N-CSR 1 form213.htm EDGAR HTML

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form N-CSR

Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies

 

 

 

 

811-23730

 

(Investment Company Act File Number)

 

Federated Hermes ETF Trust

_______________________________________________________________

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Federated Hermes Funds

4000 Ericsson Drive

Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15086-7561

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

(412) 288-1900

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

 

 

Peter J. Germain, Esquire

1001 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

(Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Fiscal Year End: 04/30/22

 

 

Date of Reporting Period: 04/30/22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.Reports to Stockholders
Annual Shareholder Report
April 30, 2022
Ticker | XFCSX
NYSE | FCSH

Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF
Fund Established 2021

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust
Dear Valued Shareholder,
We are pleased to present the Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from December 16, 2021 through April 30, 2022. This report includes Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance, a complete listing of your fund’s holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
As a global leader in active, responsible investment management, Federated Hermes is guided by our conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create wealth over the long term. The company provides capabilities across a wide range of asset classes to investors around the world.
In addition, FederatedInvestors.com offers quick and easy access to valuable resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists and financial planning tools. You can also access many of those insights by following us on Twitter (@FederatedHermes) and LinkedIn.
Thank you for investing with us. We hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (unaudited)
The total return of Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (the “Fund”), based on net asset value for the reporting period ended April 30, 2022, since the Fund’s inception date of December 16, 2021, was -5.01%. The total return based on the market price of the Fund’s shares was -4.81%1 for the same period. The total return of the Bloomberg US Corporate Bond 1-5 Year Index (B1-5CI),2 a broad-based securities market index, was -5.02% during the same period. The Fund’s total return for the most recently completed fiscal period reflected actual cash flows, transaction costs and expenses, which were not reflected in the total return of the B1-5CI.
During the reporting period, the most significant factors affecting the Fund’s performance were: (1) security selection; (2) sector/industry selection; and (3) the effect of changing interest rates, referred to as “duration.”3
The following discussion will focus on the Fund’s performance, based on the market price of the Fund’s shares, relative to the B1-5CI.
MARKET OVERVIEW
Just as the U.S. economy was shrugging off the effect of the latest coronavirus variant during the first several months of the reporting period, it ran headlong into rising fears of inflation, made worse by war in Europe. Guided by Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) caution that inflation would prove to be transitory once pandemic-induced hiccups eased, markets accepted that the Fed would hike its federal funds target rate only three times in 2022, setting the stage for a methodical return to normalcy. Inflation failed to follow the script, however, as February 2022 consumer prices rose at their fastest annualized pace in four decades, up 7.9%. Seeing building inflationary pressures, markets by the end of January 2022 had begun to price in five Fed rate hikes in 2022; by mid-February, more than six, and by the end of the quarter, more than eight hikes. As crude oil prices shot past $100/barrel, and prices of other commodities rose sharply, it was clear the Fed’s careful messaging was not keeping pace with geopolitical and market changes. At its March 2022 meeting, the Fed raised the federal funds target rate for the first time since late 2018, by 0.25%. The Fed also highlighted the strong job gains in recent months and substantially lower unemployment rate (down to 3.6% in April 2022), but acknowledged that inflation was elevated, and more importantly, emphasized that it would do whatever was necessary to slow inflation, even if it means slowing demand. Headline consumer prices continued to rise, pushing the Fed to commit to raising the fed funds rate by a half-point at its May 2022 meeting. Against the backdrop of rising inflation, gross domestic product surprisingly fell 1.4% in the first quarter of the 2022 calendar year, though this was somewhat misleading given the continuing strength in consumer spending and business
Annual Shareholder Report
1

investment. The labor market was strong, perhaps too strong, while wage gains struggle to keep up with inflation, making more difficult the Fed’s hope of achieving a soft landing.
The sharp move higher in Treasury yields led to negative total returns across all fixed-income securities and underperformance of all sectors relative to U.S. Treasuries in the reporting period. In fact, returns for the first four months of 2022 equate to the worst full year for the Bloomberg Aggregate and Credit indices in their more than four-decade history. Long maturity and lower-quality sectors posted the lowest total returns, led by long credit, emerging markets and credit indices. The best performers were the shorter duration sectors, such as 1-3 year credit and asset-backed securities. For context, the S&P 500 Index4 fell less than the Bloomberg US Credit Index.5 Commodities, by contrast, saw large gains, led by nickel, crude oil and gasoline. Fear of recession was stoked by the inversion of several Treasury yield curves, most visibly the 2-10 year curve, which fell below zero before climbing back above to end the period at 0.21%.
security selection
Overall, security selection had a negative effect on portfolio performance during the reporting period. Individual issuers that detracted the most from performance included: Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Netflix and CDW. Those adding to performance included Pioneer Natural, Cenovus Energy, Apple, Home Depot and Dominion Energy.
Sector/industry selection
Overall, sector allocation had a slight impact on Fund performance. The bank loan allocation had a less negative total return than the benchmark index, while the investment-grade corporate allocation had no impact. Positive contributors were the underweight positions in banking and finance companies and overweight positions in natural gas utilities and energy, offset by underweight positions in consumer cyclical and capital goods sectors. By credit quality, contribution from the Fund’s overweight positions in securities rated “Aaa” was offset by that of securities rated “BBB.”
Annual Shareholder Report
2

Duration management
During the reporting period, duration had a large positive impact on performance as the Fund’s duration was shorter than the benchmark in a period of sharply rising interest rates.
1
This assumes the shares were purchased on December 16, 2021, the first day of trading on an exchange, and all dividends were reinvested into new shares of the Fund. The difference between the Fund’s NAV return and the Fund’s share return based on the market price reflects one fewer day in the reporting period for the shares and the premium or discount of the market price relative to the NAV.
2
Please see the footnotes to the line graphs under “Fund Performance and Growth of a $10,000 Investment” below for the definition of, and more information about, the B1-5CI.
3
Duration is a measure of a security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Securities with longer durations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other securities of shorter durations.
4
The S&P 500 is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.*
5
The Bloomberg US Credit Index is composed of all publicly issued, fixed-rate, nonconvertible, investment-grade corporate debt and a non-corporate component that includes foreign agencies, sovereigns, supranationals and local authorities. Issues are rated at least “Baa” by Moody’s Investors Service or “BBB” by Standard & Poor’s, if unrated by Moody’s. The index is not adjusted to reflect sales loads, expenses or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance.*
*
The index is unmanaged, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Annual Shareholder Report
3

FUND PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
The graph below illustrates the hypothetical investment of $10,0001 in the Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (the “Fund”) from December 16, 2021 to April 30, 2022, compared to the Bloomberg US Corporate Bond 1-5 Year Index (B1-5CI).2 The Average Annual Total Return table below shows returns averaged over the stated periods.
Growth of a $10,000 Investment
Growth of $10,000 as of April 30, 2022
Average Annual Total Returns for the Period Ended 4/30/2022
 
Since
Inception
Market Price
-4.81%
NAV
-5.01%
B1-5CI
-5.02%
Annual Shareholder Report
4

Performance data quoted represents past performance which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Fund performance changes over time and current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated. For current to the most recent month-end performance and after-tax returns, visit FederatedInvestors.com or call 1-800-341-7400. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Funds are not obligations of or guaranteed by any bank and are not federally insured.
1
The Fund’s performance assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The B1-5CI has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of dividends on securities in the index and the average.
2
The B1-5CI measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate, taxable corporate and government-related bond markets. The index only includes securities with a maturity between one and ten years. It is composed of the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Index and a non-corporate component that includes foreign agencies, sovereigns, supranationals and local authorities. The B1-5CI is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and, unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Annual Shareholder Report
5

Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At April 30, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio composition1 was as follows:
Type of Investments
Percentage of
Total Net Assets
Corporate Debt Securities
91.8%
Bank Loan Core Fund
6.9%
Cash Equivalents2
0.7%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net3
0.6%
TOTAL
100%
1
See the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a description of these
security types.
2
Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight
repurchase agreements.
3
Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and
Liabilities.
Annual Shareholder Report
6

Portfolio of Investments
April 30, 2022
Principal
Amount
or Shares
 
 
Value
         
 
CORPORATE BONDS—   91.8%
 
 
 
Basic Industry - Metals & Mining—   1.6%
 
$  150,000
 
Glencore Funding LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 1.625%, 9/1/2025
$   137,888
  125,000
 
Southern Copper Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.875%, 4/23/2025
   124,150
  125,000
 
Steel Dynamics, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.800%, 12/15/2024
   122,325
 
 
TOTAL
384,363
 
 
Capital Goods - Aerospace & Defense—   1.8%
 
  300,000
 
Boeing Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.875%, 5/1/2025
   303,751
  150,000
 
Leidos, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series WI, 3.625%, 5/15/2025
   148,965
 
 
TOTAL
452,716
 
 
Capital Goods - Building Materials—   0.8%
 
  100,000
 
Allegion US Holdings Co., Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 10/1/2024
    97,993
  100,000
 
Carrier Global Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.242%, 2/15/2025
    95,726
 
 
TOTAL
193,719
 
 
Capital Goods - Construction Machinery—   1.7%
 
  150,000
 
Ashtead Capital, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 1.500%, 8/12/2026
   133,432
  150,000
 
CNH Industrial Capital America LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.200%, 1/15/2024
   151,824
  150,000
 
Weir Group PLC/The, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 2.200%, 5/13/2026
   135,723
 
 
TOTAL
420,979
 
 
Capital Goods - Diversified Manufacturing—   1.0%
 
  100,000
 
Roper Technologies, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.850%, 12/15/2025
   100,285
  150,000
 
Vontier Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series WI, 1.800%, 4/1/2026
   133,431
 
 
TOTAL
233,716
 
 
Communications - Cable & Satellite—   2.0%
 
  200,000
 
Charter Communications Operating, LLC/Charter Communications
Operating Capital Corp., Series USD, 4.500%, 2/1/2024
   202,464
  300,000
 
Comcast Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.150%, 3/1/2026
   294,595
 
 
TOTAL
497,059
 
 
Communications - Media & Entertainment—   3.1%
 
  150,000
 
Discovery Communications LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.900%, 3/11/2026
   152,426
  100,000
 
Grupo Televisa S.A., 6.625%, 3/18/2025
   105,953
  350,000
 
Netflix, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.375%, 11/15/2026
   346,101
  150,000
 
Walt Disney Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.750%, 8/30/2024
   145,193
 
 
TOTAL
749,673
 
 
Communications - Telecom Wireless—   1.2%
 
  150,000
 
American Tower Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.950%, 1/15/2025
   146,606
  150,000
 
T-Mobile USA, Inc., Series WI, 3.500%, 4/15/2025
   147,873
 
 
TOTAL
294,479
Annual Shareholder Report
7

Principal
Amount
or Shares
 
 
Value
         
 
CORPORATE BONDS—   continued
 
 
 
Communications - Telecom Wirelines—   1.5%
 
$  250,000
 
AT&T, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.700%, 3/25/2026
$   230,834
  150,000
 
Rogers Communications, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.200%, 3/15/2027
   142,758
 
 
TOTAL
373,592
 
 
Consumer Cyclical - Automotive—   3.4%
 
  250,000
 
Daimler Trucks Financial NA, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 2.000%, 12/14/2026
   228,482
  250,000
 
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.950%, 4/13/2024
   251,021
  100,000
 
Stellantis N.V., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.250%, 4/15/2023
   101,689
  250,000
 
Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A,
3.350%, 5/13/2025
   246,073
 
 
TOTAL
827,265
 
 
Consumer Cyclical - Retailers—   2.1%
 
  125,000
 
AutoNation, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.500%, 11/15/2024
   124,022
  250,000
 
Home Depot, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.750%, 2/15/2024
   253,571
  125,000
 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.850%, 6/15/2023
   125,923
 
 
TOTAL
503,516
 
 
Consumer Cyclical - Services—   0.5%
 
  125,000
 
Expedia, Inc., 4.500%, 8/15/2024
   126,471
 
 
Consumer Non-Cyclical - Food/Beverage—   6.0%
 
  250,000
 
Anheuser-Busch Cos LLC / Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., Sr.
Unsecd. Note, 3.650%, 2/1/2026
   248,401
  150,000
 
Coca-Cola Company, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.750%, 9/6/2024
   147,026
  150,000
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., 4.250%, 5/1/2023
   151,820
  150,000
 
Fomento Economico Mexicano, SA de C.V., 2.875%, 5/10/2023
   148,206
  150,000
 
Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de CV, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.875%, 6/27/2024
   150,491
  125,000
 
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A,
1.230%, 10/1/2025
   113,895
  150,000
 
Jde Peet’s B.V., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 0.800%, 9/24/2024
   140,032
  200,000
 
Kraft Heinz Foods Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.000%, 6/1/2026
   191,166
  200,000
 
Sysco Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.300%, 7/15/2026
   194,995
 
 
TOTAL
1,486,032
 
 
Consumer Non-Cyclical - Health Care—   2.3%
 
  150,000
 
Alcon Finance Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 2.750%, 9/23/2026
   142,781
  150,000
 
Becton Dickinson & Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.363%, 6/6/2024
   149,249
  150,000
 
PerkinElmer, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.850%, 9/15/2024
   140,527
  150,000
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.215%, 10/18/2024
   142,302
 
 
TOTAL
574,859
 
 
Consumer Non-Cyclical - Pharmaceuticals—   2.8%
 
  200,000
 
AbbVie, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.600%, 11/21/2024
   195,147
  150,000
 
Bayer US Finance LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.375%, 10/8/2024
   148,337
  200,000
 
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.400%, 11/26/2023
   203,107
Annual Shareholder Report
8

Principal
Amount
or Shares
 
 
Value
         
 
CORPORATE BONDS—   continued
 
 
 
Consumer Non-Cyclical - Pharmaceuticals—   continued
 
$  150,000
 
Zoetis, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.000%, 9/12/2027
$   144,103
 
 
TOTAL
690,694
 
 
Consumer Non-Cyclical - Tobacco—   1.6%
 
  200,000
 
Altria Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.000%, 1/31/2024
   202,497
  200,000
 
Bat Capital Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.789%, 9/6/2024
   195,356
 
 
TOTAL
397,853
 
 
Energy - Independent—   1.8%
 
  200,000
 
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.800%, 4/15/2024
   200,626
  255,000
 
Hess Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.500%, 7/15/2024
   253,344
 
 
TOTAL
453,970
 
 
Energy - Integrated—   2.5%
 
  200,000
 
BP Capital Markets PLC, 3.814%, 2/10/2024
   201,747
  200,000
 
Cenovus Energy, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.375%, 7/15/2025
   207,412
  200,000
 
Suncor Energy, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.100%, 5/15/2025
   196,186
 
 
TOTAL
605,345
 
 
Energy - Midstream—   3.7%
 
  300,000
 
Energy Transfer Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.050%, 3/15/2025
   298,330
  200,000
 
MPLX LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.875%, 12/1/2024
   203,831
  200,000
 
Oneok Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.900%, 3/15/2025
   204,156
  200,000
 
Williams Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.900%, 1/15/2025
   199,534
 
 
TOTAL
905,851
 
 
Energy - Refining—   0.8%
 
  200,000
 
Marathon Petroleum Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.700%, 5/1/2025
   202,979
 
 
Financial Institution - Banking—   21.7%
 
  250,000
 
American Express Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.400%, 2/22/2024
   250,646
1,000,000
 
Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 0.981%, 9/25/2025
   930,862
  250,000
 
Bank of New York Mellon Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN,
1.600%, 4/24/2025
   237,171
  725,000
 
Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.106%, 4/8/2026
   701,405
  625,000
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series VAR,
1.093%, 12/9/2026
   558,981
1,000,000
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.040%, 2/4/2027
   890,452
  750,000
 
Morgan Stanley, Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 1.164%, 10/21/2025
   700,003
  250,000
 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.500%, 1/23/2024
   251,539
  250,000
 
Truist Financial Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 1.267%, 3/2/2027
   227,167
  625,000
1
Wells Fargo & Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.164%, 2/11/2026
   592,868
 
 
TOTAL
5,341,094
 
 
Financial Institution - Finance Companies—   1.7%
 
  250,000
 
AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd / AerCap Global Aviation Trust, Sr. Unsecd. Note,
Series 3NC1, 1.750%, 10/29/2024
   232,644
Annual Shareholder Report
9

Principal
Amount
or Shares
 
 
Value
         
 
CORPORATE BONDS—   continued
 
 
 
Financial Institution - Finance Companies—   continued
 
$  200,000
 
Air Lease Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 0.700%, 2/15/2024
$   189,586
 
 
TOTAL
422,230
 
 
Financial Institution - Insurance - Health—   1.8%
 
  200,000
 
Centene Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series WI, 4.250%, 12/15/2027
   194,000
  250,000
 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.550%, 5/15/2024
   237,995
 
 
TOTAL
431,995
 
 
Financial Institution - Insurance - Life—   1.5%
 
  125,000
 
AIA Group Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.200%, 3/11/2025
   123,775
  250,000
 
American International Group, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.500%, 6/30/2025
   240,152
 
 
TOTAL
363,927
 
 
Financial Institution - Insurance - P&C—   1.0%
 
  250,000
 
CNA Financial Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.950%, 5/15/2024
   251,540
 
 
Financial Institution - REIT - Apartment—   0.5%
 
  125,000
 
UDR, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.950%, 9/1/2026
   119,886
 
 
Financial Institution - REIT - Healthcare—   0.5%
 
  125,000
 
Health Care REIT, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.000%, 6/1/2025
   125,147
 
 
Financial Institution - REIT - Office—   1.5%
 
  250,000
 
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.450%, 4/30/2025
   248,461
  125,000
 
Boston Properties LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 1/15/2025
   123,091
 
 
TOTAL
371,552
 
 
Technology—   9.5%
 
  250,000
 
Apple, Inc., 3.450%, 5/6/2024
   252,777
  200,000
 
Broadcom Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.125%, 1/15/2025
   196,873
  250,000
 
CDW LLC / CDW Finance, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.670%, 12/1/2026
   229,592
  200,000
 
Fiserv, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.750%, 7/1/2024
   196,932
  150,000
 
Keysight Technologies, Inc., 4.550%, 10/30/2024
   151,771
  250,000
 
Micron Technology, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.185%, 2/15/2027
   248,165
  250,000
 
Microsoft Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.875%, 2/6/2024
   250,307
  200,000
 
Oracle Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.650%, 3/25/2026
   180,698
  150,000
 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.900%, 6/1/2023
   146,244
  250,000
 
Verisk Analytics, Inc., Unsecd. Note, 4.000%, 6/15/2025
   251,491
  250,000
 
VMware, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.000%, 8/15/2024
   235,118
 
 
TOTAL
2,339,968
 
 
Technology Services—   0.8%
 
  200,000
 
Global Payments, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.650%, 2/15/2025
   192,998
 
 
Transportation - Airlines—   0.6%
 
  150,000
 
Southwest Airlines Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.750%, 5/4/2023
   152,616
 
 
Transportation - Railroads—   0.6%
 
  150,000
 
Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.000%, 5/15/2023
   149,494
Annual Shareholder Report
10

Principal
Amount
or Shares
 
 
Value
         
 
CORPORATE BONDS—   continued
 
 
 
Transportation - Services—   1.7%
 
$  150,000
 
GXO Logistics, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 1.650%, 7/15/2026
$   132,687
  150,000
 
Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP & PTL Finance Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A,
2.700%, 11/1/2024
   145,847
  150,000
 
Ryder System, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.500%, 9/1/2024
   145,848
 
 
TOTAL
424,382
 
 
Utility - Electric—   5.7%
 
  250,000
 
Ameren Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 1.950%, 3/15/2027
   228,531
  200,000
 
Dominion Energy, Inc., Jr. Sub. Note, 3.071%, 8/15/2024
   197,354
  200,000
 
Duke Energy Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.750%, 4/15/2024
   201,434
  125,000
 
Emera US Finance LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.550%, 6/15/2026
   121,978
  150,000
 
Enel Finance International NV, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 2.650%, 9/10/2024
   146,297
  150,000
 
EverSource Energy, Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series L, 2.900%, 10/1/2024
   147,439
  250,000
 
NiSource, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.950%, 8/15/2025
   226,705
  125,000
 
OGE Energy Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.703%, 5/26/2023
   121,622
 
 
TOTAL
1,391,360
 
 
Utility - Natural Gas—   0.5%
 
  125,000
 
ONE Gas, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 0.850%, 3/11/2023
   122,814
 
 
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(IDENTIFIED COST $23,961,794)
22,576,134
 
 
INVESTMENT COMPANIES—   7.6%
 
181,724
 
Bank Loan Core Fund
1,702,752
174,793
 
Federated Hermes Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional
Shares, 0.37%2
   174,740
 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $1,924,732)
1,877,492
 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES—99.4%
(IDENTIFIED COST $25,886,526)3
24,453,626
 
 
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—0.6%4
140,828
 
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS—100%
$24,594,454
Annual Shareholder Report
11

Affiliated fund holdings are investment companies which are managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. Transactions with affiliated fund holdings during the period ended April 30, 2022, were as follows:
 
Bank Loan
Core Fund
Federated Hermes
Institutional
Prime Value
Obligations Fund,
Institutional Shares
Total of
Affiliated
Transactions
Value as of 4/30/2021
$
$
$
Purchases at Cost
$1,750,000
$669,767
$2,419,767
Proceeds from Sales
$
$(494,962)
$(494,962)
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation
$(47,248)
$8
$(47,240)
Net Realized Gain/(Loss)
N/A
$(73)
$(73)
Value as of 4/30/2022
$1,702,752
$174,740
$1,877,492
Shares Held as of 4/30/2022
181,724
174,793
356,517
Dividend Income
$32,798
$65
$32,863
1
Floating/variable note with current rate and current maturity or next reset date shown.
2
7-day net yield.
3
Also represents cost of investments for federal tax purposes.
4
Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and
Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at April 30, 2022.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Annual Shareholder Report
12


The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of April 30, 2022, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs
 
Level 1—
Quoted
Prices
Level 2—
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Level 3—
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Total
Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
Corporate Bonds
$
$22,576,134
$
$22,576,134
Investment Companies
1,877,492
1,877,492
TOTAL SECURITIES
$1,877,492
$22,576,134
$
$24,453,626
The following acronym(s) are used throughout this portfolio:
 
MTN
—Medium Term Note
REIT
—Real Estate Investment Trust
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
13

Financial Highlights
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
Period
Ended
4/30/2022 1
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$25.04
Income From Investment Operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)2
0.14
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.39)
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
(1.25)
Less Distributions:
 
Distributions from net investment income
(0.14)
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$23.65
Total Return3
(5.01)%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
 
Net expenses4
0.29%5
Net investment income
1.51%5
Expense waiver/reimbursement6
0.12%5
Supplemental Data:
 
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
$24,594
Portfolio turnover7
3%
1
Reflects operations for the period from December 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) to
April 30, 2022.
2
Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
3
Based on net asset value.
4
Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund
may invest.
5
Computed on an annualized basis.
6
This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios
shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/reimbursement recorded by investment
companies in which the Fund may invest.
7
Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
14

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2022
Assets:
 
Investment in securities, at value including $1,877,492 of investment in affiliated
holdings*(identified cost $25,886,526)
$24,453,626
Income receivable
173,256
Income receivable from affiliated holdings
7,077
Total Assets
24,633,959
Liabilities:
 
Income distribution payable
33,488
Payable for investment adviser fee (Note5)
3,604
Payable for share registration costs
2,413
Total Liabilities
39,505
Net assets for 1,040,004 shares outstanding
$24,594,454
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Paid-in capital
$26,027,888
Total distributable earnings (loss)
(1,433,434)
Total Net Assets
$24,594,454
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share:
 
$24,594,454 ÷ 1,040,004 shares outstanding, no par value, unlimited shares authorized
$23.65
*
See information listed after the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
15

Statement of Operations
Period Ended April 30, 20221
Investment Income:
 
Interest
$136,080
Dividends received from affiliated holdings*
32,863
TOTAL INCOME
168,943
Expenses:
 
Investment adviser fee (Note5)
36,220
Share registration costs
2,413
TOTAL EXPENSES
38,633
Waiver and Reimbursement:
 
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note5)
(11,245)
Net expenses
27,388
Net investment income
141,555
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:
 
Net realized loss on investments (including net realized loss of $(73) on sales of
investments in affiliated holdings*)
(545)
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (including net change in
unrealized appreciation of $(47,240) on investments in affiliated holdings*)
(1,432,900)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1,433,445)
Change in net assets resulting from operations
$(1,291,890)
*
See information listed after the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
1
Reflects operations for the period from December 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) to
April 30, 2022.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
16

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
Period Ended
4/30/20221
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Operations:
 
Net investment income
$141,555
Net realized gain (loss)
(545)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
(1,432,900)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
(1,291,890)
Distributions to Shareholders
(141,544)
Share Transactions:
 
Proceeds from sale of shares
26,027,888
Cost of shares redeemed
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS
26,027,888
Change in net assets
24,594,454
Net Assets:
 
Beginning of period
End of period
$24,594,454
1
Reflects operations for the period from December 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) to
April 30, 2022.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
17

Notes to Financial Statements
April 30, 2022
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated Hermes ETF Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 24, 2011 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of two portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (the “Fund”). The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income.
Individual shares of the Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. The Fund’s primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies, and when you buy or sell the Fund’s shares in the secondary market, you will pay or receive the market price. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that the Fund shares listing will continue or remain unchanged.
Shares of the Fund may only be acquired in transactions on the NYSE Arca or by or through Authorized Participants that have executed an agreement with the Fund’s distributor and redeemed directly with the Fund by or through an Authorized Participant in large blocks called Creation Units or multiples thereof. Authorized Participants are registered clearing agents that enter into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to transact in Creation Units. Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will take place in-kind and/or for cash at the discretion of the Fund. The determination of whether purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will be for cash or in-kind depends primarily on the regulatory requirements and settlement mechanisms relevant to the Fund’s portfolio holdings and the Fund is not limited to engaging in in-kind transactions to any particular market circumstances.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:

Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).

Shares of mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs, or NAV per share practical expedient, as applicable.

Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.

Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.

For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered,
Annual Shareholder Report
18

such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share, and the actual value obtained could be materially different. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares listed on its exchange may differ from the Fund’s NAV and will normally be affected by market forces, such as supply and demand, economic conditions, the market value of the Fund’s disclosed portfolio holdings and other factors. As a result, trading prices may be lower, higher or the same as the Fund’s NAV; and investors may pay more than NAV when buying shares and receive less than NAV when selling shares through the exchange.
Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated Investment Management Company (the “Adviser”) and certain of the Adviser’s affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services’ policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations
Annual Shareholder Report
19

indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
The Trustees also have adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Adviser determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value. Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:

With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;

Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded;

Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, or a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry.
The Trustees have adopted procedures whereby the Valuation Committee uses a pricing service to provide factors to update the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets from the time of the close of their respective foreign stock exchanges to the pricing time of the Fund. For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the Fund will determine the fair value of the investment in accordance with the fair valuation procedures approved by the Trustees. The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for any fair valuations made in response to a significant event.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund’s custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
Annual Shareholder Report
20

The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund’s Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date or when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date.
Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. The detail of the total fund expense waiver and reimbursement of $11,245 is disclosed in Note 5.
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the period ended April 30, 2022, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of April 30, 2022, the tax year 2022 remains subject to examination by the Fund’s major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the State of Delaware.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Securities Lending
The Fund participates in a securities lending program providing for the lending of corporate bonds and government securities to qualified brokers. The term of the loans within the program is one year or less. The Fund normally receives cash collateral for securities loaned that is invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Investments in money market funds may
Annual Shareholder Report
21

include funds with a “floating” NAV that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if the investee fund’s NAV decreases, result in the Fund recognizing losses and being required to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral. Collateral is maintained at a minimum level of 100% of the market value of investments loaned, plus interest, if applicable. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Earnings on collateral are allocated between the borrower of the security, the securities lending agent, as a fee for its services under the program and the Fund, according to agreed-upon rates. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.
As of April 30, 2022, the Fund had no outstanding securities on loan.
Restricted Securities
The Fund may purchase securities which are considered restricted. Restricted securities are securities that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) are subject to contractual restrictions on public sales. In some cases, when a security cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, the issuer of the restricted security has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer’s expense, either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many such restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Trustees. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such resales. The Fund’s restricted securities, like other securities, are priced in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees.
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
Annual Shareholder Report
22

3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units:
 
Period Ended
4/30/20221
Shares sold
1,040,004
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared
Shares redeemed
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS
1,040,004
1
Reflects operations for the period from December 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) to
April 30, 2022.
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
The tax character of distributions as reported on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the period ended April 30, 2022 was as follows:
 
2022
Ordinary income
$141,544
As of April 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income
$11
Net unrealized depreciation
$(1,432,900)
Capital loss carryforwards
$(545)
At April 30, 2022, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $25,886,526. The net unrealized depreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $1,432,900. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $8 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $1,432,908.
As of April 30, 2022, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $545 which will reduce the Fund’s taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code, thereby reducing the amount of distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. Pursuant to the Code, these net capital losses retain their character as either short-term or long-term and do not expire.
The following schedule summarizes the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards:
Short-Term
Long-Term
Total
$545
$
$545
Annual Shareholder Report
23

5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.39% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Under the advisory agreement, the Adviser has contractually agreed to pay all operating expenses of the Fund under a unitary fee structure, except (i) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transaction, transfer and withholding taxes) and registration fees and expenses; (ii) expenses of the Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions and short sale dividend or interest expense; (iii) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by the Trust in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (iv) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses; (v) litigation expenses; (vi) proxy-related expenses; (vii) tax reclaim recovery expenses; and (viii) any expenses determined to be extraordinary expenses. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund for competitive reasons such as to maintain the Fund’s expense ratio, or as and when appropriate, to maintain positive or zero net yields. For the period ended April 30, 2022, the Adviser voluntarily waived $11,217 of its fee and voluntarily reimbursed $28 of other operating expenses.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. The Adviser not the Fund, pays FAS.
Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets, annually, to compensate FSC. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee.
For the period ended April 30, 2022, the Fund did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FAS or FSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding interest expense, taxes, litigation expenses, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.29% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) July 1, 2023; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. These arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Fund’s Trustees.
Annual Shareholder Report
24

Directors’/Trustees’ and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies.
Affiliated Shares of Beneficial Interest
As of April 30, 2022, a majority of the shares of beneficial interest outstanding are owned by an affiliate of the Adviser.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the period ended April 30, 2022, were as follows:
Purchases
$26,830,775
Sales
$849,660
Purchases include $22,790,333 in connection with in-kind purchases of the Fund’s Creation Units.
7. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of April 30, 2022, there were no outstanding loans. During the period ended April 30, 2022, the program was not utilized.
8. OTHER MATTERS
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread globally. As of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, this coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, disruptions to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, and disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and consumer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may continue for an extended period of time and has resulted in substantial economic volatility. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could continue to negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies (including certain Fund service providers and issuers of the Fund’s investments) and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
9. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2021-01 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)”. ASU No. 2021-01 updates and clarifies ASU No. 2020-04, which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications due to the planned discontinuation of LIBOR and other interbank-offered
Annual Shareholder Report
25

reference rates. The temporary relief provided by ASU No. 2021-01 is effective immediately for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur through December 31, 2022. Management does not expect ASU No. 2021-01 to have a material impact on the financial statements.
Annual Shareholder Report
26

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF FEDERATED HERMES ETF TRUST AND SHAREHOLDERS OF FEDERATED HERMES SHORT DURATION CORPORATE ETF:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF (the “Fund”) (one of the portfolios constituting Federated Hermes ETF Trust (the “Trust”)), including the portfolio of investments, as of April 30, 2022, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the period from December 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) through April 30, 2022 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the portfolios constituting Federated Hermes ETF Trust) at April 30, 2022, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the period from December 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) through April 30, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. 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 Trust 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 audit in accordance with standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
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27

Our audit 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 April 30, 2022, by correspondence with the custodian and others, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor of one or more Federated Hermes investment companies since 1979.
Boston, Massachusetts
June 22, 2022
Annual Shareholder Report
28

Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include creation and redemption fees and brokerage commissions; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred 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 section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with 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.
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29

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees and brokerage commissions. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Beginning
Account Value
11/1/2021
Ending
Account Value
4/30/2022
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual
$1,000
$949.90
$1.05
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses)
$1,000
$1,023.36
$1.45
1
“Actual” expense information for the Fund is for the period from December 16, 2021 (date of
initial investment) to April 30, 2022. Actual expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net
expense ratio of 0.29%, multiplied by 136/365 (to reflect the period from initial investment to
April 30, 2022). “Hypothetical” expense information for the Fund is presented on the basis of
the full one-half year period to enable comparison to other funds. It is based on assuming the
same net expense ratio and average account value over the period, but it is multiplied by
181/365 (to reflect the full half-year period).
Annual Shareholder Report
30

Board of Trustees and Trust Officers
The Board of Trustees is responsible for managing the Trust’s business affairs and for exercising all the Trust’s powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Trustee and the senior officers of the Fund. Where required, the tables separately list Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund (i.e., “Interested” Trustees) and those who are not (i.e., “Independent” Trustees). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The address of all Independent Trustees listed is 4000 Ericsson Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086-7561; Attention: Federated Hermes ETF Trust Board. As of December 31, 2021, the Trust comprised two portfolio(s), and the Federated Hermes Fund Family consisted of 33 investment companies (comprising 102 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Officer is elected annually. Unless otherwise noted, each Trustee oversees all portfolios in the Federated Hermes Fund Family and serves for an indefinite term. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Trust Trustees and is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400, Option #4.
Interested TRUSTEES Background
Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)
J. Christopher Donahue*
Birth Date: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of
certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Fund Family; Director or
Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Fund Family; President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.;
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company;
Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director,
Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman and
Trustee, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania;
Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director,
Federated Services Company.
Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling;
President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment
Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management
Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd; Chairman, Passport Research, Ltd.
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31

Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)
Thomas R. Donahue*
Birth Date: October 20, 1958
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of certain of the funds in
the Federated Hermes Fund Family; Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Hermes, Inc.;
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Administrative Services; Chairman
and Director, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Trustee and
Treasurer, Federated Advisory Services Company; Director or Trustee
and Treasurer, Federated Equity Management Company of
Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.,
Federated Investment Counseling, and Federated Investment
Management Company; Director, MDTA LLC; Director, Executive Vice
President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Securities Corp.;
Director or Trustee and Chairman, Federated Services Company and
Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Director and
President, FII Holdings, Inc.
Previous Positions: Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Assistant
Secretary, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated
Global Investment Management Company and Passport Research,
LTD; Treasurer, Passport Research, LTD; Executive Vice President,
Federated Securities Corp.; and Treasurer, FII Holdings, Inc.
*
Family relationships and reasons for “interested” status: J. Christopher Donahue and Thomas R. Donahue are brothers. Both are “interested” due to their beneficial ownership of shares of Federated Hermes, Inc. and the positions they hold with Federated Hermes, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Background
Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
John T. Collins
Birth Date: January 24, 1947
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, and Chair of the Board
of Directors or Trustees, of the Federated Hermes Fund Family;
formerly, Chairman and CEO, The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity
firm) (Retired).
Other Directorships Held: Director, KLX Energy Services Holdings,
Inc. (oilfield services); former Director of KLX Corp. (aerospace).
Qualifications: Mr. Collins has served in several business and financial
management roles and directorship positions throughout his career.
Mr. Collins previously served as Chairman and CEO of The Collins
Group, Inc. (a private equity firm) and as a Director of KLX Corp.
Mr. Collins serves as Chairman Emeriti, Bentley University. Mr. Collins
previously served as Director and Audit Committee Member, Bank of
America Corp.; Director, FleetBoston Financial Corp.; and Director,
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard University
Affiliate Hospital).
Annual Shareholder Report
32

Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
G. Thomas Hough
Birth Date: February 28, 1955
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, Chair of the Audit
Committee of the Federated Hermes Fund Family; formerly, Vice
Chair, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm) (Retired).
Other Directorships Held: Director, Chair of the Audit Committee,
Equifax, Inc.; Lead Director, Member of the Audit and Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees, Haverty Furniture Companies,
Inc.; formerly, Director, Member of Governance and Compensation
Committees, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Qualifications: Mr. Hough has served in accounting, business
management and directorship positions throughout his career.
Mr. Hough most recently held the position of Americas Vice Chair of
Assurance with Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm). Mr. Hough
serves on the President’s Cabinet and Business School Board of
Visitors for the University of Alabama. Mr. Hough previously served on
the Business School Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University, and
he previously served as an Executive Committee member of the
United States Golf Association.
Maureen Lally-Green
Birth Date: July 5, 1949
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes
Fund Family; Adjunct Professor Emerita of Law, Duquesne University
School of Law; formerly, Dean of the Duquesne University School of
Law and Professor of Law and Interim Dean of the Duquesne
University School of Law; formerly, Associate General Secretary and
Director, Office of Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Other Directorships Held: Director, CNX Resources Corporation
(formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.).
Qualifications: Judge Lally-Green has served in various legal and
business roles and directorship positions throughout her career. Judge
Lally-Green previously held the position of Dean of the School of Law
of Duquesne University (as well as Interim Dean). Judge Lally-Green
previously served as a member of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
and as a Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law. Judge
Lally-Green was appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to
serve on the Supreme Court’s Board of Continuing Judicial Education
and the Supreme Court’s Appellate Court Procedural Rules
Committee. Judge Lally-Green also currently holds the positions on
not for profit or for profit boards of directors as follows: Director
and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, Saint Vincent Seminary;
Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education (public); Director,
Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh; and Director CNX Resources
Corporation (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.). Judge
Lally-Green has held the positions of: Director, Auberle; Director,
Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director,
Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Director, Saint Thomas More Society;
Director and Chair, Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of
Pittsburgh, Inc.; Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute; Director,
St. Vincent College; Director and Chair, North Catholic High
School, Inc.; Director and Vice Chair, Our Campaign for the Church
Alive!, Inc.; and Director, Saint Francis University.
Annual Shareholder Report
33

Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
Thomas M. O’Neill
Birth Date: June 14, 1951
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes
Fund Family; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company
(investment and strategic consulting).
Other Directorships Held: None.
Qualifications: Mr. O’Neill has served in several business, mutual fund
and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout
his career. Mr. O’Neill serves as Director, Medicines for Humanity.
Mr. O’Neill previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President,
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment
Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment
Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management
Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies,
Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director
and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management
software); Director, The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples,
Florida; and Director, Midway Pacific (lumber).
Madelyn A. Reilly
Birth Date: February 2, 1956
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving:
February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes
Fund Family; formerly, Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs,
General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Directors, Duquesne
University (Retired).
Other Directorships Held: None.
Qualifications: Ms. Reilly has served in various business and legal
management roles throughout her career. Ms. Reilly previously served
as Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and
Secretary to the Board of Directors and Assistant General Counsel and
Director of Risk Management, Duquesne University. Prior to her work
at Duquesne University, Ms. Reilly served as Assistant General
Counsel of Compliance and Enterprise Risk as well as Senior Counsel
of Environment, Health and Safety, PPG Industries. Ms. Reilly currently
serves as a member of the Board of Directors of UPMC
Mercy Hospital.
Annual Shareholder Report
34

Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
P. Jerome Richey
Birth Date: February 23, 1949
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes
Fund Family; Management Consultant; Retired; formerly, Senior Vice
Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh and
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CONSOL Energy Inc.
(now split into two separate publicly traded companies known as
CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Resources Corp.).
Other Directorships Held: None.
Qualifications: Mr. Richey has served in several business and legal
management roles and directorship positions throughout his career.
Mr. Richey most recently held the positions of Senior Vice Chancellor
and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously
served as Chairman of the Board, Epilepsy Foundation of Western
Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Board, World Affairs Council of
Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chief Legal Officer and
Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Gas
Company; and Board Member, Ethics Counsel and Shareholder,
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm).
John S. Walsh
Birth Date:
November 28, 1957
Trustee
Indefinite Term
Began serving: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes
Fund Family; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer
of construction temporary heaters); President and Director,
Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction
heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers
Products, Inc.
Other Directorships Held: None.
Qualifications: Mr. Walsh has served in several business management
roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Walsh
previously served as Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc.
(paving contractors).
Annual Shareholder Report
35

OFFICERS
Name
Birth Date
Address
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years
and Previous Position(s)
Lori A. Hensler
Birth Date: January 6, 1967
TREASURER
Officer since: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of the
Federated Hermes Fund Family; Senior Vice President, Federated
Administrative Services; Financial and Operations Principal for
Federated Securities Corp.; and Assistant Treasurer, Federated
Investors Trust Company. Ms. Hensler has received the Certified
Public Accountant designation.
Previous Positions: Controller of Federated Hermes, Inc.; Senior Vice
President and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Management
Company; Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company; Assistant
Treasurer, Federated Administrative Services, Federated
Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood
Services, Inc., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated
Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global
Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling,
Federated Investment Management Company, Passport Research,
Ltd., and Federated MDTA, LLC; Financial and Operations Principal for
Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc. and Southpointe
Distribution Services, Inc.
Peter J. Germain
Birth Date:
September 3, 1959
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER,
SECRETARY and EXECUTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT
Officer since: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Mr. Germain is Chief Legal Officer, Secretary
and Executive Vice President of the Federated Hermes Fund Family.
He is General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive
Vice President, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Trustee and Senior Vice
President, Federated Investors Management Company; Trustee and
President, Federated Administrative Services; Director and President,
Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Director and Vice President,
Federated Securities Corp.; Director and Secretary, Federated Private
Asset Management, Inc.; Secretary, Federated Shareholder Services
Company; and Secretary, Retirement Plan Service Company of
America. Mr. Germain joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1984 and is a
member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Previous Positions: Deputy General Counsel, Special Counsel,
Managing Director of Mutual Fund Services, Federated Hermes, Inc.;
Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company; and Senior
Corporate Counsel, Federated Hermes, Inc.
Stephen Van Meter
Birth Date: June 5, 1975
CHIEF COMPLIANCE
OFFICER AND SENIOR
VICE PRESIDENT
Officer since: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance
Officer of the Federated Hermes Fund Family; Vice President and
Chief Compliance Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. and Chief
Compliance Officer of certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Van Meter joined
Federated Hermes, Inc. in October 2011. He holds FINRA licenses
under Series 3, 7, 24 and 66.
Previous Positions: Mr. Van Meter previously held the position of
Compliance Operating Officer, Federated Hermes, Inc. Prior to joining
Federated Hermes, Inc., Mr. Van Meter served at the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission in the positions of Senior
Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Investment Management
and Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement.
Annual Shareholder Report
36

Name
Birth Date
Address
Positions Held with Trust
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years
and Previous Position(s)
Robert J. Ostrowski
Birth Date: April 26, 1963
Chief Investment Officer
Officer since: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Robert J. Ostrowski joined Federated Hermes,
Inc. in 1987 as an Investment Analyst and became a Portfolio Manager
in 1990. He was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated
Hermes’ taxable fixed-income products in 2004 and also serves as a
Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ostrowski became an Executive Vice
President of the Fund’s Adviser in 2009 and served as a Senior Vice
President of the Fund’s Adviser from 1997 to 2009. Mr. Ostrowski has
received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He received his
M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Brandon L. Clark
Birth Date:
November 28, 1974
VICE PRESIDENT
Officer since: February 2021
Principal Occupations: Brandon L. Clark is a Vice President of the
Trust. Mr. Clark joined Federated Hermes in July 2020 as a Senior Vice
President and Director, ETF Business, Federated Advisory Services
Company. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Mr. Clark served as
Managing Director of Legg Mason’s ETF products and Head of ETF
Capital Markets with the Vanguard Group. Mr. Clark received his B.A.
in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.
Annual Shareholder Report
37

Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2021
FEDERATED HERMES short duration corporate ETF (THE “FUND”)
At its meetings in May 2021 (the “May Meetings”), the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and unanimously approved for an initial two-year term a proposed investment advisory contract (the “Contract”) between the Fund and Federated Investment Management Company (the “Adviser”). The Board’s determination to approve the Contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment regarding whether to authorize the creation and offering of this new investment vehicle, as proposed by Federated Hermes, Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, “Federated Hermes”), and is based on information requested by the Board and provided by Federated Hermes, as well as Federated Hermes’ recommendation to go forward with development of the Fund. The information, factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board’s approval are summarized below.
Information Received and Review Process
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”) furnished to the Board in advance of its May Meetings an independent written evaluation presenting on the topics discussed below. The Board considered the CCO’s independent written evaluation (the “New Fund CCO Fee Evaluation Report”), along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund’s proposed management fee and in determining to approve the Contract. The CCO, in preparing the New Fund CCO Fee Evaluation Report, has the authority to retain consultants, experts or staff as reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and can be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the New Fund CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Board considered the materials and presentations provided by Federated Hermes and the CCO’s independent written evaluation in connection with the Board’s annual approval of the continuation of the advisory and subadvisory contracts for the other funds advised by the Adviser and its affiliates (each, a “Federated Hermes Fund”) at its May 2021 Meetings. The Board also considered such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed Contract, which included detailed information about the Federated Hermes Funds and Federated Hermes furnished to the Board at its meetings throughout the year and in between regularly scheduled meetings on particular matters as the need arose.
38

The Board’s consideration of the Contract included review of materials and information covering the following matters, among others: the Adviser’s investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund’s proposed investment objective; the Fund’s anticipated expenses, including the proposed management fee and the overall estimated expense structure of the Fund (both in absolute terms and relative to a group of its peer funds), with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations (if any); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions to be derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the likely preferences and expectations of anticipated Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring and managing the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) and mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the exchange-traded fund and mutual fund industry; the Fund’s proposed relationship to the other Federated Hermes Funds, which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies, and the benefits to shareholders of being part of the family of Federated Hermes Funds, compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated Hermes Funds and Federated Hermes’ affiliates that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated Hermes’ responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the exchange-traded fund and mutual fund industry and how the Federated Hermes Funds and/or Federated Hermes may be responding to them. The Board noted that its evaluation process is evolutionary and that the criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria may change in recognition of changing circumstances in the exchange-traded fund and mutual fund marketplace.
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees in determining to approve the Contract. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board observed that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders (including the performance of the fund, its benchmark, and comparable funds); (2) an adviser’s cost of providing the services (including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund); (3) the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been appropriately shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any “fall-out” benefits that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); (5) comparative fee and expense structures (including a
39

comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds both internally and externally as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the adviser for what might be viewed as like services); and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund’s board members perform their duties and their expertise (including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser’s services and fees). The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for a fund board’s approval of the fund’s investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was guided by these factors in its review of the proposed Contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below. The Board recognized that certain of the factors listed above (relating to such matters as anticipated Fund performance and any indirect benefits that may accrue to Federated Hermes as a result of the Adviser’s proposed relationship with the Fund) are essentially impossible to apply before the Fund has experienced any meaningful operating history. The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Federated Hermes Funds and working with Federated Hermes on matters relating to the Federated Hermes Funds.
In determining to approve the Contract, the members of the Board reviewed and evaluated information and factors they believed to be relevant and appropriate through the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. While individual members of the Board may have weighed certain factors differently, the Board’s determination to approve the Contract was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Board. The Independent Trustees were assisted throughout the evaluation process by independent legal counsel. In connection with their deliberations at the May Meetings, the Independent Trustees met separately in executive session with their independent legal counsel and without management present to review the relevant materials and consider their responsibilities under applicable laws. In addition, senior management representatives of Federated Hermes also met with the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel to discuss the materials and presentations furnished to the Board at the May Meetings.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates to be dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the proposed terms of the Contract and the range of services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board considered the Adviser’s personnel, investment philosophy and process, investment research capabilities and resources, trade execution capabilities, experience and performance track record. The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management
40

team that will be primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Adviser’s ability and experience in attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the proposed Fund. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of the portfolio managers in analyzing factors such as special considerations relevant to investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade fixed-income securities consisting primarily of corporate debt securities. The Board also evaluated the Fund’s anticipated ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its Peer Group (as defined below) as a useful indicator of the Adviser’s anticipated ability to execute the Fund’s investment program.
In addition, the Board considered the financial resources and overall reputation of Federated Hermes and its willingness to consider and make investments in personnel, infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, business continuity planning and operational enhancements that are designed to benefit the Federated Hermes Funds. The Board also considered its past experience with the Adviser with respect to the services it provides to other Federated Hermes Funds. The Board considered that, although the Fund would be among the first ETFs managed by the Adviser, the Adviser had extensive experience advising actively managed mutual funds, including mutual funds with similar strategies to those of the Fund. The Board noted the significant acquisition of Hermes Fund Managers Limited by Federated Hermes in 2018, which has deepened the organization’s investment management expertise and capabilities and expanded the investment process for all of the Federated Hermes Funds to have access to analytical resources related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors and issuer engagement on ESG matters.
The Board considered the special attributes of the Fund as an ETF relative to a traditional mutual fund and the benefits that are expected to be realized from an investment in the Fund, rather than a traditional mutual fund. The Board also considered the resources devoted by Federated Hermes in developing and maintaining an infrastructure necessary to support the on-going operations of the Fund.
The Board considered the quality of the Adviser’s communications with the Board and responsiveness to Board inquiries and requests made from time to time with respect to the other Federated Hermes Funds. In this regard, the Board took into account the Adviser’s communications with the Board in light of the market volatility amidst the pandemic. The Board also considered that Federated Hermes is responsible for providing the Federated Hermes Funds’ officers.
The Board also considered information previously provided by the Adviser regarding its regulatory and compliance environment. The Board considered the Adviser’s compliance program, compliance history, and reports from the CCO about the Adviser’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including responses to regulatory developments and any compliance or other issues raised by regulatory agencies. The Board also noted Federated Hermes’
41

support of the Federated Hermes Funds’ compliance control structure and, in particular, the compliance-related resources that would be devoted by the Adviser and its affiliates in support of the Fund’s obligations pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including the Adviser’s commitment to respond to rulemaking and other regulatory initiatives of the SEC.
The Board considered Federated Hermes’ day-to-day oversight of the Federated Hermes Funds’ compliance with their investment objectives and policies as well as with applicable laws and regulations, noting that regulatory and other developments had over time led to an increase in the scope of Federated Hermes’ oversight in this regard, including in connection with the designation of the Federated Hermes Funds’ investment advisers as the administrators of the Federated Hermes Funds’ liquidity risk management program.
The Board also considered discussions with Federated Hermes regarding the implementation of its business continuity plans and recognized steps taken by Federated Hermes to continue to provide the same nature, extent and quality of services to the Federated Hermes Funds during the pandemic. In addition, the Board noted Federated Hermes’ commitment to maintaining high quality systems and expending substantial resources to prepare for and respond to ongoing changes due to the market, regulatory and control environments in which the Fund and its service providers would operate, including changes associated with the pandemic.
Based on these considerations, the Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management and related services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser and that the approval of the Contract was warranted.
Fund Investment Performance
The Board noted that the Fund is newly formed and has no prior performance history. The Board considered the investment performance of the Adviser and its significant history of managing short duration fixed-income portfolios. The Board also received additional information about the broad range of the portfolio management team’s investment experience and their investment philosophy and process, including with respect to the Fund’s proposed investments primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade fixed-income securities consisting primarily of corporate debt securities.
Based on these considerations, the Board concluded that it was satisfied that the Adviser has the capability of providing satisfactory investment performance for the Fund.
42

Fund Expenses
The Board considered the proposed management fee and overall proposed expense structure of the Fund and the comparative fee and expense information that had been provided in connection with the May Meetings. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the proposed contractual management fee rates, proposed net management fee rates, and anticipated total expense ratios relative to (i) traditional mutual funds with an institutional share class within the category of peer funds selected by Morningstar, Inc. , an independent fund ranking organization (the “Peer Group”) and (ii) actively managed ETFs within the Peer Group. The Board noted the CCO’s view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund’s fees. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases there may be differences in the funds’ objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement the funds, even within the same Peer Group. The Board noted information about structural, operational and other differences between ETFs and traditional mutual funds, including differences in the marketplace in which each type of product must compete.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged by other advisers for managing funds with comparable investment programs, the Board noted that it found the use of such comparisons to be relevant to its deliberations. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar exchange-traded funds and mutual funds more heavily than exchange-traded funds and mutual funds products or services because such comparisons are believed to be more relevant. The Board considered that other exchange-traded funds and mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles, and they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, anticipated to be chosen and maintained by the Fund’s anticipated shareholders. The Board noted that the range of such other exchange-traded funds’ and mutual funds’ fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund will compete. The Board also considered competition in the general ETF marketplace and the impact of market pressures on the price levels for actively managed ETFs such as the Fund.
The Board reviewed the proposed contractual management fee rate, proposed net management fee rate and anticipated total expense ratio of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund’s proposed fee rates relative to its Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the proposed contractual management fee rate of the Fund was above the median of the Peer Group. The Board also noted that most of the funds in the Fund’s Peer Group do not charge a unitary fee from which operational expenses are paid.
43

Consistent with general ETF practice, the Board noted the Fund’s “unitary” fee structure, under which the Adviser would, in addition to providing investment management services, arrange for transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Board considered that, other than the management fee, the Adviser would pay all operating expenses of the Fund, except for: (i) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transaction, transfer and withholding taxes); (ii) expenses of the Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions and short sale dividend or interest expense; (iii) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by the Trust in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (iv) acquired fund fees and expenses; (v) litigation expenses; (vi) proxy-related expenses; (vii) tax reclaim recovery expenses; and (viii) any expenses determined to be extraordinary expenses.
While Federated Hermes does not currently offer a Short-Term Corporate investment strategy either in a separate account or another Federated Hermes Fund, the Board previously received and considered information about the fees charged by Federated Hermes for advisory services provided by the Investment Grade Corporate investment team to other types of clients, including non-registered non-exchange-traded or mutual fund clients (such as institutional separate accounts) and third-party unaffiliated mutual funds for which the Adviser or its affiliates serve as sub-adviser. The Board noted the CCO’s conclusion that registered fund clients are inherently different products due to the following differences, among others: (i) different types of targeted investors; (ii) different applicable laws and regulations; (iii) different legal structures; (iv) different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; (v) the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams (among other personnel across various departments, including legal, compliance and risk management) in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, and addressing different degrees of risk associated with management; and (vi) a variety of different costs. The Board noted that the CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to other types of clients to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Hermes Funds’ advisory fees.
The Board considered the CCO’s conclusion that the proposed management fee was reasonable. The Board reviewed the proposed fees and anticipated total expense ratio of the Fund and was satisfied that the proposed overall expense structure of the Fund appeared to be appropriate.
44

Profitability and Other Benefits
The Board considered other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund. In connection with the Board’s governance of other Federated Hermes Funds, the Board regularly receives financial information about Federated Hermes, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall-out”) benefits that Federated Hermes derived from its relationships with the Federated Hermes Funds. This information covers not only the fees under the Federated Hermes Funds’ investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated Hermes’ affiliates for providing other services to the Federated Hermes Funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated Hermes Funds’ administrator and distributor). In this regard, the Board considered that certain of Federated Hermes’ affiliates provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Hermes Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The Board also received and considered information detailing any indirect benefit that Federated Hermes may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute portfolio trades for the Federated Hermes Funds. In addition, the Board considered that, in order for the Federated Hermes Funds to remain competitive in the marketplace, the Adviser and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to Federated Hermes Fund shareholders and/or reported to the Board their intention to do so (or continue to do so) in the future. Moreover, the Board received and considered regular reports from Federated Hermes throughout the year as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements.
The Board received and considered information furnished by Federated Hermes, as requested by the CCO, that reported projected revenues for the Fund, as detailed cost allocation reports had not yet been projected for the Fund. The Board considered the CCO’s view that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continue to cause the CCO to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable because a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Hermes Fund and may produce unintended consequences. The Board considered that the Fund was new to Federated Hermes and noted the CCO’s view that any projected cost allocation and/or profit margin does not represent the full or actual cost of operating a Federated Hermes Fund and makes only rough estimates of the cost to launch a Federated Hermes Fund. The Board also considered the CCO’s view that, while the Fund is expected to grow in size, the creation and maintenance of the Fund requires a substantial initial investment. The allocation information, including the CCO’s view that estimations regarding the Fund may be unreliable, was considered in the evaluation by the Board.
45

The Board also considered information regarding the CCO’s review of information compiled by Federated Hermes comparing its profitability information to other publicly held fund management companies. The Board considered that the CCO noted that Federated Hermes regularly undertakes to establish new Federated Hermes Funds and maintains a number of other smaller Federated Hermes Funds that, while expected to grow to a greater size, nevertheless require substantial investment and waiver or assumption of fees and other expenses in order to deliver them to the marketplace. The Board considered the CCO’s conclusion that, based on such profitability information, Federated Hermes’ profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The Board also considered the CCO’s view that Federated Hermes appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Federated Hermes Funds, including the proposed Contract.
Economies of Scale
The Board received and considered information about the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board considered that any reduction in fixed costs associated with the management of the Fund would benefit the Adviser due to the unitary fee structure of the Fund, but that the unitary fee would protect shareholders from a rise in operating costs and/or a decline in Fund assets and is a transparent means of informing the Fund’s shareholders of the fees associated with the Fund. The Board also considered that Federated Hermes has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Hermes Funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management (including market data on which portfolio managers make investment decisions), trading operations, issuer engagement (including with respect to ESG matters), shareholder services, compliance, business continuity, internal audit and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity) and use of data. The Board noted that Federated Hermes’ investments in these areas are extensive and are designed to provide enhanced services to the Federated Hermes Funds and their shareholders. The Board considered that the benefits of these investments (as well as the benefits of any economies of scale, should they exist) are likely to be shared with the family of Federated Hermes Funds as a whole. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses for the Federated Hermes Funds and that such waivers and reimbursements are another means for potential economies of scale to be shared with shareholders and can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Hermes Fund’s assets decline. The Board noted the fee waiver arrangement proposed for the Fund.
46

In connection with the Board’s governance of other Federated Hermes Funds, the Board regularly receives information furnished by Federated Hermes regarding adviser-paid fees (commonly referred to as “revenue sharing”). The Board considered the beliefs of Federated Hermes and the CCO that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund management fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fees as a fund attains a certain size. The Board considered that the CCO did not recommend institution of breakpoints in pricing Federated Hermes’ proposed investment management services to the Fund at this time. The Board noted that, as part of its future annual review of the Contract, it will review asset growth in the Fund, whether economies of scale that can be reasonably identified have been achieved, and the extent to which such economies of scale may be shared with Fund shareholders.
Conclusions
The Board considered: (i) the CCO’s conclusion that his observations and the information accompanying the New Fund CCO Fee Evaluation Report show that the proposed management fee for the Fund was reasonable; and (ii) the CCO’s recommendation that the Board approve the proposed management fee.
On the basis of the information and factors summarized above, among other information and factors deemed relevant by the Board, and the evaluation thereof, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously voted to approve the Contract. The Board based its determination to approve the Contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view of past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily deemed to be relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were deemed to be relevant, the Board’s determination to approve the Contract reflects its view that Federated Hermes’ proposal to establish and manage the Fund and its past performance and actions in providing services to other Federated Hermes Funds (which the Board has found to be satisfactory with respect to such other Federated Hermes Funds) provided a satisfactory basis to support the determination to approve
the proposed arrangement.
Annual Shareholder Report
47

Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400, Option #4. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund name at FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund’s holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund name at FederatedInvestors.com.
Annual Shareholder Report
48

Funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund’s Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31423L107
Q455573 (6/22)
© 2022 Federated Hermes, Inc.

Item 2.Code of Ethics

 

(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the "Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers") that applies to the registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant's Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.

(c) There was no amendment to the registrant’s code of ethics described in Item 2(a) above during the period covered by the report.

(d) There was no waiver granted, either actual or implicit, from a provision to the registrant’s code of ethics described in Item 2(a) above during the period covered by the report.

(e) Not Applicable

(f)(3) The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant at 1-800-341-7400, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant's Board has determined that each of the following members of the Board's Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert,” and is "independent," for purposes of this Item:   G. Thomas Hough and Thomas M. O'Neill. 

 

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

(a)       Audit Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2022 – $70,900

Fiscal year ended 2021 - NA

(b)       Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2022 - $0

Fiscal year ended 2021 - NA

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and NA respectively.

(c)        Tax Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2022 - $0

Fiscal year ended 2021 - NA

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and NA respectively.

(d)       All Other Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2022 - $0

Fiscal year ended 2021 - NA

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $56,742 and NA respectively. Fiscal year ended 2022- Service fees for analysis of potential Passive Foreign Investment Company holdings.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Policies regarding Pre-approval of Services.

The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services do not impair the auditor’s independence. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

Certain services have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of the general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. The Audit Committee will annually review the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee and may grant general pre-approval for such services. The Audit Committee will revise the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. The Audit Committee will not delegate to management its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor.

The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its chairman (the “Chairman”) for services that do not exceed a specified dollar threshold. The Chairman or Chief Audit Executive will report any such pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will designate another member with such pre-approval authority when the Chairman is unavailable.

AUDIT SERVICES

The annual audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, registered investment company (RIC) structure or other matters.

In addition to the annual audit services engagement specifically approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for other audit services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain audit services; with limited exception, all other audit services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the RIC’s financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor, and has pre-approved certain audit-related services; all other audit-related services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

TAX SERVICES

The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide tax services to the RIC such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence. However, the Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain tax services; with limited exception, all tax services involving large and complex transactions must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

ALL OTHER SERVICES

With respect to the provision of permissible services other than audit, review or attest services the pre-approval requirement is waived if:

(1)With respect to such services rendered to the Funds, the aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the audit client to its accountant during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; and,

 

(2)With respect to such services rendered to the Fund’s investment adviser ( the “Adviser”)and any entity controlling, controlled by to under common control with the Adviser such as affiliated non-U.S. and U.S. funds not under the Audit Committee’s purview and which do not fall within a category of service which has been determined by the Audit Committee not to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the RIC, the aggregate amount of all services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid to the RIC’s auditor by the RIC, its Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; and

 

(3)Such services were not recognized by the issuer or RIC at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and

 

(4)Such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee who are members of the Board of Directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee.

 

The Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services which qualify for pre-approval and which it believes are routine and recurring services, and would not impair the independence of the auditor.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.

PRE-APPROVAL FEE LEVELS

Pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

PROCEDURES

Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by the Fund’s Principal Accounting Officer and/or the Chief Audit Executive of Federated Hermes, Inc., only after those individuals have determined that the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

(e)(2) Percentage of services identified in items 4(b) through 4(d) that were approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X:

4(b)

Fiscal year ended 2022 – 0%

Fiscal year ended 2021 - NA

Percentage of services provided to the registrant’s Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and NA respectively.

4(c)

Fiscal year ended 2022 – 0%

Fiscal year ended 2021 – NA

Percentage of services provided to the registrant’s Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and NA respectively.

4(d)

Fiscal year ended 2022 – 0%

Fiscal year ended 2021 – NA

Percentage of services provided to the registrant’s Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and NA respectively.

(f)NA

 

(g)Non-Audit Fees billed to the registrant, the registrant’s Adviser, and certain entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser:

 

Fiscal year ended 2022 - $117,986

Fiscal year ended 2021 - NA

(h)The registrant’s Audit Committee has considered that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s 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 that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 6.Schedule of Investments

 

(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b) Not Applicable; Fund had no divestments during the reporting period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

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

 

No Changes to Report

 

Item 11.Controls and Procedures

 

(a) The registrant’s President and Treasurer have concluded that the

registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Act) are effective in design and operation and are sufficient to form the basis of the certifications required by Rule 30a-(2) under the Act, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are 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- Not Applicable to this Report.

 

(a)(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

 

(a)(3) Not Applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Federated Hermes ETF Trust

 

By /S/ Lori A. Hensler

 

Lori A. Hensler, Principal Financial Officer

 

Date June 22, 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 /S/ J. Christopher Donahue

 

J. Christopher Donahue, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date June 22, 2022

 

 

By /S/ Lori A. Hensler

 

Lori A. Hensler, Principal Financial Officer

 

Date June 22, 2022