Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST
I
Combined Statements of Assets and
Liabilities
June 30, 2023
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
Assets
Investment in securities, at fair value (cost $ 39,591,860 and $ 475,048 , respectively)
$ 39,591,860
$ 475,048
$ 40,066,908
Segregated cash held by broker
35,323,736
2,879,954
38,203,690
Receivable on open futures contracts
-
825,287
825,287
Interest receivable
145,794
2,001
147,795
Total assets
75,061,390
4,182,290
79,243,680
Liabilities
Due to Sponsor
156,055
8,776
164,831
Payable on open futures contracts
13,669,745
-
13,669,745
Other accrued expenses
41,691
4,762
46,453
Total liabilities
13,867,491
13,538
13,881,029
Net Assets
$ 61,193,899
$ 4,168,752
65,362,651
Shares outstanding (unlimited authorized)
11,075,040
200,100
Net asset value per share
$ 5.53
$ 20.83
Market value per share
$ 5.55
$ 20.88
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
33
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2022
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
Assets
Investment in securities, at fair value (cost $ 17,208,763 )
$ 17,208,763
$ -
$ 17,208,763
Segregated cash held by broker
37,188,477
-
37,188,477
Subscriptions receivable
1,684,835
-
1,684,835
Interest receivable
17,241
-
17,241
Total assets
56,099,316
-
56,099,316
Liabilities
Due to Sponsor
271,746
-
271,746
Payable on open futures contracts
9,265,175
-
9,265,175
Other accrued expenses
75,227
-
75,227
Total liabilities
9,612,148
-
9,612,148
Net Assets
$ 46,487,168
$ -
$ 46,487,168
Shares outstanding (unlimited authorized)
2,725,040
-
Net asset value per share
$ 17.06
$ -
Market value per share
$ 17.17
$ -
See accompanying notes to
combined financial statements.
34
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2023
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 64.7 % and 11.4 %, respectively
First American US Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X, 5.04 % (a)
$ 39,591,860
$ 475,048
$ 40,066,908
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $ 39,591,860 and $ 475,048 , respectively)
39,591,860
475,048
40,066,908
Total Investments (Cost $ 39,591,860 and $ 475,048 , respectively) - 64.7 % and 11.4 %, respectively
39,591,860
475,048
40,066,908
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 35.3 % and 88.6 %, respectively (b)
21,602,039
3,693,704
25,295,743
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 % and 100.0 %, respectively
$ 61,193,899
$ 4,168,752
$ 65,362,651
(a) Annualized seven-day yield as of June 30, 2023.
(b) $35,323,736 and $2,879,954, respectively, of cash is pledged
as collateral for futures contracts.
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
Unrealized
Unrealized
ETF MANAGERS GROUP
Futures Contracts
Appreciation/
Appreciation/
COMMODITY
June 30, 2023
(Depreciation)
(Depreciation)
TRUST I
Baltic Capesize Time Charter Expiring July 28, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 9,552,340 ) (620 contracts)
$ ( 2,288,410 )
$ -
$ ( 2,288,410 )
Baltic Capesize Time Charter Expiring August 25, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 10,172,340 ) (620 contracts)
( 1,668,410 )
-
( 1,668,410 )
Baltic Capesize Time Charter Expiring September 29, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 10,781,180 ) (620 contracts)
( 1,059,570 )
-
( 1,059,570 )
Baltic Exchange Panamax T/C Average Shipping Route Index Expiring July 28, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 7,122,330 ) (810 contracts)
( 3,404,475 )
-
( 3,404,475 )
Baltic Exchange Panamax T/C Average Shipping Route Index Expiring August 25, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 8,311,410 ) (810 contracts)
( 2,248,325 )
-
( 2,248,325 )
Baltic Exchange Panamax T/C Average Shipping Route Index Expiring September 29, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 9,218,610 ) (810 contracts)
( 1,356,325 )
-
( 1,356,325 )
Baltic Exchange Supramax T/C Average Shipping Route Expiring July 28, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,752,750 ) (190 contracts)
( 732,250 )
-
( 732,250 )
Baltic Exchange Supramax T/C Average Shipping Route Expiring August 25, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,938,000 ) (190 contracts)
( 547,000 )
-
( 547,000 )
Baltic Exchange Supramax T/C Average Shipping Route Expiring September 29, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 2,120,000 ) (190 contracts)
( 364,980 )
-
( 364,980 )
$ ( 13,669,745 )
$ -
$ ( 13,669,745 )
BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF
Unrealized
Unrealized
ETF MANAGERS GROUP
Futures Contracts
Appreciation/
Appreciation/
COMMODITY
June 30, 2023
(Depreciation)
(Depreciation)
TRUST I
Baltic Freight Route Middle East Gulf to China Expiring July 28, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,296,000 ) (90 contracts)
$ -
$ 300,377
$ 300,377
Baltic Freight Route Middle East Gulf to China Expiring August 25, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,229,400 ) (90 contracts)
-
233,777
233,777
Baltic Freight Route Middle East Gulf to China Expiring September 29, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,234,800 ) (90 contracts)
-
239,177
239,177
Baltic Freight Route West Africa to UK Continent Expiring July 28, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 95,450 ) (5 contracts)
-
19,567
19,567
Baltic Freight Route West Africa to UK Continent Expiring August 25, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 179,400 ) (10 contracts)
-
19,121
19,121
Baltic Freight Route West Africa to UK Continent Expiring September 29, 2023 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 89,150 ) (5 contracts)
-
13,268
13,268
$ -
$ 825,287
$ 825,287
See accompanying notes to
combined financial statements.
35
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Schedules of Investments
June 30, 2022
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 37.0 %
First American US Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X, 1.31 % (a)
$ 17,208,763
$ -
$ 17,208,763
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $ 17,208,763 )
17,208,763
-
17,208,763
Total Investments (Cost $ 17,208,763 ) - 37.0 %
17,208,763
-
17,208,763
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 63.0 % (b)
29,278,405
-
29,278,405
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 %
$ 46,487,168
$ -
$ 46,487,168
(a) Annualized seven-day yield as of June 30, 2022.
(b) $37,188,477 of cash is pledged as collateral for futures contracts.
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
Unrealized
ETF MANAGERS GROUP
Futures Contracts
Appreciation/
COMMODITY
June 30, 2022
(Depreciation)
TRUST I
Baltic Capesize Time Charter Expiring July 29, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 6,834,850 ) (275 contracts)
$ ( 2,692,960 )
$ ( 2,692,960 )
Baltic Capesize Time Charter Expiring August 26, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 7,891,400 ) (275 contracts)
( 1,694,040 )
( 1,694,040 )
Baltic Capesize Time Charter Expiring September 23, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 8,752,975 ) (275 contracts)
( 879,460 )
( 879,460 )
Baltic Exchange Panamax T/C Average Shipping Route Index Expiring July 29, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 5,990,220 ) (270 contracts)
( 1,256,570 )
( 1,256,570 )
Baltic Exchange Panamax T/C Average Shipping Route Index Expiring August 26, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 6,180,030 ) (270 contracts)
( 1,079,305 )
( 1,079,305 )
Baltic Exchange Panamax T/C Average Shipping Route Index Expiring September 23, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 6,307,470 ) (270 contracts)
( 960,195 )
( 960,195 )
Baltic Exchange Supramax T/C Average Shipping Route Expiring July 29, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,455,000 ) (60 contracts)
( 247,875 )
( 247,875 )
Baltic Exchange Supramax T/C Average Shipping Route Expiring August 26, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,507,500 ) (60 contracts)
( 205,395 )
( 205,395 )
Baltic Exchange Supramax T/C Average Shipping Route Expiring September 23, 2022 (Underlying Face Amount at Market Value - $ 1,467,000 ) (60 contracts)
( 249,375 )
( 249,375 )
$ ( 9,265,175 )
$ ( 9,265,175 )
See accompanying notes to combined financial
statements.
36
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements of Operations
Year Ended Ended June 30, 2023
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF*
COMBINED
Investment Income
Interest
$ 1,255,773
$ 4,478
$ 1,260,251
Expenses
Sponsor fee
128,597
8,083
136,680
CTA fee
760,089
7,574
767,663
Audit fees
78,000
20,000
98,000
Tax preparation fees
205,073
16,568
221,641
Admin/accounting/custodian/transfer agent fees
66,005
9,666
75,671
Legal fees
45,002
7,274
52,276
Chief Compliance Officer fees
24,999
4,041
29,040
Principal Financial Officer fees
24,999
4,041
29,040
Regulatory reporting fees
24,999
4,041
29,040
Brokerage commissions
684,169
19,746
703,915
Distribution fees
15,707
2,539
18,246
NJ Filing fees
172,716
7,500
180,216
Insurance expense
15,001
2,425
17,426
Listing and calculation agent fees
9,203
1,091
10,294
Marketing expenses
36,003
2,425
38,428
Other expenses
15,001
2,425
17,426
Website Support and Marketing Materials
10,502
205
10,707
Printing and Postage
15,111
200
15,311
Wholesale support fees
87,902
3,209
91,111
Interest expense
1,561
-
1,561
Total Expenses
2,420,639
123,053
2,543,692
Less: Waiver of CTA fee
( 22,434 )
( 7,574 )
( 30,008 )
Less: Expenses absorbed by Sponsor
-
( 77,450 )
( 77,450 )
Net Expenses
2,398,205
38,029
2,436,234
Net Investment Income (Loss)
( 1,142,432 )
( 33,551 )
( 1,175,983 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Activity
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on
Investments, and futures contracts
( 30,983,820 )
375,516
( 30,608,304 )
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments, and futures contracts
( 4,404,570 )
825,287
( 3,579,283 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
( 35,388,390 )
1,200,803
( 34,187,587 )
Net income (loss)
$ ( 36,530,822 )
$ 1,167,252
$ ( 35,363,570 )
* Period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of investment operations) to June 30, 2023.
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
37
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements
of Operations
Year Ended Ended June 30, 2022
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
Investment Income
Interest
$ 33,040
$ -
$ 33,040
Expenses
Sponsor fee
131,335
-
131,335
CTA fee
1,056,037
-
1,056,037
Audit fees
69,847
-
69,847
Tax preparation fees
461,064
-
461,064
Admin/accounting/custodian/transfer agent fees
64,618
-
64,618
Legal fees
45,002
-
45,002
Chief Compliance Officer fees
24,999
-
24,999
Principal Financial Officer fees
24,999
-
24,999
Regulatory reporting fees
24,999
-
24,999
Brokerage commissions
665,810
-
665,810
Distribution fees
15,707
-
15,707
NJ Filing fees
373,410
-
373,410
Insurance expense
15,001
-
15,001
Listing and calculation agent fees
10,201
-
10,201
Marketing expenses
18,001
-
18,001
Amortization of offering costs
24,071
-
24,071
Other expenses
17,901
-
17,901
Website support and marketing materials
13,879
-
13,879
Printing and Postage
39,237
-
39,237
Wholesale support fees
112,393
-
112,393
Interest expense
71,718
-
71,718
Total Expenses
3,280,229
-
3,280,229
Less: Waiver of CTA fee
-
-
-
Less: Expenses absorbed by Sponsor
-
-
-
Net Expenses
3,280,229
-
3,280,229
Net Investment Income (Loss)
( 3,247,189 )
-
( 3,247,189 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Activity
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on
Investments, futures and options contracts
836,968
-
836,968
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments, futures and options contracts
( 30,988,515 )
-
( 30,988,515 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
( 30,151,547 )
-
( 30,151,547 )
Net income (loss)
$ ( 33,398,736 )
$ -
$ ( 33,398,736 )
See accompanying notes to
combined financial statements.
38
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended June 30, 2023
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF*
COMBINED
Net Assets at Beginning of Year
$ 46,487,168
$ -
$ 46,487,168
Increase (decrease) in Net Assets from share transactions
Addition of 14,975,000 and 200,100 shares, respectively
112,635,604
3,001,500
115,637,104
Redemption of 6,625,000 and - 0 - shares, respectively
( 61,398,051 )
-
( 61,398,051 )
Net increase (decrease) in Net Assets from share transactions
51,237,553
3,001,500
54,239,053
Increase (decrease) in Net Assets from operations
Net investment income (loss)
( 1,142,432 )
( 33,551 )
( 1,175,983 )
Net realized gain (loss)
( 30,983,820 )
375,516
( 30,608,304 )
Change in net unrealized gain (loss)
( 4,404,570 )
825,287
( 3,579,283 )
Net increase (decrease) in Net Assets from operations
( 36,530,822 )
1,167,252
( 35,363,570 )
Net Assets at End of Year
$ 61,193,899
$ 4,168,752
$ 65,362,651
* Period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of investment operations)
to June 30, 2023.
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
39
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements
of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended June 30, 2022
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
Net Assets at Beginning of Year
$ 114,077,152
$ -
$ 114,077,152
Increase (decrease) in Net Assets from share transactions
Addition of 4,850,000 shares
125,116,790
-
125,116,790
Redemption of 6,075,000 shares
( 159,308,038 )
-
( 159,308,038 )
Net increase (decrease) in Net Assets from share transactions
( 34,191,248 )
-
( 34,191,248 )
Increase (decrease) in Net Assets from operations
Net investment income (loss)
( 3,247,189 )
-
( 3,247,189 )
Net realized gain (loss)
836,968
-
836,968
Change in net unrealized gain (loss)
( 30,988,515 )
-
( 30,988,515 )
Net increase (decrease) in Net Assets from operations
( 33,398,736 )
-
( 33,398,736 )
Net Assets at End of Year
$ 46,487,168
$ -
$ 46,487,168
See accompanying notes to
combined financial statements.
40
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended June 30, 2023
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF*
COMBINED
Cash flows provided by/used in operating activities
Net income (loss)
$ ( 36,530,822 )
$ 1,167,252
$ ( 35,363,570 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by/used in operating activities:
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
30,983,820
( 375,516 )
30,608,304
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments
4,404,570
( 825,287 )
3,579,283
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Sale (Purchase) of investments - net
( 57,771,487 )
725,755
( 57,045,732 )
Decrease in subscriptions receivable
1,684,835
-
1,684,835
Increase in interest receivable
( 128,553 )
( 2,001 )
( 130,554 )
Increase in receivable on open futures contracts
-
( 825,287 )
( 825,287 )
Increase in payable on open futures contracts
4,404,570
-
4,404,570
Increase (decrease) in due to Sponsor
( 115,691 )
8,776
( 106,915 )
Increase (decrease) in other accrued expenses
( 33,536 )
4,762
( 28,774 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
( 53,102,294 )
( 121,546 )
( 53,223,840 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sale of shares
112,635,604
3,001,500
115,637,104
Paid on redemption of shares
( 61,398,051 )
-
( 61,398,051 )
Net cash provided by/used in financing activities
51,237,553
3,001,500
54,239,053
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash
( 1,864,741 )
2,879,954
1,015,213
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year
37,188,477
-
37,188,477
Cash and restricted cash, end of year
$ 35,323,736
$ 2,879,954
$ 38,203,690
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and
restricted cash reported within the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities that sum to the total of such amounts shown on the
Combined Statements of Cash Flows.
Cash
$ -
$ -
$ -
Segregated cash held by broker
35,323,736
2,879,954
38,203,690
Total cash and restricted cash as shown on the combined statements of cash
flows.
$ 35,323,736
$ 2,879,954
$ 38,203,690
* Period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of investment operations)
to June 30, 2023.
See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
41
ETF MANAGERS GROUP COMMODITY TRUST I
Combined Statements
of Cash Flows
Year Ended June 30, 2022
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING
ETF
SHIPPING
ETF
COMBINED
Cash flows provided by/used in operating activities
Net income (loss)
$ ( 33,398,736 )
$ -
$ ( 33,398,736 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by/used in operating activities:
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
( 836,968 )
-
( 836,968 )
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments
30,988,515
-
30,988,515
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Sale (Purchase) of investments - net
( 4,706,252 )
-
( 4,706,252 )
Increase in interest receivable
( 16,798 )
-
( 16,798 )
Decrease in receivable on open futures contracts
20,038,735
-
20,038,735
Increase in payable on open futures contracts
9,265,175
-
9,265,175
Decrease in prepaid expenses
24,071
-
24,071
Increase (decrease) in due to Sponsor
36,675
-
36,675
Decrease in other accrued expenses
( 55,280 )
-
( 55,280 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
21,339,137
-
21,339,137
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sale of shares
125,116,790
-
125,116,790
Paid on redemption of shares
( 159,308,038 )
-
( 159,308,038 )
Net cash provided by/used in financing activities
( 34,191,248 )
-
( 34,191,248 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash
( 12,852,111 )
-
( 12,852,111 )
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year
50,040,588
-
50,040,588
Cash and restricted cash, end of year
$ 37,188,477
$ -
$ 37,188,477
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash
and restricted cash reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that sum to the total of such amounts shown on the Statements
of Cash Flows.
Cash
$ -
$ -
$ -
Segregated cash held by broker
37,188,477
-
37,188,477
Total cash and restricted cash as shown on the statement of cash flows.
$ 37,188,477
$ -
$ 37,188,477
See accompanying notes to
combined financial statements.
42
ETF Managers Group Commodity Trust I
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
June 30, 2023 and 2022
(1) Organization
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 consists of two separate series. BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF (“BDRY), is the first series of the Trust and
is a commodity pool that continuously issues shares of beneficial interest that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca. The second
series of the Trust, BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF (“BWET”, each a “Fund” and together with BDRY, the “Funds”),
is also a commodity pool that continuously issues shares of beneficial interest that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca. The Funds
are managed and controlled by ETF Managers Capital LLC (the “Sponsor”), a Delaware limited liability company. The Sponsor
is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”)
and is a member of the National Futures Trading Association (“NFA”). Breakwave Advisors, LLC (“Breakwave”) is
registered as a “commodity trading advisor” (“CTA”) with the CFTC and serves as the Funds commodity trading advisor.
BDRY commenced investment operations on March
22, 2018. BDRY commenced trading on NYSE Arca on March 22, 2018 and trades under the symbol “BDRY.”
BDRY’s investment objective is to provide
investors with exposure to the daily change in the price of dry bulk freight futures, before expenses and liabilities of BDRY, by tracking
the performance of a portfolio (the “BDRY Benchmark Portfolio”) consisting of 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
(“Freight Futures”). 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 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 each is 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 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 includes all existing positions to maturity and settles them in cash. During any given calendar quarter, the BDRY Benchmark
Portfolio progressively increases its positions to the next calendar quarter three-month strip, thus maintaining constant exposure to
the Freight Futures market as positions mature.
The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio maintains long-only
positions in Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio includes a combination of Capesize, Panamax and Supramax Freight Futures. More
specifically, the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio includes 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 does not include and BDRY does
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 are available on BDRY’s website at www.drybulketf.com.
43
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, Marex Financial Ltd (formerly ED&F Man Capital Markets, Inc.). On a daily basis, BDRY
is 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 the FCM may be held at BDRY’s custodian or remain with the
FCM in cash or cash equivalents, as discussed below.
BDRY was created to provide investors with a cost-effective
and convenient way to gain exposure to daily changes in the price of Freight Futures. BDRY is intended to be used as a diversification
opportunity as part of a complete portfolio, not a complete investment program.
The Fund will incur certain expenses in connection
with its operations. The Fund 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 the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and changes in the Benchmark Portfolio,
because the Benchmark Portfolio does not reflect expenses or income.
The Fund seeks to trade its positions prior to
maturity; accordingly, natural market forces may cost the Fund while rebalancing. Each time the Fund seeks to reconstitute its positions,
barring movement in the underlying securities, the futures and option prices may be higher or lower. Such differences in price, barring
a movement in the price of the underlying security, will constitute “roll yield” and may inhibit the Fund’s ability
to achieve its investment objective.
Several factors determine the total return from
investing in a futures contract position. One factor that impacts the total return that 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.
The CTA 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 redemption baskets.
BWET commenced investment operations on May 3,
2023. BWET commenced trading on NYSE Arca on May 3, 2023 and trades under the symbol “BWET.”
BWET’s investment objective is to provide
investors with exposure to the daily change in the price of crude oil tanker freight futures, before expenses and liabilities of the Fund,
by tracking the performance of a portfolio (the “BWET Benchmark Portfolio”) mainly consisting of the nearest calendar quarter
of futures contracts on specified indexes (each a “Reference Index”) that measure prices for shipping crude oil (“Freight
Futures”). Freight Futures reflect market expectations for the future cost of transporting crude oil. 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 crude oil in a specific size category of cargo ship and for a specific route. The two Reference Indexes are as follows:
● The TD3C Index : Persian
Gulf to China, 270,000mt cargo (Very Large Crude Carrier or VLCC tankers);
● The TD20 Index: West
Africa to Europe, 130,000mt cargo (Suezmax Tankers)
The value of the TD3C Index and the TD20 Index
is disseminated at 4:00 p.m. London Time by the Baltic Exchange. Such Reference Index information also is widely disseminated by Reuters,
Bloomberg and/or other major market data vendors.
44
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective
by investing substantially all of its assets in the Freight Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio. The BWET Benchmark
Portfolio includes a combination of TD3C and TD20 Freight Futures. More specifically, the Benchmark Portfolio includes 90 % exposure in
TD3C Freight Futures contracts and 10 % exposure in TD20 Freight Futures contracts to maturity and settles them in cash. At any given time,
the average maturity of the futures held by the Fund will be approximately 50 to 70 days.
The BWET Benchmark Portfolio does not include
and BWET does not invest in swaps, non-cleared freight forwards or other over-the-counter derivative instruments that are not cleared
through exchanges or clearing houses. BWET may hold exchange-traded options on Freight Futures. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio is maintained
by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually. The Freight Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio, as well as the
daily holdings of BWET are available on BWET’s website at www.tankeretf.com.
When establishing positions in Freight Futures,
BWET 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 BWET’s FCM, Marex Financial Ltd. On a daily basis, BWET is 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 the FCM may be held at BWET’s custodian or remain with the FCM in cash or cash equivalents, as discussed
below.
BWET was created to provide investors with a cost-effective
and convenient way to gain exposure to daily changes in the price of Freight Futures. BWET is intended to be used as a diversification
opportunity as part of a complete portfolio, not a complete investment program.
The Fund will incur certain expenses in connection
with its operations. The Fund 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. The Fund may also realize interest income from its holdings in U.S. Treasuries
or other market rate instruments. These expenses and income from the cash and cash equivalent holdings may cause imperfect correlation
between changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and changes in the Benchmark Portfolio, because the Benchmark
Portfolio does not reflect expenses or income.
The Fund seeks to trade its positions prior to
maturity; accordingly, natural market forces may cost the Fund while rebalancing. Each time the Fund seeks to reconstitute its positions,
barring movement in the underlying securities, the futures and option prices may be higher or lower. Such differences in price, barring
a movement in the price of the underlying security, will constitute “roll yield” and may inhibit the Fund’s ability
to achieve its investment objective.
Several factors determine the total return from
investing in a futures contract position. One factor that impacts the total return that 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.
The CTA 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 redemption baskets.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Accounting
The accompanying combined financial statements
of the Funds have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Each Fund
qualifies as an investment company for financial reporting purposes under Topic 946 of the Accounting Standard Codification of U.S. GAAP.
(b) Use of Estimates
The preparation of the combined financial
statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the combined financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant estimates used in the preparation of the combined financial
statements.
45
(c) Cash
Cash, when shown in the Combined Statements
of Assets and Liabilities, represents non-segregated cash with the custodian and does not include short-term investments.
(d) Cash Held by Broker
Breakwave is registered as a “commodity
trading advisor” and acts as such for the Funds. The Funds’ arrangement with its FCM require the Funds to meet its variation
margin requirements related to the price movements, both positive and negative, on futures contracts held by the Funds by keeping cash
on deposit with the Commodity Broker (as defined below). These amounts are shown as Segregated cash held by broker in the Combined Statements
of Assets and Liabilities. Each Fund deposits cash or United States Treasury Obligations, as applicable, with the FCM subject to the CFTC
regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. The combination of each Fund’s deposits with the FCM of cash and United
States Treasury Obligations, as applicable, and the unrealized gain or loss on open futures contracts (variation margin) represents each
Fund’s overall equity in its brokerage trading account. The Funds use theirs cash held by the FCM to satisfy individual Fund variation
margin requirements. The Funds earns interest on their cash deposited with the FCM and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.
(e) Final Net Asset Value for Fiscal Period
The calculation time of the Fund’s final
net asset value for creation and redemption of Fund shares for the years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 was at 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively.
Although the Fund’s shares may continue
to trade on secondary markets subsequent to the calculation of the final NAV, the 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time represented the final opportunity
to transact in creation or redemption baskets for the years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022.
Fair value per share is determined at the close
of the NYSE Arca.
For financial reporting purposes, each Fund values
its investment positions based upon the final closing price in their primary markets. Accordingly, the investment valuations in these
combined financial statements differ from those used in the calculations of the Fund’s final creation/redemption NAVs at June 30,
2023 and June 30, 2022.
(f) Investment Valuation
Short-term investments, excluding U.S. Treasury
Bills, are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. U.S. Treasury Bills, when held by the Funds, are valued as determined
by an independent pricing service based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality,
coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions.
Futures and options contracts are valued at the
last settled price on the applicable exchange on which that futures and/or options contract trades.
( g) Financial Instruments and Fair Value
Each Fund discloses the fair value of its investments
in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) fair value measurement and disclosure guidance which
requires a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The disclosure requirements
establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between: (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained
from sources independent to the Fund (observable inputs); and (2) the Fund’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions
developed based on the best information available under the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels defined by the disclosure
requirements hierarchy are as follows:
Level I: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active
markets for identical assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
46
Level II: Inputs other than quoted prices included
within Level I that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level II inputs include the following: quoted
prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that
are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived principally
from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).
Level III: Unobservable pricing input at the measurement
date for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not
available.
In some instances, the inputs used to measure
fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value
measurement in its entirety falls shall be determined based on the lowest input level that is significant to the fair value measurement
in its entirety.
Fair value measurements also require additional
disclosure when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, as well as when circumstances
indicate that a transaction is not orderly.
The following tables summarize BDRY’s valuation
of investments at June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 using the fair value hierarchy:
June 30, 2023
Short-Term
Investments
Futures
Contracts
Total
Level I – Quoted Prices
$ 39,591,860 a
$ ( 13,669,745 )b
$ 25,922,115
a – Included in Investments in securities in the Combined Statements
of Assets and Liabilities.
b – Included in Payable on open futures contracts in the Combined
Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
June 30, 2022
Short-Term
Investments
Futures
Contracts
Total
Level I – Quoted Prices
$ 17,208,763 a
$ ( 9,265,175 )b
$ 7,943,588
a – Included in Investments in securities
in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
b – Included in Payable on open futures contracts in the Combined
Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Transfers between levels are recognized at the
end of the reporting period. During the years ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, BDRY recognized no transfers from Level 1, Level
2 or Level 3.
The following table summarizes BWET’s valuation
of investments at June 30, 2023 using the fair value hierarchy:
June 30, 2023
Short-Term
Investments
Futures
Contracts
Total
Level I – Quoted Prices
$ 475,048 a
$ 825,287 b
$ 1,300,335
a – Included in Investments in securities
in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
b – Included in Receivable on open futures contracts in the Combined
Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments
are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
47
(h) Investment Transactions and Related Income
Investment transactions are recorded on the trade
date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized gain/loss on open futures
contracts is reflected in Receivable/Payable on open futures contracts in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities and the change
in the unrealized gain/loss between periods is reflected in the Combined Statements of Operations. The Funds interest earned on short-term
securities and on cash deposited with Marex Financial Ltd. is accrued daily and reflected as Interest Income, when applicable, in the
Combined Statements of Operations.
(i) Federal Income Taxes
Each Fund is registered as a Delaware statutory
trust and is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Funds do not expect to incur U.S. federal
income tax liability; rather, each beneficial owner is required to take into account their allocable share of the Funds’ income,
gain, loss, deductions and other items for the Funds’ taxable year ending with or within the beneficial owner’s taxable year.
Management of the Funds has reviewed the open
tax years and major jurisdictions and concluded that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain
income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns at June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022. The Funds are also not aware
of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change
in the next twelve months. On an ongoing basis, management will monitor its tax positions taken to determine if adjustments to its conclusions
are necessary based on factors including, but not limited to, further implementation of guidance expected from the FASB and on-going analysis
of tax law, regulation, and interpretations thereof. The Funds’ federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue
Service for a period of three years after they are filed.
(3) Investments
(a) Short-Term Investments
The Funds may purchase U.S. Treasury Bills, agency
securities, and other high-credit quality short-term fixed income or similar securities with original maturities of one year or less.
A portion of these investments may be used as margin for the Funds’ trading in futures contracts.
(b) Accounting for Derivative Instruments
In seeking to achieve each Fund’s investment
objective, the commodity trading advisor uses a mathematical approach to investing. Using this approach, the commodity trading advisor
determines the type, quantity and mix of investment positions that it believes in combination should produce returns consistent with the
Fund’s objective.
All open derivative positions at June 30, 2023
and at June 30, 2022, as applicable, are disclosed in the Combined Schedules of Investments and the notional value of these open positions
relative to the shareholders’ capital of the Funds is generally representative of the notional value of open positions to shareholders’
capital throughout the reporting periods for the Funds. The volume associated with derivative positions varies on a daily basis as the
Fund transact in derivative contracts in order to achieve the appropriate exposure, as expressed in notional value, in comparison to shareholders’
capital consistent with the applicable Fund’s investment objective.
Following is a description of the derivative instruments
used by the Funds during the reporting period, including the primary underlying risk exposures.
(c) 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 freight 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.
48
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds
are 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 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 freight futures 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 haves 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.
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of June
30, 2023
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives
Combined Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
Fair
Value
Combined Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
Fair
Value
Dry Bulk Index Rates
Market Risk
-
Payable on open futures contracts
$ 13,669,745 *
* Represents cumulative depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of June
30, 2022
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives
Combined Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
Fair
Value
Combined
Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
Fair
Value
Dry Bulk Index Rates
Market Risk
-
Payable on open futures contracts
$ 9,265,175 *
*
Represents cumulative depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined
Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended June 30, 2023
Derivatives
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Realized
Loss on
Derivatives
Recognized
in Income
Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
Dry Bulk Index Rates Market Risk
Net realized loss on futures contracts and/or change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts
$ ( 30,983,820 )
$ ( 4,404,570 )
The futures contracts open at June 30, 2023 are indicative of the activity for the year ended June 30, 2023.
49
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined
Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended June 30, 2022
Derivatives
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Realized
Loss on
Derivatives
Recognized
in Income
Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
Dry Bulk Index Rates Market Risk
Net realized loss on futures contracts and/or change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts
$ 836,968
$ ( 30,988,515 )
The futures contracts open at June 30, 2022 are
indicative of the activity for the year ended June 30, 2022.
BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of June
30, 2023
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives
Combined
Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
Fair
Value
Combined Statements of
Assets and
Liabilities
Fair
Value
Crude Oil Tanker
Index Rates Market Risk
Receivable on open futures contracts
$ 825,287 *
Payable on open futures contracts
-
* Represents cumulative appreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined
Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended June 30, 2023
Derivatives
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Realized
Loss on
Derivatives
Recognized
in Income
Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
Crude Oil Tanker Index
Rates Market Risk
Net realized gain on futures contracts and/or change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts
$ 375,516
$ 825,287
The futures contracts open at June 30, 2023 are
indicative of the activity for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023.
(4) Agreements
(a) Management Fee
Each Fund pays the Sponsor a sponsor fee (the
“Sponsor Fee”) in consideration of the Sponsor’s advisory services to the Funds. Additionally, each Fund pays the commodity
trading advisor a license and service fee (the “CTA fee”).
BDRY pays the Sponsor an annual Sponsor Fee,
monthly in arrears, in an amount calculated as the greater of 0.15 % of its average daily net assets, or $ 125,000 . BDRY also pays an
annual fee to Breakwave, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.45 % of BDRY’s average daily net assets. Breakwave has
agreed to waive its CTA fee to the extent necessary, and the Sponsor has voluntarily agreed to correspondingly assume the remaining
expenses of BDRY such that Fund expenses do not exceed an annual rate of 3.50 %, excluding brokerage commissions, interest expense,
and extraordinary expenses, if any, of the value of BDRY’s average daily net assets through March 31, 2025 (the “BDRY
Expense Cap”. The assumption of expenses by the Sponsor and waiver of BDRY’s CTA fee are contractual on the part of the
Sponsor and Breakwave, respectively.
50
The waiver of BDRY’s CTA fees, pursuant
to the undertaking, amounted to $ 22,434 and $- 0 - for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined
Statements of Operations. Effective September 1, 2022 Breakwave may, during the term of the waiver agreement, recoup any fees waived pursuant
to the contract; however, the Fund will only make repayments to Breakwave if such repayment does not cause the Fund’s expense ratio
after the repayment is taken into account, to exceed either (i) the expense cap in place at the time such amounts were waived, or (ii)
the Fund’s current expense cap. Such recoupment is limited to three years from the date the amount is initially waived. At June
30, 2023, BDRY is not subject to potential future repayments to Breakwave.
BWET pays the Sponsor an annual Sponsor Fee,
monthly in arrears, in an amount calculated as the greater of 0.30 % of its average daily net assets, or $ 50,000 . BWET also pays an
annual CTA license and service fee to Breakwave, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.45 % of BDRY’s average daily net
assets. Breakwave has agreed to waive its CTA fee to the extent necessary, and the Sponsor has voluntarily agreed to correspondingly
assume the remaining expenses of BWET such that Fund expenses do not exceed an annual rate of 3.50 %, excluding brokerage
commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary expenses, if any, of the value of BWET’s average daily net assets through
March 31, 2025 (the “BWET Expense Cap”). The assumption of expenses by the Sponsor and waiver of BWET’s CTA fee
are contractual on the part of the Sponsor and Breakwave, respectively.
The waiver of BWET’s CTA fees,
pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $ 7,574 for the period from May 3, 2023 to June 30, 2023 as disclosed in the Combined
Statements of Operations. Breakwave may, during the term of the waiver agreement, recoup any fees waived pursuant to the contract;
however, the Fund will only make repayments to Breakwave if such repayment does not cause the Fund’s expense ratio after the
repayment is taken into account, to exceed either (i) the expense cap in place at the time such amounts were waived, or (ii) the
Fund’s current expense cap. Such recoupment is limited to three years from the date the amount is initially waived. At June
30, 2023, BWET is subject to potential future repayments of $ 7,574 to Breakwave. The potential future repayments expire during the
year ending June 30, 2026 as follows: May 31, 2026 - $ 3,333 and June 30, 2026 - $ 4,241 .
The Funds currently accrue their daily
expenses up to the applicable Expense Cap, or, if less, at accrual estimates established by the Sponsor. At the end of each month,
the accrued amount is remitted to the Sponsor as the Sponsor has assumed, and is responsible for the payment of the routine
operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Funds in excess of the Fund’s respective Expense Cap, which in
the case of BDRY, aggregated $- 0 - and $-0- for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined
Statements of Operations. In the case of BWET, expenses absorbed by the Sponsor aggregated $ 77,450 for the period from May 3, 2023
(commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023 as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.
(b) The Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent
Each Fund has 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 Fund 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 Fund. (U.S. Bank and U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services are referred to collectively hereinafter as “U.S. Bank”).
51
Each
Fund has agreed to pay U.S. Bank 0.05 % of average assets under management (“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.
BDRY paid U.S. Bank $ 66,005 and $ 64,618 for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements
of Operations. BWET paid U.S. Bank $ 9,666 for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023.
(c)
The Distributor
Each
Fund pays ETFMG Financial LLC. (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Sponsor, 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 Fund’s average daily
net assets, payable monthly. Pursuant to the respective Marketing Agent Agreements 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.
BDRY
incurred $ 15,707 and $ 15,707 in distribution and related administrative services for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022,
respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $ 2,539 in distribution and related administrative
services for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023 as disclosed in the Combined Statements of
Operations.
BDRY
pays the Sponsor an annual fee for wholesale support services of $25,000 plus 0.12% of BDRY’s average daily net assets, payable
monthly. BWET pays the Sponsor an annual fee for wholesale support services of $ 15,000 plus 0.15 % of BWET’s average daily net assets,
payable monthly.
BDRY
incurred $ 87,902 and $ 112,393 in wholesale support fees for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as disclosed in
the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $ 3,209 in wholesale support fees for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement
of operations) to June 30, 2023, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.
(d)
The Commodity Broker
Marex
Financial Ltd., registered in England, serves as each Fund’s clearing broker, (the “Commodity Broker”). In its capacity
as clearing broker, the Commodity Broker executes and clears each Fund’s futures transactions and performs certain administrative
services for the Funds.
The
Funds pay respective brokerage commissions, including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“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 annual brokerage commissions and fees to exceed 0.40 % for BDRY and 1.30 % for BWET (excluding the impact on
each Fund of creation and/or redemption activity) of the net asset value of BDRY and BWET, respectively, for execution and clearing
services on behalf of the Funds, 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 freight futures or similar high credit quality short-term fixed-income or similar securities are not included in the
foregoing analysis. BDRY incurred $ 684,169 and $ 665,810 in brokerage commissions and fees for the years ended June 30, 2023 and
2022, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $ 19,746 in brokerage commissions and fees
for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023 as disclosed in the Combined Statement of
Operations.
52
(e)
The Trustee
Under
the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “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 Trust Agreement for each Fund, the Sponsor has the exclusive management and control of all aspects of
the business of the Funds. 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. BDRY incurred $ 4,603 and $ 5,000 , respectively, in trustee fees for years ended June 30, 2023 and
2022, which is included in Other Expenses in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $397 in trustee fees for the period
from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023.
(f)
Routine Offering, Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses
The
Sponsor, in accordance with the BDRY Expense Cap limitation paid, after the waiver of a portion of the CTA fee for BDRY by Breakwave,
all of the routine offering, operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of BDRY in excess of 3.50 % (excluding brokerage
commissions and interest expense) of BDRY’s average daily net assets, including, but not limited to, accounting and computer services,
the fees and expenses of the Trustee, Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Distributor, legal and accounting fees and expenses,
tax return preparation expenses, filing fees, and printing, mailing and duplication costs. BDRY incurred $ 2,398,205 and $ 3,280,299 , respectively,
during the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 in routine offering, operational, administrative or other ordinary expenses.
The
CTA fee waiver for BDRY by Breakwave was $ 22,434 and $- 0 -, respectively, for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
In
addition, the assumption of Fund expenses above the BDRY Expense Cap by the Sponsor, pursuant to the undertaking (as discussed in Note
4a), amounted to $-0- and $-0-, respectively, for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
The
Sponsor, in accordance with the BWET Expense Cap limitation paid, after the waiver of a portion of the CTA fee for BWET by
Breakwave, all of the routine offering, operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of BWET in excess of 3.50 %
(excluding brokerage commissions and interest expense) of BWET’s average daily net assets, including, but not limited to,
accounting and computer services, the fees and expenses of the Trustee, Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Distributor,
legal and accounting fees and expenses, tax return preparation expenses, filing fees, and printing, mailing and duplication costs.
BWET incurred $ 115,479 for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023 in routine offering,
operational, administrative or other ordinary expenses.
The
CTA fee waiver for BDRY by Breakwave was $ 7,574 for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30,
2023.
In
addition, the assumption of Fund expenses above the BWET Expense Cap by the Sponsor, pursuant to the undertaking (as discussed in Note
4a), amounted to $ 77,450 for the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2023.
(g)
Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses
incurred in connection with organizing BDRY and BWET and up to the offering of its Shares upon commencement of its investment operations
on March 22, 2018 and May 3, 2023, respectively, were paid by the Sponsor and Breakwave without reimbursement.
Accordingly,
all such expenses are not reflected in the Combined Statements of Operations. The Funds will bear the costs of their continuous offering
of Shares and ongoing offering expenses. Such ongoing offering costs will be included as a portion of the Routine Offering, Operational,
Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses. These costs will include registration fees for regulatory agencies and all legal, accounting,
printing and other expenses associated therewith. These costs will be accounted for as a deferred charge and thereafter amortized to
expense over twelve months on a straight-line basis or a shorter period if warranted.
During
the year ended June 30, 2021 the Sponsor, in order to maintain the continuous offering of Shares undertook to register additional shares
of BDRY, the costs of which were borne by the Fund and aggregated $ 28,997 , of which $ 24,071 was amortized to expense during the year
ended June 30, 2022.
53
(h)
Extraordinary Fees and Expenses
The
Funds will pay all extraordinary fees and expenses, if any. 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. For the years
ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 BDRY did not incur such expenses. For the period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to June
30, 2023, BWET did not incur such expenses.
(5)
Creations and Redemptions
Each
Fund issues and redeems Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Creation or Redemption Baskets. A Creation or Redemption Basket
is a block of 25,000 shares of the particular Fund. Baskets may be created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants.
Except
when aggregated in Creation or Redemption Baskets, the shares are not redeemable securities. Retail investors, therefore, generally will
not be able to purchase or redeem shares directly from or with the Fund. Rather, most retail investors will purchase or sell shares in
the secondary market with the assistance of a broker. Thus, some of the information contained in these Notes to Combined Financial Statements
– such as references to the Transaction Fee imposed on creations and redemptions – is not relevant to retail investors.
(a)
Transaction Fees on Creation and Redemption Transactions
In
connection with orders to create and redeem one or more Creation or Redemption Baskets, an Authorized Participant is required to pay
a transaction fee, or AP Transaction Fee, of $ 300 per BDRY or BWET order, which goes directly to the Custodian.
The AP Transaction Fees are paid by the Authorized Participants and not by the Funds.
(b)
Share Transactions
BREAKWAVE
DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
Summary of Share Transactions for the Year Ended June 30, 2023
Shares
Net Assets
Increase
Shares Sold
14,975,000
$ 112,635,604
Shares Redeemed
( 6,625,000 )
( 61,398,051 )
Net Increase
8,350,000
$ 51,237,553
BREAKWAVE
DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF
Summary of Share Transactions for the Year Ended June 30, 2022
Shares
Net Assets
Decrease
Shares Sold
4,850,000
$ 125,116,790
Shares Redeemed
( 6,075,000 )
( 159,308,038 )
Net Decrease
( 1,225,000 )
$ ( 34,191,248 )
BREAKWAVE
TANKER SHIPPING ETF
Summary of Share Transactions for the Period from May 3, 2023 to June 30, 2023
Shares
Net Assets
Increase
Shares Sold
200,100
$ 3,001,500
Shares Redeemed
-
-
Net Increase
200,100
$ 3,001,500
54
(6)
Risk
(a)
Investment Related Risk
The
NAV of each Fund’s shares relates directly to the value of the respective freight futures portfolio, cash and cash equivalents
held by each Fund. Fluctuations in the prices of these assets could materially adversely affect the values and performance of an investment
in BDRY and BWET shares. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results; all or substantially all of an investment
in BDRY or BWET could be lost.
The
NAV of BDRY and BWET shares relates directly to the value of the futures investments held by each Fund which are materially impacted
by fluctuations in changes in spot charter rates. Charter rates for dry bulk vessels and crude oil tankers are volatile and have declined
significantly since their historic highs and may remain at low levels or decrease further in the future.
Futures
and options contracts have expiration dates. Before or upon the expiration of a contract, BDRY and/or BWET may be required to enter into
replacement contracts that are priced higher or that have less favorable terms than the contracts being replaced (see “Negative
Roll Risk,” below). The Freight Futures market settles in cash against published indices, so there is no physical delivery against
the futures contracts.
Similar
to other futures contracts, the Freight Futures curve shape could be either in “contango” (where the futures curve is upward
sloping with next futures price higher than the current one) or “backwardation” (where each the next futures price is lower
than the current one). Contango curves are generally characterized by negative roll cost, as the expiring contract value is lower that
the next prompt contract value, assuming the same lot size. That means there could be losses incurred when the contracts are rolled each
period (“Negative Roll Risk”) and such losses are independent of the Freight Futures price level.
The
Russia-Ukraine war poses an increasing risk for global economic growth. Major economic sanctions against Russia are having a considerable
impact on oil and gas prices, given the dependence of the EU on oil and gas exports out of Russia combined with limited spare capacity
of such commodities globally. Energy prices have increased significantly, leading to major inflationary pressures in the major developed
countries that rely heavily on oil and gas exports out of Russia. In the case of BDRY, the combined Russia/Ukraine region account for
approximately one-quarter of global grain production, one of the main cargoes transported by dry bulk vessels, while coal and iron ore
exports out of the region have also been reduced. The above factors can have a material negative impact on demand for dry bulk transportation,
while slower economic growth could also negatively affect demand for dry bulk commodities in the rest of the word, leading to lower dry
bulk freight rates.
The
conflict between Russia and Ukraine is having a profound impact on global commodities prices including grain and coal, two of the most
important commodities for dry bulk shipping. Given the importance of the region in export volumes for both grains and coal, a prolonged
stoppage could lead to significantly lower freight rates and thus a decline in freight futures prices and a decline in the value of BDRY.
Although coal supplies could potentially be sourced from elsewhere partly mitigating the negative impact of the lost volumes, global
grain production capacity is limited, and thus the impact of the lost volumes could not be easily mitigated. In addition, the recent
geopolitical turmoil has led to an increase in government protectionism when it comes to commodities, and if such a trend continues,
it could lead to lower bulk commodities trading globally over the long term. The impact of such a scenario on dry bulk shipping will
be negative, leading to lower spot rates and as a result lower freight futures prices and a decline in the value of BDRY.
In
the case of BWET, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also had a profound impact on oil prices and as a result on tanker rates
and might continue to impact the level of tanker rates for years to come. Russia accounts for more than 10 % of global oil production.
Sanctions put in place to limit the exports of crude oil and refined products from Russia has caused a reshuffling in tanker trade patterns
and has led to increasing volatility in tanker freight rates. With limited seaborne crude exports out of Russia, refiners and oil traders
have been seeking alternative sources for feedstock crude, causing major disruptions in the traditional crude oil trading patterns. Volatility
in tanker rates has increased, especially for tankers carrying refined products. As volatility of spot charter rates increases, higher
trading volumes in freight futures would be expected as market participants tend to increase their hedging requirements. In addition,
oil price volatility has increased significantly, impacting tanker spot rate freight rates.
In
addition, The People’s Republic of China (“China”) accounts for a sizable part of oil demand, and changes in the economic
and political environment in China and policies adopted by the government to regulate its economy may have a material adverse effect
on tanker charter rates and as a result, Freight Futures.
55
(b)
Liquidity Risk
In
certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the futures contracts or Financial Instruments in which the
Funds invest, the Funds might not be able to dispose of certain holdings quickly or at prices that represent what the market value may
have been in an orderly market. Futures and option positions cannot always be liquidated at the desired price. It is difficult to execute
a trade at a specific price when there is a relatively small volume of buy and sell orders in a market. A market disruption can also
make it difficult to liquidate a position. The large size of the positions that the Funds may acquire increases the risk of illiquidity
both by making their positions more difficult to liquidate and by potentially increasing losses while trying to do so. Such a situation
may prevent the Funds from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the applicable Benchmark Portfolio.
(c)
Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk
Natural
or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other severe weather-related phenomena generally,
and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics (for example, the novel coronavirus COVID-19), have been and can be highly
disruptive to economies and markets and have recently led, and may continue to lead, to increased market volatility and significant market
losses. Such natural disaster and health crises could exacerbate political, social, and economic risks previously mentioned, and result
in significant breakdowns, delays, shutdowns, social isolation, and other disruptions to important global, local and regional supply
chains affected, with potential corresponding results on the operating performance of the Funds and their investments. A climate of uncertainty
and panic, including the contagion of infectious viruses or diseases, may adversely affect global, regional, and local economies and
reduce the availability of potential investment opportunities, and increases the difficulty of performing due diligence and modeling
market conditions, potentially reducing the accuracy of financial projections. Under these circumstances, the Funds may have difficulty
achieving their investment objectives which may adversely impact performance. Further, such events can be highly disruptive to economies
and markets, significantly disrupt the operations of individual companies (including, but not limited to, the Funds’ Sponsor and
third party service providers), sectors, industries, markets, securities and commodity exchanges, currencies, interest and inflation
rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds’ investments. These factors can cause
substantial market volatility. exchange trading suspensions and closures and can impact the ability of the Funds to complete redemptions
and otherwise affect each Fund’s performance and the Funds’ trading in the secondary market. A widespread crisis may also
affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the current time. How long such events will last and whether
they will continue or recur cannot be predicted. Impacts from these events could have significant impact on the Funds’ performance,
resulting in losses to the Funds.
(7)
Profit and Loss Allocations and Distributions
Pursuant
to the Trust Agreement, income and expenses of the Funds are allocated pro rata among the Shareholders monthly based on their
respective percentage interests as of the close of the last trading day of the preceding month. Any losses allocated to the Sponsor which
are in excess of the Sponsor’s capital balance are allocated to the Shareholders in accordance with their respective interest in
the applicable Fund as a percentage of total Shareholders’ capital. Distributions (other than redemption of units) may be made
at the sole discretion of the Sponsor on a pro rata basis in accordance with the respective interests of the Shareholders.
56
(8)
Indemnifications
The
Sponsor, either in its own capacity or in its capacity as the Sponsor and on behalf of the Funds, has entered into various service agreements
that contain a variety of representations, or provide indemnification provisions related to certain risks service providers undertake
in performing services which are in the best interests of the Funds. As of June 30, 2023, the Funds had not received any claims or incurred
any losses pursuant to these agreements and expects the risk of such losses to be remote.
(9)
Termination
The
term of each Fund is perpetual unless terminated earlier in certain circumstances as described in the applicable Prospectus.
(10)
Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights
The
Funds are presenting, as applicable, the following net asset value and financial highlights related to investment performance for a Share
outstanding throughout the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The net investment income and total expense ratios are calculated
using average net assets. The net asset value presentation is calculated by dividing each Fund’s net assets by the average daily
number of Shares outstanding. The net investment income (loss) and expense ratios have been annualized. The total return is based on
the change in net asset value and market value of the Shares during the period. An individual investor’s return and ratios may
vary based on the timing of their transactions in Fund Shares.
BREAKWAVE DRY BULK
BREAKWAVE TANKER
SHIPPING ETF
SHIPPING ETF
For the Year Ended June 30,
For the Year Ended June 30,
2023
2022
2023*
2022
Net Asset Value
Net asset value per Share, beginning of year
$ 17.06
$ 28.88
$ 15.00
$ -
Net investment income (loss)
( 0.19 )
( 1.15 )
( 0.17 )
-
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
( 11.34 )
( 10.67 )
6.00
-
Net Income (Loss)
( 11.53 )
( 11.82 )
5.83
-
Net Asset Value per Share, end of year
$ 5.53
$ 17.06
$ 20.83
$ -
Market Value per Share, end of year
$ 5.55
$ 17.17
$ 20.88
$ -
Ratios to Average Net Assets**
Expense Ratio****
4.57 %
4.50 %
7.28 %
-
Expense Ratio**** before Waiver/Assumption
4.62 %
4.50 %
23.56 %
-
Net Investment Income (Loss)
( 2.18 )%
( 4.46 )%
( 6.42 )%
-
Total Return, at Net Asset Value***
( 67.58 )%
( 40.93 )%
38.89 %
-
Total Return, at Market Value***
( 67.68 )%
( 41.50 )%
49.89 %
-
* Period from May 3, 2023 (commencement of investment operations) to June 30, 2023
** Percentages are annualized.
*** Percentages are not annualized.
**** Fund expenses have been capped at 3.50 % of average daily net assets, plus brokerage commissions, interest expense, and extraordinary
expenses, if any.
(11)
Subsequent Events
Effective
August 14, 2023, the Sponsor entered into a Marketing Agent Agreement (the “Marketing Agreement”) on behalf of the Trust
and the Funds with Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”), pursuant to which Foreside provides certain marketing
services to the Funds. Each Fund pays an annual fee for such distribution services and related administrative services equal to approximately 0.00006 % of the Fund’s average daily net assets, with a minimum of approximately $ 7,150 payable annually. Pursuant to the
Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, the Funds and Foreside, Foreside assists the Sponsor and the Funds with certain
functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the Funds, including reviewing and approving marketing
materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. Foresides also assists with the processing of creation and redemption orders.
Foreside’s principal business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. Foreside is a broker-dealer
registered with FINRA.
The Sponsor intends to withdraw as sponsor of the Trust and the Funds and appoint Amplify Investments LLC, or an affiliate (“Amplify”),
to serve as sponsor of the Trust, commencing upon the resignation of the Sponsor (the “Sponsor Replacement”). Amplify will thereafter
serve as sole sponsor of the Trust and intends to carry on the business of the Trust and the Funds. It is expected that the Sponsor Replacement
will occur during the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the registration of Amplify
as a CPO with the CFTC. It is not expected that the Sponsor Replacement will affect the Trust, its shareholders or an investment in the
Funds’ shares in any way.
57
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
To the Sponsor and Shareholders of
ETF Managers Group Commodity Trust I
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the following:
● The accompanying statements of assets and
liabilities of Breakwave Dry Bulk Shipping ETF (“BDRY”) and Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (“BWET”) (collectively
the “Funds”), (each a series of ETF Managers Group Commodity Trust I (the “Trust”), including the
schedules of investments of the Funds and the combined schedules of the Trust, as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the related combined statements
of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Trust for the years then ended, and the related notes;
● the accompanying statement of operations of Breakwave
Tanker Shipping ETF (“BWET”), a series of the Trust, including changes in net assets and cash flows for the period from May 3,
2023 (date of commencement) to June 30, 2023 and the related notes;
● The above are collectively referred to as the
“financial statements.”
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds and the Trust as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Funds’ and the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ and Trust’s
financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent
with respect to the Funds and the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards
of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform,
an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control
over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Trust's and Funds' auditor since 2014.
New York, NY
September 26, 2023
58
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Not
applicable.
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.