Item 1. Business
Item
1. Business
The
Trust and the Funds
ETF
Managers Group Commodity Trust I (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 23, 2014. The Trust
is a series trust formed pursuant to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and currently includes two separate series. Sit Rising Rate
ETF (“RISE”) is the first series of the Trust and is a commodity pool that continuously issues common shares of beneficial
interest that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. stock exchange (“NYSE Arca”). The second series of
the Trust, Breakwave Dry Bulk Shipping ETF (“BDRY,” and together with RISE, each, a “Fund” and collectively,
the “Funds”), is also a commodity pool that continuously issues shares of beneficial interest that may be purchased
and sold on NYSE Arca.
RISE
commenced investment operations on February 19, 2015. RISE commenced trading on NYSE Arca on February 19, 2015 and trades under
the symbol “RISE.” BDRY commenced investment operations on March 22, 2018. BDRY commenced trading on NYSE Arca on
March 22, 2018 and trades under the symbol “BDRY.”
The
principal office of the Trust and the Funds is located at 30 Maple Street, Suite 2, Summit, NJ 07901. The telephone number is
(844) 383-6477.
The
Sponsor
The
Funds are each managed and controlled by ETF Managers Capital LLC (the “Sponsor”), a single member limited liability
company that was formed in the state of Delaware on June 12, 2014. Each Fund pays the Sponsor a management fee. The Sponsor maintains
its main business office at 30 Maple Street, Suite 2, Summit, NJ 07901. The Sponsor’s telephone number is (844) 383-6477.
The
Funds are each a “commodity pool” as defined by the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). Consequently, the
Sponsor has registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”)
and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
The
Sponsor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exchange Traded Managers Group LLC (“ETFMG”), a limited liability company
domiciled and headquartered in New Jersey.
Sit
Rising Rate ETF
RISE
Investment Objective
RISE’s
investment objective is to profit from rising interest rates by tracking the performance of a portfolio (the “RISE Benchmark
Portfolio”) consisting of exchange traded futures contracts and options on futures on 2, 5 and 10 year U.S. Treasury securities
(“Treasury Instruments”) weighted to achieve a targeted negative 10 year average effective portfolio duration (the
“RISE Benchmark Component Instruments”). RISE seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in the RISE Benchmark
Component Instruments currently constituting the RISE Benchmark Portfolio. The RISE Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Sit Fixed
Income Advisors II, LLC (“Sit”), which also serves as RISE’s commodity trading advisor (“CTA”).
The RISE Benchmark Portfolio will be rebalanced, reconstituted, or both, monthly (typically on the 15 th of each month,
or on the next business day if the 15 th is a holiday, weekend, or other day on which the national stock exchanges are
closed) to maintain a negative 10 year average effective duration. The RISE Benchmark Portfolio and RISE will each maintain a
short position in Treasury Instruments. RISE does not use futures contracts or options to obtain leveraged investment results.
RISE will not invest in swaps or other over-the-counter derivative instruments.
RISE
Commodity Trading Advisor
Sit
serves as RISE’s CTA. Sit is a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Sit Investment Associates, Inc. Sit
Investment Associates, Inc. was founded in July 1981 by Eugene C. Sit and is a Minnesota corporation.
Sit
is registered as a CTA with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA.
Sit
provides its services to RISE under a Licensing and Services Agreement with the Sponsor. Under this agreement, Sit has agreed
to compose and maintain the RISE Benchmark Portfolio and license to the Sponsor the use of the RISE Benchmark Portfolio.
RISE
Significant Shareholders
Prior
to RISE commencing operations, SIT made an initial investment of $5,000,000 in exchange for 200,000 shares of RISE. By June 30,
2020, Sit had redeemed 138,800 shares, thereby reducing its investment in RISE to 61,200 shares.
1
RISE
Investing Strategy
RISE
seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in the RISE Benchmark Component Instruments currently constituting the
RISE Benchmark Portfolio. The weighting of the Treasury Instruments constituting the RISE Benchmark Component Instruments will
be based on each maturity’s duration contribution. The expected range for the duration weighted percentage of the 2 year
and 5 year maturity Treasury Instruments will be from 30% to 70%. The expected range for the duration weighted percentage of the
10 year maturity Treasury Instruments will be from 5% to 25%.
The
relative weightings of the RISE Benchmark Component Instruments will be shifted between maturities when there are material changes
in the shape of the yield curve, for example, if the Federal Reserve began raising short term interest rates more than long term
interest rates. In such an instance, Sit, which maintains the RISE Benchmark Portfolio, will increase the weightings of the 2
year and reduce the weighting in the 10 year maturity Treasury Instruments. Conversely, Sit will do the opposite if the Federal
Reserve began raising long term interest rates more than short term interest rates. Reconstitution, rebalancing, or both, each
will occur monthly as discussed above or if there are radical changes in the yield curve such that effective duration is outside
of a range from negative nine to negative 11-year average effective duration, in which case Sit will adjust the maturities of
the Treasury Instruments before the next expected monthly reconstitution.
The
Sponsor anticipates that approximately 5% to 15% of RISE’s assets will be used as payment for or collateral for Treasury
Instruments. RISE will post margin from such assets to its futures commission merchant (“FCM”), SG Americas Securities,
LLC (“SGAS”), in an amount equal to the margin required by the relevant exchange, and transfer to its FCM any additional
amounts that may be separately required by the FCM. When establishing positions in Treasury Instruments, RISE will be required
to deposit initial margin with a value of approximately 3% to 10% of the value of each Treasury Instrument position at the time
it is established. These margin requirements are subject to change from time to time by the exchange or the FCM. On a daily basis,
RISE will be obligated to pay, or entitled to receive, variation margin in an amount equal to the change in the daily settlement
level of its Treasury Instruments positions. Any assets not required to be posted as margin with RISE’s FCM will be held
at RISE’s custodian in cash or cash equivalents.
The
RISE Benchmark Portfolio will consist of the RISE Benchmark Component Instruments and rebalanced, reconstituted, or both to maintain
a negative average effective portfolio duration of approximately 10 years. Duration is a measure of estimated price sensitivity
relative to changes in interest rates. Portfolios with longer durations are typically more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
For example, if interest rates rise by 1%, the market value of a security with an effective duration of 5 years would decrease
by 5%, with all other factors being constant, and likewise, if interest rates decline by 1%, the market value of a security with
an effective duration of negative 5 years would increase by 5%, with all other factors being constant. Duration estimates are
based on assumptions by Sit and are subject to a number of limitations. Duration is a more accurate estimate of price sensitivity
provided interest rate changes are small and occur equally in short-term and long-term securities. Investments in debt securities
typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. The risk of a decrease in value is usually greater for longer-term debt
securities.
RISE
will incur certain expenses in connection with its operations. RISE will hold cash or cash equivalents such as U.S. Treasuries
or other high credit quality, short-term fixed-income or similar securities for direct investment or as collateral for the Treasury
Instruments and for other liquidity purposes and to meet redemptions that may be necessary on an ongoing basis. These expenses
and income from the cash and cash equivalent holdings may cause imperfect correlation between changes in RISE’s net asset
value (“NAV”) and changes in the RISE Benchmark Portfolio, because the RISE Benchmark Portfolio does not reflect expenses
or income.
Sit
expects that it will generally seek to close out its positions in Treasury futures contracts prior to such contracts maturing
and enter into new positions in Treasury futures contracts. In connection with this process, natural market forces may affect
RISE’s NAV positively or negatively. This is because each time RISE seeks to rebalance or reconstitute its positions, even
absent movement in the underlying Treasury Instruments, the prices of new futures and option prices may be higher or lower than
the prices of those that were closed out. Such differences in price, barring a movement in the price of the underlying security,
will constitute “roll yield” and may inhibit RISE’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Several
factors may determine the total return from investing in a futures contract position. One factor that impacts the total return,
which will result from investing in near month futures contracts and “rolling” those contracts forward each month,
is the price relationship between the current near month contract and the next month contract. Among other such factors, when
RISE purchases an option that expires “out of the money,” RISE will realize a loss. Additionally, RISE may not be
able to invest its assets in futures and options contracts having an aggregate notional amount exactly equal to that which is
required to achieve a negative 10 year average effective duration. For example, as standardized contracts, Treasury futures contracts
are denominated in specific dollar amounts, and RISE’s NAV and the proceeds from the sale of a creation basket (a “Creation
Basket”) are unlikely to be an exact multiple of the amounts of those contracts. As a result, in such circumstances, RISE
may be better able to achieve the exact amount of exposure desired through the use of other investments.
Sit
will close existing positions when it determines it would be appropriate to do so and reinvest the proceeds in other positions.
Positions may also be closed out to meet orders for a redemption basket (a “Redemption Basket”).
2
RISE
Benchmark Portfolio
The
RISE Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Sit and will be rebalanced, reconstituted, or both, monthly (typically on the 15th of
each month or on the next business day if the 15th is a holiday, weekend, or other day on which the national exchanges are closed)
to maintain a negative 10 year average effective duration. The RISE Benchmark Portfolio and RISE will each maintain a short position
in Treasury Instruments. RISE does not use futures contracts or options to obtain leveraged investment results. The RISE Benchmark
Component Instruments currently constituting the RISE Benchmark Portfolio as of June 30, 2020 include:
Name
Ticker
Market
Value (USD)
UNITED STATES TREASURY BILLS
912796WX3
$ 4,849,667
U.S. 5 YR FUTR OPTN SEP 20 C $125.50
FVU0C 125.5
(4,148 )
U.S. 5 YR NOTE (CBT) SEP 20
FVU0
(4,652,461 )
U.S. 2 YR NOTE (CBT) SEP 20
TUU0
(10,158,094 )
U.S. 10 YR FUT OPTN SEP 20 P $139.50
TYU0P 139.5
14,296
The
RISE Benchmark Component Instruments currently constituting the RISE Benchmark Portfolio and anticipated rebalancing dates, as
well as the daily holdings of RISE, are available on RISE’s website at www.risingrateetf.com.
RISE
Trading Policies
Liquidity
RISE
invests principally in exchange traded futures and options on futures on U.S. Treasuries that, in the opinion of the Sponsor,
are traded in sufficient volume to permit the ready taking of orders and liquidation of positions in these financial instruments.
Borrowings
Borrowings
are not undertaken by RISE.
Breakwave
Dry Bulk Shipping ETF
BDRY
Investment Objective
BDRY’s
investment objective is to provide investors with exposure to the daily change in the price of dry bulk freight futures by tracking
the performance of a portfolio (the “BDRY Benchmark Portfolio” and, collectively with the RISE Benchmark Portfolio,
the “Benchmark Portfolios”) consisting of exchange-cleared futures contracts on the cost of shipping dry bulk freight
(“Freight Futures”). BDRY seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in
the Freight Futures currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio.
The
BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave Advisors LLC (“Breakwave”), which also serves as BDRY’s
CTA. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually.
BDRY
Commodity Trading Advisor
Breakwave
serves as BDRY’s CTA. Breakwave is a Delaware limited liability company.
Breakwave
is registered as a CTA with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA.
Breakwave
provides its services to BDRY under a Services Agreement with the Sponsor. Under this agreement, Breakwave has agreed to compose
and maintain the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio and license to the Sponsor the use of the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio.
BDRY
Investing Strategy
BDRY
seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in the Freight Futures currently constituting
the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will include all existing positions to maturity and settle them in
cash. During any given calendar quarter, the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will progressively increase its position to the next calendar
quarter three-month strip, thus maintaining constant exposure to the Freight Futures market as positions mature.
The
BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will maintain long-only positions in Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will include a combination
of Capesize, Panamax and Supramax Freight Futures. More specifically, the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will include 50% exposure in
Capesize Freight Futures contracts, 40% exposure in Panamax Freight Futures contracts and 10% exposure in Supramax Freight Futures
contracts. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio will not include and BDRY will not invest in swaps, non-cleared dry bulk freight forwards
or other over-the-counter derivative instruments that are not cleared through exchanges or clearing houses. BDRY may hold exchange-traded
options on Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually. The Freight
Futures currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio, as well as the daily holdings of BDRY will be available on BDRY’s
website at www.drybulketf.com.
3
When
establishing positions in Freight Futures, BDRY will be required to deposit initial margin with a value of approximately 10% to
40% of the notional value of each Freight Futures position at the time it is established. These margin requirements are established
and subject to change from time to time by the relevant exchanges, clearing houses or BDRY’s FCM. On a daily basis, BDRY
will be obligated to pay, or entitled to receive, variation margin in an amount equal to the change in the daily settlement level
of its Freight Futures positions. Any assets not required to be posted as margin with BDRY’s FCM will generally be held
at BDRY’s custodian in cash or cash equivalents, as discussed below.
BDRY
will hold cash or cash equivalents such as U.S. Treasuries or other high credit quality, short-term fixed-income or similar securities
for direct investment or as collateral for the U.S. Treasuries and for other liquidity purposes and to meet redemptions that may
be necessary on an ongoing basis. BDRY may also realize interest income from its holdings in U.S. Treasuries or other market rate
instruments.
BDRY
Benchmark Portfolio
The
BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave, which also serves as BDRY’s CTA. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio consists
of the Freight Futures, which are a three-month strip of the nearest calendar quarter of futures contracts on specified indexes
(each a “Reference Index”) that measure rates for shipping dry bulk freight. Each Reference Index is published each
United Kingdom business day by the London-based Baltic Exchange Ltd. (the “Baltic Exchange”) and measures the charter
rate for shipping dry bulk freight in a specific size category of cargo ship – Capesize, Panamax or Supramax. The three
Reference Indexes are as follows:
●
Capesize :
the Capesize 5TC Index;
●
Panamax :
the Panamax 4TC Index; and
●
Supramax :
the Supramax 6TC Index.
The
Freight Futures currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio as of June 30, 2020 include:
Name
Ticker
Market
Value USD
BALTIC
EXCHANGE PANAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - JUL 20
BFFAP N20 Index
$ 3,799,600
BALTIC EXCHANGE
PANAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - AUG 20
BFFAP Q20 Index
3,768,100
BALTIC EXCHANGE
PANAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - SEP 20
BFFAP U20 Index
3,753,750
BALTIC EXCHANGE
SUPRAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - JUL 20
S58FM N20 Index
1,536,480
BALTIC EXCHANGE
SUPRAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - AUG 20
S58FM Q20
1,746,000
BALTIC EXCHANGE
SUPRAMAX T/C AVERAGE SHIPPING ROUTE INDEX - SEP 20
S58FM U20
1,769,220
BALTIC CAPESIZE
TIME CHARTER - JUL 20
BFFATC N20 Index
9,431,220
BALTIC CAPESIZE
TIME CHARTER - AUG 20
BFFATC Q20 Index
8,851,050
BALTIC CAPESIZE
TIME CHARTER - SEP 20
BFFATC U20 Index
9,041,760
The
value of the Capesize 5TC Index is disseminated at 11:00 a.m., London Time and the value of the Panamax 4TC Index and the Supramax
6TC Index are each disseminated at 1:00 p.m., London Time. The Reference Index information disseminated by the Baltic Exchange
also includes the components and value of each component in each Reference Index. Such Reference Index information also is widely
disseminated by Reuters and/or other major market data vendors.
BDRY
Trading Policies
Liquidity
BDRY
invests principally in exchange cleared futures that, in the opinion of the Sponsor, are traded in sufficient volume to permit
the ready taking of orders in these financial interests.
Leverage
The
Sponsor endeavors to have the value of the Fund’s Treasury Securities, cash and cash equivalents, whether held by the Fund
or posted as margin or collateral, at all times approximate the aggregate market value of its obligations under the Fund’s
Freight Futures interests, adjusted for the proportion of the current month’s Freight Futures contracts whose value has
already been assessed.
Borrowings
BDRY
does not intend to or foresee the need to borrow money or establish lines of credit.
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Pyramiding
BDRY
does not and will not employ the technique, commonly known as pyramiding, in which the speculator uses unrealized profits on existing
positions as variation margin for the purchase of additional positions in the same commodity interest.
No
Distributions
The
Sponsor has discretionary authority over all distributions made by BDRY. In view of BDRY’s objective of seeking significant
capital appreciation, the Sponsor currently does not intend to make any distributions, but, has the sole discretion to do so from
time to time.
Margin
Requirements and Marking-to-Market Futures Positions
“Initial
margin” is an amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity trader with the trader’s broker to initiate an
open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit is like a cash performance bond. It helps assure the trader’s performance
of the futures contracts that he or she purchases or sells. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin
that represents a small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. The amount of margin required in
connection with a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded. Brokerage firms, such as
BDRY’s clearing broker, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts may require higher amounts of margin
as a matter of policy to further protect themselves.
Futures
contracts are marked to market at the end of each trading day and the margin required with respect to such contracts is adjusted
accordingly. This process of marking-to-market is designed to prevent losses from accumulating in any futures account. Therefore,
if BDRY’s futures positions have declined in value, BDRY may be required to post “variation margin” to cover
this decline. Alternatively, if BDRY’s futures positions have increased in value, this increase will be credited to BDRY’s
account.
Futures
Contracts
The
Funds enter into futures contracts to gain exposure to changes in the value of the Benchmark Portfolios. A futures contract obligates
the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept) the future cash settlement of a specified quantity and type of a treasury
futures contract at a specified time and place. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller of a treasury futures contract
may generally be satisfied by making an offsetting sale or purchase of an identical futures contract on the same or linked exchange
before the designated date of delivery.
Upon
entering into a futures contract, the Funds are each required to deposit and maintain as collateral at least such initial margin
as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. The initial margin is segregated as cash held by broker, as
disclosed in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities, and is restricted as to its use. Pursuant to the futures contract,
the Funds each agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the futures
contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Funds as unrealized gains or losses.
The Funds will realize a gain or loss upon closing a futures transaction.
Futures
contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (specifically treasury price risk) and exposure to loss in excess
of the amount of variation margin. The face or contract amounts reflect the extent of the total exposure the Funds have in the
particular classes of instruments. Additional risks associated with the use of futures contracts include imperfect correlation
between movements in the price of the futures contracts and the market value of the underlying securities and the possibility
of an illiquid market for a futures contract. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Funds since futures
contracts are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures contracts,
guarantees the futures contracts against default.
The
Funds’ Service Providers
Administrator,
Custodian, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent
The
Funds have each appointed U.S. Bank, a national banking association, with its principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the
custodian (the “Custodian”). Its affiliate, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, is the Fund accountant (the “Fund Accountant”)
of the Funds, transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) for the Funds’ shares and administrator for the Funds (the
“Administrator”). It performs certain administrative and accounting services for the Funds and prepares certain SEC,
NFA and CFTC reports on behalf of the Funds. (U.S. Bank and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services are referred to collectively hereinafter
as “U.S. Bank”).
Distributor
ETFMG
Financial LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETFMG (the “Distributor”), provides statutory and wholesaling distribution
services to RISE. The Distributor has provided statutory and wholesaling distribution services to BDRY since it commenced trading
on NYSE Arca on March 22, 2018.
5
The
Funds pay the Distributor an annual fee for statutory and wholesaling distribution services and related administrative services
equal to the greater of $15,000 or 0.02% of the Funds’ average daily net assets, payable monthly. Pursuant to the respective
Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, each Fund and the Distributor, the Distributor assists the Sponsor and the applicable
Fund with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the applicable Fund, including reviewing
and approving marketing materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. The Distributor also assists with the processing
of creation and redemption orders.
In
no event will the aggregate compensation paid to the Distributor and any affiliate of the Sponsor for distribution-related services
in connection with the offering of shares exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds of the offering. The Distributor’s
principal business address is 30 Maple Street, Suite 2, Summit, New Jersey, 07901.
Trustee
Under
the respective Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (each, a “Trust Agreement”) for each
Fund, Wilmington Trust Company, the Trustee of each of the Funds (the “Trustee”) serves as the sole trustee of each
Fund in the State of Delaware. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Funds in the State of Delaware and will
make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. Under the respective Trust Agreement for each Fund, the Sponsor has
the exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Fund. The Trustee does not owe any other duties to
the Funds, the Sponsor or the Shareholders of the Funds. The Trustee has no duty or liability to supervise or monitor the performance
of the Sponsor, nor does the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of the Sponsor.
RISE
Futures Commission Merchant
Currently, SG
Americas Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, serves as RISE’s clearing broker to execute and clear RISE’s
futures and options transactions and provide other brokerage-related services. SGAS is an FCM and broker dealer registered with
the CFTC and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”). SGAS is a clearing member of all principal futures exchanges located in the United States as
well as a member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, International Securities Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, Options Clearing
Corporation, and Government Securities Clearing Corporation. RISE has estimated that it will pay 0.08% of RISE’s NAV annually
in brokerage fees for execution and clearing services on behalf of RISE.
SGAS
is headquartered at 245 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10167 with a branch office in Chicago and, as securities only branches, in Houston,
Boston and Dallas.
On
January 2, 2015, Newedge USA, LLC (“Newedge USA” or “NUSA”) merged with and into SGAS, with the latter
as the surviving entity.
The
following disclosure is intended to provide information that may be material to an FCM customer regarding administrative, civil,
or criminal actions filed against SGAS or Newedge USA during the last five years. Only material items have been included and the
below is not a comprehensive list of all proceedings to which either entity is or has been a party. Additional information on
regulatory, civil and arbitration proceedings involving SGAS or legacy Newedge USA is available through FINRA’s BrokerCheck
(which can be accessed electronically at www.finra.org ), the National Futures Association’s Background Affiliation
Status Information Center (which can be accessed electronically at www.nfa.futures.org/basicnet ). In addition, proceedings
that are material to SGAS’s ultimate corporate parent Societe Generale are described under the caption “Compliance,
Reputational and Legal Risks” in Societe Generale’s annual Registration Document and associated updates (which are
available through the Societe Generale website at www.societegenerale.com) .
Regulatory
Proceedings
In October 2015, SGAS,
as successor to Newedge USA, settled, without admitting or denying the allegations, a matter brought by ICE Futures U.S. that was
based on alleged failures by Newedge USA to report an open interest in three energy futures contracts in accordance with the rules
of the exchange over a period of approximately twenty-two business days in May and June 2014. In connection with this matter, SGAS
paid a fine of $100,000.
In October 2015, SGAS,
as successor to Newedge USA, settled, without admitting or denying the allegations, a matter brought by FINRA for failing to report
certain short interest positions in 2010-2012. In connection with this matter, SGAS paid a fine in the amount of $120,000.
Beginning in late 2013, the SEC reviewed
transactions by SGAS’s Non-Agency Mortgage Desk in which SGAS bought baskets of securities from a counterparty and sold
the securities back to the same counterparty, and also reviewed communications with counterparties regarding certain riskless
principal trades. The SEC reviewed transactions that occurred between approximately December 2011 and June 2013. SGAS
cooperated with the investigation and disciplined the trader involved and her supervisor. In December 2015, SGAS paid $1,011,093
to settle the matter, consisting of a $800,000 fine and $211,093 in disgorgement including interest.
6
In December 2015, SGAS,
as successor to Newedge USA, settled, without admitting or denying the allegations, a matter brought by the Chicago Board Options
Exchange (Cboe) concerning Newedge USA’s large option position reporting (LOPR) errors from 2010-2012. In connection with
this settlement, SGAS paid a fine of $650,000.
In June 2016, SGAS,
as successor to Newedge USA, settled, without admitting or denying the allegations, a matter brought by the Chicago Board of Trade
(CBOT) alleging that on six days between November 2013 and January 2014, three traders for Newedge (one employed by Newedge and
two by its Canadian affiliate) entered into separate transactions with third parties prior to consummating the block trade with
the counterparty in violation of CBOT Rules 432.W. and 526. The settlement included a fine in the amount of $100,000 and a disgorgement
of profits in the amount of $19,502.50.
In September 2016,
SGAS, as successor to Newedge USA, settled, without admitting or denying the allegations, a matter brought by the CFTC alleging
Newedge USA violated Section 4C(A) of the Commodity Exchange Act and Regulations 1.38 and 166.3 by executed and confirming numerous
exchange for physical transactions in agricultural and soft commodities for and on behalf of its clients that were for the same
contract, quantity and same or similar price with the buyer and seller for each transaction under the same common control and ownership.
The settlement includes a $750,000 civil penalty and an undertaking to implement policies, procedures and training programs reasonably
designed to prevent the execution, clearing and reporting to an exchange of non-bona fide exchange of futures for physical transactions.
In April 2017, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the allegations, a matter brought by the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and NYSE ARCA,
Inc. for failing to report, or accurately report, “reportable positions” on its large option position report in violation
of Exchange Rules 4.2 and 4.13. In connection with this matter, SGAS paid a fine of $100,000 to each of the Cboe and NYSE ARCA,
Inc.
In April 2017, SGAS,
as successor to Newedge USA settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by FINRA for failing to establish
and maintain a supervisory system reasonably designed to ensure that customers were sent account statements, notified of availability
of statements on its customer portal, agreed to receive statements and confirmations electronically, and were sent confirmations
which contained all of the required information. The settlement included payment of a fine in the amount of $100,000.
In July 2017, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter with the CME Group where the CME alleged SGAS violated CME Rules 9.70.A.,
971.A.2.A., B. and C., 980.A. and 980.B.1 and 2. The settlement related to two separate CME exam findings: 1) balances were not
consistently identifiable in the general ledger and 2) procedures for resolving the general ledger suspense balances were not sufficient.
In connection with this matter, SGAS paid a fine of $150,000.
In January 2018, SGAS,
without admitting or denying the findings, settled a matter with FINRA in which FINRA alleged SGAS failed to meet certain FINRA
trade reporting requirements and also disclosed the incorrect capacity on certain customer confirmations, in violation of various
FINRA and NASD rules. In connection with this matter, SGAS paid a fine of $200,000 and also undertook to re-report certain trades,
pay associated transaction fees not previously paid due to the reporting issues, and revise certain of its written supervisory
procedures.
In March 2018, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by FINRA in connection with SGAS’s over-submissions
of shares in certain tender offers. The settlement included payment of a fine in the amount of $50,000 plus disgorgement
of profits in the amount of $469,130.
In September 2018,
SGAS settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by the SEC alleging that in 2012-2015 Newedge USA (and
then SGAS) engaged in transactions in pre-released American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) without complying with certain obligations
of the Securities Act of 1933, and failed to supervise borrowing and lending of pre-released ADRs by its personnel in violation
of certain provisions of the Exchange Act of 1934. The settlement included payment of a $250,000 fine, $486,672 in disgorgement,
and $82,657 in pre-judgment interest.
In October 2018, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by FINRA on behalf of Cboe BZX, Cboe EDGA, Cboe EDGX, Nasdaq
and Nasdaq PHLX regarding incorrect use of capacity codes on exchange orders in 2014-2016. The settlement included payment of fines
totaling $175,000.
In April 2019, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by FINRA on behalf of NYSE Arca and Cboe regarding deficiencies
in large option position reporting at NUSA. The settlement included payment of a fine totaling $600,000.
7
In April 2019, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by NYSE Regulation Enforcement which concerned an equity trade
error in 2015 allegedly improperly offset by an affiliate trade. The settlement also alleged inadequate market access controls,
testing, and supervisory failures associated with the cause of the trade error. The settlement included payment of a fine in the
amount of $380,000.
In May 2019, SGAS settled,
without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by FINRA on behalf of Cboe, Nasdaq PHLX, NYSE American, and NYSE Arca
concerning inaccurate capturing and recording of order receipt time and order route time for certain manual options orders sent
to floor brokers. The settlement included payment of fines totaling $115,000.
In July 2019, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, two matters brought by the CBOT and the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”),
which alleged impermissible pre-hedging of block trades as well as late and inaccurate block trade reporting in 2014-2016. The
settlement included payment of fines totaling $350,000 and disgorgement of profits totaling $152,625.
In October 2019, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by NYSE Regulation Enforcement regarding alleged violations
of SEC Regulation SHO and trading through National Best Bid or Offer in two instances, as well as a locate latency issue. The settlement
included payment of a fine of $325,000.
In December 2019, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by FINRA on behalf of Cboe Exchange, Inc. concerning late
submissions of options orders into Cboe’s monthly pricing process for its volatility index (VIX). The settlement included
payment of a fine totaling $135,000.
In December 2019, SGAS
settled, without admitting or denying the findings, a matter brought by NYSE Regulation Enforcement regarding alleged violations
of NYSE Rules 132 and 7.33, by transmitting orders with discontinued account type indicators between 2016 and 2019. The settlement
included payment of a fine totaling $100,000.
Litigations
The Official Committee
of Unsecured Creditors of Tribune Company, et al. v. Dennis J. Fitzsimmons, et al.; Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, et al.
v. Adaly Opportunity Fund TD Securities Inc., et al.; and Williams A. Niese, et al. v. AllianceBernstein L.P., et al.
are lawsuits arising from the bankruptcy of the Tribune Company, which was the subject of a leveraged buyout in 2007. The
suits generally allege that the LBO left the company overleveraged, thus leading to its bankruptcy, and seek to recover payments
made to holders of Tribune shares under various federal and state law theories of liability. The lawsuits have been dismissed
and are now on appeal. SGAS is defending the cases.
Vega Opportunity
Fund LLC v. Newedge USA, LLC is a FINRA arbitration filed by a former NUSA customer alleging claims of fraud, deceptive trade
practices, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and violation of Illinois Securities Law. NUSA is alleged to be
responsible for capital losses due to false representations of risk management by NUSA. This matter has been settled and
the matter is now over.
Allianz Global Investors
GmbH, et al. v. Bank of America Corporation, et al. is a litigation filed on behalf of entities that decided to opt out of
the class action settlement in the action In re Foreign Exchange Benchmark Rates Antitrust Litigation , which alleged conspiracy
to fix prices in the FX market beginning in 2003. SGAS is defending the case.
In re ProShares
Trust II Securities Litigation is a putative class action brought by investors in ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETFs,
which lost significant value in February 2018. In addition to claims against the issuer, the action asserts claims under the Securities
Act of 1933 against SGAS, Newedge, and other “Authorized Participants” who are alleged to be underwriters of ETF shares,
based upon purported misstatements or omissions by the issuer in the offering documents. The complaint was dismissed in January
2020 and the matter is now on appeal. SGAS is defending the case.
Putnam Bank v. Intercontinental
Exchange, Inc., et al., City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System and City of Livonia Retiree Health and Disability Benefits
Plan v. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., et al., and Hawaii Sheet Metal Workers Health & Welfare Fund, et al. v. Intercontinental
Exchange, Inc., et al. are putative class actions concerning purported manipulation of Libor rates from February 2014 to the
present brought against several financial institutions, including SG and SGAS. SG and SGAS are defending the cases.
In re GSE Bonds
Antitrust Litigation is a putative class action asserting antitrust claims under the Sherman Act against SGAS and other financial
institutions based upon alleged anti-competitive behavior in the trading of bonds issued by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
(GSEs), i.e., Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and Federal National Mortgage
Association (Fannie Mae). In January 2020, a global class action settlement involving multiple banks, including SGAS, was preliminarily
approved by the court. State of Louisiana v. Bank of America, N.A., et al. ; City of Baton Rouge v. Bank of America, N.A.,
et al. ; and Louisiana Asset Management Pool v. Bank of America Corporation, et al. are pending individual lawsuits containing
similar allegations. SGAS is defending the cases.
SGAS has also been
named in purported class and individual actions in connection with its role in underwriting various debt and equity securities
offerings. Currently pending matters relate to the offerings of Southwestern Energy and Altice USA. Claims in these
cases are asserted under the Securities Act of 1933 against SGAS in its role as a member of the underwriting syndicate and are
based upon purported misstatements or omissions by the issuers in the offering documents. SGAS is defending the cases.
Neither SGAS nor any
affiliate, officer, director or employee thereof have passed on the merits of this Memorandum or offering, or give any guarantee
as to the performance or any other aspect of the Fund.
8
BDRY
Futures Commission Merchant
Macquarie
Futures USA LLC (“Macquarie”) serves as BDRY’s broker clearing broker to execute and clear BDRY’s
futures and options transactions and provide other brokerage-related services. Macquarie is an FCM registered with the CFTC.
BDRY has estimated that, on an annual basis, it will pay approximately 0.40% (excluding the impact on the Fund of
creation and/or redemption activity) of BDRY’s NAV in brokerage fees for execution and clearing services on behalf of
BDRY.
Macquarie’s
head office is at 125 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.
There
have been no material administrative, civil or criminal actions brought, pending or concluded against Macquarie or its principals
in the past five years.
Neither
Macquarie nor any affiliate, officer, director or employee thereof have passed on the merits of this prospectus or offering, or
give any guarantee as to the performance or any other aspect of BDRY.
Macquarie
is not affiliated with either BDRY or the Sponsor. Therefore, the Sponsor and BDRY do not believe that BDRY has any conflicts
of interest with Macquarie or its trading principals arising from their acting as BDRY’s FCM.
Legal
Counsel
Sullivan
& Worcester LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Funds.
Fees
of the Funds
Management
and CTA Fees
RISE
and BDRY each pay the Sponsor a management fee (the “Sponsor Fee”) in consideration of the Sponsor’s advisory
services to the Funds. Additionally, RISE and BDRY each pays its respective commodity trading advisor a license and service fee
(the “CTA Fee”).
RISE
pays the Sponsor Fee monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to the greater of 0.15% per annum of the value of RISE’s
average daily net assets or $75,000. The Sponsor Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s management services to
RISE. RISE also pays Sit a CTA Fee monthly in arrears, for the use of the RISE Benchmark Portfolio in an amount equal to
0.20% per annum of RISE’s average daily net assets.
The Sponsor has contractually agreed to
waive RISE’s Sponsor Fee and/or assume RISE’s remaining expenses so that RISE’s expenses do not exceed an annual
rate of 1.00%, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses, of the value of RISE’s average
daily net assets (the “RISE Expense Cap”). The assumption of expenses and waiver of RISE’s Sponsor fee are contractual
on the part of the Sponsor, through September 30, 2021. If after that date, the Sponsor no longer assumed expenses or waived RISE’s
Sponsor Fee, RISE could be adversely impacted, including in its ability to achieve its investment objective.
RISE
currently accrues its daily expenses up to the RISE Expense Cap. At the end of each month, the accrued amount is remitted to the
Sponsor as the Sponsor is responsible for the payment of the routine operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of
RISE. RISE’s total expenses amounted to $456,460 and $693,783, for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively,
of which $389,041 and $184,268, respectively, was absorbed by the Sponsor pursuant to the RISE Expense Cap.
BDRY
pays the Sponsor Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to the greater of 0.15% per year of BDRY’s average daily net
assets, or $125,000. BDRY’s Sponsor Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s management services to BDRY. BDRY
also pays Breakwave the CTA Fee monthly in arrears, for the use of BDRY’s Benchmark Portfolio in an amount equal to 1.45%
per annum of BDRY’s average daily net assets.
Breakwave
has agreed to waive its CTA Fee and the Sponsor has agreed to correspondingly assume the remaining expenses of BDRY so that BDRY’s
expenses do not exceed an annual rate of 3.50%, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses,
of the value of BDRY’s average daily net assets (the “BDRY Expense Cap”). The assumption of expenses and waiver
of BDRY’s CTA Fee are contractual on the part of the Sponsor and Breakwave, respectively, through September 30, 2021. If after
that date, the Sponsor and/or Breakwave no longer assumed expenses or waived the CTA Fee, respectively, BDRY could be adversely
impacted, including in its ability to achieve its investment objective.
The
assumption of expenses by the Sponsor for BDRY, pursuant to the BDRY Expense Cap, amounted to $284,850 and $477,429 for the year
ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. The waiver of Breakwave’s
CTA fees, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $60,769 and $45,460 for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively,
as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BDRY currently accrues its daily expenses up to the BDRY Expense Cap. At
the end of each month, the accrued amount is remitted to the Sponsor as the Sponsor is responsible for the payment of the routine
operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Fund. BDRY’s total expenses amounted to $847,729 and $667,238
for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
9
Administrator,
Custodian, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent Fees
RISE
has agreed to pay U.S. Bank 0.05% of assets under management (“AUM”), with a $50,000 minimum annual fee payable for
its administrative, accounting and transfer agent services and 0.01% of AUM, with an annual minimum of $4,800 for custody services.
BDRY
has agreed to pay U.S. Bank 0.05% of AUM, with a $45,000 minimum annual fee payable for its administrative, accounting and transfer
agent services and 0.01% of AUM, with an annual minimum of $4,800 for custody services.
Distribution
Fees
RISE
and BDRY each pay the Distributor an annual fee for statutory and wholesaling distribution services and related administrative
services equal to the greater of $15,000 or 0.02% of RISE and BDRY’s, respectively, average daily net assets, payable monthly.
Pursuant to the applicable Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, each Fund and the Distributor, the Distributor assists
the Sponsor and the applicable Fund with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the applicable
Fund, including reviewing and approving marketing materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. The Distributor also assists
with the processing of creation and redemption orders.
RISE
incurred $15,539 and $17,496 in distribution and related administrative services for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
BDRY incurred $15,821 and $16,497 in distribution and related administrative services for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019,
respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.
RISE
also pays the Sponsor an annual fee for wholesale support services equal to 0.1% of RISE’s average daily net assets, payable
monthly. BDRY pays the Sponsor for wholesale support services at an annual rate of $25,000 plus 0.12% of BDRY’s average
daily net assets, payable monthly.
RISE
incurred $6,223 and $45,717 in wholesale support fees for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. BDRY incurred $35,622
and $28,762 in wholesale support fees for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements
of Operations.
Futures
Commission Merchant Fees
RISE
and BDRY each pay respective brokerage commissions, including applicable exchange fees, NFA fees, give–up fees, pit brokerage
fees and other transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities in CFTC regulated investments.
Brokerage commissions on futures contracts are recognized on a half-turn basis.
The
Sponsor does not expect brokerage commissions and fees, on an annual basis, to exceed 0.08% for RISE, and 0.40% (excluding the
impact on the Fund of creation and/or redemption activity) for BDRY, of the NAV of the applicable Fund for execution and clearing
services on behalf of the applicable Fund, although the actual amount of brokerage commissions and fees in any year or any part
of any year may be greater. The effects of trading spreads, financing costs associated with financial instruments, and costs relating
to the purchase of Treasury Instruments or similar high credit quality short-term fixed-income or similar securities are not included
in the foregoing analysis. RISE incurred $4,961 and $52,348 in brokerage commissions and fees for the year ended June 30, 2020
and 2019, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BDRY incurred $208,650 and $34,610 in brokerage
commissions and fees for the year ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.
Other
Fees
RISE
and BDRY are each responsible for certain other expenses, including professional services (e.g., outside auditor’s fees
and legal fees and expenses), shareholder Form K-1’s, tax return preparation, regulatory compliance, and other services
provided by affiliated and non-affiliated service providers. The fees for Principal Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer
services provided to the Funds by the Sponsor amount to $25,000 per annum. Certain additional fees paid to the Sponsor by the
Funds for tax return preparation and regulatory reporting fees amount to $30,000 and $50,000,
respectively, per annum.
Extraordinary
fees
RISE
and BDRY each pay all of their extraordinary fees and expenses, if any. Extraordinary fees and expenses are fees and expenses
which are non-recurring and unusual in nature, such as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other
unanticipated expenses. Extraordinary fees and expenses are fees and expenses which are nonrecurring and unusual in nature, such
as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other unanticipated expenses. Such extraordinary fees
and expenses, by their nature, are unpredictable in terms of timing and amount.
Form
of Shares
Registered
Form
Shares
of the Funds are issued in registered form in accordance with the respective Trust Agreement for each Fund. U.S. Bank has been
appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of transferring shares in certificated form. U.S. Bank keeps a record of
all limited partners and holders of the shares in certificated form in the registry (the “Register”). The Sponsor
recognizes transfers of shares in certificated form only if done in accordance with the respective Trust Agreement for each Fund.
The beneficial interests in such shares are held in book-entry form through participants and/or accountholders in the Depository
Trust Company (“DTC”).
10
Book
Entry
Individual
certificates are not issued for the shares. Instead, shares are represented by one or more global certificates, which are deposited
by the Administrator with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The global certificates
evidence all of the shares outstanding at any time. Shareholders are limited to (1) participants in DTC such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies (“DTC Participants”), (2) banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies who maintain, either
directly or indirectly, a custodial relationship with, or clear through, a DTC Participant (“Indirect Participants”),
and (3) persons holding interests in the shares through DTC Participants or Indirect Participants, in each case who satisfy the
requirements for transfers of shares.
Shareholders
will be shown on, and the transfer of Shares will be effected only through, in the case of DTC Participants, the records maintained
by the Depository and, in the case of Indirect Participants and Shareholders holding through a DTC Participant or an Indirect
participant, through those records or the records of the relevant DTC Participants or Indirect participants. Shareholders are
expected to receive, from or through which the Shareholder has purchased Shares, a written confirmation relating to their purchase
of Shares.
DTC
DTC
is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York and is a member of the Federal Reserve System,
a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency”
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities for DTC Participants and facilitates
the clearance and settlement of transactions between DTC Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of DTC
Participants.
Calculating
NAV
Each
of the Funds’ NAV is calculated by:
● Taking
the current market value of its total assets;
● Subtracting
any liabilities; and
● Dividing
that total by the total number of outstanding shares.
The
Administrator calculates the NAV of the Funds once each NYSE Arca trading day. The NAV for a particular trading day is released
after 4:00 p.m. E.T. Regular trading on the NYSE Arca typically closes at 4:00 p.m. E.T. In the case of RISE, the Administrator
uses the CME closing price (determined at the earlier of the close of the CME or 2:30 p.m. E.T.) for the contracts traded on the
CME. In the case of BDRY, the Administrator uses the Baltic Exchange settlement price for the Freight Futures and option contracts.
The Administrator calculates or determines the value of all other RISE and BDRY investments using market quotations, if available,
or other information customarily used to determine the fair value of such investments as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE
Arca or 4.00 p.m New York time, in the case of RISE, and as of the close of the NYSE Arca (typically 4:00 p.m. E.T.), in the case
of BDRY, in accordance with the current applicable Administrative Agency Agreement among U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, the Sponsor
and RISE or BDRY, respectively. For purposes of calculating the NAV of RISE, “other information” customarily used
in determining fair value includes information consisting of market data in the relevant market supplied by one or more third
parties including, without limitation, relevant rates, prices, yields, yield curves, volatilities, spreads, correlations or other
market data in the relevant market; or information of the types described above from internal sources if that information is of
the same type used by RISE in the regular course of its business for the valuation of similar transactions. The information may
include costs of funding, to the extent costs of funding are not and would not be a component of the other information being utilized.
Third parties supplying quotations or market data may include, without limitation, dealers in the relevant markets, end-users
of the relevant product, information vendors, brokers and other sources of market information.
In
addition, in order to provide updated information relating to the Funds for use by investors and market professionals, an updated
indicative fund value (“IFV”) is made available through on-line information services throughout the trading hours
of 9:30 a.m. E.T. to 4:00 p.m. E.T. on each trading day. In the case of RISE, IFV is calculated by using the prior day’s
closing NAV per share of RISE as a base and updating that value throughout the trading day to reflect changes in the most recently
reported trade price for the futures and options held by RISE traded on the CME. In the case of BDRY, the IFV is calculated
by using the prior day’s closing NAV per share of BDRY as a base and updating that value throughout the trading day to reflect
changes in the most recently reported trade price for the futures and/or options held by BDRY. Certain Freight Futures brokers
provide real time pricing information to the general public either through their websites or through data vendors such as Bloomberg
or Reuters. The IFV disseminated during NYSE Arca regular trading hours should not be viewed as an actual real time update of
the NAV, because the NAV is calculated only once at the end of each trading day based upon the relevant end of day values of the
Funds’ investments.
The
IFV is disseminated on a per share basis every 15 seconds during NYSE Arca regular trading hours. The normal trading hours of
the CME are 10:00 a.m. E.T. to 2:30 p.m. E.T. The customary trading hours of the Freight Futures trading are 3:00 a.m. E.T. to
12:00 p.m. E.T. This means that there is a gap in time at the beginning and/or the end of each day during which a Fund’s
shares are traded on the NYSE Arca, but real-time trading prices for contracts are not available. During such gaps in time the
IFV will be calculated based on the end of day price of such contracts from the CME’s or Baltic Exchange’s immediately
preceding trading session, as applicable. In addition, other investments and U.S. Treasuries held by the Funds will be valued
by the Administrator, using rates and points received from client-approved third party vendors (such as Reuters and WM Company)
and advisor or broker-dealer quotes. These investments will not be included in the IFV.
The
NYSE Arca disseminates the IFV through the facilities of CTA/CQ High Speed Lines. In addition, the IFV is published on the NYSE
Arca’s website and is available through on-line information services such as Bloomberg and Reuters.
11
Dissemination
of the IFV provides additional information that is not otherwise available to the public and is useful to investors and market
professionals in connection with the trading of a Fund’s shares on the NYSE Arca. Investors and market professionals are
able throughout the trading day to compare the market price of a Fund’s shares and the IFV. If the market price of a Fund’s
shares diverges significantly from the IFV, market professionals will have an incentive to execute arbitrage trades. For example,
if RISE’s or BDRY’s shares appear to be trading at a discount compared to the IFV, a market professional could buy
RISE’s or BDRY’s shares on the NYSE Arca and take the opposite position in Treasury Instruments or Freight Futures,
as applicable. Such arbitrage trades can tighten the tracking between the market price of a Fund’s shares and the IFV and
thus can be beneficial to all market participants.
Creation
and Redemption of Shares
The
Funds create and redeem shares from time to time, but only in one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The creation
and redemption of baskets are only made in exchange for delivery to the Funds or the distribution by the Funds of the amount of
U.S. Treasuries and/or any cash represented by the baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined
NAV of the number of shares included in the baskets being created or redeemed determined as of 4:00 p.m. E.T. on the day the order
to create or redeem baskets is properly received.
Authorized
Participants are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem baskets. Authorized Participants must be (1) registered
broker-dealers or other securities market participants, such as banks and other financial institutions, that are not required
to register as broker-dealers to engage in securities transactions described below, and (2) DTC Participants. To become an Authorized
Participant, a person must enter into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Sponsor. The Authorized Participant Agreement
provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of baskets and for the delivery of the U.S. Treasuries and any cash required
for such creation and redemptions. The Authorized Participant Agreement and the related procedures attached thereto may be amended
by the respective Funds, without the consent of any limited partner or shareholder or Authorized Participant. Authorized Participants
will pay a transaction fee of $500 to the Custodian for each order they place to create or redeem one or more baskets. Authorized
Participants who make deposits with a Fund in exchange for baskets receive no fees, commissions or other form of compensation
or inducement of any kind from either the respective Fund or the Sponsor, and no such person will have any obligation or responsibility
to the Sponsor or the respective Fund to effect any sale or resale of shares.
With
respect to RISE, certain Authorized Participants are expected to be capable of participating directly in the Treasury market and
the related derivatives market. In some cases, Authorized Participants or their affiliates may from time to time buy or sell Treasuries
and related derivatives and may profit in these instances. The Sponsor believes that the size and operation of the Treasury market
make it unlikely that an Authorized Participant’s direct activities in such markets will significantly affect the price
of Treasuries, related derivatives or the price of the shares.
Each
Authorized Participant is required to be registered as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act and be a member in good standing
with FINRA, or exempt from being or otherwise not required to be registered as a broker-dealer or a member of FINRA, and qualified
to act as a broker or dealer in the states or other jurisdictions where the nature of its business so requires. Certain Authorized
Participants may also be regulated under federal and state banking laws and regulations. Each Authorized Participant has its own
set of rules and procedures, internal controls and information barriers as it determines is appropriate in light of its own regulatory
regime.
Under
the Authorized Participant Agreements, the Sponsor has agreed to indemnify the Authorized Participants against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the 1933 Act, and to contribute to the payments the Authorized Participants may be required to make
in respect of those liabilities.
Creation
Procedures
On
any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Transfer Agent, and accepted by the Distributor, to create
one or more baskets. For purposes of processing purchase and redemption orders, a “business day” means any day other
than a day when any of the NYSE Arca, the New York Stock Exchange or the CME, in the case of RISE, or the Baltic Exchange, in
the case of BDRY, is closed for regular trading. Purchase orders must be placed by 12:00 p.m. E.T. or the close of the NYSE Arca
core trading session, whichever is earlier. The day on which a valid purchase order is received in accordance with the terms of
the applicable “Authorized Participant Agreement” is referred to as the purchase order date. Purchase orders are irrevocable.
Prior to the delivery of baskets for a purchase order, the Authorized Participant will be charged a non-refundable transaction
fee due for the purchase order.
The
manner by which creations are made is dictated by the terms of the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement. By placing a purchase
order for Creation Baskets of RISE, an Authorized Participant agrees to deposit U.S. Treasuries, cash, or a combination of U.S.
Treasuries and cash with the Custodian of RISE. If an Authorized Participant fails to so deposit, the order shall be cancelled.
Determination
of Required Deposits (RISE only)
The
total deposit required to create each basket (“Creation Basket Deposit”) is the amount of U.S. Treasuries and/or cash
that is in the same proportion to the total assets of the Fund (net of estimated accrued but unpaid fees, expenses and other liabilities)
on the purchase order date as the number of shares to be created under the purchase order is in proportion to the total number
of shares outstanding on the purchase order date. The Sponsor determines, directly in its sole discretion or in consultation with
the Administrator, the requirements for U.S. Treasuries and the amount of cash, including the maximum permitted remaining maturity
of a Treasury and proportions of each Treasury and cash that may be included in deposits to create baskets. The Distributor will
publish such requirements at the beginning of each business day. The amount of cash deposit required is the difference between
the aggregate market value of the U.S. Treasuries required to be included in a Creation Basket Deposit as of 4:00 p.m. E.T. on
the date the order to purchase is properly received and the total required deposit.
12
Determination
of Required Payment (BDRY only)
The
Creation Basket Deposit for BDRY is the NAV of 25,000 shares on the purchase order date, but only if the required payment is timely
received. To calculate the NAV, the Administrator will use the Baltic Exchange settlement price (typically determined after 2:00
p.m. E.T.) for the Freight Futures.
Because
orders to purchase Creation Baskets must be placed no later than 12:00 p.m. E.T., but the total payment required to create a Creation
Basket typically will not be determined until after 2:00 p.m. E.T., on the date the purchase order is received, Authorized Participants
will not know the total amount of the payment required to create a Creation Basket at the time they submit an irrevocable purchase
order. The NAV and the total amount of the payment required to create a Creation Basket could rise or fall substantially between
the time an irrevocable purchase order is submitted and the time the amount of the purchase price in respect thereof is determined.
Delivery
of Required Deposits (RISE only)
An
Authorized Participant who places a purchase order is responsible for transferring to the Fund’s account with the Custodian
the required amount of U.S. Treasuries and cash by the end of the second business day following the purchase order date. Upon
receipt of the deposit amount, the Administrator directs DTC to credit the number of shares represented by the baskets ordered
to the Authorized Participant’s DTC account on the second business day following the purchase order date. The expense and
risk of delivery and ownership of U.S. Treasuries until such U.S. Treasuries have been received by the Custodian on behalf of
the Fund is borne solely by the Authorized Participant.
Because
orders to purchase baskets must be placed by 12:00 p.m., E.T., but the total payment required to create a basket during the continuous
offering period will not be determined until after 4:00 p.m., E.T., on the date the purchase order is received, Authorized Participants
will not know the total amount of the payment required to create a basket at the time they submit an irrevocable purchase order
for the basket. The Fund’s NAV and the total amount of the payment required to create a basket could rise or fall substantially
between the time a purchase order is submitted and the time the amount of the purchase price in respect thereof is determined.
Delivery
of Required Payment (BDRY only)
An
Authorized Participant who places a purchase order shall transfer to the Administrator the required amount of U.S. Treasuries
and/or cash, by the end of the next business day following the purchase order date. Upon receipt of the deposit amount, the Administrator
will direct DTC to credit the number of Creation Baskets ordered to the Authorized Participant’s DTC account on the next
business day following the purchase order date.
Suspension
of Purchase Orders
The
Sponsor acting by itself or through the Administrator or the Distributor may suspend the right of purchase, or postpone the purchase
settlement date, for any period during which the NYSE Arca or other exchange on which the shares are listed is closed, other than
for customary holidays or weekends, or when trading is restricted or suspended. None of the Sponsor, the Marketing Agent or the
Administrator will be liable to any person or in any way for any loss or damages that may result from any such suspension or postponement.
Rejection
of Purchase Orders
The
Sponsor acting by itself or through the Distributor shall have the absolute right but no obligation to reject a purchase order
or a Creation Basket Deposit if:
●
it
determines that the investment alternative available to the Fund at that time will not enable it to meet its investment objective
(RISE only);
●
it
determines that the purchase order or the purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit is not in proper form;
●
it
believes that the purchase order or the Creation Basket Deposit would have adverse tax consequences to the Fund, the limited
partners or its shareholders (RISE only);
●
the
acceptance or receipt of the purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Sponsor, be
unlawful; or
●
circumstances
outside the control of the Sponsor, Distributor or Custodian make it, for all practical purposes, not feasible to process
creations of baskets.
None
of the Sponsor, Distributor or Custodian will be liable for the rejection of any purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit.
Redemption
Procedures
The
procedures by which an Authorized Participant can redeem one or more baskets mirror the procedures for the creation of baskets.
On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Distributor to redeem one or more baskets. Redemption
orders must be placed by 12:00 p.m. E.T. or the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca, whichever is earlier. A redemption
order so received will be effective on the date it is received in satisfactory form by the Distributor. The redemption procedures
allow Authorized Participants to redeem baskets and do not entitle an individual shareholder to redeem any shares in an amount
less than a Redemption Basket, or to redeem baskets other than through an Authorized Participant. Redemption orders are irrevocable.
13
The
manner by which redemptions are made is dictated by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement. By placing an order for
Redemption Baskets of RISE, an Authorized Participant agrees to (1) deliver the Redemption Basket to be redeemed through DTC’s
book-entry system to the Fund’s account with the Custodian not later than 3:00 p.m. E.T. on the second business day following
the effective date of the redemption order, and (2) if required by the Sponsor in its sole discretion, enter into or arrange for
a block trade, an exchange for related position, or any other transaction (through itself or a designated acceptable broker) with
the Fund for the sale of a number and type of futures contracts at the closing settlement price for such contracts on the redemption
order date. If an Authorized Participant fails to consummate (1) and (2) above, the order shall be cancelled. The number and type
of contracts specified shall be determined by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, to meet the Fund’s investment objective
and shall be sold as a result of the Authorized Participant’s redemption of shares. By placing an order for Redemption Baskets
of BDRY, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the Redemption Baskets to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system
to the Fund not later than 12:00 p.m. E.T., on the next business day immediately following the redemption order date. Prior to
the delivery of redemption distribution or proceeds, the Authorized Participant will be charged a non-refundable transaction fee
due for the redemption order.
Determination
of Redemption Distribution (RISE only)
The
redemption distribution from the Fund consists of a transfer to the redeeming Authorized Participant of an amount of U.S. Treasuries
and/or cash that is in the same proportion to the total assets of the Fund (net of estimated accrued but unpaid fees, expenses
and other liabilities) on the date the order to redeem is properly received as the number of shares to be redeemed under the redemption
order is in proportion to the total number of shares outstanding on the date the order is received. The Sponsor, directly or in
consultation with the Administrator, determines the requirements for U.S. Treasuries and the amounts of cash, including the maximum
permitted remaining maturity of a Treasury, and the proportions of U.S. Treasuries and cash that may be included in distributions
to Redeem Baskets. The Distributor will publish an estimate of the redemption distribution per basket as of the beginning of each
business day.
Determination
of Redemption Proceeds (BDRY only)
The
redemption proceeds from the Fund consist of a cash redemption amount equal to the NAV of the number of Baskets requested in the
Authorized Participant’s redemption order on the redemption order date. To calculate the NAV, the Administrator will use
the Baltic Exchange settlement price (typically determined after 2:00 p.m. E.T.) for the Freight Futures.
Because
orders to redeem baskets must be placed no later than 12:00 p.m. E.T., but the total amount of redemption proceeds typically will
not be determined until after 2:00 p.m. E.T., on the date the redemption order is received, Authorized Participants will not know
the total amount of the redemption proceeds at the time they submit an irrevocable redemption order. The NAV and the total amount
of redemption proceeds could rise or fall substantially between the time an irrevocable redemption order is submitted and the
time the amount of redemption proceeds in respect thereof is determined.
Delivery
of Redemption Distribution (RISE only)
The
redemption distribution due from the Fund will be delivered to the Authorized Participant by 3:00 p.m. E.T. on the second business
day following the redemption order date if, by 3:00 p.m. E.T. on such second business day, the Fund’s DTC account has been
credited with the shares represented by the baskets to be redeemed. If the Fund’s DTC account has not been credited with
all of the shares represented by the baskets to be redeemed by such time, the redemption distribution will be delivered to the
extent of whole baskets received. Any remainder of the redemption distribution will be delivered on the next business day to the
extent of remaining shares represented by the whole baskets received if the Fund receives the fee applicable to the extension
of the redemption distribution date which the Sponsor may, from time to time, determine and the remaining baskets to be redeemed
are credited to the Fund’s DTC account by 3:00 p.m. E.T. on such next business day. Any further outstanding amount of the
redemption order will be cancelled. Pursuant to information from the Sponsor, the Custodian will also be authorized to deliver
the redemption distribution notwithstanding that the baskets to be redeemed are not credited to the Fund’s DTC account by
3:00 p.m. E.T. on the second business day following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized
its obligation to deliver the baskets through DTC’s book entry-system on such terms as the Sponsor may from time to time
determine.
Delivery
of Redemption Proceeds (BDRY only)
The
redemption proceeds due from the Fund will be delivered to the Authorized Participant at 1:00 p.m. E.T., on the next business
day immediately following the redemption order date if, by such time, the Fund’s DTC account has been credited with the
baskets to be redeemed. If the Fund’s DTC account has not been credited with all of the baskets to be redeemed by such time,
the redemption distribution is delivered to the extent of whole baskets received. Any remainder of the redemption distribution
is delivered on the next business day to the extent of remaining whole baskets received if the Fund receives the fee applicable
to the extension of the redemption distribution date which the Sponsor may, from time to time, determine and the remaining baskets
to be redeemed are credited to the Fund’s DTC account by 1:00 p.m. E.T., on such next business day. Any further outstanding
amount of the redemption order shall be cancelled. The Sponsor may cause the redemption distribution to be delivered notwithstanding
that the baskets to be redeemed are not credited to the Fund’s DTC account by 12:00 p.m. E.T., on the next business day
immediately following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized its obligation to deliver the
Baskets through DTC’s book entry system on such terms as the Sponsor may from time to time determine.
14
Suspension
or Rejection of Redemption Orders
The
Sponsor may, in its discretion, suspend the right of redemption, or postpone the redemption settlement date, (1) for any period
during which the NYSE Arca, or the CME in the case of RISE, is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings, or trading
on the NYSE Arca, or the CME, in the case of RISE, is suspended or restricted, (2) for any period during which an emergency exists
as a result of which delivery, disposal or evaluation of the redemption distribution or redemption proceeds, as applicable, is
not reasonably practicable, or (3) for such other period as the Sponsor determines to be necessary for the protection of the limited
partners or shareholders. For example, the Sponsor may determine that it is necessary to suspend redemptions to allow for the
orderly liquidation of a Fund’s assets at an appropriate value to fund a redemption. If the Sponsor has difficulty liquidating
its positions, e.g., because of a market disruption event in the futures markets or a suspension of trading by the exchange where
the futures contracts are listed, it may be appropriate to suspend redemptions until such time as such circumstances are rectified.
None of the Sponsor, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, the Administrator, or the Custodian will be liable to any person or
in any way for any loss or damages that may result from any such suspension or postponement.
Redemption
orders must be made in whole baskets. The Sponsor will reject a redemption order if the order is not in proper form as described
in the applicable Authorized Participant Agreement or if the fulfillment of the order, in the opinion of its counsel, might be
unlawful. The Sponsor may also reject a redemption order if the number of shares being redeemed would reduce the remaining outstanding
shares to 50,000 shares (minimum NYSE Arca maintenance listing requirement ) or less,
unless the Sponsor has reason to believe that the placer of the redemption order does in fact possess all the outstanding shares
and can deliver them.
Creation
and Redemption Transaction Fee
To
compensate the Funds for their expenses in connection with the creation and redemption of baskets, an Authorized Participant is
required to pay a transaction fee to the Custodian of $250 per order to create or redeem baskets, regardless of the number of
baskets in such order. An order may include multiple baskets. The transaction fee may be reduced, increased or otherwise changed
by the Sponsor. The Sponsor will notify DTC of any change in the transaction fee and will not implement any increase in the fee
for the redemption of baskets until 30 days after the date of the notice.
Tax
Responsibility
Authorized
Participants are responsible for any transfer tax, sales or use tax, stamp tax, recording tax, value added tax or similar tax
or governmental charge applicable to the creation or redemption of baskets, regardless of whether or not such tax or charge is
imposed directly on the Authorized Participant, and agree to indemnify the Sponsor and the Fund if they are required by law to
pay any such tax, together with any applicable penalties, additions to tax and interest thereon.
Secondary
Market Transactions
As
noted, the Funds create and redeem shares from time to time, but only in one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The
creation and redemption of baskets are only made in exchange for delivery to the Funds or the distribution by the Funds of the
amount of U.S. Treasuries and cash, in the case of RISE, and cash, in the case of BDRY, represented by the baskets being created
or redeemed, the amount of which will be based on the aggregate NAV of the number of shares included in the baskets being created
or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem baskets is properly received.
As
discussed above, Authorized Participants are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem baskets. Authorized Participants
must be registered broker-dealers or other securities market participants, such as banks and other financial institutions that
are not required to register as broker-dealers to engage in securities transactions. An Authorized Participant is under no obligation
to create or redeem baskets, and an Authorized Participant is under no obligation to offer to the public shares of any baskets
it does create. Authorized Participants that do offer to the public shares from the baskets they create will do so at per share
offering prices that are expected to reflect, among other factors, the trading price of the shares on the NYSE Arca, the NAV of
the Fund at the time the Authorized Participant purchased the Creation Baskets and the NAV of the shares at the time of the offer
of the shares to the public, the supply of and demand for shares at the time of sale, and the liquidity of the futures contract
market and the market for Treasury Instruments or U.S. Treasuries, as applicable. The prices of shares offered by Authorized Participants
are expected to fall between the Fund’s NAV and the trading price of the shares on the NYSE Arca at the time of sale.
Shares
initially comprising the same basket but offered by Authorized Participants to the public at different times may have different
offering prices. An order for one or more baskets may be placed by an Authorized Participant on behalf of multiple clients. Authorized
Participants that make deposits with the Fund in exchange for baskets receive no fees, commissions or other form of compensation
or inducement of any kind from either the Fund or the Sponsor, and no such person has any obligation or responsibility to the
Sponsor or the Fund to effect any sale or resale of shares.
Shares
trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca. Shares may trade in the secondary market at prices that are lower or higher relative
to their NAV per share. The amount of the discount or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per share may be influenced
by various factors, including the number of investors who seek to purchase or sell shares in the secondary market and the liquidity
of the futures contracts market and the market for Treasury Instruments or U.S. Treasuries, as applicable. While the shares trade
during regular trading hours on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. E.T., liquidity in the market for Treasury Instruments or Freight
Futures, as applicable, may be reduced after the close of the CME at 2:30 p.m. E.T. or the Freight Futures market at approximately
12:00 p.m. E.T. As a result, during this time, trading spreads, and the resulting premium or discount, on the shares may widen.
15
In
the case of BDRY, there are a minimum number of specified baskets and associated shares. Once the minimum number of baskets is
reached, there can be no more basket redemptions until there has been a Creation Basket. In such case, market makers may be less
willing to purchase shares from investors in the secondary market, which may in turn limit the ability of shareholders of the
Fund to sell their shares in the secondary market. As of the date of this annual report the minimum level for BDRY is 50,000 shares,
representing one basket.
In
the case of BDRY, all proceeds from the sale of Creation Baskets will be invested as quickly as practicable in the investments
described in this prospectus. BDRY’s cash and investments are held through the Custodian, in accounts with BDRY’s
commodity futures brokers or in demand deposits with highly-rated financial institutions. There is no stated maximum time period
for BDRY’s operations and BDRY will continue its operations until all shares are redeemed or BDRY is liquidated pursuant
to the terms of BDRY’s Trust Agreement.
There
is no specified limit on the maximum number of Creation Baskets that can be sold, although the Funds may not sell shares in Creation
Baskets if such shares have not been registered with the SEC under an effective registration statement.
Regulatory
Environment
The
regulation of futures markets, futures contracts, and futures exchanges has historically been comprehensive. The CFTC and the
exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency including, for example, the retroactive
implementation of speculative position limits, increased margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the
suspension of trading.
The
regulation of commodity interest transactions in the United States is an evolving area of law and is subject to ongoing
modification by governmental and judicial action. Considerable regulatory attention has been focused on non-traditional
investment pools that are publicly distributed in the United States. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes
within the United States altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Funds, or the ability of
the Funds to continue to implement its investment strategy. In addition, various national governments outside of the United
States have expressed concern regarding the disruptive effects of speculative trading in the commodities markets and the need
to regulate the derivatives markets in general. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Funds is impossible to
predict but could be substantial and adverse.
The
CFTC possesses exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the activities of commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors with
respect to “commodity interests,” such as futures, swaps and options, and has adopted regulations with respect to
the activities of those persons and/or entities. Under the CEA, a registered CPO, such as the Sponsor, is required to make annual
filings with the CFTC and NFA describing its organization, capital structure, management and controlling persons. In addition,
the CEA authorizes the CFTC to require and review books and records of, and documents prepared by, registered CPOs. Pursuant to
this authority, the CFTC requires CPOs to keep accurate, current and orderly records for each pool that they operate. The CFTC
may suspend the registration of a commodity pool operator (1) if the CFTC finds that the operator’s trading practices tend
to disrupt orderly market conditions, (2) if any controlling person of the operator is subject to an order of the CFTC denying
such person trading privileges on any exchange, and (3) in certain other circumstances. Suspension, restriction or termination
of the Sponsor’s registration as a commodity pool operator would prevent it, until that registration were to be reinstated,
from managing the Funds, and might result in the termination of the Funds if a successor sponsor is not elected pursuant to the
Trust Agreement.
The
Funds’ investors are afforded prescribed rights for reparations under the CEA. Investors may also be able to maintain a
private right of action for violations of the CEA. The CFTC has adopted rules implementing the reparation provisions of the CEA,
which provide that any person may file a complaint for a reparations award with the CFTC for violation of the CEA against a floor
broker or an FCM, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, CPO, and their respective associated persons.
Pursuant
to authority in the CEA, the NFA has been formed and registered with the CFTC as a registered futures association. At the present
time, the NFA is the only self-regulatory organization for commodity interest professionals, other than futures exchanges. The
CFTC has delegated to the NFA responsibility for the registration of CPOs and FCMs and their respective associated persons. The
Sponsor and the Funds’ clearing broker are members of the NFA. As such, they will be subject to NFA standards relating to
fair trade practices, financial condition and consumer protection. The NFA also arbitrates disputes between members and their
customers and conducts registration and fitness screening of applicants for membership and audits of its existing members. Neither
the Trust nor the Funds are required to become a member of the NFA.
The
regulations of the CFTC and the NFA prohibit any representation by a person registered with the CFTC or by any member of the NFA,
that registration with the CFTC, or membership in the NFA, in any respect indicates that the CFTC or the NFA has approved or endorsed
that person or that person’s trading program or objectives. The registrations and memberships of the parties described in
this summary must not be considered as constituting any such approval or endorsement. Likewise, no futures exchange has given
or will give any similar approval or endorsement.
Futures
exchanges in the United States are subject to varying degrees of regulation under the CEA depending on whether such exchange is
a designated contract market, exempt board of trade or electronic trading facility. Clearing organizations are also subject to
the CEA and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder as administered by the CFTC. The CFTC’s function is to implement
the CEA’s objectives of preventing price manipulation and excessive speculation and promoting orderly and efficient commodity
interest markets. In addition, the various exchanges and clearing organizations themselves exercise regulatory and supervisory
authority over their member firms.
The
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted in response to the economic
crisis of 2008 and 2009 and it significantly altered the regulatory regime to which the securities and commodities markets are
subject. To date, the CFTC has issued proposed or final versions of almost all of the rules it is required to promulgate under
the Dodd-Frank Act. The provisions of the new law include the requirement that position limits be established on a wide range
of commodity interests, including agricultural, energy, and metal-based commodity futures contracts, options on such futures contracts
and cleared and uncleared swaps that are economically equivalent to such futures contracts and options; new registration and recordkeeping
requirements for swap market participants; capital and margin requirements for “swap dealers” and “major swap
participants,” as determined by the new law and applicable regulations; reporting of all swap transactions to swap data
repositories; and the mandatory use of clearinghouse mechanisms for sufficiently standardized swap transactions that were historically
entered into in the over-the-counter market, but are now designated as subject to the clearing requirement; and margin requirements
for over-the-counter swaps that are not subject to the clearing requirements.
16
The
Dodd-Frank Act was intended to reduce systemic risks that may have contributed to the 2008/2009 financial crisis. Since the
first draft of what became the Dodd-Frank Act, supporters and opponents have debated the scope of the legislation. As the
administrations of the U.S. change, the interpretation and implementation will change along with them.
Nevertheless, regulatory reform of any kind may have a significant impact on U.S. regulated entities.
Current
rules and regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act require enhanced customer protections, risk management programs, internal monitoring
and controls, capital and liquidity standards, customer disclosures and auditing and examination programs for FCMs. The rules
are intended to afford greater assurances to market participants that customer segregated funds and secured amounts are protected,
customers are provided with appropriate notice of the risks of futures trading and of the FCMs with which they may choose to do
business, FCMs are monitoring and managing risks in a robust manner, the capital and liquidity of FCMs are strengthened to safeguard
the continued operations and the auditing and examination programs of the CFTC and the self-regulatory organizations are monitoring
the activities of FCMs in a thorough manner.
Regulatory
bodies outside the U.S. have also passed or proposed, or may propose in the future, legislation similar to that proposed by
the Dodd-Frank Act or other legislation containing other restrictions that could adversely impact the liquidity of and
increase costs of participating in the commodities markets. For example, the European Union Markets in Financial Instruments
Directive (Directive 2014/65/EU) and Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 600/2014) (together
“MiFID II”), which has applied since January 3, 2018, governs the provision of investment services and activities
in relation to, as well as the organized trading of, financial instruments such as shares, bonds, units in collective
investment schemes and derivatives. In particular, MiFID II requires EU Member States to apply position limits to the size of
a net position which a person can hold at any time in commodity derivatives traded on EU trading venues and in
“economically equivalent” over-the-counter (“OTC”) contracts. By way of further example, the European
Market Infrastructure Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, as amended) (“EMIR”) introduced certain
requirements in respect of OTC derivatives including: (i) the mandatory clearing of OTC derivative contracts declared subject
to the clearing obligation; (ii) risk mitigation techniques in respect of un-cleared OTC derivative contracts, including the
mandatory margining of un-cleared OTC derivative contracts; and (iii) reporting and recordkeeping requirements in respect of
all derivatives contracts. In the event that the requirements under EMIR and MiFID II apply, these are expected to increase
the cost of transacting derivatives.
In
addition, considerable regulatory attention has been focused on non-traditional publicly distributed investment pools such as
the Funds. Furthermore, various national governments have expressed concern regarding the disruptive effects of speculative trading
in certain commodity markets and the need to regulate the derivatives markets in general. The effect of any future regulatory
change on the Funds is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse.
Management
believes that as of June 30, 2020, it had fulfilled in a timely manner all Dodd-Frank or other regulatory requirements to which
it is subject.
SEC
Reports
Each
Fund makes available, free of charge, on its website (www.risingrateetf.com. for RISE and www.drybulketf.com. for BDRY), its annual
reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed
or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after these forms are filed
with, or furnished to, the SEC. These reports are also available from the SEC though its website at: www.sec.gov.
CFTC
Reports
The
Trust also makes available, on its website, its monthly reports and its annual reports required to be prepared and filed with
the NFA under the CFTC regulations.
Item
1A. Risk Factors
Not
required for smaller reporting companies.
Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not
applicable.
Item
2. Properties.
Not
applicable.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
Although
the Funds may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of its operations in the normal course of business or
otherwise, neither of the Funds is currently a party to any pending material legal proceedings.
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not
applicable.
17
Part
II
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.