Yield PLUS
Credit Hedge
ETF(2)
   Simplify
Interest Rate
Hedge ETF
   Simplify
Nasdaq
100 PLUS
Convexity
ETF
 
Investment Income                    
Dividend income  $233,226   $5,967   $   $54,415 
Interest income       28,331    849,861     
Total income   233,226    34,298    849,861    54,415 
                     
Expenses                    
Investment advisory fees   70,040    42,405    765,805    44,937 
Interest expense   116            32 
Other expenses           30    44 
Total expenses   70,156    42,405    765,835    45,013 
Less fees waived (see Note 6):                    
Waiver       (21,199)       (22,537)
Net expenses   70,156    21,206    765,835    22,476 
Net investment income (loss)   163,070    13,092    84,026    31,939 
                     
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                    
Net realized gain (loss) from:                    
Investments   1,001,603    (499,302)   (3,987,756)   (442,924)
In-kind redemptions   8,436            (253,531)
Swaps       (2,231,437)   (14,500)    
Written options   1,069,278    157,719        88,054 
Net realized gain (loss)   2,079,317    (2,573,020)   (4,002,256)   (608,401)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments   (4,725,395)   (3,171)   63,415,453    (2,562,120)
Swaps       (130,095)   729     
Written options   517,849    15,674         
Net unrealized gain (loss)   (4,207,546)   (117,592)   63,416,182    (2,562,120)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2,128,229)   (2,690,612)   59,413,926    (3,170,521)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(1,965,159)  $(2,677,520)  $59,497,952   $(3,138,582)

 

(1)For the period November 2, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(2)For the period February 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

88

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Operations (Continued)

Year/Period Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

   Simplify
Nasdaq
100 PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF
  
Simplify
Risk Parity
Treasury
ETF(1)
  

Simplify Tail
Risk Strategy
ETF(2)
   Simplify US
Equity PLUS
Convexity
ETF
 
Investment Income                    
Unaffiliated dividend income  $84,002   $   $46   $1,243,421 
Affiliated dividend income           1,025,332     
Interest income       248,742         
Total income   84,002    248,742    1,025,378    1,243,421 
                     
Expenses                    
Investment advisory fees   67,087    62,013    315,019    481,357 
Interest expense   35        2,463    88 
Other expenses   44            82 
Total expenses   67,166    62,013    317,482    481,527 
Less fees waived (see Note 6):                    
Waiver   (33,616)   (24,822)   (245,126)   (240,785)
Net expenses   33,550    37,191    72,356    240,742 
Net investment income (loss)   50,452    211,551    953,022    1,002,679 
                     
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                    
Net realized gain (loss) from:                    
Investments   (941,675)   (1,866,307)   (18,036,124)   (2,883,984)
Affiliated investments           (5,943,432)    
In-kind redemptions   28,940    (838,305)       5,898,866 
Affiliated in-kind redemptions           109,728     
Futures       (8,133,162)        
Written options   334,144        9,273,751    1,113,004 
Net realized gain (loss)   (578,591)   (10,837,774)   (14,596,077)   4,127,886 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments   (5,298,970)   (1,715)   3,855,551    (16,329,153)
Affiliated investments           (992,596)    
Futures       (1,128,600)        
Net unrealized gain (loss)   (5,298,970)   (1,130,315)   2,862,955    (16,329,153)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (5,877,561)   (11,968,089)   (11,733,122)   (12,201,267)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(5,827,109)  $(11,756,538)  $(10,780,100)  $(11,198,588)

 

(1)For the period September 28, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(2)For the period September 14, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

89

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Operations (Continued)

Year/Period Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

   Simplify US
Equity PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF
   Simplify US
Equity PLUS
GBTC ETF
   Simplify
US Equity
PLUS Upside
Convexity
ETF
   Simplify
US Small
Cap PLUS
Downside
Convexity
ETF(1)
 
Investment Income                    

Dividend income

  $5,478,707   $1,270,837   $185,868   $15,357 
                     
Expenses   1,970,976    544,818    67,214    7,330 
Investment advisory fees                    
Interest expense   415    2,339    4    1 
Other expenses   82    30    82     
Total expenses   1,971,473    547,187    67,300    7,331 
Less fees waived (see Note 6):                    
Waiver   (985,654)       (33,708)   (3,682)
Net expenses   985,819    547,187    33,592    3,649 
Net investment income (loss)   4,492,888    723,650    152,276    11,708 
                     
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                    
Net realized gain (loss) from:                    
Investments   (22,174,219)   (1,131,360)   (105,155)   (239,875)
In-kind redemptions   13,197,302    895,402    1,238,654    (2,435)
Futures       (1,703,212)        
Written options   10,999,325            173,940 
Net realized gain (loss)   2,022,408    (1,939,170)   1,133,499    (68,370)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments   (77,003,767)   (17,500,894)   (3,048,045)   (544,654)
Futures       (173,621)        
Net unrealized gain (loss)   (77,003,767)   (17,674,515)   (3,048,045)   (544,654)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (74,981,359)   (19,613,685)   (1,914,546)   (613,024)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(70,488,471)  $(18,890,035)  $(1,762,270)  $(601,316)

 

(1)For the period January 11, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

90

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Operations (Continued)

Year/Period Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

  

Simplify Volt

Cloud and

Cybersecurity

Disruption

ETF

  

Simplify Volt

RoboCar

Disruption

and Tech ETF

 
Investment Income          
Dividend income*  $15,909   $80,671 
           
Expenses          
Investment advisory fees   107,033    54,142 
Interest expense   25    16 
Other expenses   44    44 
Total expenses   107,102    54,202 
Net investment income (loss)   (91,193)   26,469 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)          
Net realized gain (loss) from:          
Investments   (6,872,041)   (3,783,551)
In-kind redemptions   284,557    49,083 
Written options   289,460    181,148 
Net realized gain (loss)   (6,298,024)   (3,553,320)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:          
Investments   (1,632,783)   (338,137)
Net unrealized gain (loss)   (1,632,783)   (338,137)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (7,930,807)   (3,891,457)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(8,022,000)  $(3,864,988)
* Withholding tax  $   $5,459 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

91

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Year/Period Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

  

Simplify

Macro

Strategy

ETF(1)

  

Simplify

Managed

Futures

Strategy

ETF(2)

  

Simplify

Volatility

Premium ETF

 
Investment Income               
Unaffiliated dividend income  $   $   $77 
Affiliated dividend income   29,381         
Interest income       18,090    520,099 
Total income   29,381    18,090    520,176 
                
Expenses               
Investment advisory fees   3,485    28,573    362,901 
Interest on reverse repurchase agreement           82,348 
Interest expense   5        598 
Other expenses           30 
Total expenses   3,490    28,573    445,877 
Less fees waived (see Note 6):               
Waiver   (1,415)        
Net expenses   2,075    28,573    445,877 
Net investment income (loss)   27,306    (10,483)   74,299 
                
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)               
Net realized gain (loss) from:               
Investments   (17,654)   1,464    (2,357,655)
Affiliated investments   (3,100)        
In-kind redemptions           118,493 
Futures       (158,943)   (3,048,663)
Written options   4,403         
Foreign currency transactions       3,633     
Net realized gain (loss)   (16,351)   (153,846)   (5,287,825)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:               
Investments   (339,337)   (7,594)   (1,741,402)
Affiliated investments   (21,970)        
Foreign currency translations       1,094     
Futures       1,545,162    (465,082)
Written options   11,589         
Net unrealized gain (loss)   (349,718)   1,538,662    (2,206,484)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (366,069)   1,384,816    (7,494,309)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(338,763)  $1,374,333   $(7,420,010)

 

(1)For the period May 17, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(2)For the period March 8, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

92

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

  

Simplify

Aggregate

Bond PLUS

Credit Hedge
ETF

  

Simplify

Developed

Ex-US PLUS

Downside

Convexity

ETF

  

Simplify

Emerging

Markets

Equity PLUS

Downside

Convexity

ETF

  

Simplify

Health Care

ETF

 
  

For the
period

February 15,
2022
(1) to

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

January 11,

2022(1) to

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

January 11,

2022(1) to
June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

October 8,

2021(1) to

June 30,
2022

 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                    
Net investment income (loss)  $6,406   $383,738   $84,736   $95,372 
Net realized gain (loss)   871    (1,963,909)   (317,361)   (3,890,791)
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (68,334)   (3,792,347)   (933,698)   (3,171,913)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (61,057)   (5,372,518)   (1,166,323)   (6,967,332)
                     
Distributions   (6,769)   (383,771)   (84,731)   (85,814)
                     
Fund Shares Transactions                    
Proceeds from shares sold   1,250,025    46,645,061    8,712,687    105,564,777 
Value of shares redeemed       (21,147,923)       (64,707,505)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   1,250,025    25,497,138    8,712,687    40,857,272 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   1,182,199    19,740,849    7,461,633    33,804,126 
                     
Net Assets                    
Beginning of period                
End of period  $1,182,199   $19,740,849   $7,461,633   $33,804,126 
                     
Changes in Shares Outstanding                    
Shares outstanding, beginning of period                
Shares sold   50,001(2)    2,000,001(2)    375,001(2)     3,925,001(2) 
Shares redeemed       (975,000)       (2,550,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   50,001    1,025,001    375,001    1,375,001 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

93

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

 

  

Simplify

Hedged

Equity ETF

  

Simplify High

Yield PLUS

Credit Hedge

ETF

  

Simplify Interest
Rate Hedge
ETF

 
  

For the
period

November 2,

2021(1) to

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

February 15,

2022(1) to

June 30,
2022

  

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

May 11,

2021(1) to

June 30,
2021

 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                    
Net investment income (loss)  $163,070   $13,092   $84,026   $(3,191)
Net realized gain (loss)   2,079,317    (2,573,020)   (4,002,256)   (2)
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (4,207,546)   (117,592)   63,416,182    (11,842,345)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,965,159)   (2,677,520)   59,497,952    (11,845,538)
                     
Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributions   (163,205)   (267,687)   (40,085)    
Return of capital       (128,698)        
Total distributions   (163,205)   (396,385)   (40,085)    
                     
Fund Shares Transactions                    
Proceeds from shares sold   40,756,521    35,417,121    179,625,840    73,682,046 
Variable transaction fees (see Note 8)       11,467    2,721,271    1,023,613 
Value of shares redeemed   (1,264,918)   (2,344,308)   (2,688,355)    
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   39,491,603    33,084,280    179,658,756    74,705,659 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   37,363,239    30,010,375    239,116,623    62,860,121 
                     
Net Assets                    
Beginning of period           62,860,121     
End of period  $37,363,239   $30,010,375   $301,976,744   $62,860,121 
                     
Changes in Shares Outstanding                    
Shares outstanding, beginning of period           1,550,001     
Shares sold   1,675,001(2)    1,450,001(2)    3,775,000    1,550,001(2) 
Shares redeemed   (50,000)   (100,000)   (50,000)    
Shares outstanding, end of period   1,625,001    1,350,001    5,275,001    1,550,001 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

94

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

 

  

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS

Convexity ETF

  

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS

Downside Convexity ETF

  

Simplify

Risk Parity

Treasury ETF

 
  

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

December 11,

2020(1) to

June 30,
2021

  

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

December 11,

2020(1) to
June 30,
2021

  

For the
period

September 28,
2021(1) to

June 30,
2022

 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                         
Net investment income (loss)  $31,939   $7,393   $50,452   $6,109   $211,551 
Net realized gain (loss)   (608,401)   (11,083)   (578,591)   38,513    (10,837,774)
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (2,562,120)   396,694    (5,298,970)   240,564    (1,130,315)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (3,138,582)   393,004    (5,827,109)   285,186    (11,756,538)
                          
Distributions to Shareholders from:                         
Distributions   (31,936)       (52,120)       (204,525)
Return of capital   (1,341)                
Total distributions   (33,277)   (7,396)   (52,120)   (6,111)   (204,525)
                          
Fund Shares Transactions                         
Proceeds from shares sold   14,665,501    2,567,033    28,215,202    3,942,427    91,225,507 
Value of shares redeemed   (9,309,345)       (5,491,629)   (1,320,946)   (39,050,264)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   5,356,156    2,567,033    22,723,573    2,621,481    52,175,243 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   2,184,297    2,952,641    16,844,344    2,900,556    40,214,180 
                          
Net Assets                         
Beginning of period   2,952,641        2,900,556         
End of period  $5,136,938   $2,952,641   $19,744,900   $2,900,556   $40,214,180 
                          
Changes in Shares Outstanding                         
Shares outstanding, beginning of period   100,001        100,001         
Shares sold   450,000    100,001(2)    975,000    150,001(2)    4,350,001(2) 
Shares redeemed   (325,000)       (200,000)   (50,000)   (2,150,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   225,001    100,001    875,001    100,001    2,200,001 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

95

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

 

  

Simplify Tail

Risk Strategy

ETF

  

Simplify US Equity PLUS

Convexity ETF

  

Simplify US Equity PLUS

Downside Convexity ETF

 
  

For the
period

September 14,
2021(1) to

June 30,
2022

  

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

For the
period

September 4,

2020(1) to

June 30,
2021

  

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

For the

period

September 4,

2020(1) to

June 30,
2021

 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                         
Net investment income (loss)  $953,022   $1,002,679   $723,164   $4,492,888   $1,008,964 
Net realized gain (loss)   (14,596,077)   4,127,886    10,734,712    2,022,408    1,723,772 
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   2,862,955    (16,329,153)   7,857,347    (77,003,767)   15,454,146 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (10,780,100)   (11,198,588)   19,315,223    (70,488,471)   18,186,882 
                          
Distributions to Shareholders from:                         
Distributions   (962,486)   (1,474,658)       (5,375,711)    
Return of capital   (2,924,115)                
Total distributions   (3,886,601)   (1,474,658)       (5,375,711)    
                          
Fund Shares Transactions                         
Proceeds from shares sold   128,006,147    40,488,427    127,487,621    424,502,655    225,771,624 
Value of shares redeemed   (8,940,176)   (55,509,149)   (57,233,117)   (128,515,412)   (18,253,732)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   119,065,971    (15,020,722)   70,254,504    295,987,243    207,517,892 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   104,399,270    (27,693,968)   88,846,470    220,123,061    224,695,633 
                          
Net Assets                         
Beginning of period       88,946,470    100,000    224,695,633     
End of period  $104,399,270   $61,252,502   $88,946,470   $444,818,694   $224,695,633 
                          
Changes in Shares Outstanding                         
Shares outstanding, beginning of period       2,904,000    4,000    7,425,001     
Shares sold   5,650,001(2)    1,250,000    4,825,000    13,725,000    8,079,001(2) 
Shares redeemed   (425,000)   (1,850,000)   (1,925,000)   (4,350,000)   (654,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   5,225,001    2,304,000    2,904,000    16,800,001    7,425,001 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

96

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

 

   Simplify US Equity PLUS
GBTC ETF
   Simplify US Equity PLUS
Upside Convexity ETF
   Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF 
   Year Ended
June 30,
2022
  

For the period
May 25,
2021
(1) to

June 30,
2021

   Year Ended
June 30,
2022
   For the period
September 4,
2020
(1) to
June 30,
2021
  

For the period
January 11,
2022(1) to

June 30,
2022

 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                         
Net investment income (loss)  $723,650   $177,357   $152,276   $65,241   $11,708 
Net realized gain (loss)   (1,939,170)   127,758    1,133,499    186,926    (68,370)
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (17,674,515)   1,301,510    (3,048,045)   1,158,089    (544,654)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (18,890,035)   1,606,625    (1,762,270)   1,410,256    (601,316)
                          
Distributions   (2,342,098)   (177,430)   (422,428)   (65,305)   (11,712)
                          
Fund Shares Transactions                         
Proceeds from shares sold   14,440,227    101,124,673    12,148,895    11,393,348    4,815,280 
Value of shares redeemed   (8,421,626)       (7,293,147)   (3,441,246)   (1,156,615)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   6,018,601    101,124,673    4,855,748    7,952,102    3,658,665 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   (15,213,532)   102,553,868    2,671,050    9,297,053    3,045,637 
                          
Net Assets                         
Beginning of period   102,553,868        9,297,053         
End of period  $87,340,336   $102,553,868   $11,968,103   $9,297,053   $3,045,637 
                          
Changes in Shares Outstanding                         
Shares outstanding, beginning of period   4,050,001        300,001         
Shares sold   525,000    4,050,001(2)    375,000    429,001(2)    200,001(2) 
Shares redeemed   (300,000)       (225,000)   (129,000)   (50,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   4,275,001    4,050,001    450,001    300,001    150,001 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

97

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

 

   Simplify Volt Cloud and
Cybersecurity Disruption ETF
   Simplify Volt RoboCar
Disruption and Tech ETF
 
   Year Ended
June 30,
2022
   For the period
December 29,
2020
(1) to
June 30,
2021
   Year Ended
June 30,
2022
   For the period
December 29,
2020
(1) to
June 30,
2021
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                    
Net investment income (loss)  $(91,193)  $(7,444)  $26,469   $(7,556)
Net realized gain (loss)   (6,298,024)   (97,887)   (3,553,320)   (447,546)
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (1,632,783)   578,381    (338,137)   (66,721)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (8,022,000)   473,050    (3,864,988)   (521,823)
                     
Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributions   (1,112,253)       (18,980)    
Return of capital           (12,160)    
Total distributions   (1,112,253)       (31,140)    
                     
Fund Shares Transactions                    
Proceeds from shares sold   13,031,808    5,892,600    8,809,599    4,198,385 
Value of shares redeemed   (2,014,172)   (1,016,148)   (2,438,630)   (1,600,968)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   11,017,636    4,876,452    6,370,969    2,597,417 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   1,883,383    5,349,502    2,474,841    2,075,594 
                     
Net Assets                    
Beginning of period   5,349,502        2,075,594     
End of period  $7,232,885   $5,349,502   $4,550,435   $2,075,594 
                     
Changes in Shares Outstanding                    
Shares outstanding, beginning of period   400,316        175,420     
Shares sold   725,000    500,316(2)    525,000    325,420(2) 
Shares redeemed   (150,000)   (100,000)   (200,000)   (150,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   975,316    400,316    500,420    175,420 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

98

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Simplify Macro
Strategy ETF
   Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   Simplify Volatility
Premium ETF
 
   For the period
May 17,
2022(1) to
June 30,
2022
  

For the period
March 8,

2022(1) to
June 30,
2022

   Year Ended
June 30,
2022
   For the period
May 13,
2021(1) to
June 30,
2021
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations                    
Net investment income (loss)  $27,306   $(10,483)  $74,299   $(5,951)
Net realized gain (loss)   (16,351)   (153,846)   (5,287,825)   2,908 
Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (349,718)   1,538,662    (2,206,484)   583,474 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (338,763)   1,374,333    (7,420,010)   580,431 
                     
Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributions   (2,773)       (123,628)    
Return of capital           (11,320,688)    
Total distributions   (2,773)       (11,444,316)    
                     
Fund Shares Transactions                    
Proceeds from shares sold   6,827,612    32,559,577    174,190,526    16,151,690 
Value of shares redeemed       (5,297,406)   (70,918,163)   (1,875,002)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from fund share transactions   6,827,612    27,262,171    103,272,363    14,276,688 
Total net increase (decrease) in Net Assets   6,486,076    28,636,504    84,408,037    14,857,119 
                     
Net Assets                    
Beginning of period           14,857,119     
End of period  $6,486,076   $28,636,504   $99,265,156   $14,857,119 
                     
Changes in Shares Outstanding                    
Shares outstanding, beginning of period           550,001     
Shares sold   275,001(2)    1,250,001(2)    6,875,000    625,001(2) 
Shares redeemed       (200,000)   (2,950,000)   (75,000)
Shares outstanding, end of period   275,001    1,050,001    4,475,001    550,001 

 

(1)Commencement of operations.
(2)Shares not in increment of 25,000 shares, a creation unit, represent the Adviser’s initial seed investment in connection with the commencement of operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

99

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Year Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 
Simplify
Volatility
Premium ETF
 
Cash Flows Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:     
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  $(7,420,010)
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by / (used for) operating activities:     
Purchases of long-term investment securities   (165,070,225)
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) / depreciation on investments   1,741,402 
Net realized (gain) / loss from sales of investments   2,357,655 
Net realized (gain) / loss on in-kind redemptions   (118,493)
Proceeds from sale of securities   72,337,528 
Net amortization of premium / (discount)   (494,071)
(Increase) Decrease in dividends and interest receivable   (114,003)
(Increase) Decrease in securities sold receivable   2,233 
(Increase) Decrease in due from broker   35,959 
Interest payable on reverse repo agreement   11,287 
Increase (Decrease) in investment advisory fees payable   39,351 
Increase (Decrease) securities purchased payable   (41,234)
Net Cash Provided by / (Used for) Operating Activities   (96,732,621)
Cash Flows Provided by (Used for) from Financing Activities:     
Shares Sold   175,541,125 
Shares redeemed   (70,360,749)
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreement   229,012,500 
Payments made on reverse repurchase agreement   (191,562,500)
Distributions paid   (11,444,316)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities   131,186,060 
Net increase (decrease) in cash   34,453,439 
Cash and Restricted Cash(1):     
Cash and Restricted Cash, at beginning of year   6,699,488 
Cash and Restricted Cash, at end of year  $41,152,927 

 

(1)Cash and restricted cash include cash and cash held as collateral for futures.

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information     
Non-cash financing activities:     
In-kind creations - Redeemed  $557,414 
Cash paid for interest on reverse repurchase agreements  $71,061 
      
Reconciliation of Restricted and Unrestricted Cash at the beginning of year to the Statements of Assets and Liabilities     
Cash  $3,715,611 
Deposit at broker for futures contracts  $2,983,877 
      
Reconciliation of Restricted and Unrestricted Cash at the end of year to the Statements of Assets and Liabilities     
Cash  $13,045,300 
Deposit at broker for futures contracts  $28,107,627 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

100

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF
Selected Per Share Data

 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.13 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.35)
Total from investment operations   (1.22)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.14)
Total distributions   (0.14)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $23.64 
Total Return (%)   (4.89)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $1 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   1.43(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   14(c)

 

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Selected Per Share Data

 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(g)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.31 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (5.68)
Total from investment operations   (5.37)
Less distributions from:   
Net investment income   (0.37)
Total distributions   (0.37)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $19.26 
Total Return (%)   (21.47)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $20 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   2.97(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   4(c)

 

(a)For the period February 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period January 11, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

101

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Selected Per Share Data

 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.32 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (5.19)
Total from investment operations   (4.87)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.23)
Total distributions   (0.23)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $19.90 
Total Return (%)   (19.50)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $7 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   3.09(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   2(c)

 

Simplify Health Care ETF
Selected Per Share Data

 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(g)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.08 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.42)
Total from investment operations   (0.34)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.08)
Total distributions   (0.08)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $24.58 
Total Return (%)   (1.38)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $34 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.50(d)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.45(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   146(c)

 

(a)For the period January 11, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period October 8, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

102

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF
Selected Per Share Data

 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.04)
Total from investment operations   (1.86)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.15)
Total distributions   (0.15)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $22.99 
Total Return (%)   (7.46)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $37 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   1.16(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   2(c)

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF
Selected Per Share Data
  Period Ended
June 30,
2022(g)
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.01 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.44)
Total from investment operations   (2.43)
Variable transaction fees (see Note 8)   0.01 
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.24)
Return of capital   (0.11)
Total distributions   (0.35)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $22.23 
Total Return (%)   (9.74)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $30 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.15(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   77(c)

 

(a)For the period November 2, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period February 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

103

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
Year Ended
June 30,
2022
 
 
 
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2021(a)
 
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $40.55   $50.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.03    (0.00)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   15.86    (10.42)
Total from investment operations   15.89    (10.42)
Variable transaction fees (see Note 8)   0.82    0.97 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.01)    
Total distributions   (0.01)    
Net Asset Value, end of period  $57.25   $40.55 
Total Return (%)   41.18    (18.89)(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $302   $63 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.50    0.50(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.05    (0.05)(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   3    0(d)

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

Period Ended

June 30,
2021
(g)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $29.53   $25.67 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.11    0.07 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (6.71)   3.86 
Total from investment operations   (6.60)   3.93 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.07)
Return of capital   (0.00)(c)    
Total distributions   (0.10)   (0.07)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $22.83   $29.53 
Total Return (%)   (22.39)   15.33(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $5   $3 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(h)   0.50(e)(h)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(h)   0.25(e)(h)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.36    0.49(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   7    3(d)

 

(a)For the period May 11, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Less than $.005.
(d)Not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period December 11, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(h)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

104

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

Period Ended

June 30,
2021
(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $29.01   $25.48 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.10    0.07 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (6.45)   3.52 
Total from investment operations   (6.35)   3.59 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.09)   (0.06)
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.06)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $22.57   $29.01 
Total Return (%)   (21.94)   14.11(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $20   $3 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.38    0.45(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   7    3(c)

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Period Ended

June 30,
2022
(g)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.14 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (6.74)
Total from investment operations   (6.60)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.12)
Total distributions   (0.12)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $18.28 
Total Return (%)   (26.47)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $40 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.25(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.15(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.85(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   153(c)

 

(a)For the period December 11, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period September 28, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

105

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(a)
 
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.38 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (4.04)
Total from investment operations   (3.66)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.34)
Return of capital   (1.02)
Total distributions   (1.36)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $19.98 
Total Return (%)   (15.01)(c)(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $104 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.76(e)(f)(g)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.17(e)(g)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   2.27(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(h)   125(d)

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
Year Ended
June 30,
2022
 
 
 
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2021(i)
 
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $30.63   $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.33    0.31 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.85)   5.59 
Total from investment operations   (3.52)   5.90 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.52)   (0.27)
Total distributions   (0.52)   (0.27)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $26.59   $30.63 
Total Return (%)   (11.68)   23.68(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $61   $89 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(g)   0.50(e)(g)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(g)   0.25(e)(g)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   1.04    1.35(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(h)   3    6(d)

 

(a)For the period September 14, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Total Return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived/reimbursed by the Advisor.
(d)Not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)The ratios of expenses to average net assets includes interest expense fees of 0.01%.
(g)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(h)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(i)For the period September 4, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

106

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

Period Ended

June 30,
2021
(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $30.26   $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.35    0.36 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.76)   5.14 
Total from investment operations   (3.41)   5.50 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.37)   (0.24)
Total distributions   (0.37)   (0.24)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $26.48   $30.26 
Total Return (%)   (11.38)   22.07(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $445   $225 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   1.14    1.53(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   5    4(c)

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

Period Ended

June 30,
2021
(g)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.32   $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.17    0.06 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (4.51)   0.30 
Total from investment operations   (4.34)   0.36 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.04)
Net realized gains   (0.34)    
Total distributions   (0.55)   (0.04)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $20.43   $25.32 
Total Return (%)   (17.66)   1.46(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $87   $103 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.50(d)   0.51(d)(e)(h)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.66    2.65(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   6    2(c)

 

(a)For the period September 4, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period May 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(h)The ratios of expenses to average net assets includes interest expense fees of 0.01%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

107

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
Year Ended
June 30,
2022
 
 
 
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2021(a)
 
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $30.99   $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.36    0.32 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.91)   6.02 
Total from investment operations   (3.55)   6.34 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.43)   (0.35)
Net realized gains   (0.41)    
Total distributions   (0.84)   (0.35)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $26.60   $30.99 
Total Return (%)   (11.99)   25.52(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $12   $9 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   1.13    1.37(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   4    5(c)

 

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(g)
 
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.08 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (4.70)
Total from investment operations   (4.62)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.08)
Total distributions   (0.08)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $20.30 
Total Return (%)   (18.50)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $3 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.50(d)(e)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.25(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.80(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   2(c)

 

(a)For the period September 4, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(e)Annualized.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(g)For the period January 11, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

108

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

Period Ended

June 30,
2021
(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $13.36   $12.50 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   (0.11)   (0.05)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (4.77)   0.91 
Total from investment operations   (4.88)   0.86 
Net realized gains   (1.06)    
Total distributions   (1.06)    
Net Asset Value, end of period  $7.42   $13.36 
Total Return (%)   (40.74)   6.91(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $7   $5 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.95    0.95(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   (0.81)   (0.81)(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   267    40(c)

 

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Year Ended

June 30,
2022

  

Period Ended

June 30,
2021
(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $11.83   $12.50 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.06    (0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.75)   (0.63)
Total from investment operations   (2.69)   (0.67)
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.03)    
Return of capital   (0.02)    
Total distributions   (0.05)    
Net Asset Value, end of period  $9.09   $11.83 
Total Return (%)   (22.91)   (5.34)(c)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $5   $2 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.95    0.95(d)(e)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.46    (0.71)(d)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(f)   254    20(c)

 

(a)For the period December 29, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Not annualized.
(d)Annualized.
(e)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(f)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

109

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Consolidated Financial Highlights

 

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

Selected Per Share Data

 

Period Ended

June 30,
2022
(a)

 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.56)
Total from investment operations   (1.40)
Less distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.01)
Net Asset Value, end of period  $23.59 
Total Return (%)   (5.61)(c)(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $6 
Ratio of expenses before fee waiver (%)   0.75(e)(f)
Ratio of expenses after fee waiver (%)   0.45(e)(f)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   5.88(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(g)   11(d)

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2022(h)
 
 
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:     
Net investment income (loss)(b)   (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.29 
Total from investment operations   2.27 
Net Asset Value, end of period  $27.27 
Total Return (%)   9.07(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data     
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $29 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.75(e)(f)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   (0.27)(e)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(g)   0(d)

 

(a)For the period May 17, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.
(b)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(c)Total Return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been waived/reimbursed by the Advisor.
(d)Not annualized.
(e)Annualized.
(f)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(g)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.
(h)For the period March 8, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

110

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Consolidated Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

Selected Per Share Data

Year Ended

June 30,

2022(a)

Period Ended
June 30,
2021(b)
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $27.01   $25.00 
Income (loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss)(c)   0.03    (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.54)   2.03 
Total from investment operations   (1.51)   2.01 
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income   (0.04)    
Return of capital   (3.28)    
Total distributions   (3.32)    
Net Asset Value, end of period  $22.18   $27.01 
Total Return (%)   (6.23)   8.05(d)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)  $99   $15 
Ratio of expenses (%)   0.61(e)(f)   0.51(f)(g)(h)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)   0.10    (0.51)(g)
Portfolio turnover rate (%)(i)   207    10(d)

 

(a)As a result of the Fund having earmarked or segregated securities to collateralize its reverse repurchase agreement transactions or otherwise having covered the transactions, in accordance with releases and interpretive letters issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund does not treat its obligations under such transactions as senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Therefore, a “Senior Securities” table is not disclosed.
(b)For the period May 13, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021.
(c)Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
(d)Not annualized.
(e)The ratios of expenses to average net assets includes interest expense fees of 0.11%.
(f)The Fund invests in other ETFs and indirectly bears its proportionate shares of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not included these indirect fees and expenses.
(g)Annualized.
(h)The ratios of expenses to average net assets includes interest expense fees of 0.01%.
(i)Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions related to the processing of capital share transactions in Creation Units.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

111

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2022

 

 

1. Organization

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end registered management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust.

 

As of June 30, 2022, the Trust consists of twenty one investment series of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) in operation and trading. These financial statements report on the Funds listed below:

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Simplify Health Care ETF

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

 

Simplify Asset Management Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Funds and has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Funds, subject to the oversight of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

 

Each Fund offers shares that are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”), except for Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF, Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF and Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF which offer shares that are listed and traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF which offers shares that are listed and traded on the CBOE BZX Exchange, Inc. Unlike mutual funds, each Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value (“NAV”), only in large specified lots consisting of 25,000 shares, each called a “Creation Unit”, to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Funds’ distributor. Shares are not individually redeemable securities of the Funds, and owners of the shares may acquire those shares from the Funds, or tender such shares for redemption to the Funds, in Creation Units only.

 

Fund   Investment objectives
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   The Fund seeks to maximize total return by investing primarily in investment grade (IG) bonds while mitigating credit risk.
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Health Care ETF   The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   The Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing primarily in high-yield bonds while mitigating credit risk.
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   The Fund seeks to hedge interest rate movements arising from rising long-term interest rates, and to benefit from market stress when fixed income volatility increases, while providing the potential for income.
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   The Fund seeks to provide total return, before fees and expenses, that matches or outperforms the performance of the ICE US Treasury 20+ Year Index on a calendar quarter basis. The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective over a period of time different than a full calendar quarter.
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   The Fund seeks to provide income and capital appreciation while protecting against significant downside risk.
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.

 

112

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Fund   Investment objectives
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   The Fund seeks to provide absolute returns.
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   The Fund seeks long term capital appreciation.
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   The Fund seeks to provide investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond approximately to one-fifth to three-tenths the inverse (-0.2x to -0.3x) of the performance of the S&P 500 VIX short-term futures index while seeking to mitigate extreme volatility.

 

2. Consolidation of Subsidiary

 

The Consolidated Schedules of Investments, Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets, and the Consolidated Financial Highlights of the Funds listed below include the accounts of a wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Each Subsidiary is a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability. For tax purposes, each Fund is required to increase its taxable income by its shares of the Cayman subsidiary’s income. Net losses incurred by each Subsidiary cannot offset income earned by each Fund and cannot be carried back or forward by each Subsidiary to offset income from prior or future years.

 

Fund   Wholly Owned Subsidiary
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   Simplify Macro Strategy Cayman Fund
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   Simplify Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   Simplify Volatility Premium Cayman Fund

 

A summary of each Fund’s investment in its corresponding subsidiary is as follows:

 

Fund  Inception
Date of
Subsidiary
 

Subsidiary Net
Assets at

June 30,
2022

   % of Fund’s
Consolidated
Total Assets at
June 30,
2022
 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF  May 17, 2022  $451,641    7.0%
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF  March 8, 2022  $6,597,255    23.0%
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF  May 13, 2021  $30,952,662    22.6%

 

3. Significant Accounting Policies

 

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Funds are investment companies and accordingly follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies including Accounting Standards Update 2013-08. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds.

 

Investment Valuation

 

Each Fund’s investments are valued using procedures approved by the Board and are generally valued using market valuations (Market Approach). A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer). A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service’s valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.

 

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June 30, 2022

 

 

If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. These securities are either categorized as Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

Equity securities and ETFs are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities or ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities and ETFs are generally categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Exchange traded options are valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. If a mean price is not available, the closing price is used. Exchange trade options are categorized as Level 1. Options with international equity exposure are marked to market using closing prices for the underlying and interpolated option implied volatilities obtained from mid-market prices for options on the same underlying of similar expiries and strike prices. These securities are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Swaptions are valued based on prices provided by a third-party pricing vendor that collects and aggregates market data to produce valuations. These securities are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.

 

Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily depending on the type of instrument and reference assets based upon market prices, the mean between bid and asked prices quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Each Fund categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value its investments into a disclosure hierarchy consisting of three levels as shown below:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the funds have the ability to access.

 

Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The following is a summary of the valuations as of June 30, 2022 for each Fund based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $1,169,061   $   $   $1,169,061 
Purchased Options   7,869            7,869 
Total Return Swaps       5,398        5,398 
TOTAL  $1,176,930   $5,398   $   $1,182,328 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Written Options  $(118)  $   $   $(118)
Total Return Swaps       (193)       (193)
TOTAL  $(118)  $(193)  $   $(311)

 

114

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $19,321,985   $   $   $19,321,985 
Purchased Options   99,351    244,340        343,691 
TOTAL  $19,421,336   $244,340   $   $19,665,676 

 

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $7,377,741   $   $   $7,377,741 
Purchased Options   21,796    61,085        82,881 
TOTAL  $7,399,537   $61,085   $   $7,460,622 

 

Simplify Health Care ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common Stocks  $33,160,689   $   $   $33,160,689 
TOTAL  $33,160,689   $   $   $33,160,689 

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $35,971,098   $   $   $35,971,098 
Purchased Options   2,031,715            2,031,715 
TOTAL  $38,002,813   $   $   $38,002,813 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Written Options  $(641,660)  $   $   $(641,660)
TOTAL  $(641,660)  $   $   $(641,660)

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
U.S. Treasury Bills  $22,354,003   $   $   $22,354,003 
Exchange-Traded Funds   402,841            402,841 
Purchased Options   208,184            208,184 
Total Return Swaps       347,411        347,411 
TOTAL  $22,965,028   $347,411   $   $23,312,439 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Written Options  $(5,429)  $   $   $(5,429)
Total Return Swaps       (477,506)       (477,506)
TOTAL  $(5,429)  $(477,506)  $   $(482,935)

 

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
U.S. Government Obligations  $121,062,280   $   $   $121,062,280 
Purchased Swaptions       58,235,358        58,235,358 
Interest Rate Swaps       729        729 
TOTAL  $121,062,280   $58,236,087   $   $179,298,367 

 

115

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2  

Level 3

   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $5,029,625   $   $   $5,029,625 
Purchased Options   96,548            96,548 
Money Market Funds   5,564            5,564 
TOTAL  $5,131,737   $   $   $5,131,737 

 

Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $19,193,294   $   $   $19,193,294 
Purchased Options   518,559            518,559 
Money Market Funds   72,521            72,521 
TOTAL  $19,784,374   $   $   $19,784,374 

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2    Level 3   Total 
U.S. Treasury Bills  $17,946,812   $   $   $17,946,812 
Money Market Funds   10,781,895            10,781,895 
TOTAL  $28,728,707   $   $   $28,728,707 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Futures  $(1,128,600)  $   $   $(1,128,600)
TOTAL  $(1,128,600)  $   $   $(1,128,600)

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $89,787,837   $   $   $89,787,837 
Purchased Options   14,327,801            14,327,801 
Money Market Funds   697,635            697,635 
TOTAL  $104,813,273   $   $   $104,813,273 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $60,145,702   $   $   $60,145,702 
Purchased Options   1,098,346            1,098,346 
Money Market Funds   12,715            12,715 
TOTAL  $61,256,763   $   $   $61,256,763 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $430,165,770   $   $   $430,165,770 
Purchased Options   14,607,923            14,607,923 
Money Market Funds   1,040,919            1,040,919 
TOTAL  $445,814,612   $   $   $445,814,612 

 

116

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $74,683,450   $   $   $74,683,450 
Grantor Trusts   8,264,742            8,264,742 
Money Market Funds   926,911            926,911 
Futures   4,116            4,116 
TOTAL  $83,879,219   $   $   $83,879,219 

 

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $11,936,021   $   $   $11,936,021 
Purchased Options   30,304            30,304 
Money Market Funds   66,838            66,838 
TOTAL  $12,033,163   $   $   $12,033,163 

 

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $2,982,440   $   $   $2,982,440 
Purchased Options   62,765            62,765 
TOTAL  $3,045,205   $   $   $3,045,205 

 

Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common Stocks  $2,333,517   $   $   $2,333,517 
Purchased Options   457,278            457,278 
Money Market Funds   229,955            229,955 
TOTAL  $3,020,750   $   $   $3,020,750 

 

Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common Stocks  $2,720,934   $   $   $2,720,934 
Purchased Options   420,560            420,560 
Money Market Funds   431,999            431,999 
TOTAL  $3,573,493   $   $   $3,573,493 

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $5,415,616   $   $   $5,415,616 
Purchased Options   750,626            750,626 
TOTAL  $6,166,242   $   $   $6,166,242 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Written Options  $(1,155)  $   $   $(1,155)
TOTAL  $(1,155)  $   $   $(1,155)

 

117

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
U.S. Treasury Bills  $20,699,290   $   $   $20,699,290 
Futures   1,710,429            1,710,429 
TOTAL  $22,409,719   $   $   $22,409,719 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Futures  $(165,267)  $   $   $(165,267)
TOTAL  $(165,267)  $   $   $(165,267)

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF

 

Assets  Level 1   Level 2    Level 3   Total 
U.S. Government Obligations  $95,461,602   $   $   $95,461,602 
Purchased Options   42,000            42,000 
TOTAL  $95,503,602   $   $   $95,503,602 

 

Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements  $   $(37,450,000)  $   $(37,450,000)
Futures   (465,205)           (465,205)
TOTAL  $(465,205)  $(37,450,000)  $   $(37,915,205)

 

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value is presented when there are significant Level 3 financial instruments at the beginning and/or end of the reporting year. At June 30, 2022, the reconciliation of assets is as follows:

 

   Purchased 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF  swaptions 
Balance at June 30, 2021  $(11,788,256)
Purchases    
Sales    
Transfer into Level 3    
Transfer out of Level 3   (58,235,358)
Net Realized Gain (Loss)    
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)   70,023,614 
Balance at June 30, 2022  $ 

 

The transfer out of level 3 was due to a change in data availability used in the investment valuation.

 

Cash

 

Cash consists of cash on deposit with a major financial institution which may exceed federally insured limits.

 

Investment Transactions and Related Income

 

For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on the trade date. However, for daily NAV determination, portfolio securities transactions are reflected no later than in the first calculation on the first business day following trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premium or accretion of discount based on effective yield. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined using the specific identification method by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. Dividend Income on the Statements of Operations is shown net of any foreign taxes withheld on income from foreign securities, which are provided for in accordance with each Fund’s understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations.

 

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Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders

 

It is the Funds’ policy to comply with all requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”). Each Fund intends to qualify for and to elect treatment as a separate Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. It is each Fund’s policy is to pay out dividends from net investment income quarterly, except for Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF, Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF, Simplify Macro Strategy ETF, Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF. The policy of Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF, Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF, Simplify Macro Strategy ETF, Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF is to pay out dividends from net investment income monthly. Taxable net realized gains from investment transactions, reduced by capital loss carryforwards, if any, will be declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. The capital loss carryforward amount, if any, will be available to offset future net capital gains. Each Fund may occasionally be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Each Fund reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of a Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, will be recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains will be determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, (e.g., return of capital and distribution reclassifications), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and straddles) do not require a reclassification. Dividends and distributions, which exceed earnings and profits for the full year for tax purposes, will be reported as a tax return of capital.

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed each Fund’s tax positions expected to be taken on foreign, federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in any Fund’s financial statement.

 

Each Fund will recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense on the Statement of Operations.

 

4. Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures Contracts

 

A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Unlike when a Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain a Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, a Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.” The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to a Fund.

 

These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” A Fund expects to earn interest income on margin deposits.

 

The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by a Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) investments in futures contracts involves leverage, which means a small percentage of assets in futures can have a disproportionately large impact on a Fund and the Fund can lose more than the principal amount invested; (d) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (e) the adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (f) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (g) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and a Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

 

Option Contracts

 

A Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

 

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices.

 

119

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index.

 

Premiums paid on options purchased and premiums received on options written, as well as the daily fluctuation in market value, are included in investments at value and options written at value, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the premium is offset against the cost or proceeds of the underlying instrument. When an option expires, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent of the premiums received or paid. When an option is closed or sold, a gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premiums received or paid. When the Funds write a call option, such option is typically “covered,” meaning that they hold the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty. When the Funds write a put option, cash is segregated in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. These amounts, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged as collateral for options written in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Swaptions. A swaption is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Depending on the terms of the particular swaption agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the swaption expire unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swaption, it becomes obligated (if the swaption is exercised) according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

 

When a Fund writes a swaption, an amount equal to the premium received by a Fund is recorded as a liability, the value of which is marked-to-market daily to reflect the current market value of the swaption written. If the written swaption expires, a Fund realizes a gain equal to the amount of the premium paid, which is included in realized gain (loss) on written swaptions in the Statement of Operations. If the written swaption is exercised or sold, the premium received is added to the proceeds or offset against amounts paid on the underlying security to determine the realized gain or loss, which is reported as gain (loss) on written swaptions in the Statements of Operations.

 

A Fund may also purchase swaptions which involve the payment of premium in exchange for an option to enter into an interest rate swap and credit default swap with specified terms and conditions on a future date. The purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to enter into the new swap agreement. Periodic payments are typically made during the life of the swap agreement according to the terms of such agreement. Changes in value of purchased swaptions are reported as part of change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments in the Statements of Operations. When the purchased swaption is exercised, terminated, expires or is sold, a Fund will record a gain or loss, which is reported as part of realized gain (loss) on investments in the Statements of Operations.

 

Swaps. Swap agreements are agreements between a Fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows, assets, foreign currencies or market-linked returns at specified intervals. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market (OTC swaps) or may be executed on a registered commodities exchange (centrally cleared swaps). Swaps are marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded as a component of unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts. The value of the swap will typically impose collateral posting obligations on the party that is considered out-of-the-money on the swap. Upfront payments made/received by the fund, if any, are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes, with the unamortized/unaccreted portion included in the Statement of assets and liabilities. A termination payment by the counterparty or the fund is recorded as realized gain or loss, as well as the net periodic payments received or paid by the fund. Entering into swap agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk that may provide outcomes that produce losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for the swap, or that a counterparty may default on its obligation or delay payment under the swap terms. The counterparty may disagree or contest the terms of the swap. In addition to interest rate risk, market risks may also impact the swap. The fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate or assign outstanding swaps or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.

 

Total Return Swaps. Total return swaps are commitments where one party pays a fixed or variable rate premium (the Buyer) in exchange for a market-linked return (the Seller). The Seller pays the total return of a specific reference asset or index and in return receives interest payments from the Buyer. To the extent the total return of the underlying asset or index exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest rate obligation, the Buyer will receive or make a payment to the Seller. A fund may enter into total return swaps in which it may act as either the Buyer or the Seller. Total return swap contracts are subject to the risk associated with the investment in the underlying reference asset or index. The risk in the case of short total return swap contracts is unlimited based on the potential for unlimited increases in the market value of the underlying reference asset or index.

 

The following table summarizes the value of the Funds’ derivative instruments held as of June 30, 2022 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities or Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:

 

120

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Fund  Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives  
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $7,869   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Equity Contracts  Written options  $   Written options  $118 
                 
Equity Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on otc swaps  $5,398   Unrealized depreciation on otc swaps  $193 
                 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $343,691   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $82,881   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $2,031,715   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Equity Contracts  Written options  $   Written options  $641,660 
                 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $208,184   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Equity Contracts  Written options  $   Written options  $5,429 
                 
Equity Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on otc swaps  $347,411   Unrealized depreciation on otc swaps  $477,506 
                 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF        
                 
Interest Rate Contracts  Investments, at value(2)  $58,235,358   Investments, at value(2)  $ 
                 
Interest Rate Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on otc swaps  $729   Unrealized depreciation on otc swaps  $ 
                 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $96,548   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $518,559   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts*  $   Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts*  $1,128,600 
                 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $14,327,801   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF        
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $1,098,346   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $14,607,923   Investments, at value(1)  $ 

 

121

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Fund  Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts*  $4,116   Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts*  $ 
                 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $30,304   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $62,765   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $457,278   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $420,560   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $750,626   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Equity Contracts  Written options  $   Written options  $1,155 
                 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF    
                 
Interest Rate Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts*  $147,092   Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts*  $77,459 
                 
Commodity Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts*  $1,563,337   Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts*  $87,808 
                 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF    
                 
Equity Contracts  Investments, at value(1)  $42,000   Investments, at value(1)  $ 
                 
Equity Contracts  Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts*  $   Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts*  $465,205 

 

*Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation or unrealized cumulative depreciation on futures contracts as disclosed in the Schedule of Investments.
(1)Purchased option contracts are included in Investments within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(2)Purchased swaption contracts are included in Investments within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

For the year/period ended June 30, 2022, realized gains/(losses) and the change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on purchased option contracts (a) by risk type, as disclosed in the Statements of Operations, is as follows:

 


Fund
  Risk Type  
Realized Gain/
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  Equity    $(12,967)  $2,471 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity     (2,267,124)   140,885 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity     (438,375)   (18,373)
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF  Equity     1,052,710    661,381 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  Equity     (491,705)   59,440 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF  Equity     (411,474)   (146,126)
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity     (841,052)   113,025 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF  Equity     (18,036,124)   3,855,551 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF  Equity     (2,093,402)   (314,522)

 

122

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 


Fund
  Risk Type     Realized Gain/
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity    $(21,561,695)  $4,353,671 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF  Equity     (101,152)   (237,610)
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity     (233,023)   8,339 
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF  Equity     874,139     
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF  Equity     (1,780,437)   (227,919)
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF  Equity     (6,737)   (331,978)
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF  Equity     (1,333,231)    

 

(a)Purchased option contracts are included in Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments within the Statement of Operations or Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, realized gains/(losses) and the change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on purchased swaption contracts (b) by risk type, as disclosed in the Statements of Operations, is as follows:

 


Fund
 
Risk Type
    Realized Gain/
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF  Interest Rate    $   $70,023,614 

 

(b)Purchased Swaptions are included in Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments within the Statement of Operations or Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

For the year/period ended June 30, 2022, realized gains/(losses) and the change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on swap contracts by risk type, as disclosed in the Statements of Operations, is as follows:

 


Fund
 
Risk Type
    Realized Gain/
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  Equity    $(229)  $5,205 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  Equity     (2,231,437)   (130,095)
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF  Interest Rate     (14,500)   729 

 

For the year/period ended June 30, 2022, realized gains/(losses) and the change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures contracts by risk type, as disclosed in the Statements of Operations, is as follows:

 


Fund
 
Risk Type
    Realized Gain/
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF  Interest Rate    $(8,133,162)  $(1,128,600)
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF  Equity     (1,703,212)   (173,621)
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF  Commodity     221,479    1,475,529 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF  Interest Rate     (380,422)   69,633 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF  Equity     (3,048,663)   (465,082)

 

For the year/period ended June 30, 2022, realized gains/(losses) and the change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on written option contracts by risk type, as disclosed in the Statements of Operations, is as follows:

 

Fund  
Risk Type
    Realized Gain/
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  Equity    $4,334   $319 

 

123

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Fund  Risk Type  Realized Gain/
(Loss)
   Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity  $731,447   $ 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity   150,396     
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF  Equity   1,069,278    517,849 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  Equity   157,719    15,674 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF  Equity   88,054     
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity   334,144     
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF  Equity   9,273,751     
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF  Equity   1,113,004     
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity   10,999,325     
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  Equity   173,940     
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF  Equity   289,460     
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF  Equity   181,148     
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF  Equity   4,403    11,589 

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the average fiscal quarter end balances of outstanding derivative financial instruments were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchased Option
Contracts
(Contract Value)
   Purchased Swaption
Contracts
(Contract Value)
   Futures Contracts
(Notional Value)
   Written Option
Contracts
(Contract Value)
   Swaps
(Notional Value)
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $6,128   $   $   $(256)  $(57,097)
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   415,359            (13,995)    
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   94,571            (4,120)    
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   776,162            (474,435)    
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   152,589            (10,177)   (27,613,446)
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF       9,535,975            4,000 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   214,474            (7,394)    
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   209,491            (18,038)    
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF           79,134,594         
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   5,399,354            (264,456)    
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   1,950,353            (69,424)    
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   6,523,174            (569,089)    
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF           15,768,655         
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   388,207                 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   46,635            (540)    
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   600,578            (3,402)    
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   725,787            (2,226)    
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   750,626            (1,155)    
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF           (56,000,065)        
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   42,021        (15,759,133)        

 

124

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

The Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) or similar master agreements (collectively, “Master Agreements”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination.

 

The following table presents Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement or similar arrangement (collectively referred to as “MNA”) and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of June 30, 2022:

 

Fund  Gross Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities(1)
   Financial
Instruments
and Derivatives
Available for Offset
   Collateral
Received(2)
   Net Amount of
Derivatives Assets
 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF                    
Goldman Sachs International  $20,672,658   $   $   $20,672,658 
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   16,361,807            16,361,807 
Bank of America NA   21,045,256        (18,455,726)   2,589,530 
Barclays   156,366            156,366 
   $58,236,087   $   $(18,455,726)  $39,780,361 

 

(1)Purchased swaption contracts are included in Investments within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
(2)The actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than amount shown.

 

Reverse repurchase agreements are executed under standardized netting agreements. A netting arrangement creates an enforceable right of set-off that becomes effective, and affects the realization of settlement on individual assets, liabilities and collateral amounts, only following a specified event of default or early termination. Default events may include the failure to make payments or deliver securities timely, material adverse changes in financial condition or insolvency, the breach of minimum regulatory capital requirements, or loss of license, charter or other legal authorization necessary to perform under the contract. These agreements mitigate counterparty credit risk by providing for a single net settlement with a counterparty of all financial transactions covered by the agreement in an event of default as defined under such agreement.

 

Offsetting of Reverse Repurchase Agreements Liabilities

 

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF  
   

Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities

   

Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Statements of
Assets and
Liabilities

   

Net Amounts
Presented in the
Consolidated
Statements of
Assets and
Liabilities

    Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
 
                Financial
Instruments(a)
    Cash Collateral
Pledged(a)
    Net Amount
Payable
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements   $ 37,461,287     $     $ 37,461,287     $ 37,461,287     $ 37,461,287     $  

 

(a)These amounts are limited to the derivatives asset/liability balance and, accordingly, do not include excess collateral received/pledged.

 

5. Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Simplify Volatility Premium ETF with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. The Fund may borrow for investment purposes indirectly using reverse repurchase agreements. Cash received in exchange for securities delivered plus accrued interest payments to be made by the Fund to counterparties are reflected as a liability on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest payments made by the Fund to counterparties are recorded as a component of interest expense on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions under adverse market conditions to satisfy its repayment obligations. The use of reverse repurchase agreements involves risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The Fund is subject to credit risk (i.e., the risk that a counterparty is or is perceived to be unwilling or unable to meet its contractual obligations) with respect to the security it expects to receive back from a counterparty. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or fails to perform its obligations, or if any collateral posted by the counterparty for the benefit of the Fund is insufficient or there are delays in the Fund’s ability to access such collateral, the value of an investment in the Fund may decline. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding and the daily weighted average interest rate for the Simplify Volatility Premium ETF were $32,518,861 and 0.54%, respectively.

 

125

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

The following table indicates the total amount of reverse repurchased agreements, including accrued interest, reconciled to the Simplify Volatility Premium ETF’s liability as of June 30, 2022:

 

   Less than
30 days
    30-90 days   Greater than
90 days
   Total 
U.S. Government Obligations  $     $   $37,461,287   $37,461,287 

 

6. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Agreements

 

The Adviser has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Funds, subject to the oversight of the Board. Under an investment advisory agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser is responsible for arranging sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, and all other non-distribution related services for the Funds to operate.

 

Volt Equity LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as investment sub-adviser to Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF and Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF. The Sub-Adviser is responsible for day-to-day management of these Funds, subject to supervision of the Adviser. Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited (the “Futures Adviser”) serves as the futures adviser to the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF. Subject to the oversight of the Board and Adviser, the Futures Adviser is responsible for management of the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF’s portfolio. The Futures Adviser was established for the purpose of advising futures strategies. The Futures Adviser is paid by the Adviser, not the Fund.

 

For its investment advisory services to the Funds below, the Adviser was entitled to receive a management fee based on each Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate equal to:

 

   Management 
Fund  Fee 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   0.50%
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify Health Care ETF   0.50%
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   0.50%
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   0.50%
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   0.50%
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   0.25%
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   0.75%
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   0.50%
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   0.50%
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   0.95%
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   0.95%
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   0.75%
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   0.75%
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   0.50%

 

The Adviser for the Funds below has contractually agreed, until at least October 31, 2022, to waive its management fees and/or pay or absorb each Fund’s expenses, in order to limit the amount of “Specified Expenses” borne by each Fund to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. “Specified Expenses” means all ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, and expenses incidental to a meeting of the Fund’s shareholders. The agreement may only be terminated by the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. For the year/period ended June 30, 2022, the Adviser waived expenses of the Funds as follows:

 

   Expenses 
Fund  Waived 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  $32,273 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   6,864 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   22,537 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   33,616 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   240,785 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   985,654 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   33,708 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   3,682 

 

126

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

The Adviser for the Funds below has contractually agreed, until at least October 31, 2023, to waive its management fees and/or pay or absorb each Fund’s expenses, in order to limit the amount of “Specified Expenses” borne by each Fund to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. “Specified Expenses” means all ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, and expenses incidental to a meeting of the Fund’s shareholders. The agreement may only be terminated by the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. For the period ended June 30, 2022, the Adviser waived expenses of the Fund as follows:

 

   Expenses 
Fund  Waived 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $1,118 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   21,199 

 

The Adviser for the Fund below has contractually agreed, until at least October 31, 2022, to waive its management fees and/or pay or absorb each Fund’s expenses, in order to limit the amount of “Specified Expenses” borne by each Fund to 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. “Specified Expenses” means all ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, and expenses incidental to a meeting of the Fund’s shareholders. The agreement may only be terminated by the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Adviser waived expenses of the Fund as follows:

 

   Expenses 
Fund  Waived 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF  $24,822 

 

The Adviser for the Fund below has contractually agreed, until at least October 31, 2022, to waive its management fees and/or pay or absorb each Fund’s expenses, in order to limit the amount of “Specified Expenses” borne by each Fund to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. “Specified Expenses” means all ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), non-affiliated acquired fund fees and expenses, and expenses incidental to a meeting of the Fund’s shareholders. The agreement may only be terminated by the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Adviser waived expenses of the Fund as follows:

 

   Expenses 
Fund  Waived 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF  $104,956 

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive any portion of its management fee earned by investing a Fund’s assets invested in an affiliated fund. The affiliated funds fee waivers are not subject to recoupment. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the affiliated funds fees waived by the Adviser are as follows:

 

   Affiliated Fees 
Fund  Waived 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF  $140,170 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   1,415 

 

The Adviser may recoup from a Fund fees previously waived or expenses previously reimbursed by the Adviser with respect to that Fund pursuant to these agreements (or a previous expense limitation agreement) if: (1) such recoupment by the Adviser does not cause the Fund, at the time of recoupment, to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limitation in effect at the time the relevant amount was waived and/or reimbursed, or (b) the expense limitation in effect at the time of the proposed recoupment, and (2) the recoupment is made within three years after the fiscal year end date as of which the amount to be waived or reimbursed was determined and the waiver or reimbursement occurred. As of June 30, 2022, the Adviser may potentially recoup the following amounts from the Funds listed below:

 

 

Expires June 30,

 
Fund   2024   2025 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   $   $1,118 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        32,273 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        6,864 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF        21,199 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF        22,537 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        33,616 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF    3,785    24,822 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF    3,357    104,956 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF    134,087    240,785 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF    164,985    985,654 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF    11,894    33,708 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        3,683 

 

127

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of each Fund except for the management fee, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with its Rule 12b-1 plan, each Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to finance activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Fund or the provision of investor services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Funds and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the Fund’s assets, and directly impact the NAV per share of each Fund.

 

The Bank of New York Mellon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, serves as Administrator, Custodian, Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent for each Fund.

 

Foreside Financial Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for each Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of a Fund. Foreside Fund Officer Services, LLC a related party to the Distributor also serves as the Trust’s Compliance Officer.

 

A Trustee and certain Officers of the Trust are also employees of the Adviser and/or the Distributor.

 

7. Investment Transactions

 

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, U.S. Government Securities and in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $201,143   $143,966 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   1,370,404    1,009,309 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   122,274    215,966 
Simplify Health Care ETF   36,584,402    36,477,718 
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   12,144,958    364,754 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   281,698    6,981,432 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF        
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   648,146    604,203 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   1,007,475    872,158 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF        
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   102,007,262    58,433,569 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   2,668,479    6,992,990 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   33,868,999    18,475,290 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   6,118,953    7,984,356 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   582,535    587,053 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   163,937    63,436 
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   27,196,833    28,272,921 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   13,525,915    12,835,038 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   866,181    278,228 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF        
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   164,863,269    73,618,457 

 

Securities received and delivered in-kind through subscriptions and redemptions were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $1,177,352   $ 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   44,173,167    20,848,378 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   8,432,616     
Simplify Health Care ETF   104,530,169    64,413,453 
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   30,877,862    1,257,522 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   7,155,899     
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   36,061,877     
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   14,153,683    9,120,659 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   27,029,346    5,402,600 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   21,226,661    19,984,289 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   60,361,057    3,820,606 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   39,618,403    50,915,637 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   387,957,896    125,284,180 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   13,451,264    8,193,495 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   11,734,216    7,130,852 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   4,584,381    1,142,831 
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   8,837,458    1,227,485 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   4,730,248    1,136,209 

 

128

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF  $4,871,008   $ 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF        
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF       557,414 

 

Purchases and sales of long term U.S. Government Securities were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF  $55,296,727   $2,310,083 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   25,357,695    23,980,575 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   164,863,269    67,437,883 

 

8. Fund Share Transactions

 

The Funds issue and redeem Shares at NAV only in large blocks of 25,000 Shares (each block of Shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed primarily in-kind for securities but may include cash. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Except when aggregated in Creation Units in transactions with Authorized Participants, the Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Fund Shares are listed and traded on the Exchange on each day that the Exchange is open for business (“Business Day”). Each Fund’s Shares may only be purchased and sold on the Exchange through a broker-dealer. Because each Fund’s Shares trade at market prices rather than at their NAV, Shares may trade at a price equal to the NAV, greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).

 

Authorized participants pay a fixed transaction fee of $500 to the shareholder servicing agent when purchasing and redeeming Creation Units of a Fund. The transaction fee is used to defray the costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. In addition to the fixed transaction fee, the Funds may charge an additional maximum 3% of the amount invested variable fee for creations and redemptions in cash, to offset brokerage and impact expenses associated with a cash transaction.

 

9. Federal Income Taxes

 

For the year/period ended June 30, 2022, the effect of permanent “book/tax” reclassifications to the components of net assets are included below. These differences are primarily due to redemptions-in-kind, non-deductible excise tax paid, prior year true ups, distributions in excess, return of capital distributions, and controlled foreign corporations income reversal.

 

Fund 

Distributable

earnings (loss)

  

Paid-in

Capital

 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $   $ 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   411,772    (411,772)
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF        
Simplify Health Care ETF   1,120,612    (1,120,612)
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   (8,436)   8,436 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF        
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   4    (4)
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   255,603    (255,603)
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   (4,804)   4,804 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   1,001,378    (1,001,378)
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   121,755    (121,755)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   (5,269,795)   5,269,795 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   (12,301,519)   12,301,519 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   (569,178)   569,178 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   (1,238,654)   1,238,654 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   2,479    (2,479)
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   (250,245)   250,245 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   (43,754)   43,754 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   (245)   245 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   (166,726)   166,726 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   4,329,329    (4,329,329)

 

129

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions declared for the year/period ended June 30, 2022 were as follows:

 


Fund
 
 

Ordinary Income*
 
 
 
 
Long -Term
Capital Gains
 
 
 
 
Return of
Capital
 
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $6,769   $   $ 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   383,771         
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   84,731         
Simplify Health Care ETF   85,814         
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   163,205         
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   267,687        128,698 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   40,085         
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   31,936        1,341 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   52,120         
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   204,525         
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   962,486        2,924,115 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   1,474,658         
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   5,375,711         
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   1,475,693    866,405     
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   298,034    124,394     
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   11,712         
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   1,112,253         
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   18,979        12,160 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   2,773         
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   123,628        11,320,688 

 

*For tax purposes short-term capital gain distributions are considered ordinary income distributions.

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions declared for the year/period ended June 30, 2021 were as follows:

 


Fund
 
 

Ordinary Income*
 
 
 
 
Long -Term
Capital Gains
 
 
 
 
Return of
Capital
 
 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF  $7,396   $   $ 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   6,111         
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   723,257         
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   1,009,141         
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   177,430         
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   65,305         

 

*For tax purposes short-term capital gain distributions are considered ordinary income distributions.

 

As of June 30, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 


Fund
 
 
 
 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Undistributed
Long-term
Capital Gains
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Temporary
Book/Tax
Differences(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post-October
/ Late-year
Ordinary Loss
Deferrals
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Distributable
earnings (loss)
 
 
 
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $7,943   $   $   $(75,769)  $   $   $(67,826)
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF               (3,808,840)   (1,535,677)       (5,344,517)
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   5            (960,187)   (290,872)       (1,251,054)
Simplify Health Care ETF   9,558            (3,593,780)   (2,348,312)       (5,932,534)
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   1,320,841    1,980,731        (5,438,372)           (2,136,800)
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF               (8,826)   (2,936,381)       (2,945,207)
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   40,754            51,377,241    (3,805,662)       47,612,333 

 

130

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 


Fund
 
 
 
 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Undistributed
Long-term
Capital Gains
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Temporary
Book/Tax
Differences(a)
   
Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
  Post-October
/ Late-year
Ordinary Loss
Deferrals
 

Distributable
earnings (loss)
 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF  $   $   $   $(2,154,427)  $(374,880)  $   $(2,529,307)
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside                                   
Convexity ETF           (2)   (5,156,758)   (511,861)       (5,668,621)
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   7,026            (1,715)   (10,964,996)       (10,959,685)
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF           (1,314,075)   (4,477,465)   (5,829,291)       (11,620,831)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF               (8,567,636)   (2,148,250)       (10,715,886)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF               (63,105,066)   (10,152,272)       (73,257,338)
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF               (16,270,744)       (4,101,372)   (20,372,116)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   20,993        (65,174)   (1,774,583)       (438,690)   (2,257,454)
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF               (547,443)   (63,106)       (610,549)
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF               (6,218,186)       (2,693,586)   (8,911,772)
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF               (1,633,149)   (2,793,951)       (4,427,100)
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   790            (270,543)   (72,028)       (341,781)
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   1,636,869        (1,642,255)   1,550,040    (337,047)       1,207,607 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF               (1,938,980)       (678,323)   (2,617,303)

 

(a)The temporary book/tax differences was attributable primarily dividend payable, straddles deferral and Subpart F income.

 

At June 30, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments owned by each Fund, based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 


Fund



Tax Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
   
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF  $1,253,018   $275,780   $(351,549)  $(75,769)
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   23,474,516    151,964    (3,960,804)   (3,808,840)
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   8,420,809    6,388    (966,575)   (960,187)
Simplify Health Care ETF   36,754,469    761,218    (4,354,998)   (3,593,780)
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   43,441,185    56,462    (5,494,834)   (5,438,372)
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   22,989,528    57,851    (66,677)   (8,826)
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   127,921,126    58,236,087    (6,858,846)   51,377,241 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   7,286,164    16,713    (2,171,140)   (2,154,427)
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   24,941,132    96,367    (5,253,125)   (5,156,758)
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   28,730,422        (1,715)   (1,715)
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   109,290,738    5,875,829    (10,353,294)   (4,477,465)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   69,824,399    245,473    (8,813,109)   (8,567,636)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   508,919,678    3,552,724    (66,657,790)   (63,105,066)
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   100,145,847    111,948    (16,382,692)   (16,270,744)
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   13,807,746    2,817    (1,777,400)   (1,774,583)
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   3,592,648    13,886    (561,329)   (547,443)
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   9,238,936    41,065    (6,259,251)   (6,218,186)
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   5,206,642    37,358    (1,670,507)   (1,633,149)
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   6,448,375    108,571    (379,114)   (270,543)
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   20,706,883    1,556,541    (7,594)   1,548,947 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   96,977,377    24,219    (1,497,994)   (1,473,775)

 

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, grantor trust adjustments, section 1256 mark-to-market treatment of derivatives and return of capital basis adjustments from underlying investments.

 

131

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

At June 30, 2022, for federal income tax purposes, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available as shown in the table below, to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future capital gains for an unlimited period. To the extent that these capital loss carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the capital gains so offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

Fund  Short-Term   Long-Term   Total Amount 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF  $1,535,677   $   $1,535,677 
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   290,872        290,872 
Simplify Health Care ETF   2,348,312        2,348,312 
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   2,885,885    50,496    2,936,381 
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   3,805,662        3,805,662 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   275,318    99,562    374,880 
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   425,623    86,238    511,861 
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF   5,407,939    5,557,057    10,964,996 
Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF   5,076,645    752,646    5,829,291 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF   1,364,136    784,114    2,148,250 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   8,130,270    2,022,002    10,152,272 
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   63,106        63,106 
Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   2,592,784    201,167    2,793,951 
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   37,644    34,384    72,028 
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   233,053    103,994    337,047 

 

Certain capital and qualified late year ordinary losses incurred after October 31 and December 31, respectively, and within the current taxable year, are deemed to arise on the first business day of each Fund’s next taxable year. At June 30 2022, the following Funds incurred and will elect to defer post-October capital losses and late year ordinary losses:

 


Fund
 
 
Capital Post-
October Losses
 
 
 
 
Late-year
ordinary Losses
 
 
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF  $4,101,372   $ 
Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   438,690     
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   2,653,407    40,179 
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   678,323     

 

10. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Pandemic

 

The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment.

 

11. London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) Risk

 

LIBOR is used extensively in the U.S. and globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and financial contracts, including corporate and municipal bonds, bank loans, asset-backed and mortgage-related securities, interest rate swaps and other derivatives. Instruments in which the Fund invests may pay interest at floating rates based on LIBOR or may be subject to interest caps or floors based on LIBOR. The Fund’s Pay Fixed Swaptions contracts currently include exposure to LIBOR. These swaptions grant the fund the right but not the obligation to enter into cleared swaps with terms starting in May of 2028 under which the fund pays a fixed rate in exchange for receiving periodic floating rate payments based on 3 month USD LIBOR. The industry currently anticipates the conversion of all LIBOR based instruments to SOFR based instruments in June 2023 or sooner.

 

Since 2017, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has been working towards the cessation of LIBOR at the end of December 2021. In November 2020, though, the administrator of the U.S. Dollar Libor benchmarks, the ICE Benchmark Administration, extended the retirement date for most US Dollar LIBOR rates until June 2023. Regulators and industry working groups have suggested numerous alternative reference rates to LIBOR. Leading alternatives include Sonia in the UK, €STR in the EU, Tonar in Japan, and in the U.S., the NY Fed has been working to develop the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). Global consensus is still coalescing around the transition to a new reference rate and the process for amending existing contracts. Abandonment of or modifications to LIBOR could have adverse impacts on newly issued financial instruments and existing financial instruments which reference LIBOR. There also remains uncertainty and risk regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to include enhanced provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. The transition away from LIBOR may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, reduced values of LIBOR-related investments, and reduced effectiveness of hedging strategies, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance or NAV. In addition, the alternative reference rate may be an ineffective substitute resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions for the Fund.

 

132

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

June 30, 2022

 

 

12. Subsequent Events

 

Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of these financial statements and has determined that there are no subsequent events that require adjustment to, or disclosure in, the financial statement.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities or consolidated statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments or consolidated schedules of investments, of Simplify Exchange Traded Funds comprising the funds listed below (the “Funds”) as of June 30, 2022, the related statements of operations or consolidated statements of operations and cash flows (as applicable), the statements of changes in net assets or consolidated statements of changes in net assets, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of June 30, 2022, the results of their operations and cash flows (as applicable), the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

    Statements of        
    Operations and   Statement(s) of    
    Cash Flows   Changes in Net    
Fund Name   (as applicable)   Assets   Financial Highlights
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF and Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   For the year ended June 30, 2022   For the year ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from December 11, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021
Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF, Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, and Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF   For the year ended June 30, 2022   For the year ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from September 4, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF and Simplify Volt RoboCar Disruption and Tech ETF   For the year ended June 30, 2022   For the year ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from December 29, 2020 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF   For the year ended June 30, 2022   For the year ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from May 11, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021
Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF   For the year ended June 30, 2022   For the year ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from May 25, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021
Simplify Volatility Premium ETF   Consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2022   Consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2022 and for the period from May 13, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2021
Simplify Health Care ETF   For the period from October 8, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, and Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   For the period from January 11, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022
Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF  

For the period from September 28, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF  

For the period from September 14, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   For the period from November 2, 2021 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022
Simplify Macro Strategy ETF   Consolidated statement of operations, statement of changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the period May 17, 2022(commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022
Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF and Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF   For the period from February 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF   Consolidated statement of operations, statement of changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the period March 8, 2022 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2022

 

134

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm(Continued)

 

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ 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 Funds 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 in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 2022, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Funds’ auditor since 2020.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

 

Cleveland, Ohio

August 29, 2022

 

135

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

 

 

The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and each person’s principal occupation over the last five years. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is Simplify Exchange Traded Funds 54 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Simplify Exchange Traded Funds 54 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018.

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position/Term of Office*   Principal Occupations during the Past 5 Years   Number of Portfolios during Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee   Other Directorships Held during the Past 5 Years
Christopher Caltagirone
Year of Birth: 1971
  Independent Trustee  

Deputy Sheriff, Ravalli County Sheriff’s Department (2019 to Present); Unemployed (2015 to 2019); Portfolio Manager, PIMCO (2006 to 2015)

  21   None
Craig Enders
Year of Birth: 1968
  Independent Trustee  

Professor, University of California Los Angeles (2015 to Present)

  21   None
Zung Nguyen
Year of Birth: 1955
  Independent Trustee   Founder, ZTN Capital Consulting, LLC (2015 to Present)   21   None

 

Interested Trustee and Officers

 

Name and Year of Birth  

Position/Term of Office*

 

Principal Occupations during the Past 5 Years

 

Number of Portfolios during Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee

 

Other Directorships Held during the Past 5 Years

Paul Kim

Year of Birth: 1977

  Trustee, President and Treasurer since 2020   Co-Founder, Simplify Asset Management Inc. (February 2020 to Present); Managing Director, Principal Global Advisors (2015 to 2020)   21   None

David Berns

Year of Birth: 1978

  Secretary since 2020   Co-Founder, Simplify Asset Management Inc. (February 2020 to Present); CEO, Portfolio Designer, LLC (2019 to Present); Managing Director, Nasdaq (2018 to 2019); CEO, DMB Trading, LLC (2015 to 2016).   N/A   N/A

James Nash

Year of Birth: 1981

  Chief Compliance Officer since 2020   Director, Foreside Financial Group, LLC (2016 to Present); Regulatory Administration Advisor, JP Morgan Chase & Co. (2014 to 2016).   N/A   N/A

 

*The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely until the individual resigns or is removed.
**The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the funds in the Trust.

 

Each Funds’ SAI includes additional information about the Trustees and is available free of charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at 1-855-772-8488.

 

136

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory (Unaudited)

 

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify Macro Strategy ETF, and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (and subsidiary)

 

In connection with the meeting of the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) of Simplify Exchange Traded Funds (the “Trust”) held on November 5, 2021 (the “Meeting”), the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, discussed the approval of an investment advisory agreement between Simplify Asset Management Inc. (“Simplify”) and the Trust, with respect to Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF, Simplify Macro Strategy ETF, and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (and its subsidiary) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”); and a sub-advisory agreement between Simplify and Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited (“Altis”) with respect to Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF and a trading advisory agreement with respect to its subsidiary.

 

The Trustees reviewed and discussed the materials that were provided in advance of the Meeting and deliberated on the approval of the agreements. The Trustees relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the agreements on behalf of the Funds and the weight to be given to each factor considered. The conclusions reached by the Trustees were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the approval of the agreements.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Trustees noted that Simplify was founded in 2020, managed approximately $1 billion in assets, and specialized in offering a variety of investment strategies that incorporated various derivative overlays. They reviewed the background information of the key investment personnel that would be responsible for servicing the New Funds and noted the extensive industry experience with derivatives. The Trustees discussed Simplify’s research process and acknowledged the process allowed Simplify to rebalance the New Funds tactically and strategically. They commented that Simplify delegated execution of the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy to a sub-adviser but maintained oversight of the sub-adviser’s investment activities, monitored the Fund’s risk characteristics, and ensured that the Fund’s strategy remained in compliance with the Fund’s prospectus. They noted that Simplify retained ultimate authority but collaborated with the sub-adviser to select broker-dealers and discussed the adviser’s multi-factor process for broker-dealer selection. The Trustees considered the growth in the size and number of funds in the Trust, observed that the adviser had sufficient resources to service the New Funds, and concluded that Simplify was expected to provide high quality service to the New Funds and their respective shareholders.

 

Performance

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Simplify Macro Strategy ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. They discussed what the Fund would have returned over the one, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods noting that the Fund would have outperformed its anticipated benchmark for the one-year, five-year, ten-year and since inceptions periods.

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. They noted what the Fund would have returned over the one-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Simplify and further noted that the Fund would have outperformed its anticipated benchmark over the five-year, ten-year, and since inceptions periods.

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. They noted what the Fund would have returned over the one, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Simplify and acknowledged that the Fund would have outperformed its anticipated benchmark for the five-year, ten-year, and since inceptions periods.

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Simplify and commented that the Fund would have outperformed its anticipated benchmark for the five-year, ten-year, and since inceptions periods.

 

The Trustees acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data and noted that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. Taking all factors into consideration, the Trustees concluded that Simplify had the tools to deliver favorable returns to the shareholders of each New Fund.

 

137

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Fees and Expenses

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

 

The Trustees acknowledged that the Fund’s had a proposed advisory fee and net expense ratio of 0.75%. The Trustees noted that the proposed advisory fee was higher than the Fund’s peer group average advisory fee and Morningstar category average advisory fee but within the range of both comparison groups. They further noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was higher than the Fund’s peer group average net expense ratio but lower than the Morningstar category average. The Trustees acknowledged that Simplify attributed the slightly higher advisory fee to its use of active management and allocation to a variety of asset classes. The Trustees agreed that the proposed advisory fee was not unreasonable.

 

Simplify Aggregate Bond PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

 

The Trustees acknowledged that the Fund’s had a proposed advisory fee and net expense ratio of 0.50% and 0.29%, respectively. The Trustees noted that the proposed advisory fee was higher than the Fund’s peer group average advisory fee and Morningstar category average advisory fee. They further noted that the proposed advisory fee was within the overall range of fees for the Fund’s peer group and Morningstar category. They further noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was higher than the Fund’s peer group average net expense ratio but lower than the Fund’s Morningstar category average expense ratio. They acknowledged that Simplify agreed to enter into an expense limitation agreement in order to limit the Fund’s expenses to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets until at least October 31, 2023. The Trustees agreed that the proposed advisory fee was not unreasonable.

 

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

 

The Trustees acknowledged that the Fund’s had a proposed advisory fee and net expense ratio of 0.50%. The Trustees noted that the proposed advisory fee was lower than the Fund’s peer group average advisory fee but higher than the Fund’s Morningstar category average advisory fee. They further noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was lower than the Fund’s peer group average net expense ratio but higher than the Morningstar category average expense ratio. The Trustees agreed that the proposed advisory fee was not unreasonable.

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

 

The Trustees acknowledged that the Fund’s had a proposed advisory fee and net expense ratio of 0.75%. The Trustees noted that the proposed advisory fee and net expense ratio were both lower than the Fund’s peer group and Morningstar category. They considered the sub-advisory fee and the allocation of duties between the adviser and trading sub-adviser. The Trustees agreed that the proposed advisory fee was not unreasonable.

 

Profitability

 

The Trustees reviewed the profit analysis provided by Simplify. They noted that because each New Fund had not yet commenced operations, the profitability analysis provided was an estimate based on projected asset growth over the first 24 months of operations. They further noted that Simplify projected making a profit in connection with each new Fund if estimated asset levels were achieved, and that the estimated profit levels of the New Funds varied due to projections on asset levels. They reasoned that based on the information provided by Simplify, the estimated profitability was not excessive with respect to any of the New Funds.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Trustees considered whether economies of scale would likely be realized by Simplify during the initial term of the proposed advisory agreement. They noted that Simplify had agreed to consider breakpoints for each new Fund once assets reached a certain level. Based on these and other considerations, the Trustees agreed that the proposed arrangements were acceptable and would be reconsidered at the first contract renewal in two years.

 

Conclusion

 

Having requested and received such information from Simplify as the Trustees believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the advisory agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Trustees determined that approval of the advisory agreement was in the best interest of each New Fund and its future shareholders.

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF Only - Sub-Advisory Agreement (Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited)

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Trustees noted that Altis specialized in offering a variety of managed futures portfolios. They reviewed the background information of the key investment personnel that would be responsible for servicing the Fund and noted their extensive industry experience. The Trustees discussed Atlis’ research process and acknowledged the process allowed Altis to design portfolios that were scalable and reactive to changing market conditions. They commented that Altis was regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, was a member of the National Futures Association, and registered with the CFTC. They noted that Altis would recommend broker-dealers for trade execution but Simplify ultimately remained responsible for broker-dealer selection. The Trustees observed that Altis had sufficient experience to service the Fund, and concluded that Altis was expected to provide high quality service to the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF and its shareholders.

 

138

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Performance

 

The Trustees reviewed the results of Atlis’ back-tested performance data. They noted that the back-tested data indicated that the futures portfolio would have provided positive returns over the one, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Altis and noted that the futures portfolio outperformed its benchmark for the five-year and since inception periods. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, and concluded that the Atlis strategy was acceptable.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The Trustees acknowledged that Simplify, rather than the Fund, would pay Altis a sub-advisory fee equal to 0.25% of the net assets allocated to Altis. They reviewed the fees typically charged by Altis for managing similar accounts and noted that the Fund’s sub-advisory fee was lower than the amounts typically charged by Altis. The Trustees agreed that the proposed sub-advisory fee was not unreasonable.

 

Profitability

 

The Trustees reviewed the profit analysis provided by Altis. They noted that because the Fund had not yet commenced operations, the profitability analysis provided was an estimate based on projected asset growth over the first 24 months of operations. They further noted that Altis projected making a profit in connection with the Fund if estimated asset levels were achieved. They reasoned that based on the information provided by the Altis, the estimated profitability was not excessive.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Trustees considered whether Altis would realize economies of scale with respect to the sub-advisory services provided to the Fund. The Trustee agreed that this was primarily an adviser level issue and had been considered with respect to the overall advisory agreement, taking into consideration the impact of the sub-advisory expense.

 

Conclusion

 

Having requested and received such information from Altis as the Trustees believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the trading advisory agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Trustees determined that approval of the trading advisory agreement was in the best interest of the Fund and its future shareholders.

 

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF Only - Management Agreement and Trading Advisory Agreement with respect to Cayman Controlled Foreign Corporation (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund)

 

The Trustees concluded that their prior deliberations with respect to the investment advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement with respect to the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF applied as well to the management agreement (the “Cayman Agreement”) between the Adviser and the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund (the “Cayman Subsidiary”) and a trading advisory agreement between Altis and the Cayman Subsidiary (“Cayman Trading Agreement”). Having requested and received such information from Simplify and Altis as the Trustees believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the agreements with respect to the Cayman Subsidiary, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Trustees determined that approval of the Cayman Agreement and Cayman Trading Agreement was in the best interest of the Fund and its subsidiary.

 

Simplify Macro Strategy ETF subsidiary

 

In connection with the meeting of the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) of Simplify Exchange Traded Funds (the “Trust”) held on April 15, 2022 (the “Meeting”), the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, discussed the approval of a management agreement between Simplify Asset Management Inc. (“Simplify” or “Adviser”) and the subsidiary of Simplify Macro Strategy ETF (“Cayman Subsidiary”).

 

The Trustees reviewed and discussed the materials that were provided in advance of the Meeting and deliberated on the approval of the agreements. The Trustees relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Agreements on behalf of the Funds and the weight to be given to each factor considered. The conclusions reached by the Trustees were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the approval of the agreements.

 

It was the consensus of the Trustees that their deliberations at November 5, 2021 meeting of the Board, as presented in the minutes of that meeting, remained relevant and equally applicable to the Cayman Subsidiary, and should be considered part of the record of this Meeting.

 

139

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

An officer of the Trust who is also an officer of Simplify advised the Trustees that the Fund wished to utilize a wholly-owned Cayman Island based subsidiary to execute a portion of its investment strategy related to alternative ETFs and commodity-linked derivatives in accordance with applicable tax rules and regulations that apply to the Fund. He noted that pursuant to the SEC’s guidance, an investment advisory agreement with a subsidiary must also be approved by the Board in conformity with the principals of Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. He then reminded the Trustees that at the Board meeting held on November 5, 2021, the Trustees, after having requested and received all information from Simplify as the Trustees believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the advisory agreement and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, determined that approval of the investment advisory agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser was in the best interest of the Fund and its future shareholders. He indicated that the Adviser represented that it would provide the same nature, extent and quality of services to the Cayman Subsidiary as it provided to the Fund and that it believed that satisfactory performance would be attained by the Cayman Subsidiary and that the management fee and net expenses remained reasonable when compared to various Morningstar categories and other peer groups. He then stated that the Adviser remained financially sound in its ability to operate as a going concern and meet its obligations to the Fund and the Cayman Subsidiary, and that it was not excessively profitable when compared to the industry norms. He then stated that the Adviser would not receive additional fees for advising the Cayman Subsidiary, noting that the Adviser undertook to revisit economies of scale as the Fund grew. Trust legal counsel discussed the rationale of utilizing a Cayman subsidiary, and a discussion ensued.

 

Having requested and received such information from Simplify as the Trustees believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the management agreement with the Cayman Subsidiary, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Trustees determined that approval of the management agreement was in the best interest of the Fund and its subsidiary.

 

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify Health Care ETF, Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF, Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF, and Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

 

In connection with the meeting of the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) of Simplify Exchange Traded Funds (the “Trust”) held on August 17, 2021 (the “Meeting”), the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, discussed the approval of an investment advisory agreement between Simplify Asset Management Inc. (“Simplify”) and the Trust, with respect to Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF, Simplify Health Care ETF, Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF, Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF, and Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

The Trustees reviewed and discussed the materials that were provided in advance of the Meeting and deliberated on the approval of the agreement. The Trustees relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the agreement on behalf of the Funds and the weight to be given to each factor considered. The conclusions reached by the Trustees were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the approval of the agreement.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Trustees noted that Simplify was founded in 2020 and specialized in the management of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). They reviewed the background information of the key investment personnel that would be responsible for servicing the Funds, taking into consideration the team’s diverse financial industry experience. They considered Simplify’s ongoing research and analysis of ETFs as potential investments. The Trustees considered that Simplify would use a proprietary option overlay to enhance each Fund’s returns and protect against volatility. The Trustees noted that Simplify would monitor compliance with each Fund’s investment restrictions using pre-and post-trade spreadsheets as well as third-party service providers. They considered that Simplify utilizes multiple brokers and reviewed and evaluated best execution based on several factors. The Trustees concluded that Simplify had sufficient resources and robust portfolio management team capable of providing quality service to the Funds.

 

Performance

 

Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (“Emerging Markets ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Emerging Markets ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. They noted that the Emerging Markets ETF invests primarily in equity securities issued by, or tied economically to, companies in emerging markets and applying a convexity option overlay to the equity investments and would have returned 34.15%, 10.02%, 1.79% and 3.45% for the one-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Simplify, noting that the Emerging Markets ETF underperformed its anticipated benchmarks for the one-year, five-year and since inceptions periods. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, noting that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (“Small Cap ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Small Cap ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. They noted that the Small Cap ETF invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. small capitalization companies and applies a convexity option overlay strategy to the equity investments and would have returned 58.7%, 22.4%, 14.1% and 14.8% for the one-, five- and ten-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Simplify, noting that the Small Cap ETF outperformed its anticipated benchmarks for the five-, ten-year, and since inceptions periods. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, noting that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

140

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (“Developed Convexity ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Developed Convexity ETF and the results of Simplify’s back-tested performance data. They noted that Developed Convexity ETF invests primarily in equity securities of companies listed on the MSCI EAFE Index and also applies a convexity option overlay strategy to the equity investments, and would have returned 28.6%, 14.0%, 6.8% and 8.1% for the one-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively. The Trustees discussed the back-tested data provided by Simplify, noting that the Developed Convexity ETF outperformed its anticipated benchmarks for the five-, ten-year, and since inceptions periods. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, noting that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

Simplify Health Care ETF (“Komen ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Komen ETF and considered the Komen ETF’s hypothetical back-tested performance. The Trustees acknowledged that the Komen ETF will invest in the equity securities of companies engaged in the research, development, production or distribution of products or services in the health sciences, and noted that no back testing was performed, therefore, no performance information was available for the Komen ETF. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

Simplify Risk Parity Treasury ETF (“Risk Parity ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Risk Parity ETF and considered the Risk Parity ETF’s hypothetical back-tested performance and noted that the Fund will provide investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two and a half times that of the 7-10 year U.S. Treasury Index on a calendar basis. They noted that the Risk Parity ETF will primarily buy and sell futures contracts and options on Treasury futures and would have returned 10.60%, 4.20%, 3.89% and 6.67% the one-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, noting that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

Simplify Tail Risk Strategy ETF (“Tail Risk ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Tail Risk ETF and considered the Tail Risk ETF’s hypothetical back-tested performance and noted that the Tail Risk ETF invests in equity securities, ETFs, U.S. Treasuries and other derivative products with the objective of providing income and capital appreciation, while protecting against significant downside risk in equity-focused markets. They noted that the Tail Risk ETF would have returned 9.25%, 23,47%, and 11.44% for the one-, five-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, noting that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (“Hedged Equity ETF”)

 

The Trustees reviewed the investment objective of the Hedged Equity ETF and considered that the Hedged Equity ETF would have returned 17.2%, 8.9%, 7.3% and 7.2% for the one-, five-, ten-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively. They acknowledged the limitations of back-tested performance data, noting that (i) in generating the data, no market risk was involved because no actual trading was done; (ii) because the data was created with the benefit of hindsight, it may be difficult to account for all factors that would have affected Simplify’s decision-making process; (iii) assumptions used to generate the data may not be indicative of current or future market conditions and (iv) due to the benefit of hindsight, back-tested performance tends to show favorable results. The Trustees considered that the qualifications of the proposed portfolio managers were well positioned to manage the strategies proposed.

 

141

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Board Consideration in Approval of Investment Advisory (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The Trustees reviewed the proposed advisory fee of each Fund as compared to their peer group. They considered the proposed advisory fee for each of the Small Cap ETF, Developed ETF, Emerging Markets ETF, Komen ETF and Hedged Equity ETF was 0.50%, the proposed advisory fee for Risk Parity ETF was 0.25% and that the proposed advisory fee for the Tail Risk ETF was 0.75%. The Trustees noted that the proposed advisory fee for each of the Small Cap ETF, Komen ETF, Risk Parity ETF and Hedged Equity ETF was less than its peer group average of 0.54%, 0.78%, 0.33% and 0.62%, respectively, and that the proposed advisory fee for each of the Developed Convexity ETF, Emerging Markets ETF and Tail Risk ETF was more than its peer group average of 0.40%, 0.33% and 0.68%, respectively. The Trustees noted that each of the Fund’s advisory fee was higher than its respective Morningstar category averages, except for the Tail Risk ETF, which was in line with its Morningstar category average. The Trustees noted that the Emerging Markets ETF’s net expense ratio is lower than the average of the Morningstar category and slightly higher than its peer group, and the advisory fee is higher than both the average of the Morningstar category and its peer group average. The Trustees considered the Adviser’s assertion that the options overlay strategy that hedges against market moves and to add convexity to the strategy justifies the higher fees. The Trustees noted that the Small Cap ETF’s net expense ratio is below the average of both the peer group and Morningstar category, and that the Fund’s advisory fee is slightly above the average for the Morningstar category and lower than the peer group average. The Trustees considered the Adviser’s expressed belief that the higher management fee is warranted by the inclusion of an actively managed portfolio of equity securities and an options overlay strategy.

 

The Trustees next noted that the Developed Convexity ETF’s net expense ratio is lower than the average of both the Morningstar category and its peer group, and the advisory fee is higher than both the Morningstar category and its peer group. They considered the Adviser’s expressed belief that the options overlay strategy that hedges against market moves and adds convexity to the strategy justifies the higher fees. The Trustees then noted that, with respect to the Komen ETF, the advisory fee and expense ratio is slightly above its Morningstar category, and they considered the Adviser’s assertion that the fund is one of the few healthcare and biotech ETFs applying an actively managed strategy utilizing fundamental research and analysis. The Trustees then noted that, with respect to the Risk Parity ETF, the Fund’s net expense ratio is lower than both its peer group and Morningstar category, and the advisory fee is lower than its peer group, but slightly higher than the Morningstar category, and noted further that the fees charged by the fund are in line with the fees charged by other similar funds in the industry. The Trustees then noted that, with respect to the Tail Risk ETF, the advisory fee is at or below the average of Morningstar peers in its category, but that its advisory fee is slightly above the average advisory fee for its peer group. The Trustees considered the Adviser’s assertion that the higher management fee is warranted by the inclusion of an actively managed portfolio of fixed income and equity securities and that the proposed expense ratio is lower than that of the category and peer group averages. The Trustees then noted that the Hedged Equity ETF’s net expense ratio is at or lower than both the Morningstar category and its peer group, and the advisory fee is lower than the average of its peer group, and slightly higher than the Morningstar category. They considered the Adviser’s assertion that the fund’s fees are in line with other similar funds in the industry. The Trustees considered Simplify’s assertion that the fees were reasonable given the use of the Funds’ proposed operations and the amount of portfolio management, expertise and compliance resources and concluded that, with respect to each Fund, the proposed fees were not unreasonable.

 

Profitability

 

The Trustees reviewed the profit analysis provided by Simplify. They noted that because each Fund had not yet commenced operations, the profitability analysis provided was an estimate based on projected asset growth over the first 12 to 24 months of operations. They further noted that Simplify projected making a profit in connection with each Fund if estimated asset levels were achieved, and that the estimated profit levels of the Funds varied due to projections on asset levels. They reasoned that based on the information provided by the adviser, the estimated profitability was not excessive with respect to any of the Funds.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Trustees considered whether economies of scale would likely be realized by Simplify during the initial term of the proposed advisory agreement. They noted that Simplify had agreed to consider breakpoints for each Fund once assets reached a certain level.

 

Conclusion

 

Having requested and received such information from Simplify as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board determined that approval of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of each Fund and its future shareholders.

 

142

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Liquidity Risk Management (Unaudited)

 

 

Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act, the Funds have adopted and implemented a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”). The Program addresses the Liquidity Rule’s requirements for the periodic assessment and management of Funds’ liquidity risk and compliance with the Liquidity Rule’s restrictions on investments in illiquid investments. The Simplify Liquidity Risk Management Program Administrator (“Administrator”) has been designated to administer the Program. The Administrator consists of certain Trust officers and representatives from Simplify Asset Management, Inc., the Funds’ investment adviser.

 

At its August 22, 2022 meeting, the Board reviewed a written report (the “Report”) prepared by the Administrator addressing the operation of the Program and assessing its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, as required under the Liquidity Rule, for the period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”). Among other things, the Report summarized the Administrator’s annual liquidity risk assessment, classification of the Funds’ portfolio holdings and monitoring for compliance with the Liquidity Rule’s restrictions on investments in illiquid investments. Further, the Report noted that the Program compiled with key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, including reviewing the Funds’ investment strategies and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; investments in derivatives; short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; holdings of cash and cash equivalents as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources; the relationship between each Fund’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the price and spreads at which, each Fund’s shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants (including authorized participants); and the effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of each Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Report concluded that, during the Reporting Period: (1) there were no material changes to the Program; (2) there were no significant liquidity events impacting any Fund; and (3) that it is the Administrator’s assessment that the Program is adequately designed and has been effective in managing each Fund’s liquidity risk and in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

143

 

 

Simplify Exchange Traded Funds

Additional Information (Unaudited)

 

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

The Funds’ policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how each Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site at www.simplify.us at or on the SEC’s Web site — www.sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Funds’ policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (855) 772-8488.

 

Portfolio Holdings Information

 

The Funds are required to file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for their first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-PORT. Copies of the filings are available without charge, upon request on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and are available by calling the Trust at 855-772-8488.

 

Discount & Premium Information

 

Information regarding how often shares of each Fund traded on NYSE Arca or NASDAQ, as applicable, at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund can be found at www.simplify.us.

 

Tax Information

 

Form 1099-DIV and other year-end tax information provide shareholders with actual calendar year amounts that should be included in their tax returns. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors.

 

Each Fund designates the following amounts or, if subsequently determined to be different, the maximum allowable for its period ended June 30, 2022.

 

   Qualified   Dividends 
   Dividend   Received 
Fund  Income*   Deduction 
Simplify Developed Ex-US PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   82.87%   00.00%
Simplify Emerging Markets Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   42.14%   00.00%
Simplify Health Care ETF   100.00%   100.00%
Simplify Hedged Equity ETF   12.20%   14.61%
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Convexity ETF   100.00%   100.00%
Simplify Nasdaq 100 PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   100.00%   100.00%
Simplify US Equity Plus Convexity ETF   100.00%   100.00%
Simplify US Equity Plus Downside Convexity ETF   100.00%   100.00%
Simplify US Equity Plus Upside Convexity ETF   88.24%   86.51%
Simplify US Small Cap PLUS Downside Convexity ETF   74.92%   95.23%
Simplify Volt Cloud and Cybersecurity Disruption ETF   3.61%   1.19%
Simplify Volt Robocar Disruption and Tech ETF   100.00%   85.23%

 

*The above percentage is based on ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders during each Fund’s fiscal year.

 

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Adviser
Simplify Asset Management Inc.
54 W 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
  Investment Sub-Adviser
Volt Equity LLC
1423 Broadway PMB 137
Oakland, CA 94612
  Custodian, Administrator & Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10036
         
Distributor
Foreside Financial Services, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, ME 04101
  Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen & Company Ltd.
1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800
Cleveland, OH 44115
  Legal Counsel
Thompson Hine LLP
41 South High Street
Suite 1700
Columbus, OH 43215
         
    Simplify Exchange Traded Funds
54 W 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
   

 

 

 

 

(b)Not applicable

 

Item 2.Code of Ethics.

 

(a)Disclose whether, as of the end of the period covered by the report, 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, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. If the registrant has not adopted such a code of ethics, explain why it has not done so.

 

Simplify: As of the end of the period covered by the report, 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, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(b)Disclose if there have been amendments to the registrant’s code of ethics that apply to its principal executive officer or principal financial officer. If so then attach hereto as Exhibit (a)(1).

 

Simplify: None.

 

(c)Disclose if there have been any amendments to the Funds’ code of ethics during the reporting period for this Form N-CSR. If so, then attach hereto as Exhibit.

 

Simplify: During the period covered by the report, there have not been any amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics.

 

(d)Disclose if the registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

 

Simplify: During the period covered by the report, the registrant has not granted any express or implicit waivers from the provisions of the code of ethics.

 

(e)Not Applicable

 

(f)A copy of the Code of Ethics is attached as an exhibit.

 

 

 

 

Item 3.Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s board of Trustees has determined that Christopher Caltagirone is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit Fees

 

(a)The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $189,500 for 2021 and $300,200 for 2022.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

(b)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2021 and $0 for 2022.

 

Tax Fees

 

(c)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax services in regard to the year-end audit, tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $42,000 for 2021 and $87,500 for 2022.

 

All Other Fees

 

(d)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2021 and $0 for 2022.

 

(e)(1)Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

Simplify: The Audit Committee pre-approves audit services, and the following represents the non-audit services which may be performed and require pre-approval from the Audit Committee:

 

Preparation of Federal, State and Excise tax returns.

 

Review of the Funds’ internally prepared dividend calculations.

 

Review of the Funds’ semi-annual financial statements.

 

Provide consent for the Funds’ required filings, as requested by management.

 

Procedures related to equalization calculations, as requested by management.

 

Tax consulting related to general tax and business matters, as requested by management.

 

 

 

 

(e)(2)Disclose the percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

 

(b) N/A

 

(c) None

 

(d) N/A

 

(f)Not applicable.

 

(g)The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $0 for 2021 and $0 for 2022.

 

(h)Not applicable.

 

(i)Not applicable.

 

(j)Not applicable.

 

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a)The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of all the independent directors of the registrant. The members of the audit committee are Christopher Caltagirone, Craig Enders and Zung T. Ngyyen.

 

(b)If applicable, provide the disclosure required by Rule 10A-3(d) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10A-3(d)) regarding an exemption from the listing standards for audit committees.

 

Simplify: Not Applicable.

 

Item 6.Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

 

Item 11.Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, 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”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(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 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably 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, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto, if applicable

 

(a)(2)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant) Simplify Exchange Traded Funds  
     
By (Signature and Title) /s/ Paul Kim  

Paul Kim, President

(principal executive officer)

 
     
Date:     September 2, 2022    

 

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 (Signature and Title) /s/ Paul Kim  

Paul Kim, President and Treasurer

(principal executive officer and principal financial officer)

 
     
Date:     September 2, 2022