Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Index to Financial Statements
Documents
Page
TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
Combined Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
4
Combined Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
5
Combined Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
7
Combined Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
8
Combined Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
9
Notes to Combined Financial Statements
10
TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
23
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
24
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
26
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
27
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
28
Notes to Financial Statements
29
TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
41
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
42
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
44
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
45
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
46
Notes to Financial Statements
47
TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
59
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
60
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
62
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
63
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
64
Notes to Financial Statements
65
TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
77
Schedule of Investments at June 30,, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
78
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
80
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
81
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
82
Notes to Financial Statements
83
TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
95
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
96
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
98
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
99
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
100
Notes to Financial Statements
101
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TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 312,645,391
$ 309,378,295
Interest receivable
20,991
16,982
Other assets
1,585
38
Capital shares receivable
-
307,830
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
32,859,502
42,424,697
Due from broker
12,874,001
-
Total equity in trading accounts
45,733,503
42,424,697
Total assets
358,401,470
352,127,842
Liabilities
Management fee payable to Sponsor
303,870
264,709
Payable for purchases of commercial paper
-
9,995,298
Other liabilities
56,740
71,568
Payable for shares redeemed
-
4,404,915
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
1,343,610
-
Due to broker
420,810
27,278,158
Total equity in trading accounts
1,764,420
27,278,158
Total liabilities
2,125,030
42,014,648
Net Assets
$ 356,276,440
$ 310,113,194
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost: $26,479,756)
$ 26,479,756
7.43 %
26,479,756
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund - Institutional Class (cost: $24,036,129)
24,036,129
6.75
24,036,129
Total money market funds (cost: $50,515,885)
$ 50,515,885
14.18 %
Principal
Amount
Commercial Paper
Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings Inc. 0.213% (cost: $4,999,200 due: 07/21/2021)
$ 4,999,408
1.40 %
5,000,000
Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings Inc. 0.240% (cost: $9,998,200 due: 07/21/2021)
9,998,667
2.81
10,000,000
Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings Inc. 0.216% (cost: $4,999,161 due: 07/21/2021)
4,999,401
1.40
5,000,000
Canadian Natural Resources Limited 0.140% (cost: $9,998,990 due: 07/26/2021)
9,999,028
2.81
10,000,000
FMC Corporation 0.200% (cost: $4,499,300 due: 07/12/2021)
4,499,725
1.26
4,500,000
General Motors Financial Company 0.230% (cost: $5,996,741 due: 07/06/2021)
5,999,808
1.68
6,000,000
General Motors Financial Company 0.230% (cost: $8,995,000 due: 07/08/2021)
8,999,598
2.53
9,000,000
General Motors Financial Company 0.170% (cost: $4,997,899 due: 09/13/2021)
4,998,252
1.40
5,000,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc 0.170% (cost: $9,995,751 due: 08/03/2021)
9,998,440
2.81
10,000,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc 0.160% (cost: $7,497,100 due: 08/06/2021)
7,498,800
2.10
7,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc 0.150% (cost: $2,499,136 due: 09/16/2021)
2,499,199
0.70
2,500,000
Humana Inc. 0.187% (cost: $14,993,453 due: 07/21/2021)
14,998,443
4.21
15,000,000
Humana Inc. 0.160% (cost: $4,998,044 due: 07/27/2021)
4,999,422
1.40
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.210% (cost: $9,997,552 due: 07/16/2021)
9,999,125
2.81
10,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.309% (cost: $4,996,353 due: 08/27/2021)
4,997,555
1.40
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.300% (cost: $4,996,750 due: 08/27/2021)
4,997,626
1.40
5,000,000
Viatris Inc. 0.174% (cost: $9,998,984 due: 07/20/2021)
9,999,080
2.81
10,000,000
Viatris Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,498,861 due: 09/13/2021)
2,498,972
0.70
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,498,764 due: 09/15/2021)
2,498,945
0.70
2,500,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $129,455,239)
$ 129,479,494
36.33 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 179,995,379
50.51 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States corn futures contracts
CBOT corn futures SEP21 (2,092 contracts)
$ 7,311,611
2.05 %
$ 63,073,800
CBOT corn futures DEC21 (1,823 contracts)
12,332,784
3.46
53,960,800
United States soybean futures contracts
CBOT soybean futures NOV21 (359 contracts)
4,711,635
1.32
25,112,050
CBOT soybean futures JAN22 (307 contacts)
78,443
0.02
21,486,163
CBOT soybean futures NOV22 (381 contacts)
2,294,210
0.64
24,193,500
United States sugar futures contracts
ICE sugar futures MAR22 (382 contracts)
1,444,358
0.41
7,735,347
ICE sugar futures MAY22 (344 contracts)
84,905
0.02
6,630,669
ICE sugar futures MAR23 (423 contracts)
435,557
0.12
7,698,600
United States wheat futures contracts
CBOT wheat futures SEP21 (889 contracts)
845,125
0.24
30,203,775
CBOT wheat futures DEC21 (753 contracts)
3,320,874
0.93
25,790,250
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 32,859,502
9.21 %
$ 265,884,954
Percentage of
Notional Amount
Description: Liabilities
Fair Value
Net Assets
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States corn futures contracts
CBOT corn futures DEC22 (2,383 contracts)
$ 1,110,723
0.31 %
$ 60,409,050
United States wheat futures contracts
CBOT wheat futures DEC22 (861 contracts)
232,887
0.07
30,027,375
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 1,343,610
0.38 %
$ 90,436,425
Exchange-traded funds*
Shares
Teucrium Corn Fund
$ 2,591,714
0.73 %
120,872
Teucrium Soybean Fund
2,552,729
0.72
107,299
Teucrium Sugar Fund
2,495,290
0.70
294,242
Teucrium Wheat Fund
2,457,086
0.69
364,207
Total exchange-traded funds (cost $8,960,682)
$ 10,096,819
2.84 %
_____________
*The Trust eliminates the shares owned by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund from its combined statements of assets and liabilities due to the fact that these represent holdings of the other four Funds (“Underlying Funds”) owned by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund, which are included as shares outstanding of the Underlying Funds.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
COMBINED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X 0.04% (cost $56,055,737)
$ 56,055,737
18.08 %
56,055,737
Blackrock Liquidity FedFund - Institutional Class 0.005% (cost $5,065,941)
5,065,941
1.63
5,065,941
Total money market funds (cost: $61,121,678)
$ 61,121,678
19.71 %
Principal
Amount
Commercial Paper
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $7,496,667 due 01/29/2021)
$ 7,497,084
2.42 %
7,500,000
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.421% (cost: $4,997,725 due 01/29/2021)
4,998,366
1.61
5,000,000
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $7,496,771 due 02/05/2021)
7,496,771
2.42
7,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.400% (cost: $4,995,890 due 01/04/2021)
4,999,834
1.61
5,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.411% (cost: $4,996,356 due 01/08/2021)
4,999,602
1.61
5,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.471% (cost: $7,491,612 due 01/20/2021)
7,498,140
2.42
7,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.471% (cost: $2,497,062 due 01/25/2021)
2,499,217
0.81
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.310% (cost: $7,994,903 due 01/05/2021)
7,999,725
2.58
8,000,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.250% (cost: $9,993,749 due 01/11/2021)
9,999,305
3.22
10,000,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.270% (cost: $1,999,025 due 01/20/2021)
1,999,715
0.64
2,000,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.150% (cost: $7,497,595 due 02/01/2021)
7,499,031
2.42
7,500,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $9,996,980 due 02/03/2021)
9,998,443
3.22
10,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.430% (cost: $9,994,507 due 01/29/2021)
9,996,656
3.22
10,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.501% (cost: $7,491,459 due 02/24/2021)
7,494,375
2.42
7,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.401% (cost: $2,498,528 due 02/26/2021)
2,498,528
0.81
2,500,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.350% (cost: $7,496,063 due 02/01/2021)
7,497,739
2.42
7,500,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.381% (cost: $12,490,368 due 02/26/2021)
12,492,610
4.03
12,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.372% (cost: $9,994,117 due 02/26/2021)
9,994,220
3.22
10,000,000
Viatris Inc. 0.451% (cost: $4,994,438 due 03/22/2021)
4,995,000
1.61
5,000,000
WGL Holdings, Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,499,528 due 01/26/2021)
2,499,653
0.81
2,500,000
WGL Holdings, Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,499,417 due 01/27/2021)
2,499,639
0.81
2,500,000
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 0.246% (cost: $14,993,143 due 03/05/2021)
14,993,553
4.83
15,000,000
Total commercial paper (total cost: $152,405,903)
$ 152,447,206
49.16 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 213,568,884
68.87 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
CBOT corn futures MAY21 (2,004 contracts)
$ 9,160,307
2.95 %
$ 48,421,650
CBOT corn futures JUL21 (1,727 contracts)
4,516,403
1.46
41,469,588
CBOT corn futures DEC21 (2,226 contracts)
6,477,896
2.09
48,387,675
United States soybean futures contracts
CBOT soybean futures MAR21 (479 contracts)
7,011,407
2.26
31,398,450
CBOT soybean futures MAY21 (411 contracts)
3,404,313
1.10
26,853,712
CBOT soybean futures NOV21 (557 contracts)
4,708,506
1.52
30,962,238
United States sugar futures contracts
ICE sugar futures MAY21 (272 contracts)
550,868
0.18
4,472,115
ICE sugar futures JUL21 (241 contracts)
345,612
0.11
3,830,165
ICE sugar futures MAR22 (279 contracts)
511,223
0.16
4,459,090
United States wheat futures contracts
CBOT wheat futures MAY21 (765 contracts)
2,297,658
0.74
24,460,875
CBOT wheat futures JUL21 (668 contracts)
687,506
0.22
20,983,550
CBOT wheat futures DEC21 (767 contracts)
2,752,998
0.89
24,419,363
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 42,424,697
13.68 %
$ 310,118,471
Exchange-traded funds*
Shares
Teucrium Corn Fund
$ 401,787
0.13 %
25,858
Teucrium Soybean Fund
401,177
0.13
20,581
Teucrium Sugar Fund
383,816
0.12
57,124
Teucrium Wheat Fund
395,482
0.13
64,237
Total exchange-traded funds (cost $1,586,899)
$ 1,582,262
0.51 %
________________
*The Trust eliminates the shares owned by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund from its combined statements of assets and liabilities due to the fact that these represent holdings of the Underlying Funds owned by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund, which are included as shares outstanding of the Underlying Funds.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Income
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:
Realized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
$ 53,285,729
$ ( 7,587,383 )
$ 94,409,594
$ ( 9,277,336 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on commodity futures contracts
2,156,491
1,512,207
( 10,908,805 )
( 10,953,308 )
Interest income
150,609
348,584
317,178
989,116
Total income (loss)
55,592,829
( 5,726,592 )
83,817,967
( 19,241,528 )
Expenses
Management fees
937,661
356,401
1,800,719
740,764
Professional fees
330,066
467,596
708,673
758,485
Distribution and marketing fees
833,633
624,765
1,588,276
1,278,946
Custodian fees and expenses
79,596
106,162
181,240
184,034
Business permits and licenses fees
20,253
67,067
96,354
108,944
General and administrative expenses
145,755
125,363
204,693
176,273
Other expenses
-
6
-
25
Total expenses
2,346,964
1,747,360
4,579,955
3,247,471
Expenses waived by the Sponsor
( 713,878 )
( 243,764 )
( 966,062 )
( 417,017 )
Total expenses, net
1,633,086
1,503,596
3,613,893
2,830,454
Net income (loss)
$ 53,959,743
$ ( 7,230,188 )
$ 80,204,074
$ ( 22,071,982 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Operations
Net income (loss)
$ 80,204,074
$ ( 22,071,982 )
Capital transactions
Issuance of Shares
116,881,776
85,735,034
Redemption of Shares
( 143,488,391 )
( 32,294,893 )
Net change in the cost of the Underlying Funds
( 7,434,213 )
211,920
Total capital transactions
( 34,040,828 )
53,652,061
Net change in net assets
46,163,246
31,580,079
Net assets, beginning of period
310,113,194
167,906,597
Net assets, end of period
$ 356,276,440
$ 199,486,676
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM COMMODITY TRUST
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ 80,204,074
$ ( 22,071,982 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized depreciation on commodity futures contracts
10,908,805
10,953,308
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from broker
( 12,874,001 )
( 18,137,488 )
Interest receivable
( 4,009 )
( 4,128 )
Receivable for investments sold
-
( 211,145 )
Other assets
( 1,547 )
( 62,135 )
Due to broker
( 26,857,348 )
( 5,140,126 )
Management fee payable to Sponsor
39,161
( 12,815 )
Payable for purchases of commercial paper
( 9,995,298 )
7,495,500
Other liabilities
( 14,828 )
( 5,906 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
41,405,009
( 27,196,917 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shares
117,189,606
85,735,034
Redemption of Shares
( 147,893,306 )
( 28,053,759 )
Net change in cost of the Underlying Funds
( 7,434,213 )
211,920
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
( 38,137,913 )
57,893,195
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
3,267,096
30,696,278
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
309,378,295
166,081,885
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
$ 312,645,391
$ 196,778,163
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Operation
Teucrium Commodity Trust (“Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on September 11, 2009, is a series trust consisting of five series: Teucrium Corn Fund (“CORN”), Teucrium Sugar Fund (“CANE”), Teucrium Soybean Fund (“SOYB”), Teucrium Wheat Fund (“WEAT”), and Teucrium Agricultural Fund (“TAGS”) . All of these series of the Trust are collectively referred to as the “Funds” and singularly as the “Fund.” Each Fund is a commodity pool that is a series of the Trust. The Funds issue common units, called the “Shares,” representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in a Fund. Effective as of April 29, 2019, the Trust and the Funds operate pursuant to the Trust’s Fifth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”).
On June 7, 2010, the initial Form S-1 for CORN was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On June 8, 2010, four Creation Baskets for CORN were issued representing 200,000 shares and $ 5,000,000 . CORN began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca on June 9, 2010. The current registration statement for CORN was declared effective by the SEC on October 2, 2020. The registration statement for CORN registered an additional 20,000,000 shares.
On June 13, 2011, the initial Forms S-1 for CANE, SOYB, and WEAT were declared effective by the SEC. On September 16, 2011, two Creation Baskets were issued for each Fund, representing 100,000 shares and $ 2,500,000 , for CANE, SOYB, and WEAT. On September 19, 2011, CANE, SOYB, and WEAT started trading on the NYSE Arca. The current registration statements for CANE was declared effective on October 2, 2020 and the current registration statement for SOYB was declared effective by the SEC on August 24, 2020. The registration statements for SOYB and CANE registered an additional 15,000,000 shares each. The current registration statement for WEAT was declared effective on April 29, 2019. This registration statement for WEAT registered an additional 30,000,000 shares.
On February 10, 2012, the Form S-1 for TAGS was declared effective by the SEC. On March 27, 2012, six Creation Baskets for TAGS were issued representing 300,000 shares and $ 15,000,000 . TAGS began trading on the NYSE Arca on March 28, 2012. The current registration statement for TAGS was declared effective by the SEC on April 30, 2021.
Teucrium Trading, LLC is the sponsor (“Sponsor”) of the Trust. The Sponsor is a member of the National Futures Association (the "NFA") and became a commodity pool operator ("CPO") registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") effective November 10, 2009. The Sponsor registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor ("CTA") with the CFTC effective September 8, 2017.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the Trust’s financial statements for the interim period. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the most recent Form S-1 filing, as applicable. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
Subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Teucrium Trading, LLC in its capacity as the Sponsor of the Trust may terminate a Fund at any time, regardless of whether the Fund has incurred losses, including, for instance, if it determines that the Fund’s aggregate net assets in relation to its operating expenses make the continued operation of the Fund unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require the Sponsor to terminate a Fund.
Note 2 – Principal Contracts and Agreements
The Sponsor employs U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services ("Global Fund Services"), for Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services. The principal address for Global Fund Services is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
For custody services, the Funds will pay to U.S. Bank N.A. 0.0075% of average gross assets up to $1 billion, and .0050% of average gross assets over $1 billion, annually, plus certain per-transaction charges. For Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services, which are based on the total assets for all the Funds in the Trust, the Funds will pay to Global Fund Services 0.05% of average gross assets on the first $500 million, 0.04% on the next $500 million, 0.03% on the next $2 billion and 0.02% on the balance over $3 billion annually. A combined minimum annual fee of up to $47,000 for custody, transfer agency, accounting and administrative services is assessed per Fund. These services are recorded as custodian fees and expenses on the combined statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
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The Sponsor employs Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside” or the “Distributor”) as the Distributor for the Funds. The Distribution Services Agreement among the Distributor and the Sponsor calls for the Distributor to work with the Custodian in connection with the receipt and processing of orders for Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets and the review and approval of all Fund sales literature and advertising materials. The Distributor and the Sponsor have also entered into a Securities Activities and Service Agreement (the “SASA”) under which certain employees and officers of the Sponsor are licensed as registered representatives or registered principals of the Distributor, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules. For its services as the Distributor, Foreside receives a fee of 0.01% of each Fund’s average daily net assets and an aggregate annual fee of $100,000 for all Funds, along with certain expense reimbursements. For its services under the SASA, Foreside receives a fee of $5,000 per registered representative and $1,000 per registered location. These services are recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the combined statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below. Pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement, Foreside Consulting Services, LLC, performs certain consulting support services for the Trust's Sponsor. Additionally, Foreside Distributors, LLC performs certain distribution consulting services pursuant to a Distribution Consulting Agreement with the Sponsor.
E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. (“E D & F Man”) serves as the Underlying Funds’ clearing broker to execute and clear the Underlying Funds’ futures and provide other brokerage-related services. E D & F Man is registered as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the NFA. E D & F Man is also registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. ED & F Man is a clearing member of ICE Futures U.S., Inc., Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, and all other major United States commodity exchanges. For Corn, Soybean, Sugar and Wheat Futures Contracts E D & F Man is paid $9.00 per round turn . Prior to August 21, 2019, these expenses were recorded in brokerage commissions on the combined statements of operations. Beginning on August 21, 2019, these expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the combined statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the combined statements of operations when a contract is sold. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The sole Trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. For its services, the Trustee receives an annual fee of $ 3,300 from the Trust. These services are recorded in business permits and licenses fees on the combined statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Thales Capital Partners LLC (“Thales”) for distribution and solicitation-related services. Thales is registered as a Broker-Dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Thales receives a quarterly fee of the higher of $18,750 or 0.10% of new assets raised in referred accounts for distribution and solicitation-related services. This fee based on new assets raised is determined by an agreed upon level of assets at the time of signing the contract. These services are recorded in distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below:
Three months
ended
June 30,
2021
Three months
ended
June 30,
2020
Six months
ended
June 30,
2021
Six months
ended
June 30,
2020
Amount Recognized for Custody Services
$ 79,596
$ 106,162
$ 181,240
$ 184,034
Amount of Custody Services Waived
$ 26,078
$ 2,607
$ 26,809
$ 15,342
Amount Recognized for Distribution Services
$ 43,666
$ 35,719
$ 91,315
$ 79,422
Amount of Distribution Services Waived
$ 17,997
$ 1,005
$ 24,201
$ 2,475
Amount Recognized for Wilmington Trust
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount of Wilmington Trust Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Thales
$ 84,048
$ 22,500
$ 160,768
$ 45,000
Amount of Thales Waived
$ 41,175
$ 1,647
$ 41,678
$ 1,777
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Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a combined basis in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification and include the accounts of the Trust, CORN, CANE, SOYB, WEAT and TAGS. Refer to the accompanying separate financial statements for each Fund for more detailed information. The periods represented by the financial statements herein contain the results of CORN, SOYB, CANE, WEAT, and TAGS for the months during which each Fund was in operation, except for eliminations for TAGS as explained below.
Given the investment objective of TAGS as described in Note 1 above, TAGS will buy, sell and hold, as part of its normal operations, shares of the four Underlying Funds. The Trust eliminates the shares of the other series of the Trust owned by TAGS from its combined statements of assets and liabilities. The Trust eliminates the net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on securities owned by TAGS from its combined statements of operations. The combined statements of changes in net assets and cash flows present a net presentation of the purchases and sales of the Underlying Funds by TAGS.
Revenue Recognition
Commodity futures contracts are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts are reflected in the combined statements of operations as the difference between the original contract amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Beginning on August 21, 2019, brokerage commission expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the combined statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the combined statements of operations when a contract is sold. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the combined statements of operations. Interest on cash equivalents with financial institutions are recognized on the accrual basis. The Funds earn interest on funds held at the custodian and other financial institutions at prevailing market rates for such investments.
The Sponsor invests a portion of cash in commercial paper, which is deemed a cash equivalent based on the rating and duration of contracts as described in the notes to the combined financial statements and reflected in cash and cash equivalents on the combined statements of assets and liabilities and on the combined statements of cash flows. Accretion on these investments is recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the combined statements of operations.
The Sponsor invests a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts. Accretion on these investments is recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the combined statements of operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Beginning on August 21, 2019, the Sponsor began recognizing the expense for brokerage commissions for futures contract trades on a per-trade basis. Prior to the change, brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts were accrued on the trade date and on a full-turn basis. The below table shows the amounts included on the statements of operations as total brokerage commissions paid inclusive of unrealized loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
CORN SOYB CANE WEAT TAGS TRUST
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 $ 41,225
$ 6,543
$ 8,957
$ 11,048
$ -
$ 67,772
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 25,268
$ 5,691
$ 5,168
$ 7,357
$
-
$ 43,484
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 75,191
$ 21,735
$ 12,434
$ 22,523
$ -
$ 131,883
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 40,422
$ 10,145
$ 8,243
$ 14,159
$ 1
$ 72,970
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Income Taxes
The Trust is organized and will be operated as a Delaware statutory trust. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund will be treated as a publicly traded partnership. A publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of the publicly traded partnership’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence consists of qualifying income as defined in section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualifying income is defined as generally including, in pertinent part, interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, and gains from the sale or disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends. In the case of a partnership of which a principal activity is the buying and selling of commodities, other than as inventory, or of futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, qualifying income also includes income and gains from commodities and from futures, forwards, options with respect to commodities and, provided the partnership is a trader or investor with respect to such assets, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. Each Fund expects that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year will consist of qualifying income and that the Fund will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the Funds do not record a provision for income taxes because the shareholders report their share of a Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. The financial statements reflect the Funds’ transactions without adjustment, if any, required for income tax purposes.
The Funds are required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Funds file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. For all tax years 2018 to 2020, the Funds remain subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in the Funds recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. Based on their analysis, the Funds have determined that they have not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. However, the Funds’ conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
The Funds recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
The Funds may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. state, or foreign jurisdictional authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws.
Creations and Redemptions
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets from each Fund. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) time on the day the order to create the basket is received in good order.
Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from each Fund only in blocks of shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to redeem the basket is received in good order.
Each Fund receives or pays the proceeds from shares sold or redeemed within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers are reflected in the statements of assets and liabilities as capital shares receivable. Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected in the statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.
There are a minimum number of baskets and associated Shares specified for each Fund in the Fund’s respective prospectus, as amended from time to time. If a Fund experienced redemptions that caused the number of Shares outstanding to decrease to the minimum level of Shares required to be outstanding, until the minimum number of Shares is again exceeded through the purchase of a new Creation Basket, there can be no more redemptions by an Authorized Purchaser. These minimum levels are as follows:
CORN: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets
SOYB: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets
CANE: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets
WEAT: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets
TAGS: 50,000 shares representing 4 baskets
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Table of Contents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less when acquired. The Trust reported its cash equivalents in the combined statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short term maturities. Each Fund that is a series of the Trust has the balance of its cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions. The Trust holds a balance in money market funds that is included in cash and cash equivalents on the combined statements of assets and liabilities. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in alternative demand deposit savings accounts, which are classified as cash and not as cash equivalents. Assets deposited with the bank may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in investment grade commercial paper with durations of 90 days or less, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured. The Sponsor may invest a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured.
June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Money Market Funds
$ 50,515,885
$ 61,121,678
Demand Deposit Savings Accounts
132,650,012
95,809,411
Commercial Paper
129,479,494
152,447,206
Total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities
$ 312,645,391
$ 309,378,295
Payable for Purchases of Commercial Paper
The amount recorded by the Trust for commercial paper transactions awaiting settlement represents the amount payable for contracts purchased but not yet settled as of the reporting date. The value of the contract is included in cash and cash equivalents, and the payable amount is included as a liability.
Due from/to Broker
The amount recorded by the Trust for the amount due from and to the clearing broker includes, but is not limited to, cash held by the broker, amounts payable to the clearing broker related to open transactions, payables for commodities futures accounts liquidating to an equity balance on the clearing broker’s records, and amounts of brokerage commissions paid and recognized as unrealized losses.
Margin is the minimum amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity interest trader with the trader’s broker to initiate and maintain an open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit acts to assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts purchased or sold. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a very small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. Because of such low margin requirements, price fluctuations occurring in the futures markets may create profits and losses that, in relation to the amount invested, are greater than customary in other forms of investment or speculation. As discussed below, adverse price changes in the futures contract may result in margin requirements that greatly exceed the initial margin. In addition, the amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set from time to time by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Brokerage firms, such as the Funds’ clearing brokers, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts generally require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves. Over the counter trading generally involves the extension of credit between counterparties, so the counterparties may agree to require the posting of collateral by one or both parties to address credit exposure.
When a trader purchases an option, there is no margin requirement; however, the option premium must be paid in full. When a trader sells an option, on the other hand, he or she is required to deposit margin in an amount determined by the margin requirements established for the underlying interest and, in addition, an amount substantially equal to the current premium for the option. The margin requirements imposed on the selling of options, although adjusted to reflect the probability that out-of-the-money options will not be exercised, can in fact be higher than those imposed in dealing in the futures markets directly. Complicated margin requirements apply to spreads and conversions, which are complex trading strategies in which a trader acquires a mixture of options positions and positions in the underlying interest.
Ongoing or “maintenance” margin requirements are computed each day by a trader’s clearing broker. When the market value of a particular open futures contract changes to a point where the margin on deposit does not satisfy maintenance margin requirements, a margin call is made by the broker. If the margin call is not met within a reasonable time, the broker may close out the trader’s position. With respect to the Funds’ trading, the Funds (and not their shareholders personally) are subject to margin calls.
Finally, many major U.S. exchanges have passed certain cross margining arrangements involving procedures pursuant to which the futures and options positions held in an account would, in the case of some accounts, be aggregated, and margin requirements would be assessed on a portfolio basis, measuring the total risk of the combined positions.
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Table of Contents
Payable/Receivable for Securities Purchased/Sold
Due from/to broker for investments in securities are securities transactions pending settlement. The Trust and the Funds are subject to credit risk to the extent any broker with whom it conducts business is unable to fulfill contractual obligations on its behalf. The management of the Trust and the Funds monitors the financial condition of such brokers and does not anticipate any losses from these counterparties. From inception through September 11, 2019, the principal broker through which the Trust and TAGS can execute securities transaction for TAGS was the Bank of New York Mellon Capital Markets. Effective September 11, 2019, the principal broker through which the Trust and TAGS can execute securities transactions for TAGS is U.S. Bank N.A.
Sponsor Fee, Allocation of Expenses and Related Party Transactions
The Sponsor is responsible for investing the assets of the Funds in accordance with the objectives and policies of each Fund. In addition, the Sponsor arranges for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custodial, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Sponsor has elected not to outsource services directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds such as accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and trading activities, which the Sponsor performs itself. In addition, the Funds, except for TAGS which has no such fee, are contractually obligated to pay a monthly management fee to the Sponsor, based on average daily net assets, at a rate equal to 1.00% per annum.
The Funds pay for all brokerage fees, taxes and other expenses, including licensing fees for the use of intellectual property, registration or other fees paid to the SEC, FINRA or any other regulatory agency in connection with the offer and sale of subsequent Shares, after its initial registration, and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith. The Funds also pay the fees and expenses associated with the Trust’s tax accounting and reporting requirements. Certain aggregate expenses common to all Funds within the Trust are allocated by the Sponsor to the respective Fund based on activity drivers deemed most appropriate by the Sponsor for such expenses, including but not limited to relative assets under management and creation order activity. These aggregate common expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, auditing, accounting and financial reporting, tax-preparation, regulatory compliance, trading activities, and insurance costs, as well as fees paid to the Distributor, which are included in the related line item in the combined statements of operations. A portion of these aggregate common expenses are related to the Sponsor or related parties of principals of the Sponsor; these are necessary services to the Trust and the Funds, which are primarily the cost of performing accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and trading activities that are directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds. Such expenses are primarily included as distribution and marketing fees in the financial statements of each Fund.
Three months
ended
June 30,
2021
Three months
ended
June 30,
2020
Six months
ended
June 30,
2021
Six months
ended
June 30,
2020
Recognized Related Party Transactions
$ 657,508
$ 481,113
$ 1,183,727
$ 1,072,237
Waived Related Party Transactions
$ 331,101
$ 84,225
$ 450,842
$ 184,907
The Sponsor has the ability to elect to pay certain expenses on behalf of the Funds or waive the management fee. This election is subject to change by the Sponsor, at its discretion. Expenses paid by the Sponsor and Management fees waived by the Sponsor are, if applicable, presented as waived expenses in the statements of operations for each Fund. The Sponsor has determined that there will be no recovery sought for the amounts below in any future period.
CORN
SOYB
CANE
WEAT
TAGS
TRUST
Three months ended June 30, 2021
$ 321,515
$ 243,419
$ 31,549
$ 95,936
$ 21,459
$ 713,878
Three months ended June 30, 2020
$ 108,468
$ 47,076
$ 76,539
$ -
$ 11,681
$ 243,764
Six months ended June 30, 2021
$ 441,781
$ 305,996
$ 58,039
$ 124,651
$ 35,595
$ 966,062
Six months ended June 30, 2020
$ 195,575
$ 77,047
$ 113,892
$ -
$ 30,503
$ 417,017
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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Table of Contents
Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Trust uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Trust. Unobservable inputs reflect the Trust’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Trust has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 futures contracts held by CORN, SOYB, CANE and WEAT, the securities of the Underlying Funds held by TAGS, and any other securities held by any Fund, together referenced throughout this filing as “financial instruments.” Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Trust’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Trust uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many financial instruments. This condition could cause a financial instrument to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy. For instance, when Corn Futures Contracts on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) are not actively trading due to a “limit-up” or ‘limit-down” condition, meaning that the daily change in the Corn Futures Contracts has exceeded the limits established, the Trust and the Fund will revert to alternative verifiable sources of valuation of its assets. When such a situation exists on a quarter close, the Sponsor will calculate the NAV on a particular day using the Level 1 valuation but will later recalculate the NAV for the impacted Fund based upon the valuation inputs from these alternative verifiable sources (Level 2 or Level 3) and will report such NAV in its applicable financial statements and reports.
On June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in the opinion of the Trust, the reported value at the close of the market for each commodity contract fairly reflected the value of the futures and no alternative valuations were required, except for the Sep21 CBOT corn futures and the Dec21 CBOT corn futures, which settled in a “limit up” condition on June 30, 2021. Therefore, the Trust and CORN have used alternative verifiable sources to value these contracts on June 30, 2021 and the financial statements of CORN and TAGS, due to the NAV adjustment for the Underlying Fund, have been adjusted accordingly. The adjustment in CORN has resulted in a $711,275 increase in the unrealized change in commodity futures contracts in excess of reported CBOT values and have classified these as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, Corn Futures Contracts for the Jul21 CBOT corn futures, Sep21 CBOT corn futures, Dec21 CBOT corn futures, Jul21 CBOT soybean futures, and the Nov21 CBOT soybean futures, settled in a “limit up” condition. Accordingly, the Trust, CORN, and SOYB classified these as Level 2 assets. The financial statements of these funds including TAGS, due to the NAV adjustment for each of these Underlying Funds, were adjusted accordingly. The adjustment resulted in an increase in the unrealized change in commodity futures contracts in excess of reported CBOT values of $3,371,513 for CORN and $279,750 for SOYB. The Soybean futures contracts transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021, and the Sept21 and Dec21 corn futures contracts remained a Level 2 asset as described above.
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Table of Contents
For the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the Dec21 CBOT Wheat Futures Contracts traded on the CBOT did not, in the opinion of the Trust and WEAT, trade in an actively traded futures market as defined in the policy of the Trust and WEAT for the entire period during which they were held. Accordingly, the Trust and WEAT classified these as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2020 due to the quarterly average daily volume for the contract. These Wheat contracts transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended September 30, 2020.
The Funds and the Trust record their derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative contracts are included in the statements of operations. Derivative contracts include futures contracts related to commodity prices. Futures, which are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the CBOT and the ICE, or reported on another national market, are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives contracts (such as forward and swap contracts), which may be valued using models, depending on whether significant inputs are observable or unobservable, are categorized in Levels 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in the securities of the Underlying Funds are freely traded and listed on the NYSE Arca. These investments are valued at the NAV of the Underlying Fund as of the valuation date as calculated by the administrator based on the exchange-quoted prices of the commodity futures contracts held by the Underlying Fund.
Expenses
Expenses are recorded using the accrual method of accounting.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-10: “Codification Improvements.” The amendment improves the disclosure guidance in appropriate Disclosure Sections, without resulting in changes to current GAAP. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Sponsor is evaluating the impacts, but the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Trust or the Funds.
The FASB issued ASU 2020-02: “Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendment updates and adds language to ASU 2016-02. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Funds.
The FASB issued ASU 2020-01: Investments Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments clarify the treatment of transactions that require a company to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments were adopted early for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Funds.
The FASB issued ASU 2019-01: "Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These amendments align the guidance for fair value of underlying assets by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers in Topic 842 with that of existing guidance. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Funds.
The FASB issued ASU 2018-13: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. These amendments modify public and private company fair value disclosure requirements. While some disclosures were removed or modified, others were added. The guidance is a result of the FASB’s test of the principals developed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Funds.
The FASB issued ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments”. The amendment amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
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Table of Contents
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
The Trust’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Trust’s significant accounting policies in Note 3. The following table presents information about the Trust’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
Cash Equivalents
$ 179,995,379
$ -
$ -
$ 179,995,379
Commodity Futures Contracts
Corn futures contracts
-
19,644,395
-
19,644,395
Soybean futures contracts
7,084,288
-
-
7,084,288
Sugar futures contracts
1,964,820
-
-
1,964,820
Wheat futures contracts
4,165,999
-
-
4,165,999
Total
$ 193,210,486
$ 19,644,395
$ -
$ 212,854,881
Liabilities
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
Commodity Futures Contracts
Corn futures contracts
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ -
$ 1,110,723
Wheat futures contracts
232,887
-
-
232,887
Total
$ 1,343,610
$ -
$ -
$ 1,343,610
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Cash Equivalents
$ 213,568,884
$ -
$ -
$ 213,568,884
Commodity Futures Contracts
Corn futures contracts
20,154,606
-
-
$ 20,154,606
Soybean futures contracts
15,124,226
-
-
$ 15,124,226
Sugar futures contracts
1,407,703
-
-
$ 1,407,703
Wheat futures contracts
5,738,162
-
-
$ 5,738,162
Total
$ 255,993,581
$ -
$ -
$ 255,993,581
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Funds did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy except for: the Sep21 CBOT corn futures and the Dec 21 CBOT corn futures which were reflected as a Level 2 investment for the period ended June 30, 2021 due to a “limit up” situation; the July21 CBOT corn futures, Sep21 CBOT corn futures, Dec21 CBOT corn futures, Jul21 CBOT soybean futures, and the Nov21 CBOT soybean futures, which were reflected as a Level 2 investment for the period ended March 31, 2021 due to a “limit up” situation. The Soybean futures contracts transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021, and the Sep21 and Dec21 corn futures contracts remained a Level 2 asset. The Dec 21 CBOT Wheat contracts held by WEAT, which were reflected as a Level 2 investment for the period ended June 30, 2020 due to the quarterly average daily volume for the contract and which were transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended September 30, 2020.
See the Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy section in Note 3 above for an explanation of the transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy.
18
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Note 5 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Funds utilize derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities. Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment. The Funds’ derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, credit, commodity price, and equity price risks. In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Funds are also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Funds invested only in commodity futures contracts specifically related to each Fund.
Futures Contracts
The Funds are subject to commodity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
The purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with a FCM. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by each Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by each Fund. Futures contracts may reduce the Funds’ exposure to counterparty risk since futures contracts are exchange-traded; and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other equity deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to each Fund’s pro rata share of segregated customer funds available. It is possible that the recovery amount could be less than the total of cash and other equity deposited.
The following table discloses information about offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the combined statements of assets and liabilities to enable users of these financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements for recognized assets and liabilities. These recognized assets and liabilities are presented as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and subsequently clarified in FASB ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.”
The following table also identifies the fair value amounts of derivative instruments included in the combined statements of assets and liabilities as derivative contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk and held by the FCM, E D & F Man as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 19,644,395
$ -
$ 19,644,395
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ 18,533,672
Soybean futures contracts
$ 7,084,288
$ -
$ 7,084,288
$ -
$ -
$ 7,084,288
Sugar futures contracts
$ 1,964,820
$ -
$ 1,964,820
$ -
$ 420,810
$ 1,544,010
Wheat futures contracts
$ 4,165,999
$ -
$ 4,165,999
$ 232,887
$ -
$ 3,933,112
19
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Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due from Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ 1,110,723
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ -
Wheat futures contracts
$ 232,887
$ -
$ 232,887
$ 232,887
$ -
$ -
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2020
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 20,154,606
$ -
$ 20,154,606
$ -
$ 12,973,828
$ 7,180,778
Soybean futures contracts
$ 15,124,226
$ -
$ 15,124,226
$ -
$ 11,257,566
$ 3,866,660
Sugar futures contracts
$ 1,407,703
$ -
$ 1,407,703
$ -
$ 475,661
$ 932,042
Wheat futures contracts
$ 5,738,162
$ -
$ 5,738,162
$ -
$ 2,571,103
$ 3,167,059
The following is a summary of realized and unrealized gains (losses) of the derivative instruments utilized by the Trust:
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized (Depreciation) Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 36,449,652
$ ( 2,942,665 )
Soybean futures contracts
7,663,258
684,574
Sugar futures contracts
2,012,151
1,163,959
Wheat futures contracts
7,160,668
3,250,623
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 53,285,729
$ 2,156,491
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ ( 5,200,091 )
$ 4,223,848
Soybean futures contracts
( 861,903 )
1,484,213
Sugar futures contracts
( 1,239,596 )
1,689,036
Wheat futures contracts
( 285,793 )
( 5,884,890 )
Total commodity futures contracts
$ ( 7,587,383 )
$ 1,512,207
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized (Depreciation) Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 55,246,132
$ ( 1,620,934 )
Soybean futures contracts
25,817,715
( 8,039,938 )
Sugar futures contracts
3,265,631
557,117
Wheat futures contracts
10,080,116
( 1,805,050 )
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 94,409,594
$ ( 10,908,805 )
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Six months ended June 30, 2020
Realized (Loss) Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ ( 6,779,194 )
$ ( 2,792,631 )
Soybean futures contracts
( 1,718,118 )
( 809,552 )
Sugar futures contracts
( 947,538 )
( 466,909 )
Wheat futures contracts
167,515
( 6,884,216 )
Total commodity futures contracts
$ (9,277,335 )
$ ( 10,953,308 )
Volume of Derivative Activities
The average notional market value categorized by primary underlying risk for the futures contracts held was $ 376.9 million and $ 365.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $ 161.5 million and $ 154.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.
Note 6 - Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses incurred in organizing of the Trust and the initial offering of the shares of the Funds, including applicable SEC registration fees, were borne directly by the Sponsor for the Funds and will be borne directly by the Sponsor for any series of the Trust which is not yet operating or will be issued in the future. The Trust will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.
Note 7 – Detail of the net assets and shares outstanding of the Funds that are a series of the Trust
The following are the net assets and shares outstanding of each Fund that is a series of the Trust and, thus, in total, comprise the combined net assets of the Trust:
June 30, 2021
Outstanding Shares
Net Assets
Teucrium Corn Fund
8,275,004
$ 177,431,275
Teucrium Soybean Fund
2,975,004
70,777,806
Teucrium Sugar Fund
2,600,004
22,049,153
Teucrium Wheat Fund
12,750,004
86,017,246
Teucrium Agricultural Fund:
Net assets including the investment in the Underlying Funds
387,502
10,097,779
Less: Investment in the Underlying Funds
( 10,096,819 )
Net for the Fund in the combined net assets of the Trust
960
Total
$ 356,276,440
December 31, 2020
Outstanding Shares
Net Assets
Teucrium Corn Fund
8,900,004
$ 138,289,537
Teucrium Soybean Fund
4,575,004
89,178,862
Teucrium Sugar Fund
1,900,004
12,766,091
Teucrium Wheat Fund
11,350,004
69,876,578
Teucrium Agricultural Fund:
Net assets including the investment in the Underlying Funds
75,002
1,584,388
Less: Investment in the Underlying Funds
( 1,582,262 )
Net for the Fund in the combined net assets of the Trust
2,126
Total
$ 310,113,194
The detailed information for the subscriptions and redemptions, and other financial information for each Fund that is a series of the Trust are included in the accompanying financial statements of each Fund.
21
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Note 8 – Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the financial statements for the quarter-ended June 30, 2021 for subsequent events through the date of this filing and noted no material events requiring either recognition through the date of the filing or disclosure herein for the Trust and Funds other than those noted below:
The continued uncertainty over the path of COVID-19 may continue to be highly disruptive to economies and markets. The impact of COVID-19 to the Trust and the Funds is described in more detail in Part II of this 10-Q.
CORN:
The total net assets of the Fund decreased by $ 38,633,498 , or 22 %, for the period June 30, 2021 to August 6, 2021. This was driven by a 3 % decrease in the NAV per share and a 19 % decrease in the shares outstanding.
SOYB:
Nothing to report.
CANE:
Nothing to report.
WEAT:
Nothing to report.
TAGS:
Nothing to report.
22
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TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 152,622,143
$ 138,181,061
Interest receivable
10,402
7,343
Other assets
1,153
-
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
19,644,395
20,154,606
Due from broker
6,429,007
-
Total equity in trading accounts
26,073,402
20,154,606
Total assets
178,707,100
158,343,010
Liabilities
Management fee payable to Sponsor
148,220
117,864
Payable for purchases of commercial paper
-
4,997,847
Other liabilities
16,882
21,659
Payable for shares redeemed
-
1,942,275
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
1,110,723
-
Due to broker
-
12,973,828
Total equity in trading accounts
1,110,723
12,973,828
Total liabilities
1,275,825
20,053,473
Net assets
$ 177,431,275
$ 138,289,537
Shares outstanding
8,275,004
8,900,004
Shares Authorized
24,050,000
27,450,000
Net asset value per share
$ 21.44
$ 15.54
Market value per share
$ 21.37
$ 15.58
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
23
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TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost: $8,559,427)
$ 8,559,427
4.82 %
8,559,427
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund - Institutional Class (cost: $16,509,476)
16,509,476
9.30
16,509,476
Total money market funds (cost: $25,068,903)
$ 25,068,903
14.12 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings (Canada) Inc. 0.240% (cost: $9,998,200 due 07/21/2021)
$ 9,998,667
5.64 %
10,000,000
Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings (Canada) Inc. 0.216% (cost: $4,999,161 due 07/21/2021)
4,999,401
2.82
5,000,000
Canadian Natural Resources Limited 0.140% (cost: $4,999,495 due 07/26/2021)
4,999,514
2.82
5,000,000
FMC Corporation 0.200% (cost: $2,499,611 due 07/12/2021)
2,499,847
1.41
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.230% (cost: $3,498,099 due 07/06/2021)
3,499,888
1.97
3,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.230% (cost: $1,499,167 due 07/08/2021)
1,499,933
0.85
1,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,498,950 due 09/13/2021)
2,499,126
1.41
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,498,937 due 08/03/2021)
2,499,610
1.41
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.160% (cost: $4,998,067 due 08/06/2021)
4,999,200
2.82
5,000,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.150% (cost: $2,499,136 due 09/16/2021)
2,499,199
1.41
2,500,000
Humana Inc. 0.187% (cost: $4,997,818 due 07/21/2021)
4,999,481
2.82
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.210% (cost: $2,499,388 due 07/16/2021)
2,499,781
1.41
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.309% (cost: $4,996,353 due 08/27/2021)
4,997,555
2.82
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.300% (cost: $2,498,375 due 08/27/2021)
2,498,813
1.41
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.174% (cost: $7,499,238 due 07/20/2021)
7,499,310
4.23
7,500,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $62,479,995)
$ 62,489,325
35.25 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 87,558,228
49.37 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States corn futures contracts
CBOT corn futures SEP21 (2,092 contracts)
$ 7,311,611
4.12 %
$ 63,073,800
CBOT corn futures DEC21 (1,823 contracts)
12,332,784
6.95
53,960,800
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 19,644,395
11.07 %
$ 117,034,600
Percentage of
Notional Amount
Description: Liabilities
Fair Value
Net Assets
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States corn futures contracts
CBOT corn futures DEC22 (2,383 contracts)
$ 1,110,723
0.63 %
$ 60,409,050
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
24
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TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X 0.04% (cost $27,477,241)
$ 27,477,241
19.87 %
27,477,241
Blackrock Liquidity FedFund - Institutional Class 0.005% (cost $19,076)
19,076
0.01
19,076
Total money market funds (cost: $27,496,317)
$ 27,496,317
19.88 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $2,498,889 due 01/29/2021)
$ 2,499,028
1.81 %
2,500,000
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $4,997,847 due 02/05/2021)
4,997,847
3.61
5,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.411% (cost: $2,498,178 due 01/08/2021)
2,499,801
1.81
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.471% (cost: $4,994,386 due 01/20/2021)
4,998,760
3.61
5,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.471% (cost: $2,497,226 due 01/20/2021)
2,499,380
1.81
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.471% (cost: $2,497,062 due 01/25/2021)
2,499,217
1.81
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.310% (cost: $5,496,496 due 01/05/2021)
5,499,811
3.98
5,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.250% (cost: $2,498,437 due 01/11/2021)
2,499,826
1.81
2,500,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.150% (cost: $4,998,397 due 02/01/2021)
4,999,354
3.62
5,000,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $4,998,490 due 02/03/2021)
4,999,221
3.61
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.430% (cost: $4,997,253 due 01/29/2021)
4,998,328
3.61
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.501% (cost: $4,994,306 due 02/24/2021)
4,996,250
3.61
5,000,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.381% (cost: $4,996,147 due 02/26/2021)
4,997,044
3.61
5,000,000
Viatris Inc. 0.372% (cost: $7,495,588 due 02/26/2021)
7,495,665
5.42
7,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.451% (cost: $2,497,219 due 03/22/2021)
2,497,500
1.81
2,500,000
WGL Holdings, Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,499,528 due 01/26/2021)
2,499,653
1.81
2,500,000
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 0.246% (cost: $4,997,715 due 03/05/2021)
4,997,851
3.61
5,000,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $70,453,164)
$ 70,474,536
50.96 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 97,970,853
70.84 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States corn futures contracts
CBOT corn futures MAY21 (2,004 contracts)
$ 9,160,307
6.62 %
$ 48,421,650
CBOT corn futures JUL21 (1,727 contracts)
4,516,403
3.27
41,469,588
CBOT corn futures DEC21 (2,226 contracts)
6,477,896
4.68
48,387,675
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 20,154,606
14.57 %
$ 138,278,913
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
25
Table of Contents
TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Income
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:
Realized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
$ 36,449,652
$ ( 5,200,091 )
$ 55,246,132
$ ( 6,779,194 )
Net change in unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on commodity futures contracts
( 2,942,665 )
4,223,848
( 1,620,934 )
( 2,792,631 )
Interest income
73,380
154,141
150,938
443,599
Total income (loss)
33,580,367
( 822,102 )
53,776,136
( 9,128,226 )
Expenses
Management fees
454,901
147,767
845,526
318,564
Professional fees
159,044
209,862
330,824
339,668
Distribution and marketing fees
396,619
291,920
747,224
620,098
Custodian fees and expenses
37,780
54,528
84,187
91,856
Business permits and licenses fees
7,600
29,554
24,274
32,969
General and administrative expenses
60,845
57,338
88,946
82,958
Total expenses
1,116,789
790,969
2,120,981
1,486,113
Expenses waived by the Sponsor
( 321,515 )
( 108,468 )
( 441,781 )
( 195,575 )
Total expenses, net
795,274
682,501
1,679,200
1,290,538
Net income (loss)
$ 32,785,093
$ ( 1,504,603 )
$ 52,096,936
$ ( 10,418,764 )
Net income (loss) per share
$ 3.83
$ ( 0.55 )
$ 5.90
$ ( 2.42 )
Net income (loss) per weighted average share
$ 3.61
$ ( 0.31 )
$ 5.62
$ ( 2.14 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
9,091,488
4,890,389
9,265,335
4,862,504
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
26
Table of Contents
TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Operations
Net income (loss)
$ 52,096,936
$ ( 10,418,764 )
Capital transactions
Issuance of Shares
62,460,815
42,543,773
Redemption of Shares
( 75,416,013 )
( 18,967,528 )
Total capital transactions
( 12,955,198 )
23,576,245
Net change in net assets
39,141,738
13,157,481
Net assets, beginning of period
$ 138,289,537
$ 75,220,190
Net assets, end of period
$ 177,431,275
$ 88,377,671
Net asset value per share at beginning of period
$ 15.54
$ 14.82
Net asset value per share at end of period
$ 21.44
$ 12.40
Creation of Shares
3,400,000
3,475,000
Redemption of Shares
4,025,000
1,425,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
27
Table of Contents
TEUCRIUM CORN FUND
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ 52,096,936
$ ( 10,418,764 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized depreciation on commodity futures contracts
1,620,934
2,792,631
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from broker
( 6,429,007 )
( 9,784,701 )
Interest receivable
( 3,059 )
( 1,558 )
Other assets
( 1,153 )
( 48,494 )
Due to broker
( 12,973,828 )
-
Management fee payable to Sponsor
30,356
( 11,690 )
Payable for purchases of commercial paper
( 4,997,847 )
7,495,500
Other liabilities
( 4,777 )
( 16,317 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
29,338,555
( 9,993,393 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shares
62,460,815
42,543,773
Redemption of Shares
( 77,358,288 )
( 14,936,195 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
( 14,897,473 )
27,607,578
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
14,441,082
17,614,185
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
138,181,061
74,521,123
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$ 152,622,143
$ 92,135,308
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
28
Table of Contents
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Operation
Teucrium Corn Fund (referred to herein as “CORN,” or the “Fund”) is a commodity pool that is a series of Teucrium Commodity Trust (“Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust formed on September 11, 2009. The Fund issues common units, called the “Shares,” representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in the Fund. The Fund continuously offers Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 Shares at their Net Asset Value (“NAV”) to “Authorized Purchasers” through Foreside Fund Services, LLC, which is the distributor for the Fund (the “Distributor”). Authorized Purchasers sell such Shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca under the symbol “CORN,” to the public at per-Share offering prices that reflect, among other factors, the trading price of the Shares on the NYSE Arca, the NAV of the Fund at the time the Authorized Purchaser purchased the Creation Baskets and the NAV 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 markets for corn interests. The Fund’s Shares trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca at prices that are lower or higher than their NAV per Share.
The investment objective of CORN is to have the daily changes in the NAV of the Fund’s Shares reflect the daily changes in the corn market for future delivery as measured by the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a weighted average of the closing settlement prices for three futures contracts for corn (“Corn Futures Contracts”) that are traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”):
CORN Benchmark
CBOT Corn Futures Contract
Weighting
Second to expire
35 %
Third to expire
30 %
December following the third to expire
35 %
The Fund commenced investment operations on June 9, 2010 and has a fiscal year ending on December 31. The Fund’s sponsor is Teucrium Trading, LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor is responsible for the management of the Fund. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and a commodity trading adviser (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
On June 7, 2010, the initial Form S-1 for CORN was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On June 8, 2010, four Creation Baskets for CORN were issued representing 200,000 shares and $ 5,000,000 . CORN began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca on June 9, 2010. The current registration statement for CORN was declared effective by the SEC on October 2, 2020. This registration statement for CORN registered an additional 20,000,000 shares.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the Fund’s financial statements for the interim period. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the most recent Form S-1 filing, as applicable. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
Subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Teucrium Trading, LLC, in its capacity as the Sponsor (“Sponsor”), may terminate a Fund at any time, regardless of whether the Fund has incurred losses, including, for instance, if it determines that the Fund’s aggregate net assets in relation to its operating expenses make the continued operation of the Fund unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require the Sponsor to terminate a Fund.
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Note 2 – Principal Contracts and Agreements
The Sponsor employs U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services ("Global Fund Services"), for Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services. The principal address for Global Fund Services is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
For custody services, the Funds will pay to U.S. Bank N.A. 0.0075% of average gross assets up to $1 billion, and .0050% of average gross assets over $1 billion, annually, plus certain per-transaction charges. For Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services, which are based on the total assets for all the Funds in the Trust, the Funds will pay to Global Fund Services 0.05% of average gross assets on the first $500 million, 0.04% on the next $500 million, 0.03% on the next $2 billion and 0.02% on the balance over $3 billion annually. A combined minimum annual fee of up to $47,000 for custody, transfer agency, accounting and administrative services is assessed per Fund. These services are recorded as custodian fees and expenses on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside” or the “Distributor”) as the Distributor for the Funds. The Distribution Services Agreement among the Distributor and the Sponsor calls for the Distributor to work with the Custodian in connection with the receipt and processing of orders for Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets and the review and approval of all Fund sales literature and advertising materials. The Distributor and the Sponsor have also entered into a Securities Activities and Service Agreement (the “SASA”) under which certain employees and officers of the Sponsor are licensed as registered representatives or registered principals of the Distributor, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules. For its services as the Distributor, Foreside receives a fee of 0.01% of each Fund’s average daily net assets and an aggregate annual fee of $100,000 for all Funds, along with certain expense reimbursements. For its services under the SASA, Foreside receives a fee of $5,000 per registered representative and $1,000 per registered location. These services are recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below. Pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement, Foreside Consulting Services, LLC, performs certain consulting support services for the Trust's Sponsor. Additionally, Foreside Distributors, LLC performs certain distribution consulting services pursuant to a Distribution Consulting Agreement with the Sponsor.
E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. (“E D & F Man”) serves as the Underlying Funds’ clearing broker to execute and clear the Underlying Funds’ futures and provide other brokerage-related services. E D & F Man is registered as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the NFA. E D & F Man is also registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. E D & F Man is a clearing member of ICE Futures U.S., Inc., Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, and all other major United States commodity exchanges. For Corn, Soybean, Sugar and Wheat Futures Contracts E D & F Man is paid $9.00 per round turn . Prior to August 21, 2019, these expenses were recorded in brokerage commissions on the statements of operations. Beginning on August 21, 2019, these expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The sole Trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. For its services, the Trustee receives an annual fee of $ 3,300 from the Trust. These services are recorded in business permits and licenses fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
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The Sponsor employs Thales Capital Partners LLC (“Thales”) for distribution and solicitation-related services. Thales is registered as a Broker-Dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Thales receives a quarterly fee of the higher of $18,750 or 0.10% of new assets raised in referred accounts for distribution and solicitation-related services. This fee based on new assets raised is determined by an agreed upon level of assets at the time of signing the contract. These services are recorded in distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below:
Three months ended
June 30, 2021
Three months ended
June 30, 2020
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
Six months ended
June 30, 2020
Amount Recognized for Custody Services
$ 37,780
$ 54,528
$ 84,187
$ 91,856
Amount of Custody Services Waived
$ 14,932
$ -
$ 14,932
$ 10,000
Amount Recognized for Distribution Services
$ 20,915
$ 17,356
$ 42,577
$ 39,671
Amount of Distribution Services Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Wilmington Trust
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount of Wilmington Trust Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Thales
$ 39,747
$ 11,375
$ 74,077
$ 22,759
Amount of Thales Waived
$ 30,020
$ -
$ 30,020
$ -
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.
Revenue Recognition
Commodity futures contracts are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts are reflected in the statements of operations as the difference between the original contract amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the statements of operations. The Fund seeks to earn interest on its assets denominated in U.S. dollars on deposits with the Futures Commission Merchant. In addition, the Fund earns interest on funds held at the custodian and at other financial institutions at prevailing market rates for such investments.
The Sponsor invests a portion of cash in commercial paper, which is deemed a cash equivalent based on the rating and duration of contracts as described in the notes to the financial statements and reflected in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities and statements of cash flows. Accretion on these investments are recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the statements of operations.
The Sponsor invests a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts. Accretion on these investments are recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the combined statements of operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Beginning on August 21, 2019, the Sponsor began recognizing the expense for brokerage commissions for futures contract trades on a per-trade basis. Prior to the change, brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts were accrued on the trade date and on a full-turn basis. The below table shows the amounts included on the statements of operations as total brokerage commissions paid inclusive of unrealized loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
CORN
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 41,225
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 25,268
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 75,191
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 40,422
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Income Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund will be treated as a publicly traded partnership. A publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of the publicly traded partnership’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence consists of qualifying income as defined in section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualifying income is defined as generally including, in pertinent part, interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, and gains from the sale or disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends. In the case of a partnership of which a principal activity is the buying and selling of commodities, other than as inventory, or of futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, qualifying income also includes income and gains from commodities and from futures, forwards, options with respect to commodities and, provided the partnership is a trader or investor with respect to such assets, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. The Fund expects that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year will consist of qualifying income and that the Fund will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does not record a provision for income taxes because the shareholders report their share of the Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. The financial statements reflect the Fund’s transactions without adjustment, if any, required for income tax purposes.
The Fund is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. For all tax years 2018 to 2020, the Fund remains subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in the Fund recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. Based on its analysis, the Fund has determined that it has not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. However, the Fund’s conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
The Fund may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. state, or foreign jurisdictional authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws.
Creations and Redemptions
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 shares from CORN. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to create the basket is received in good order.
Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from the Fund only in blocks of 25,000 shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to redeem the basket is received is good order.
The Fund receives or pays the proceeds from shares sold or redeemed within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as capital shares receivable. Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.
As outlined in the most recent Form S-1 filing, 50,000 shares represents two Redemption Baskets for the Fund and a minimum level of shares. If the Fund experienced redemptions that caused the number of Shares outstanding to decrease to the minimum level of Shares required to be outstanding, until the minimum number of Shares is again exceeded through the purchase of a new Creation Basket, there can be no more redemptions by an Authorized Purchaser.
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Allocation of Shareholder Income and Losses
Profit or loss is allocated among the shareholders of the Fund in proportion to the number of shares each shareholder holds as of the close of each month.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less when acquired. The Fund reported its cash equivalents in the statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short term maturities. Each Fund that is a series of the Trust has the balance of its cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions. The Fund holds a balance in money market funds that is included in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in alternative demand deposit savings accounts, which is classified as cash and not as cash equivalents. Assets deposited with the bank may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in investment grade commercial paper with durations of 90 days or less, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured. The Sponsor may invest a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured.
June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Money Market Funds
$ 25,068,903
$ 27,496,317
Demand Deposit Savings Accounts
65,063,915
40,210,208
Commercial Paper
62,489,325
70,474,536
Total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
$ 152,622,143
$ 138,181,061
Payable for Purchases of Commercial Paper
The amount recorded by the Fund for commercial paper transactions awaiting settlement, represents the amount payable for contracts purchased but not yet settled as of the reporting date. The value of the contract is included in cash and cash equivalents, and the payable amount is included as a liability.
Due from/to Broker
The amount recorded by the Fund for the amount due from and to the clearing broker includes, but is not limited to, cash held by the broker, amounts payable to the clearing broker related to open transactions, payables for commodities futures accounts liquidating to an equity balance on the clearing broker’s records and amounts of brokerage commissions paid and recognized as unrealized losses.
Margin is the minimum amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity interest trader with the trader’s broker to initiate and maintain an open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit acts to assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts purchased or sold. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a very small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. Because of such low margin requirements, price fluctuations occurring in the futures markets may create profits and losses that, in relation to the amount invested, are greater than customary in other forms of investment or speculation. As discussed below, adverse price changes in the futures contract may result in margin requirements that greatly exceed the initial margin. In addition, the amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set from time to time by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Brokerage firms, such as the Fund’s clearing brokers, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts generally require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves. Over the counter trading generally involves the extension of credit between counterparties, so the counterparties may agree to require the posting of collateral by one or both parties to address credit exposure.
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When a trader purchases an option, there is no margin requirement; however, the option premium must be paid in full. When a trader sells an option, on the other hand, he or she is required to deposit margin in an amount determined by the margin requirements established for the underlying interest and, in addition, an amount substantially equal to the current premium for the option. The margin requirements imposed on the selling of options, although adjusted to reflect the probability that out-of-the-money options will not be exercised, can in fact be higher than those imposed in dealing in the futures markets directly. Complicated margin requirements apply to spreads and conversions, which are complex trading strategies in which a trader acquires a mixture of options positions and positions in the underlying interest.
Ongoing or “maintenance” margin requirements are computed each day by a trader’s clearing broker. When the market value of a particular open futures contract changes to a point where the margin on deposit does not satisfy maintenance margin requirements, a margin call is made by the broker. If the margin call is not met within a reasonable time, the broker may close out the trader’s position. With respect to the Fund’s trading, the Fund (and not its shareholders personally) is subject to margin calls. Finally, many major U.S. exchanges have passed certain cross margining arrangements involving procedures pursuant to which the futures and options positions held in an account would, in the case of some accounts, be aggregated and margin requirements would be assessed on a portfolio basis, measuring the total risk of the combined positions.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Fund’s NAV is calculated by:
•
Taking the current market value of its total assets and
•
Subtracting any liabilities.
The administrator, Global Fund Services, calculates the NAV of the Fund once each trading day. It calculates the NAV as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The NAV for a particular trading day is released after 4:15 p.m. (EST).
In determining the value of Corn Futures Contracts, the administrator uses the CBOT closing price. The administrator determines the value of all other Fund investments as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The value of over the counter corn interests is determined based on the value of the commodity or futures contract underlying such corn interest, except that a fair value may be determined if the Sponsor believes that the Fund is subject to significant credit risk relating to the counterparty to such corn interest. For purposes of financial statements and reports, the Sponsor will recalculate the NAV where necessary to reflect the “fair value” of a Futures Contract when the Futures Contract closes at its price fluctuation limit for the day. Short term Treasury securities held by the Fund are valued by the administrator using values received from recognized third-party vendors and dealer quotes. NAV includes any unrealized profit or loss on open corn interests and any other income or expense accruing to the Fund but unpaid or not received by the Fund.
Sponsor Fee, Allocation of Expenses and Related Party Transactions
The Sponsor is responsible for investing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the objectives and policies of the Fund. In addition, the Sponsor arranges for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custodial, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Sponsor has elected not to outsource services directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds such as accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and trading activities, which the Sponsor performs itself. In addition, the Fund is contractually obligated to pay a monthly management fee to the Sponsor, based on average daily net assets, at a rate equal to 1.00 % per annum.
The Fund generally pays for all brokerage fees, taxes and other expenses, including licensing fees for the use of intellectual property, registration or other fees paid to the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory agency in connection with the offer and sale of subsequent Shares after its initial registration and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith. The Fund also pays its portion of the fees and expenses associated with the Trust’s tax accounting and reporting requirements. Certain aggregate expenses common to all Funds within the Trust are allocated by the Sponsor to the respective Fund based on activity drivers deemed most appropriate by the Sponsor for such expenses, including but not limited to relative assets under management and creation order activity. These aggregate common expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, auditing, accounting and financial reporting, tax-preparation, regulatory compliance, trading activities, and insurance costs, as well as fees paid to the Distributor, which are included in the related line item in the statements of operations. A portion of these aggregate common expenses are related to the Sponsor or related parties of principals of the Sponsor; these are necessary services to the Funds, which are primarily the cost of performing accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and trading activities that are directly attributable to the Fund. Such expenses are primarily recorded as distribution and marketing fees in the financial statements of each Fund.
Three months ended
June 30, 2021
Three months ended
June 30, 2020
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
Six months ended
June 30, 2020
Recognized Related Party Transactions
$ 313,998
$ 233,294
$ 555,085
$ 534,936
Waived Related Party Transactions
$ 149,274
$ 50,000
$ 219,168
$ 127,107
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The Sponsor has the ability to elect to pay certain expenses on behalf of the Funds or waive the management fee. This election is subject to change by the Sponsor, at its discretion. Expenses paid by the Sponsor and Management fees waived by the Sponsor are, if applicable, presented as waived expenses in the statements of operations for each Fund. The Sponsor has determined that there will be no recovery sought for the amounts below in any future period:
CORN
Three months ended June 30, 2021
$ 321,515
Three months ended June 30, 2020
$ 108,468
Six months ended June 30, 2021
$ 441,781
Six months ended June 30, 2020
$ 195,575
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Fund uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 financial instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these financial instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
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Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Fund’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many securities. This condition could cause a financial instrument to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy. For instance, when Corn Futures Contracts on the CBOT are not actively trading due to a “limit-up” or limit-down” condition, meaning that the daily change in the Corn Futures Contracts has exceeded the limits established, the Trust and the Fund will revert to alternative verifiable sources of valuation of its assets. When such a situation exists on a quarter close, the Sponsor will calculate the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) on a particular day using the Level 1 valuation but will later recalculate the NAV for the impacted Fund based upon the valuation inputs from these alternative verifiable sources (Level 2 or Level 3) and will report such NAV in its applicable financial statements and reports.
On June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in the opinion of the Trust and the Fund, the reported value at the close of the market for each commodity contract fairly reflected the value of the futures and no alternative valuations were required, except for the Sep21 CBOT corn futures and the Dec21 CBOT corn futures, which settled in a “limit up” condition on June 30, 2021. Therefore, the Trust and CORN have used alternative verifiable sources to value these contracts on June 30, 2021 and the financial statements of CORN have been adjusted accordingly. The adjustment in CORN has resulted in a $711,275 increase in the unrealized change in commodity futures contracts in excess of reported CBOT values and have classified these as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, Corn Futures Contracts for the Jul21 CBOT corn futures, Sep21 CBOT corn futures, and Dec21 CBOT corn futures settled in a “limit up” condition. Accordingly, the Trust and CORN classified these as Level 2 assets. The financial statements of CORN were adjusted accordingly. The adjustment resulted in an increase in the unrealized change in commodity futures contracts in excess of reported CBOT values of $3,371,513. The Sep21 and Dec21 corn futures contracts remained a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021 as described above.
The Fund records its derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative contracts are included in the statements of operations. Derivative contracts include futures contracts related to commodity prices. Futures, which are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the CBOT and the ICE, or reported on another national market, are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives contracts (such as forward and swap contracts) which may be valued using models, depending on whether significant inputs are observable or unobservable, are categorized in Levels 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Expenses
Expenses are recorded using the accrual method of accounting.
Net Income (Loss) per Share
Net income (loss) per share is the difference between the NAV per unit at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of units outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average unit. The weighted average units are equal to the number of units outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for units created or redeemed based on the amount of time the units were outstanding during such period.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-10: “Codification Improvements.” The amendment improves the disclosure guidance in appropriate Disclosure Sections, without resulting in changes to current GAAP. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Sponsor is evaluating the impacts, but the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-02: “Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendment updates and adds language to ASU 2016-02. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
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The FASB issued ASU 2020-01: Investments Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments clarify the treatment of transactions that require a company to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments were adopted early for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2019-01: "Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These amendments align the guidance for fair value of underlying assets by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers in Topic 842 with that of existing guidance. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2018-13: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. These amendments modify public and private company fair value disclosure requirements. While some disclosures were removed or modified, others were added. The guidance is a result of the FASB’s test of the principals developed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments”. The amendment amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
The Fund’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Fund’s significant accounting policies in Note 3. The following table presents information about the Fund’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
Cash Equivalents
$ 87,558,228
$ -
$ -
$ 87,558,228
Commodity Futures Contracts
Corn futures contracts
-
19,644,395
-
19,644,395
Total
$ 87,558,228
$ 19,644,395
$ -
$ 107,202,623
Liabilities
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
Commodity Futures Contracts
Corn futures contracts
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ -
$ 1,110,723
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Cash Equivalents
$ 97,970,853
$ -
$ -
$ 97,970,853
Commodity Futures Contracts
Corn futures contracts
20,154,606
-
-
20,154,606
Total
$ 118,125,459
$ -
$ -
$ 118,125,459
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, except for the: Sep21 and Dec21 CBOT corn futures contracts were reflected as a Level 2 investment for the period ended June 30, 2021 due to a “limit up” condition; the July21 CBOT corn futures, Sep21 CBOT corn futures, and Dec21 CBOT corn futures, were reflected as a Level 2 investment for the period ended March 31, 2021 due to a “limit up” condition. The July21 corn futures transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021, and the Sep21 and Dec21 corn futures contracts remained a Level 2 asset for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
See the Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy section in Note 3 above for an explanation of the transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy.
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Note 5 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Fund utilizes derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities. Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment. The Fund’s derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, credit, commodity price, and equity price risks. In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Fund is also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund invested only in commodity futures contracts.
Futures Contracts
The Fund is subject to commodity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
The purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with a FCM. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Futures contracts may reduce the Fund’s exposure to counterparty risk since futures contracts are exchange-traded; and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other equity deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to the Fund’s pro rata share of segregated customer funds available. It is possible that the recovery amount could be less than the total of cash and other equity deposited.
The following table discloses information about offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the statements of assets and liabilities to enable users of these financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements for recognized assets and liabilities. These recognized assets and liabilities are presented as defined in FASB ASU No. 2011-11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and subsequently clarified in FASB ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.”
The following table also identifies the fair value amounts of derivative instruments included in the statements of assets and liabilities as derivative contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk and held by the FCM, E D & F Man as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 19,644,395
$ -
$ 19,644,395
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ 18,533,672
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Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due from Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ 1,110,723
$ 1,110,723
$ -
$ -
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2020
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 20,154,606
$ -
$ 20,154,606
$ -
$ 12,973,828
$ 7,180,778
The following tables identify the net gain and loss amounts included in the statements of operations as realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading of commodity futures contracts categorized by primary underlying risk:
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 36,449,652
$ ( 2,942,665 )
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ ( 5,200,091 )
$ 4,223,848
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ 55,246,132
$ ( 1,620,934 )
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Corn futures contracts
$ ( 6,779,194 )
$ ( 2,792,631 )
Volume of Derivative Activities
The average notional market value categorized by primary underlying risk for the futures contracts held was $ 185.5 million and $ 173.7 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and $ 68.4 million and $ 66.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.
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Note 6 – Financial Highlights
The following tables present per unit performance data and other supplemental financial data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements and is presented with total expenses gross of expenses waived by the Sponsor and with total expenses net of expenses waived by the Sponsor, as appropriate.
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Per Share Operation Performance
Net asset value at beginning of period
$ 17.61
$ 12.95
$ 15.54
$ 14.82
Income from investment operations:
Investment income
0.01
0.03
0.02
0.10
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
3.91
( 0.44 )
6.06
( 2.25 )
Total expenses, net
( 0.09 )
( 0.14 )
( 0.18 )
( 0.27 )
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
3.83
( 0.55 )
5.90
( 2.42 )
Net asset value at end of period
$ 21.44
$ 12.40
$ 21.44
$ 12.40
Total Return
21.75 %
( 4.19 )%
37.97 %
( 16.31 )%
Ratios to Average Net Assets (Annualized)
Total expenses
2.46 %
5.35 %
2.51 %
4.67 %
Total expenses, net
1.75 %
4.62 %
1.99 %
4.05 %
Net investment loss
( 1.59 )%
( 3.58 )%
( 1.81 )%
( 2.66 )%
The financial highlights per share data are calculated consistent with the methodology used to calculate asset-based fees and expenses.
Note 7 – Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses incurred in organizing of the Trust and the initial offering of the Shares of the Fund, including applicable SEC registration fees were borne directly by the Sponsor. The Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.
Note 8 – Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the financial statements for the quarter-ended June 30, 2021 for subsequent events through the date of this filing and noted no material events requiring either recognition through the date of the filing or disclosure herein for the Fund other than those noted below:
The continued uncertainty over the path of COVID-19 may continue to be highly disruptive to economies and markets. The impact of COVID-19 to the Fund is described in more detail in Part 2 of this 10-Q.
The total net assets of the Fund decreased by $38,633,498 or 22% for the period June 30, 2021 to August 6, 2021. This was driven by a 3% decrease in the NAV per share and a 19% decrease in the shares outstanding.
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TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 62,781,086
$ 90,398,391
Interest receivable
4,895
5,478
Other assets
200
37
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
7,084,288
15,124,226
Due from broker
991,595
-
Total equity in trading accounts
8,075,883
15,124,226
Total assets
70,862,064
105,528,132
Liabilities
Management fee payable to Sponsor
66,836
75,651
Other liabilities
17,422
18,602
Payable for purchases of commercial paper
-
4,997,451
Equity in trading accounts:
Due to broker
-
11,257,566
Total liabilities
84,258
16,349,270
Net assets
$ 70,777,806
$ 89,178,862
Shares outstanding
2,975,004
4,575,004
Shares authorized
16,200,000
17,100,000
Net asset value per share
$ 23.79
$ 19.49
Market value per share
$ 23.70
$ 19.47
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost: $7,738,941)
$ 7,738,941
10.94 %
7,738,941
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund - Institutional Class (cost: $1,052)
1,052
0.00
1,052
Total money market funds (cost: $7,739,993)
$ 7,739,993
10.94 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
FMC Corporation 0.200% (cost: $1,999,689 due 07/12/2021)
$ 1,999,878
2.83 %
2,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.230% (cost: $4,997,222 due 07/08/2021)
4,999,777
7.06
5,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,498,949 due 09/13/2021)
2,499,126
3.53
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,498,938 due 08/03/2021)
2,499,610
3.53
2,500,000
Humana Inc. 0.187% (cost: $7,496,726 due 07/21/2021)
7,499,221
10.60
7,500,000
Humana Inc. 0.160% (cost: $4,998,044 due 07/27/2021)
4,999,422
7.06
5,000,000
Jabil Inc. 0.210% (cost: $2,499,388 due 07/16/2021)
2,499,781
3.53
2,500,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $26,988,956)
$ 26,996,815
38.14 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 34,736,808
49.08 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States soybean futures contracts
CBOT soybean futures NOV21 (359 contracts)
$ 4,711,635
6.66 %
$ 25,112,050
CBOT soybean futures JAN22 (307 contacts)
78,443
0.11
21,486,163
CBOT soybean futures NOV22 (381 contacts)
2,294,210
3.24
24,193,500
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 7,084,288
10.01 %
$ 70,791,713
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X 0.04% (cost $8,227,242)
$ 8,227,242
9.23 %
8,227,242
Blackrock Liquidity FedFund - Institutional Class 0.005% (cost $5,014,767)
5,014,767
5.62
5,014,767
Total money market funds (cost: $13,242,009)
$ 13,242,009
14.85 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.421% (cost: $2,498,862 due 01/29/2021)
$ 2,499,183
2.80 %
2,500,000
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $2,498,924 due 02/05/2021)
2,498,924
2.80
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.400% (cost: $2,497,945 due 01/04/2021)
2,499,917
2.81
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.310% (cost: $2,498,407 due 01/05/2021)
2,499,914
2.81
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.250% (cost: $4,996,875 due 01/11/2021)
4,999,653
5.61
5,000,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.270% (cost: $1,999,025 due 01/20/2021)
1,999,715
2.24
2,000,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.150% (cost: $2,499,198 due 02/01/2021)
2,499,677
2.80
2,500,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,499,245 due 02/03/2021)
2,499,611
2.80
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.430% (cost: $2,498,627 due 01/29/2021)
2,499,164
2.80
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.401% (cost: $2,498,528 due 02/26/2021)
2,498,528
2.80
2,500,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.350% (cost: $2,498,688 due 02/01/2021)
2,499,246
2.80
2,500,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.381% (cost: $2,498,074 due 02/26/2021)
2,498,522
2.80
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.372% (cost: $2,498,529 due 02/26/2021)
2,498,555
2.80
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.451% (cost: $2,497,219 due 03/22/2021)
2,497,500
2.80
2,500,000
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 0.246% (cost: $7,496,571 due 03/05/2021)
7,496,776
8.41
7,500,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $44,474,717)
$ 44,484,885
49.88 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 57,726,894
64.73 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States soybean futures contracts
CBOT soybean futures MAR21 (479 contracts)
$ 7,011,407
7.86 %
$ 31,398,450
CBOT soybean futures MAY21 (411 contracts)
3,404,313
3.82
26,853,712
CBOT soybean futures NOV21 (557 contracts)
4,708,506
5.28
30,962,238
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 15,124,226
16.96 %
$ 89,214,400
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Income
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:
Realized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
$ 7,663,258
$ ( 861,903 )
$ 25,817,715
$ ( 1,718,118 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on commodity futures contracts
684,574
1,484,213
( 8,039,938 )
( 809,552 )
Interest income
37,192
55,191
84,629
160,418
Total income (loss)
8,385,024
677,501
17,862,406
( 2,367,252 )
Expenses
Management fees
219,143
72,291
461,252
135,511
Professional fees
97,258
101,284
206,761
159,849
Distribution and marketing fees
234,930
135,606
459,947
227,765
Custodian fees and expenses
20,965
19,718
52,440
30,465
Business permits and licenses fees
5,838
8,675
20,364
12,468
General and administrative expenses
42,936
25,073
60,049
30,763
Total expenses
621,070
362,647
1,260,813
596,821
Expenses waived by the Sponsor
( 243,419 )
( 47,076 )
( 305,996 )
( 77,047 )
Total expenses, net
377,651
315,571
954,817
519,774
Net income (loss)
$ 8,007,373
$ 361,930
$ 16,907,589
$ ( 2,887,026 )
Net income (loss) per share
$ 2.21
$ ( 0.02 )
$ 4.30
$ ( 1.87 )
Net income (loss) per weighted average share
$ 2.08
$ 0.17
$ 3.93
$ ( 1.51 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
3,851,652
2,115,663
4,301,109
1,917,312
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Operations
Net income (loss)
$ 16,907,589
$ ( 2,887,026 )
Capital transactions
Issuance of Shares
18,716,075
34,981,703
Redemption of Shares
( 54,024,720 )
( 3,943,558 )
Total capital transactions
( 35,308,645 )
31,038,145
Net change in net assets
( 18,401,056 )
28,151,119
Net assets, beginning of period
$ 89,178,862
$ 28,135,131
Net assets, end of period
$ 70,777,806
$ 56,286,250
Net asset value per share at beginning of period
$ 19.49
$ 15.85
Net asset value per share at end of period
$ 23.79
$ 13.98
Creation of Shares
900,000
2,525,000
Redemption of Shares
2,500,000
275,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Table of Contents
TEUCRIUM SOYBEAN FUND
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ 16,907,589
$ ( 2,887,026 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized depreciation on commodity futures contracts
8,039,938
809,552
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from broker
( 991,595 )
( 2,707,585 )
Interest receivable
583
( 1,209 )
Other assets
( 163 )
( 14,060 )
Due to broker
( 11,257,566 )
( 643,808 )
Management fee payable to Sponsor
( 8,815 )
7,215
Payable for purchases of commercial paper
( 4,997,451 )
-
Other liabilities
( 1,180 )
( 5,058 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
7,691,340
( 5,441,979 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shares
18,716,075
34,981,703
Redemption of Shares
( 54,024,720 )
( 3,943,558 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
( 35,308,645 )
31,038,145
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
( 27,617,305 )
25,596,166
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
90,398,391
27,874,691
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
$ 62,781,086
$ 53,470,857
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Table of Contents
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Operation
Teucrium Soybean Fund (referred to herein as “SOYB” or the “Fund”) is a commodity pool that is a series of Teucrium Commodity Trust (“Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust formed on September 11, 2009. The Fund issues common units, called the “Shares,” representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in the Fund. The Fund continuously offers Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 Shares at their Net Asset Value (“NAV”) to “Authorized Purchasers” through Foreside Fund Services, LLC, which is the distributor for the Fund (the “Distributor”). Authorized Purchasers sell such Shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca under the symbol “SOYB,” to the public at per Share offering prices that reflect, among other factors, the trading price of the Shares on the NYSE Arca, the NAV of the Fund at the time the Authorized Purchaser purchased the Creation Baskets and the NAV 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 markets for soybean interests. The Fund’s Shares trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca at prices that are lower or higher than their NAV per Share.
The investment objective of SOYB is to have the daily changes in the NAV of the Fund’s Shares reflect the daily changes in the soybean market for future delivery as measured by the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a weighted average of the closing settlement prices for three futures contracts for soybeans (“Soybean Futures Contracts”) that are traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”):
SOYB Benchmark
CBOT Soybean Futures Contract
Weighting
Second to expire (excluding August & September)
35 %
Third to expire (excluding August & September)
30 %
Expiring in the November following the expiration of the third to expire contract
35 %
The Fund commenced investment operations on September 19, 2011 and has a fiscal year ending December 31. The Fund’s sponsor is Teucrium Trading, LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor is responsible for the management of the Fund. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and a commodity trading adviser (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
On June 13, 2011, the initial Form S-1 for SOYB was declared effective by the SEC. On September 16, 2011, two Creation Baskets were issued representing 100,000 shares and $ 2,500,000 . On September 19, 2011, SOYB started trading on the NYSE Arca. The current registration statement for SOYB was declared effective by the SEC on August 24, 2020. This registration statement for SOYB registered an additional 15,000,000 shares.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the Fund’s financial statements for the interim period. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the most recent Form S-1 filing, as applicable. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
Subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Teucrium Trading, LLC, in its capacity as the Sponsor (“Sponsor”), may terminate a Fund at any time, regardless of whether the Fund has incurred losses, including, for instance, if it determines that the Fund’s aggregate net assets in relation to its operating expenses make the continued operation of the Fund unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require the Sponsor to terminate a Fund.
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Note 2 – Principal Contracts and Agreements
The Sponsor employs U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services ("Global Fund Services"), for Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services. The principal address for Global Fund Services is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
For custody services, the Funds will pay to U.S. Bank N.A. 0.0075% of average gross assets up to $1 billion, and .0050% of average gross assets over $1 billion, annually, plus certain per-transaction charges. For Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services, which are based on the total assets for all the Funds in the Trust, the Funds will pay to Global Fund Services 0.05% of average gross assets on the first $500 million, 0.04% on the next $500 million, 0.03% on the next $2 billion and 0.02% on the balance over $3 billion annually. A combined minimum annual fee of up to $47,000 for custody, transfer agency, accounting and administrative services is assessed per Fund. These services are recorded as custodian fees and expenses on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside” or the “Distributor”) as the Distributor for the Funds. The Distribution Services Agreement among the Distributor and the Sponsor calls for the Distributor to work with the Custodian in connection with the receipt and processing of orders for Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets and the review and approval of all Fund sales literature and advertising materials. The Distributor and the Sponsor have also entered into a Securities Activities and Service Agreement (the “SASA”) under which certain employees and officers of the Sponsor are licensed as registered representatives or registered principals of the Distributor, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules. For its services as the Distributor, Foreside receives a fee of 0.01% of each Fund’s average daily net assets and an aggregate annual fee of $100,000 for all Funds, along with certain expense reimbursements. For its services under the SASA, Foreside receives a fee of $5,000 per registered representative and $1,000 per registered location. These services are recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below. Pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement, Foreside Consulting Services, LLC, performs certain consulting support services for the Trust's Sponsor. Additionally, Foreside Distributors, LLC performs certain distribution consulting services pursuant to a Distribution Consulting Agreement with the Sponsor.
E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. (“E D & F Man”) serves as the Underlying Funds’ clearing broker to execute and clear the Underlying Funds’ futures and provide other brokerage-related services. E D & F Man is registered as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the NFA. E D & F Man is also registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. E D & F Man is a clearing member of ICE Futures U.S., Inc., Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, and all other major United States commodity exchanges. For Corn, Soybean, Sugar and Wheat Futures Contracts E D & F Man is paid $9.00 per round turn . Prior to August 21, 2019, these expenses were recorded in brokerage commissions on the statements of operations. Beginning on August 21, 2019, these expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The sole Trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. For its services, the Trustee receives an annual fee of $ 3,300 from the Trust. These services are recorded in business permits and licenses fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
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The Sponsor employs Thales Capital Partners LLC (“Thales”) for distribution and solicitation-related services. Thales is registered as a Broker-Dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Thales receives a quarterly fee of the higher of $18,750 or 0.10% of new assets raised in referred accounts for distribution and solicitation-related services. This fee based on new assets raised is determined by an agreed upon level of assets at the time of signing the contract. These services are recorded in distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below:
Three months ended
June 30, 2021
Three months ended
June 30, 2020
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
Six months ended
June 30, 2020
Amount Recognized for Custody Services
$ 20,965
$ 19,718
$ 52,440
$ 30,465
Amount of Custody Services Waived
$ 7,817
$ -
$ 7,817
$ -
Amount Recognized for Distribution Services
$ 12,074
$ 6,478
$ 26,687
$ 13,361
Amount of Distribution Services Waived
$ 7,879
$ -
$ 13,896
$ -
Amount Recognized for Wilmington Trust
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount of Wilmington Trust Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Thales
$ 23,607
$ 3,600
$ 47,959
$ 7,101
Amount of Thales Waived
$ 5,299
$ -
$ 5,299
$ -
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.
Revenue Recognition
Commodity futures contracts are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts are reflected in the statements of operations as the difference between the original contract amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the statements of operations. The Fund seeks to earn interest on its assets denominated in U.S. dollars on deposits with the Futures Commission Merchant. In addition, the Fund seeks to earn interest on funds held at the custodian and other financial institutions at prevailing market rates for such investments.
The Sponsor invests a portion of cash in commercial paper, which is deemed a cash equivalent based on the rating and duration of contracts as described in the notes to the financial statements and reflected in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities and on the statements of cash flows. Accretion on these investments is recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the statements of operations.
The Sponsor invests a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts. Accretion on these investments is recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the combined statements of operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Beginning on August 21, 2019, the Sponsor began recognizing the expense for brokerage commissions for futures contract trades on a per-trade basis. Prior to the change, brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts were accrued on the trade date and on a full-turn basis. The below table shows the amounts included on the statements of operations as total brokerage commissions paid inclusive of unrealized loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
SOYB
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 6,543
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 5,691
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 21,735
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 10,145
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Income Taxes
The Trust is organized and will be operated as a Delaware statutory trust. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund will be treated as a publicly traded partnership. A publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of the publicly traded partnership’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence consists of qualifying income as defined in section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualifying income is defined as generally including, in pertinent part, interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, and gains from the sale or disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends. In the case of a partnership of which a principal activity is the buying and selling of commodities, other than as inventory, or of futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, qualifying income also includes income and gains from commodities and from futures, forwards, options with respect to commodities and, provided the partnership is a trader or investor with respect to such assets, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. The Fund expects that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year will consist of qualifying income and that the Fund will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does not record a provision for income taxes because the shareholders report their share of the Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. The financial statements reflect the Fund’s transactions without adjustment, if any, required for income tax purposes.
The Fund is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. For all tax years 2018 to 2020, the Fund remains subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in the Fund recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. Based on its analysis, the Fund has determined that it has not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. However, the Fund’s conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
The Fund may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. state, or foreign jurisdictional authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws.
Creations and Redemptions
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 shares from the Fund. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to create the basket is received in good order.
Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from the Fund only in blocks of 25,000 shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to redeem the basket is received in good order.
The Fund receives or pays the proceeds from shares sold or redeemed within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as capital shares receivable. Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.
As outlined in the most recent Form S-1 filing, 50,000 shares represents two Redemption Baskets for the Fund and a minimum level of shares. If the Fund experienced redemptions that caused the number of Shares outstanding to decrease to the minimum level of Shares required to be outstanding, until the minimum number of Shares is again exceeded through the purchase of a new Creation Basket, there can be no more redemptions by an Authorized Purchaser.
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Allocation of Shareholder Income and Losses
Profit or loss is allocated among the shareholders of the Fund in proportion to the number of shares each shareholder holds as of the close of each month.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less when acquired. The Trust reported its cash equivalents in the statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short term maturities. Each Fund that is a series of the Trust has the balance of its cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions. The Fund holds a balance in money market funds that is included in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in alternative demand deposit savings accounts, which is classified as cash and not as cash equivalents. Assets deposited with the bank may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in investment grade commercial paper with durations of 90 days or less, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured. The Sponsor may invest a portion of the cash held by the FCM in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured.
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Money Market Funds
$ 7,739,993
$ 13,242,009
Demand Deposit Savings Accounts
28,044,278
32,671,497
Commercial Paper
26,996,815
44,484,885
Total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
$ 62,781,086
$ 90,398,391
Due from/to Broker
The amount recorded by the Fund for the amount due from and to the clearing broker includes, but is not limited to, cash held by the broker, amounts payable to the clearing broker related to open transactions, payables for commodities futures accounts liquidating to an equity balance on the clearing broker’s records and amounts of brokerage commissions paid and recognized as unrealized losses.
Margin is the minimum amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity interest trader with the trader’s broker to initiate and maintain an open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit acts to assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts purchased or sold. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a very small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. Because of such low margin requirements, price fluctuations occurring in the futures markets may create profits and losses that, in relation to the amount invested, are greater than customary in other forms of investment or speculation. As discussed below, adverse price changes in the futures contract may result in margin requirements that greatly exceed the initial margin. In addition, the amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set from time to time by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Brokerage firms, such as the Fund’s clearing brokers, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts generally require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves. Over the counter trading generally involves the extension of credit between counterparties, so the counterparties may agree to require the posting of collateral by one or both parties to address credit exposure.
When a trader purchases an option, there is no margin requirement; however, the option premium must be paid in full. When a trader sells an option, on the other hand, he or she is required to deposit margin in an amount determined by the margin requirements established for the underlying interest and, in addition, an amount substantially equal to the current premium for the option. The margin requirements imposed on the selling of options, although adjusted to reflect the probability that out-of-the-money options will not be exercised, can in fact be higher than those imposed in dealing in the futures markets directly. Complicated margin requirements apply to spreads and conversions, which are complex trading strategies in which a trader acquires a mixture of options positions and positions in the underlying interest.
Ongoing or “maintenance” margin requirements are computed each day by a trader’s clearing broker. When the market value of a particular open futures contract changes to a point where the margin on deposit does not satisfy maintenance margin requirements, a margin call is made by the broker. If the margin call is not met within a reasonable time, the broker may close out the trader’s position. With respect to the Fund’s trading, the Fund (and not its shareholders personally) is subject to margin calls.
Finally, many major U.S. exchanges have passed certain cross margining arrangements involving procedures pursuant to which the futures and options positions held in an account would, in the case of some accounts, be aggregated and margin requirements would be assessed on a portfolio basis, measuring the total risk of the combined positions.
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Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Fund’s NAV is calculated by:
•
Taking the current market value of its total assets and
•
Subtracting any liabilities.
The administrator, Global Fund Services, calculates the NAV of the Fund once each trading day. It calculates the NAV as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The NAV for a particular trading day is released after 4:15 p.m. (EST).
In determining the value of Soybean Futures Contracts, the administrator uses the CBOT closing price. The administrator determines the value of all other Fund investments as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The value of over the counter soybean interests is determined based on the value of the commodity or futures contract underlying such soybean interest, except that a fair value may be determined if the Sponsor believes that the Fund is subject to significant credit risk relating to the counterparty to such soybean interest. For purposes of financial statements and reports, the Sponsor will recalculate the NAV where necessary to reflect the “fair value” of a Futures Contract when the Futures Contract closes at its price fluctuation limit for the day. Short term Treasury securities held by the Fund are valued by the administrator using values received from recognized third-party vendors and dealer quotes. NAV includes any unrealized profit or loss on open soybean interests and any other income or expense accruing to the Fund but unpaid or not received by the Fund.
Sponsor Fee, Allocation of Expenses and Related Party Transactions
The Sponsor is responsible for investing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the objectives and policies of the Fund. In addition, the Sponsor arranges for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custodial, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Sponsor has elected not to outsource services directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds such as accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and trading activities, which the Sponsor performs itself. In addition, the Fund is contractually obligated to pay a monthly management fee to the Sponsor, based on average daily net assets, at a rate equal to 1.00 % per annum.
The Fund pays for all brokerage fees, taxes and other expenses, including licensing fees for the use of intellectual property, registration or other fees paid to the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory agency in connection with the offer and sale of subsequent Shares after its initial registration and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith. The Fund also pays its portion of the fees and expenses associated with the Trust’s tax accounting and reporting requirements. Certain aggregate expenses common to all Funds within the Trust are allocated by the Sponsor to the respective Fund based on activity drivers deemed most appropriate by the Sponsor for such expenses, including but not limited to relative assets under management and creation order activity. These aggregate common expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, auditing, accounting and financial reporting, tax-preparation, regulatory compliance, trading activities, and insurance costs, as well as fees paid to the Distributor, which are included in the related line item in the statements of operations. A portion of these aggregate common expenses are related to the Sponsor or related parties of principals of the Sponsor; these are necessary services to the Funds, which are primarily the cost of performing accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and trading activities that are directly attributable to the Fund. Such expenses are primarily recorded as distribution and marketing fees in the financial statements of each Fund.
Three months ended
June 30, 2021
Three months ended
June 30, 2020
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
Six months ended
June 30, 2020
Recognized Related Party Transactions
$ 179,176
$ 94,179
$ 339,297
$ 186,829
Waived Related Party Transactions
$ 113,219
$ 22,076
$ 137,564
$ 32,047
The Sponsor has the ability to elect to pay certain expenses on behalf of the Funds or waive the management fee. This election is subject to change by the Sponsor, at its discretion. Expenses paid by the Sponsor and Management fees waived by the Sponsor are, if applicable, presented as waived expenses in the statements of operations for each Fund. The Sponsor has determined that there will be no recovery sought for the amounts below in any future period:
SOYB
Three months ended June 30, 2021
$ 243,419
Three months ended June 30, 2020
$ 47,076
Six months ended June 30, 2021
$ 305,996
Six months ended June 30, 2020
$ 77,047
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Fund uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 financial instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these financial instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Fund’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many financial instruments. This condition could cause a financial instrument to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy. When such a situation exists on a quarter close, the Sponsor will calculate the NAV on a particular day using the Level 1 valuation but will later recalculate the NAV for the impacted Fund based upon the valuation inputs from these alternative verifiable sources (Level 2 or Level 3) and will report such NAV in its applicable financial statements and reports.
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On June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in the opinion of the Trust and the Fund, the reported value at the close of the market for each commodity contract fairly reflected the value of the futures and no alternative valuations were required. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period. In making the determination of a Level 1 or Level 2 transfer, the Fund considers the average volume of the specific underlying futures contracts traded on the relevant exchange for the periods being reported.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, Soybean Futures Contracts for Jul21 CBOT soybean futures, and the Nov21 CBOT soybean futures settled in a “limit up” condition. Accordingly, the Trust and SOYB classified these as Level 2 assets. The adjustment in SOYB resulted in a $279,750 increase in the unrealized change in commodity futures contracts in excess of reported CBOT values. These contracts transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
The Fund records its derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative contracts are included in the statements of operations. Derivative contracts include futures contracts related to commodity prices. Futures, which are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the CBOT and the ICE, or reported on another national market, are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives contracts (such as forward and swap contracts) which may be valued using models, depending on whether significant inputs are observable or unobservable, are categorized in Levels 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Expenses
Expenses are recorded using the accrual method of accounting.
Net Income (Loss) per Share
Net income (loss) per Share is the difference between the NAV per unit at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of Shares outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average Share. The weighted average Shares are equal to the number of Shares outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for Shares created or redeemed based on the amount of time the Shares were outstanding during such period.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-10: “Codification Improvements.” The amendment improves the disclosure guidance in appropriate Disclosure Sections, without resulting in changes to current GAAP. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Sponsor is evaluating the impacts, but the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-02: “Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendment updates and adds language to ASU 2016-02. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2020-01: Investments Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments clarify the treatment of transactions that require a company to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments were adopted early for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2019-01: "Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These amendments align the guidance for fair value of underlying assets by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers in Topic 842 with that of existing guidance. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2018-13: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. These amendments modify public and private company fair value disclosure requirements. While some disclosures were removed or modified, others were added. The guidance is a result of the FASB’s test of the principals developed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
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The FASB issued ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments”. The amendment amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
The Fund’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Fund’s significant accounting policies in Note 3. The following table presents information about the Fund’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of June 30, 2021
Cash Equivalents
$ 34,736,808
$ -
$ -
$ 34,736,808
Commodity Futures Contracts
Soybean futures contracts
7,084,288
-
-
7,084,288
Total
$ 41,821,096
$ -
$ -
$ 41,821,096
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Cash Equivalents
$ 57,726,894
$ -
$ -
$ 57,726,894
Commodity Futures Contracts
Soybean futures contracts
15,124,226
-
-
15,124,226
Total
$ 72,851,120
$ -
$ -
$ 72,851,120
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, except for the Jul21 CBOT soybean futures, and the Nov21 CBOT soybean futures, were reflected as a Level 2 asset for the period ended March 31, 2021 due to a “limit up” condition. These Soybean contracts transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021.
See the Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy section in Note 3 above for an explanation of the transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy.
Note 5 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Fund utilizes derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities. Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment. The Fund’s derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, credit, commodity price, and equity price risks. In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Fund is also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund invested only in commodity futures contracts.
Futures Contracts
The Fund is subject to commodity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
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The purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with a FCM. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Futures contracts may reduce the Fund’s exposure to counterparty risk since futures contracts are exchange-traded; and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other equity deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to the Fund’s pro rata share of segregated customer funds available. It is possible that the recovery amount could be less than the total of cash and other equity deposited.
The following table discloses information about offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the statements of assets and liabilities to enable users of these financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements for recognized assets and liabilities. These recognized assets and liabilities are presented as defined in FASB ASU No. 2011-11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and subsequently clarified in FASB ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.”
The following table also identifies the fair value amounts of derivative instruments included in the statements of assets and liabilities as derivative contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk and held by the FCM, E D & F Man as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2021
Assets
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Soybean futures contracts
$ 7,084,288
$ -
$ 7,084,288
$ -
$ -
$ 7,084,288
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2020
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Soybean futures contracts
$ 15,124,226
$ -
$ 15,124,226
$ -
$ 11,257,566
$ 3,866,660
The following is a summary of realized and unrealized gains and losses of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund:
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Soybean futures contracts
$ 7,663,258
$ 684,574
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Soybean futures contracts
$ ( 861,903 )
$ 1,484,213
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Six months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Soybean futures contracts
$ 25,817,715
$ ( 8,039,938 )
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Six months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Soybean futures contracts
$ ( 1,718,118 )
$ ( 809,552 )
Volume of Derivative Activities
The average notional market value categorized by primary underlying risk for all futures contracts held was $ 83.6 million and $ 90.3 million, respectively for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and, and $ 37.9 million and $ 31.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.
Note 6 – Financial Highlights
The following tables present per unit performance data and other supplemental financial data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements and is presented with total expenses gross of expenses waived by the Sponsor and with total expenses net of expenses waived by the Sponsor, as appropriate.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - Unaudited
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Per Share Operation Performance
Net asset value at beginning of period
$ 21.58
$ 14.00
$ 19.49
$ 15.85
Income from investment operations:
Investment income
0.01
0.03
0.02
0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
2.30
0.10
4.50
( 1.68 )
Total expenses, net
( 0.10 )
( 0.15 )
( 0.22 )
( 0.27 )
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
2.21
( 0.02 )
4.30
( 1.87 )
Net asset value at end of period
$ 23.79
$ 13.98
$ 23.79
$ 13.98
Total Return
10.24 %
( 0.12 )%
22.05 %
( 11.78 )%
Ratios to Average Net Assets (Annualized)
Total expenses
2.83 %
5.02 %
2.73 %
4.40 %
Total expenses, net
1.72 %
4.36 %
2.07 %
3.83 %
Net investment loss
( 1.55 )%
( 3.60 )%
( 1.89 )%
( 2.65 )%
The financial highlights per share data are calculated consistent with the methodology used to calculate asset-based fees and expenses.
Note 7 – Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses incurred in organizing of the Trust and the initial offering of the Shares of the Fund, including applicable SEC registration fees were borne directly by the Sponsor. The Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.
Note 8 – Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the financial statements for the quarter-ended June 30, 2021 for subsequent events through the date of this filing and noted no material events requiring either recognition through the date of the filing or disclosure herein for the Fund other than those noted below:
The continued uncertainty over the path of COVID-19 may continue to be highly disruptive to economies and markets. The impact of COVID-19 to the Fund is described in more detail in Part 2 of this 10-Q.
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TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 20,531,334
$ 11,849,332
Interest receivable
1,108
904
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
1,964,820
1,407,703
Total assets
22,497,262
13,257,939
Liabilities
Management fee payable to Sponsor
17,678
10,292
Other liabilities
9,621
5,895
Equity in trading accounts:
Due to broker
420,810
475,661
Total liabilities
448,109
491,848
Net assets
$ 22,049,153
$ 12,766,091
Shares outstanding
2,600,004
1,900,004
Shares authorized
22,275,000
23,150,000
Net asset value per share
$ 8.48
$ 6.72
Market value per share
$ 8.49
$ 6.75
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost $6,021,297)
$ 6,021,297
27.31 %
6,021,297
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (cost $1,800)
1,800
0.01
1,800
Total money market funds (cost: $6,023,097)
$ 6,023,097
27.32 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Jabil Inc. 0.210% (cost: $2,499,388 due 07/16/2021)
$ 2,499,781
11.34 %
2,500,000
Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings Inc. 0.213% (cost: $4,999,200 due 07/21/2021)
4,999,408
22.67
5,000,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $7,498,588)
$ 7,499,189
34.01 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 13,522,286
61.33 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States sugar futures contracts
ICE sugar futures MAR22 (382 contracts)
$ 1,444,358
6.55 %
$ 7,735,347
ICE sugar futures MAY22 (344 contracts)
84,905
0.38
6,630,669
ICE sugar futures MAR23 (423 contracts)
435,557
1.98
7,698,600
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 1,964,820
8.91 %
$ 22,064,616
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost $4,134,293)
$ 4,134,293
32.38 %
4,134,293
Blackrock Liquidity FedFund - Institutional Class (cost: $18,871)
18,871
0.15
18,871
Total money market funds (cost: $4,153,164)
4,153,164
32.53
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $2,498,889 due 1/29/2021)
2,499,028
19.58
2,500,000
Total cash equivalents
$ 6,652,192
52.11 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States sugar futures contracts
ICE sugar futures MAY21 (272 contracts)
$ 550,868
4.32 %
$ 4,472,115
ICE sugar futures JUL21 (241 contracts)
345,612
2.71
3,830,165
ICE sugar futures MAR22 (279 contracts)
511,223
4.00
4,459,090
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 1,407,703
11.03 %
$ 12,761,370
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Income
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:
Realized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
$ 2,012,151
$ ( 1,239,596 )
$ 3,265,631
$ ( 947,539 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on commodity futures contracts
1,163,959
1,689,036
557,117
( 466,909 )
Interest income
5,701
15,136
12,089
58,108
Total income (loss)
3,181,811
464,576
3,834,837
( 1,356,340 )
Expenses
Management fees
46,597
18,627
82,612
45,129
Professional fees
14,304
65,432
32,312
88,592
Distribution and marketing fees
29,264
45,172
62,339
90,505
Custodian fees and expenses
4,610
5,428
8,266
12,399
Business permits and licenses fees
2,851
10,074
21,196
28,664
General and administrative expenses
12,394
10,949
15,996
14,125
Other expenses
-
-
-
15
Total expenses
110,020
155,682
222,721
279,429
Expenses waived by the Sponsor
( 31,549 )
( 76,539 )
( 58,039 )
( 113,892 )
Total expenses, net
78,471
79,143
164,682
165,537
Net income (loss)
$ 3,103,340
$ 385,433
$ 3,670,155
$ ( 1,521,877 )
Net income (loss) per share
$ 1.45
$ 0.23
$ 1.76
$ ( 1.32 )
Net income (loss) per weighted average share
$ 1.33
$ 0.28
$ 1.68
$ ( 1.05 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
2,329,674
1,360,718
2,182,739
1,442,999
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Operations
Net income (loss)
$ 3,670,155
$ ( 1,521,877 )
Capital transactions
Issuance of Shares
6,856,615
2,722,055
Redemption of Shares
( 1,243,708 )
( 4,639,993 )
Total capital transactions
5,612,907
( 1,917,938 )
Net change in net assets
9,283,062
( 3,439,815 )
Net assets, beginning of period
$ 12,766,091
$ 12,313,180
Net assets, end of period
$ 22,049,153
$ 8,873,365
Net asset value per share at beginning of period
$ 6.72
$ 7.04
Net asset value per share at end of period
$ 8.48
$ 5.72
Creation of Shares
875,000
500,000
Redemption of Shares
175,000
700,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM SUGAR FUND
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ 3,670,155
$ ( 1,521,877 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on commodity futures contracts
( 557,117 )
466,909
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from broker
-
( 858,685 )
Interest receivable
( 204 )
( 309 )
Other assets
-
( 701 )
Due to broker
( 54,851 )
( 237,908 )
Management fee payable to Sponsor
7,386
( 3,363 )
Other liabilities
3,726
4,044
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
3,069,095
( 2,151,890 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shares
6,856,615
2,722,055
Redemption of Shares
( 1,243,708 )
( 4,639,993 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
5,612,907
( 1,917,938 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
8,682,002
( 4,069,828 )
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
11,849,332
12,215,795
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
$ 20,531,334
$ 8,145,967
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Operation
Teucrium Sugar Fund (referred to herein as “CANE” or the “Fund”) is a commodity pool that is a series of Teucrium Commodity Trust (“Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust formed on September 11, 2009. The Fund issues common units, called the “Shares,” representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in the Fund. The Fund continuously offers Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 Shares at their Net Asset Value (“NAV”) to “Authorized Purchasers” through Foreside Fund Services, LLC, which is the distributor for the Fund (the “Distributor”). Authorized Purchasers sell such Shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca under the symbol “CANE,” to the public at per-Share offering prices that reflect, among other factors, the trading price of the Shares on the NYSE Arca, the NAV of the Fund at the time the Authorized Purchaser purchased the Creation Baskets and the NAV 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 markets for sugar interests. The Fund’s Shares trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca at prices that are lower or higher than their NAV per Share.
The investment objective of CANE is to have the daily changes in the NAV of the Fund’s Shares reflect the daily changes in the sugar market for future delivery as measured by the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a weighted average of the closing settlement prices for three futures contracts for No. 11 sugar (“Sugar Futures Contracts”) that are traded on the ICE Futures US (“ICE”):
CANE Benchmark
ICE Sugar Futures Contract
Weighting
Second to expire
35 %
Third to expire
30 %
Expiring in the March following the expiration of the third to expire contract
35 %
The Fund commenced investment operations on September 19, 2011 and has a fiscal year ending December 31. The Fund’s sponsor is Teucrium Trading, LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor is responsible for the management of the Fund. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and a commodity trading adviser (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
On June 13, 2011, the initial Form S-1 for CANE was declared effective by the SEC. On September 16, 2011, two Creation Baskets were issued representing 100,000 shares and $ 2,500,000 . On September 19, 2011, CANE started trading on the NYSE Arca. The current registration statement for CANE was declared effective by the SEC on October 2, 2020. This registration statement for CANE registered an additional 15,000,000 shares.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the Fund’s financial statements for the interim period. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the most recent Form S-1 filing, as applicable. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
Subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Teucrium Trading, LLC, in its capacity as the Sponsor (“Sponsor”), may terminate a Fund at any time, regardless of whether the Fund has incurred losses, including, for instance, if it determines that the Fund’s aggregate net assets in relation to its operating expenses make the continued operation of the Fund unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require the Sponsor to terminate a Fund.
Note 2 – Principal Contracts and Agreements
The Sponsor employs U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services ("Global Fund Services"), for Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services. The principal address for Global Fund Services is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
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For custody services, the Funds will pay to U.S. Bank N.A. 0.0075% of average gross assets up to $1 billion, and .0050% of average gross assets over $1 billion, annually, plus certain per-transaction charges. For Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services, which are based on the total assets for all the Funds in the Trust, the Funds will pay to Global Fund Services 0.05% of average gross assets on the first $500 million, 0.04% on the next $500 million, 0.03% on the next $2 billion and 0.02% on the balance over $3 billion annually. A combined minimum annual fee of up to $47,000 for custody, transfer agency, accounting and administrative services is assessed per Fund. These services are recorded as custodian fees and expenses on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside” or the “Distributor”) as the Distributor for the Funds. The Distribution Services Agreement among the Distributor and the Sponsor calls for the Distributor to work with the Custodian in connection with the receipt and processing of orders for Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets and the review and approval of all Fund sales literature and advertising materials. The Distributor and the Sponsor have also entered into a Securities Activities and Service Agreement (the “SASA”) under which certain employees and officers of the Sponsor are licensed as registered representatives or registered principals of the Distributor, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules. For its services as the Distributor, Foreside receives a fee of 0.01% of each Fund’s average daily net assets and an aggregate annual fee of $100,000 for all Funds, along with certain expense reimbursements. For its services under the SASA, Foreside receives a fee of $5,000 per registered representative and $1,000 per registered location. These services are recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below. Pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement, Foreside Consulting Services, LLC, performs certain consulting support services for the Trust's Sponsor. Additionally, Foreside Distributors, LLC performs certain distribution consulting services pursuant to a Distribution Consulting Agreement with the Sponsor.
E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. (“E D & F Man”) serves as the Underlying Funds’ clearing broker to execute and clear the Underlying Funds’ futures and provide other brokerage-related services. E D & F Man is registered as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the NFA. E D & F Man is also registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. E D & F Man is a clearing member of ICE Futures U.S., Inc., Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, and all other major United States commodity exchanges. For Corn, Soybean, Sugar and Wheat Futures Contracts E D & F Man is paid $9.00 per round turn . Prior to August 21, 2019, these expenses were recorded in brokerage commissions on the statements of operations. Beginning on August 21, 2019, these expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The sole Trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. For its services, the Trustee receives an annual fee of $ 3,300 from the Trust. These services are recorded in business permits and licenses fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Thales Capital Partners LLC (“Thales”) for distribution and solicitation-related services. Thales is registered as a Broker-Dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Thales receives a quarterly fee of the higher of $18,750 or 0.10% of new assets raised in referred accounts for distribution and solicitation-related services. This fee based on new assets raised is determined by an agreed upon level of assets at the time of signing the contract. These services are recorded in distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below:
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Three months ended June 30, 2021
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Amount Recognized for Custody Services
$ 4,610
$ 5,428
$ 8,266
$ 12,399
Amount of Custody Services Waived
$ 2,280
$ 2,075
$ 2,335
$ 4,276
Amount Recognized for Distribution Services
$ 1,755
$ 2,499
$ 3,608
$ 5,526
Amount of Distribution Services Waived
$ 1,216
$ 798
$ 1,216
$ 2,011
Amount Recognized for Wilmington Trust
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount of Wilmington Trust Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Thales
$ 3,266
$ 1,513
$ 6,308
$ 3,107
Amount of Thales Waived
$ 868
$ 1,513
$ 868
$ 1,513
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.
Revenue Recognition
Commodity futures contracts are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts are reflected in the statements of operations as the difference between the original contract amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Beginning on August 21, 2019, brokerage commission expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the statements of operations. Interest on cash equivalents with financial institutions are recognized on the accrual basis. The Fund seeks to earn interest on funds held at the custodian and other financial institutions at prevailing market rates for such investments.
The Sponsor invests a portion of cash in commercial paper, which is deemed a cash equivalent based on the rating and duration of contracts as described in the notes to the financial statements and reflected in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities and on the statements of cash flows. Accretion on these investments are recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the statements of operations.
The Sponsor invests a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts. Accretion on these investments are recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the combined statements of operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Beginning on August 21, 2019, the Sponsor began recognizing the expense for brokerage commissions for futures contract trades on a per-trade basis. Prior to the change, brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts were accrued on the trade date and on a full-turn basis. The below table shows the amounts included on the statements of operations as total brokerage commissions paid inclusive of unrealized loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
CANE
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 8,957
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 5,168
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 12,434
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 8,243
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Income Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund will be treated as a publicly traded partnership. A publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of the publicly traded partnership’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence consists of qualifying income as defined in section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualifying income is defined as generally including, in pertinent part, interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, and gains from the sale or disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends. In the case of a partnership of which a principal activity is the buying and selling of commodities, other than as inventory, or of futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, qualifying income also includes income and gains from commodities and from futures, forwards, options with respect to commodities and, provided the partnership is a trader or investor with respect to such assets, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. The Fund expects that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year will consist of qualifying income and that the Fund will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does not record a provision for income taxes because the shareholders report their share of the Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. The financial statements reflect the Fund’s transactions without adjustment, if any, required for income tax purposes.
Creations and Redemptions
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 shares from the Fund. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to create the basket is received in good order.
Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from the Fund only in blocks of 25,000 shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to redeem the basket is received in good order.
The Fund receives or pays the proceeds from shares sold or redeemed within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as capital shares receivable. Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.
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As outlined in the most recent Form S-1 filing, 50,000 shares represents two Redemption Baskets for the Fund and a minimum level of shares. If the Fund experienced redemptions that caused the number of Shares outstanding to decrease to the minimum level of Shares required to be outstanding, until the minimum number of Shares is again exceeded through the purchase of a new Creation Basket, there can be no more redemptions by an Authorized Purchaser.
Allocation of Shareholder Income and Losses
Profit or loss is allocated among the shareholders of the Fund in proportion to the number of shares each shareholder holds as of the close of each month.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less when acquired. The Trust reported its cash equivalents in the statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short term maturities. Each Fund that is a series of the Trust has the balance of its cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions. The Fund holds a balance in money market funds that is included in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in alternative demand deposit savings accounts, which is classified as cash and not as cash equivalents. Assets deposited with the bank may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in investment grade commercial paper with durations of 90 days or less, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured. The Sponsor may invest a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured.
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Money Market Funds
$ 6,023,097
$ 4,153,164
Demand Deposit Savings Accounts
7,009,048
5,197,140
Commercial Paper
7,499,189
2,499,028
Total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
$ 20,531,334
$ 11,849,332
Due from/to Broker
The amount recorded by the Fund for the amount due from and to the clearing broker includes, but is not limited to, cash held by the broker, amounts payable to the clearing broker related to open transactions, payables for commodities futures accounts liquidating to an equity balance on the clearing broker’s records, and amounts of brokerage commissions paid and recognized as unrealized losses.
Margin is the minimum amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity interest trader with the trader’s broker to initiate and maintain an open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit acts to assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts purchased or sold. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a very small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. Because of such low margin requirements, price fluctuations occurring in the futures markets may create profits and losses that, in relation to the amount invested, are greater than customary in other forms of investment or speculation. As discussed below, adverse price changes in the futures contract may result in margin requirements that greatly exceed the initial margin. In addition, the amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set from time to time by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Brokerage firms, such as the Fund’s clearing brokers, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts generally require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves. Over the counter trading generally involves the extension of credit between counterparties, so the counterparties may agree to require the posting of collateral by one or both parties to address credit exposure.
When a trader purchases an option, there is no margin requirement; however, the option premium must be paid in full. When a trader sells an option, on the other hand, he or she is required to deposit margin in an amount determined by the margin requirements established for the underlying interest and, in addition, an amount substantially equal to the current premium for the option. The margin requirements imposed on the selling of options, although adjusted to reflect the probability that out-of-the-money options will not be exercised, can in fact be higher than those imposed in dealing in the futures markets directly. Complicated margin requirements apply to spreads and conversions, which are complex trading strategies in which a trader acquires a mixture of options positions and positions in the underlying interest.
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Ongoing or “maintenance” margin requirements are computed each day by a trader’s clearing broker. When the market value of a particular open futures contract changes to a point where the margin on deposit does not satisfy maintenance margin requirements, a margin call is made by the broker. If the margin call is not met within a reasonable time, the broker may close out the trader’s position. With respect to the Fund’s trading, the Fund (and not its shareholders personally) is subject to margin calls.
Finally, many major U.S. exchanges have passed certain cross margining arrangements involving procedures pursuant to which the futures and options positions held in an account would, in the case of some accounts, be aggregated and margin requirements would be assessed on a portfolio basis, measuring the total risk of the combined positions.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Fund’s NAV is calculated by:
•
Taking the current market value of its total assets and
•
Subtracting any liabilities.
The administrator, Global Fund Services, calculates the NAV of the Fund once each trading day. It calculates the NAV as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The NAV for a particular trading day is released after 4:15 p.m. (EST).
In determining the value of Sugar Futures Contracts, the administrator uses the ICE closing price. The administrator determines the value of all other Fund investments as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The value of over the counter sugar interests is determined based on the value of the commodity or futures contract underlying such sugar interest, except that a fair value may be determined if the Sponsor believes that the Fund is subject to significant credit risk relating to the counterparty to such sugar interest. For purposes of financial statements and reports, the Sponsor will recalculate the NAV where necessary to reflect the “fair value” of a Futures Contract when the Futures Contract closes at its price fluctuation limit for the day. Short term Treasury securities held by the Fund are valued by the administrator using values received from recognized third-party vendors and dealer quotes. NAV includes any unrealized profit or loss on open sugar interests and any other income or expense accruing to the Fund but unpaid or not received by the Fund.
Sponsor Fee, Allocation of Expenses and Related Party Transactions
The Sponsor is responsible for investing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the objectives and policies of the Fund. In addition, the Sponsor arranges for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custodial, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Sponsor has elected not to outsource services directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds such as accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and trading activities, which the Sponsor performs itself. In addition, the Fund is contractually obligated to pay a monthly management fee to the Sponsor, based on average daily net assets, at a rate equal to 1.00 % per annum.
The Fund generally pays for all brokerage fees, taxes and other expenses, including licensing fees for the use of intellectual property, registration or other fees paid to the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory agency in connection with the offer and sale of subsequent Shares after its initial registration and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith. The Fund also pays its portion of the fees and expenses associated with the Trust’s tax accounting and reporting requirements. Certain aggregate expenses common to all Funds within the Trust are allocated by the Sponsor to the respective Fund based on activity drivers deemed most appropriate by the Sponsor for such expenses, including but not limited to relative assets under management and creation order activity. These aggregate common expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, auditing, accounting and financial reporting, tax-preparation, regulatory compliance, trading activities, and insurance costs, as well as fees paid to the Distributor, which are included in the related line item in the statements of operations. A portion of these aggregate common expenses are related to the Sponsor or related parties of principals of the Sponsor; these are necessary services to the Funds, which are primarily the cost of performing accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and trading activities that are directly attributable to the Fund. Such expenses are primarily recorded as distribution and marketing fees in the financial statements of each Fund.
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Recognized Related Party Transactions
$ 27,519
$ 31,713
$ 47,769
$ 72,911
Waived Related Party Transactions
$ 10,388
$ 9,834
$ 19,198
$ 19,973
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The Sponsor has the ability to elect to pay certain expenses on behalf of the Funds or waive the management fee. This election is subject to change by the Sponsor, at its discretion. Expenses paid by the Sponsor and Management fees waived by the Sponsor are, if applicable, presented as waived expenses in the statements of operations for each Fund. The Sponsor has determined that there will be no recovery sought for the amounts below in any future period:
CANE
Three months ended June 30, 2021
$ 31,549
Three months ended June 30, 2020
$ 76,539
Six months ended June 30, 2021
$ 58,039
Six months ended June 30, 2020
$ 113,892
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Fund uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 financial instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these financial instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
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Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Fund’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many financial instruments. This condition could cause a financial instrument to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy. When such a situation exists on a quarter close, the Sponsor will calculate the NAV on a particular day using the Level 1 valuation but will later recalculate the NAV for the impacted Fund based upon the valuation inputs from these alternative verifiable sources (Level 2 or Level 3) and will report such NAV in its applicable financial statements and reports.
On June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in the opinion of the Trust and the Fund, the reported value of the Sugar Futures Contracts traded on the ICE fairly reflected the value of the Sugar Futures Contracts held by the Fund, and no adjustments were necessary. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period. In making the determination of a Level 1 or Level 2 transfer, the Fund considers the average volume of the specific underlying futures contracts traded on the relevant exchange for the periods being reported.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.
The Fund records its derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative contracts are included in the statements of operations. Derivative contracts include futures contracts related to commodity prices. Futures, which are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the CBOT and the ICE, or reported on another national market, are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives contracts (such as forward and swap contracts) which may be valued using models, depending on whether significant inputs are observable or unobservable, are categorized in Levels 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Expenses
Expenses are recorded using the accrual method of accounting.
Net Income (Loss) per Share
Net income (loss) per share is the difference between the NAV per unit at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of units outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average unit. The weighted average units are equal to the number of units outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for units created or redeemed based on the amount of time the units were outstanding during such period.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-10: “Codification Improvements.” The amendment improves the disclosure guidance in appropriate Disclosure Sections, without resulting in changes to current GAAP. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Sponsor is evaluating the impacts, but the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-02: “Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendment updates and adds language to ASU 2016-02. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2020-01: Investments Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments clarify the treatment of transactions that require a company to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments were adopted early for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2019-01: "Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These amendments align the guidance for fair value of underlying assets by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers in Topic 842 with that of existing guidance. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
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The FASB issued ASU 2018-13: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. These amendments modify public and private company fair value disclosure requirements. While some disclosures were removed or modified, others were added. The guidance is a result of the FASB’s test of the principals developed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments”. The amendment amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
The Fund’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Fund’s significant accounting policies in Note 3. The following table presents information about the Fund’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of June 30, 2021
Cash Equivalents
$ 13,522,286
$ -
$ -
$ 13,522,286
Commodity Futures Contracts
Sugar futures contracts
1,964,820
-
-
1,964,820
Total
$ 15,487,106
$ -
$ -
$ 15,487,106
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Cash Equivalents
$ 6,652,192
$ -
$ -
$ 6,652,192
Commodity Futures Contracts
Sugar futures contracts
1,407,703
-
-
1,407,703
Total
$ 8,059,895
$ -
$ -
$ 8,059,895
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.
See the Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy section in Note 3 above for an explanation of the transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy.
Note 5 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Fund utilizes derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities. Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment. The Fund’s derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, credit, commodity price, and equity price risks. In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Fund is also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund invested only in commodity futures contracts.
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Futures Contracts
The Fund is subject to commodity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
The purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with a FCM. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Futures contracts may reduce the Fund’s exposure to counterparty risk since futures contracts are exchange-traded; and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other equity deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to the Fund’s pro rata share of segregated customer funds available. It is possible that the recovery amount could be less than the total of cash and other equity deposited.
The following table discloses information about offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the statements of assets and liabilities to enable users of these financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements for recognized assets and liabilities. These recognized assets and liabilities are presented as defined in FASB ASU No. 2011-11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and subsequently clarified in FASB ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.”
The following table also identifies the fair value amounts of derivative instruments included in the statements of assets and liabilities as derivative contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk and held by the FCM, E D & F Man as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Sugar futures contracts
$ 1,964,820
$ -
$ 1,964,820
$ -
$ 420,810
$ 1,544,010
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2020
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Sugar futures contracts
$ 1,407,703
$ -
$ 1,407,703
$ -
$ 475,661
$ 932,042
The following tables identify the net gain and loss amounts included in the statements of operations as realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading of commodity futures contracts categorized by primary underlying risk:
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Three months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Sugar futures contracts
$ 2,012,151
$ 1,163,959
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Sugar futures contracts
$ ( 1,239,596 )
$ 1,689,036
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Sugar futures contracts
$ 3,265,631
$ 557,117
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Sugar futures contracts
$ ( 947,538 )
$ ( 466,909 )
Volume of Derivative Activities
The average notional market value categorized by primary underlying risk for all futures contracts held were $ 19.9 million and $ 17.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and $ 7.8 million and $ 8.7 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.
Note 6 – Financial Highlights
The following table presents per unit performance data and other supplemental financial data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements and is presented with total expenses gross of expenses waived by the Sponsor and with total expenses net of expenses waived by the Sponsor, as appropriate.
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Per Share Operation Performance
Net asset value at beginning of period
$ 7.03
$ 5.49
$ 6.72
$ 7.04
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Investment income
-
0.01
0.01
0.04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
1.48
0.28
1.83
( 1.25 )
Total expenses, net
( 0.03 )
( 0.06 )
( 0.08 )
( 0.11 )
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
1.45
0.23
1.76
( 1.32 )
Net asset value at end of period
$ 8.48
$ 5.72
$ 8.48
$ 5.72
Total Return
20.67 %
4.19 %
26.22 %
( 18.64 )%
Ratios to Average Net Assets (Annualized)
Total expenses
2.36 %
8.36 %
2.70 %
6.19 %
Total expenses, net
1.68 %
4.25 %
1.99 %
3.67 %
Net investment loss
( 1.56 )%
( 3.44 )%
( 1.84 )%
( 2.38 )%
The financial highlights per share data are calculated consistent with the methodology used to calculate asset-based fees and expenses.
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Note 7 – Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses incurred in organizing of the Trust and the initial offering of the Shares of the Fund, including applicable SEC registration fees, were borne directly by the Sponsor. The Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.
Note 8 – Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the financial statements for the quarter-ended June 30, 2021 for subsequent events through the date of this filing and noted no material events requiring either recognition through the date of the filing or disclosure herein for the Fund other than those noted below:
The continued uncertainty over the path of COVID-19 may continue to be highly disruptive to economies and markets. The impact of COVID-19 to the Fund is described in more detail in Part 2 of this 10-Q.
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TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 76,708,882
$ 68,946,725
Interest receivable
4,586
3,257
Capital shares receivable
-
307,830
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
4,165,999
5,738,162
Due from broker
5,453,399
-
Total equity in trading accounts
9,619,398
5,738,162
Total assets
86,332,866
74,995,974
Liabilities
Payable for shares redeemed
-
2,462,640
Management fee payable to Sponsor
71,136
60,902
Other liabilities
11,597
24,751
Equity in trading accounts:
Commodity futures contracts
232,887
-
Due to broker
-
2,571,103
Total equity in trading accounts
232,887
2,571,103
Total liabilities
315,620
5,119,396
Net assets
$ 86,017,246
$ 69,876,578
Shares outstanding
12,750,004
11,350,004
Shares authorized
34,350,000
37,650,000
Net asset value per share
$ 6.75
$ 6.16
Market value per share
$ 6.77
$ 6.19
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost: $4,158,145)
$ 4,158,145
4.83 %
4,158,145
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund - Institutional Class (cost: $7,523,801)
7,523,801
8.75
7,523,801
Total money market funds (cost: $11,681,946)
$ 11,681,946
13.58 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Canadian Natural Resources Limited 0.140% (cost: $4,999,495 due 07/26/2021)
$ 4,999,514
5.81 %
5,000,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.230% (cost: $2,498,642 due 07/06/2021)
2,499,920
2.91
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.230% (cost: $2,498,611 due 07/08/2021)
2,499,888
2.91
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,498,938 due 08/03/2021)
2,499,610
2.91
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,498,938 due 08/03/2021)
2,499,610
2.91
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.160% (cost: $2,499,033 due 08/06/2021)
2,499,600
2.90
2,500,000
Humana Inc. 0.187% (cost: $2,498,909 due 07/21/2021)
2,499,741
2.91
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.210% (cost: $2,499,388 due 07/16/2021)
2,499,782
2.91
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.300% (cost: $2,498,375 due 08/27/2021)
2,498,813
2.90
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.174% (cost: $2,499,746 due 07/20/2021)
2,499,770
2.91
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,498,861 due 09/13/2021)
2,498,972
2.90
2,500,000
Viatris Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,498,764 due 09/15/2021)
2,498,945
2.90
2,500,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $32,487,700)
$ 32,494,165
37.78 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 44,176,111
51.36 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States wheat futures contracts
CBOT wheat futures SEP21 (889 contracts)
$ 845,125
0.98 %
$ 30,203,775
CBOT wheat futures DEC21 (753 contracts)
3,320,874
3.86
25,790,250
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 4,165,999
4.84 %
$ 55,994,025
Percentage of
Notional Amount
Description: Liabilities
Fair Value
Net Assets
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States wheat futures contracts
CBOT wheat futures DEC22 (861 contracts)
$ 232,887
0.27 %
$ 30,027,375
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost $16,214,175)
$ 16,214,175
23.20 %
16,214,175
Blackrock Liquidity FedFund - Institutional Class (cost $13,227)
13,227
0.02
13,227
Total money market funds (cost: $16,227,402)
$ 16,227,402
23.22 %
Principal Amount
Commercial Paper
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.421% (cost: $2,498,863 due 01/29/2021)
$ 2,499,183
3.58 %
2,500,000
Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. 0.501% (cost: $2,498,889 due 01/29/2021)
2,499,028
3.57
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.400% (cost: $2,497,945 due 01/04/2021)
2,499,917
3.58
2,500,000
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 0.411% (cost: $2,498,178 due 01/08/2021)
2,499,801
3.58
2,500,000
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. 0.250% (cost: $2,498,437 due 01/11/2021)
2,499,826
3.58
2,500,000
Hyundai Capital America, Inc. 0.170% (cost: $2,499,245 due 02/03/2021)
2,499,611
3.58
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.430% (cost: $2,498,627 due 01/29/2021)
2,499,164
3.58
2,500,000
Jabil Inc. 0.501% (cost: $2,497,153 due 02/24/2021)
2,498,125
3.57
2,500,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.350% (cost: $4,997,375 due 02/01/2021)
4,998,493
7.15
5,000,000
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 0.381% (cost: $4,996,147 due 02/26/2021)
4,997,044
7.15
5,000,000
WGL Holdings, Inc. 0.200% (cost: $2,499,417 due 01/27/2021)
2,499,639
3.58
2,500,000
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 0.246% (cost: $2,498,857 due 03/05/2021)
2,498,926
3.58
2,500,000
Total commercial paper (cost: $34,979,133)
$ 34,988,757
50.08 %
Total cash equivalents
$ 51,216,159
73.30 %
Notional Amount
(Long Exposure)
Commodity futures contracts
United States wheat futures contracts
CBOT wheat futures MAY21 (765 contracts)
$ 2,297,658
3.29 %
$ 24,460,875
CBOT wheat futures JUL21 (668 contracts)
687,506
0.98
20,983,550
CBOT wheat futures DEC21 (767 contracts)
2,752,998
3.94
24,419,363
Total commodity futures contracts
$ 5,738,162
8.21 %
$ 69,863,788
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Income
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:
Realized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
$ 7,160,668
$ ( 285,793 )
$ 10,080,116
$ 167,515
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on commodity futures contracts
3,250,623
( 5,884,890 )
( 1,805,050 )
( 6,884,216 )
Interest income
34,335
124,115
69,517
326,980
Total income (loss)
10,445,626
( 6,046,568 )
8,344,583
( 6,389,721 )
Expenses
Management fees
217,020
117,716
411,329
241,560
Professional fees
53,676
86,409
130,073
163,193
Distribution and marketing fees
157,640
148,603
298,681
332,181
Custodian fees and expenses
15,192
25,956
34,622
48,248
Business permits and licenses fees
2,170
15,760
21,601
20,714
General and administrative expenses
27,963
31,326
37,642
47,426
Total expenses
473,661
425,770
933,948
853,322
Expenses waived by the Sponsor
( 95,936 )
-
( 124,651 )
-
Total expenses, net
377,725
425,770
809,297
853,322
Net income (loss)
$ 10,067,901
$ ( 6,472,338 )
$ 7,535,286
$ ( 7,243,043 )
Net income (loss) per share
$ 0.76
$ ( 0.73 )
$ 0.59
$ ( 0.80 )
Net income (loss) per weighted average share
$ 0.77
$ ( 0.73 )
$ 0.58
$ ( 0.82 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
13,111,817
8,886,542
12,898,761
8,832,009
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Operations
Net income (loss)
$ 7,535,286
$ ( 7,243,043 )
Capital transactions
Issuance of Shares
20,841,092
5,487,503
Redemption of Shares
( 12,235,710 )
( 4,534,013 )
Total capital transactions
8,605,382
953,490
Net change in net assets
16,140,668
( 6,289,553 )
Net assets, beginning of period
$ 69,876,578
$ 52,236,196
Net assets, end of period
$ 86,017,246
$ 45,946,643
Net asset value per share at beginning of period
$ 6.16
$ 5.84
Net asset value per share at end of period
$ 6.75
$ 5.04
Creation of Shares
3,300,000
1,000,000
Redemption of Shares
1,900,000
825,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM WHEAT FUND
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ 7,535,286
$ ( 7,243,043 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized depreciation on commodity futures contracts
1,805,050
6,884,216
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from broker
( 5,453,399 )
( 4,786,517 )
Interest receivable
( 1,329 )
( 1,055 )
Other assets
-
1,143
Due to broker
( 2,571,103 )
( 4,258,410 )
Management fee payable to Sponsor
10,234
( 4,977 )
Other liabilities
( 13,154 )
11,006
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
1,311,585
( 9,397,637 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shares
21,148,922
5,487,503
Redemption of Shares
( 14,698,350 )
( 4,534,013 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
6,450,572
953,490
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
7,762,157
( 8,444,147 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
68,946,725
51,467,643
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$ 76,708,882
$ 43,023,496
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Operation
Teucrium Wheat Fund (referred to herein as “WEAT” or the “Fund”) is a commodity pool that is a series of Teucrium Commodity Trust (“Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust formed on September 11, 2009. The Fund issues common units, called the “Shares,” representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in the Fund. The Fund continuously offers Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 Shares at their Net Asset Value (“NAV”) to “Authorized Purchasers” through Foreside Fund Services, LLC, which is the distributor for the Fund (the “Distributor”). Authorized Purchasers sell such Shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca under the symbol “WEAT,” to the public at per-Share offering prices that reflect, among other factors, the trading price of the Shares on the NYSE Arca, the NAV of the Fund at the time the Authorized Purchaser purchased the Creation Baskets and the NAV 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 markets for wheat interests. The Fund’s Shares trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca at prices that are lower or higher than their NAV per Share.
The investment objective of WEAT is to have the daily changes in the NAV of the Fund’s Shares reflect the daily changes in the wheat market for future delivery as measured by the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a weighted average of the closing settlement prices for three futures contracts for wheat (“Wheat Futures Contracts”) that are traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”):
WEAT Benchmark
CBOT Wheat Futures Contract
Weighting
Second to expire
35 %
Third to expire
30 %
December following the third to expire
35 %
The Fund commenced investment operations on September 19, 2011 and has a fiscal year ending December 31. The Fund’s sponsor is Teucrium Trading, LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor is responsible for the management of the Fund. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and a commodity trading adviser (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
On June 13, 2011, the Fund’s initial registration of 10,000,000 shares on Form S1 was declared effective by the SEC. On September 19, 2011, the Fund listed its shares on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “WEAT.” On the business day prior to that, the Fund issued 100,000 shares in exchange for $ 2,500,000 at the Fund’s initial NAV of $ 25 per share. The Fund also commenced investment operations on September 19, 2011 by purchasing commodity futures contracts traded on the CBOT. On December 31, 2010, the Fund had four shares outstanding, which were owned by the Sponsor. The current registration statement for WEAT was declared effective on April 29, 2019. This registration statement for WEAT registered an additional 30,000,000 shares.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the Fund’s financial statements for the interim period. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the most recent Form S-1 filing, as applicable. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
Subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Teucrium Trading, LLC, in its capacity as the Sponsor (“Sponsor”), may terminate a Fund at any time, regardless of whether the Fund has incurred losses, including, for instance, if it determines that the Fund’s aggregate net assets in relation to its operating expenses make the continued operation of the Fund unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require the Sponsor to terminate a Fund.
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Note 2 – Principal Contracts and Agreements
The Sponsor employs U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services ("Global Fund Services"), for Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services. The principal address for Global Fund Services is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
For custody services, the Funds will pay to U.S. Bank N.A. 0.0075% of average gross assets up to $1 billion, and .0050% of average gross assets over $1 billion, annually, plus certain per-transaction charges. For Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services, which are based on the total assets for all the Funds in the Trust, the Funds will pay to Global Fund Services 0.05% of average gross assets on the first $500 million, 0.04% on the next $500 million, 0.03% on the next $2 billion and 0.02% on the balance over $3 billion annually. A combined minimum annual fee of up to $64,500 for custody, transfer agency, accounting and administrative services is assessed per Fund. These services are recorded as custodian fees and expenses on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside” or the “Distributor”) as the Distributor for the Funds. The Distribution Services Agreement among the Distributor and the Sponsor calls for the Distributor to work with the Custodian in connection with the receipt and processing of orders for Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets and the review and approval of all Fund sales literature and advertising materials. The Distributor and the Sponsor have also entered into a Securities Activities and Service Agreement (the “SASA”) under which certain employees and officers of the Sponsor are licensed as registered representatives or registered principals of the Distributor, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules. For its services as the Distributor, Foreside receives a fee of 0.01% of each Fund’s average daily net assets and an aggregate annual fee of $100,000 for all Funds, along with certain expense reimbursements. For its services under the SASA, Foreside receives a fee of $5,000 per registered representative and $1,000 per registered location. These services are recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below. Pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement, Foreside Consulting Services, LLC, performs certain consulting support services for the Trust's Sponsor. Additionally, Foreside Distributors, LLC performs certain distribution consulting services pursuant to a Distribution Consulting Agreement with the Sponsor.
E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. (“E D & F Man”) serves as the Underlying Funds’ clearing broker to execute and clear the Underlying Funds’ futures and provide other brokerage-related services. E D & F Man is registered as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the NFA. E D & F Man is also registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. E D & F Man is a clearing member of ICE Futures U.S., Inc., Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, and all other major United States commodity exchanges. For Corn, Soybean, Sugar and Wheat Futures Contracts E D & F Man is paid $9.00 per round turn . Prior to August 21, 2019, these expenses were recorded in brokerage commissions on the statements of operations. Beginning on August 21, 2019, these expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The sole Trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. For its services, the Trustee receives an annual fee of $ 3,300 from the Trust. These services are recorded in business permits and licenses fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Thales Capital Partners LLC (“Thales”) for distribution and solicitation-related services. Thales is registered as a Broker-Dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Thales receives a quarterly fee of the higher of $18,750 or 0.10% of new assets raised in referred accounts for distribution and solicitation-related services. This fee based on new assets raised is determined by an agreed upon level of assets at the time of signing the contract. These services are recorded in distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below:
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Three months ended June 30, 2021
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Amount Recognized for Custody Services
$ 15,192
$ 25,956
$ 34,622
$ 48,248
Amount of Custody Services Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Distribution Services
$ 8,240
$ 9,178
$ 17,416
$ 20,400
Amount of Distribution Services Waived
$ 8,220
$ -
$ 8,220
$ -
Amount Recognized for Wilmington Trust
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount of Wilmington Trust Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Thales
$ 16,173
$ 5,878
$ 30,666
$ 11,769
Amount of Thales Waived
$ 3,733
$ -
$ 3,733
$ -
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.
Revenue Recognition
Commodity futures contracts are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts are reflected in the statements of operations as the difference between the original contract amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Beginning on August 21, 2019, brokerage commission expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the statements of operations. Interest on cash equivalents with financial institutions are recognized on the accrual basis. The Fund seeks to earn interest on funds held at the custodian and other financial institutions at prevailing market rates for such investments.
The Sponsor invests a portion of cash in commercial paper, which is deemed a cash equivalent based on the rating and duration of contracts as described in the notes to the financial statements and reflected in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities and on the statements of cash flows. Accretion on these investments are recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the statements of operations.
The Sponsor invests a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts. Accretion on these investments are recognized using the effective interest method in U.S. dollars and included in interest income on the combined statements of operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Beginning on August 21, 2019, the Sponsor began recognizing the expense for brokerage commissions for futures contract trades on a per-trade basis. Prior to the change, brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts were accrued on the trade date and on a full-turn basis. The below table shows the amounts included on the statements of operations as total brokerage commissions paid inclusive of unrealized loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
WEAT
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 11,048
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 7,357
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
$ 22,523
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
$ 14,159
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Income Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund will be treated as a publicly traded partnership. A publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of the publicly traded partnership’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence consists of qualifying income as defined in section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualifying income is defined as generally including, in pertinent part, interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, and gains from the sale or disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends. In the case of a partnership of which a principal activity is the buying and selling of commodities, other than as inventory, or of futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, qualifying income also includes income and gains from commodities and from futures, forwards, options with respect to commodities and, provided the partnership is a trader or investor with respect to such assets, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. The Fund expects that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year will consist of qualifying income and that the Fund will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does not record a provision for income taxes because the shareholders report their share of the Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. The financial statements reflect the Fund’s transactions without adjustment, if any, required for income tax purposes.
The Fund is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. For all tax years 2018 to 2020, the Fund remains subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in the Fund recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. Based on its analysis, the Fund has determined that it has not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. However, the Fund’s conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
The Fund may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. state, or foreign jurisdictional authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws.
Creations and Redemptions
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets consisting of 25,000 shares from the Fund. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m.(EST) on the day the order to create the basket is properly received.
Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from the Fund only in blocks of 25,000 shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to redeem the basket is properly received.
The Fund receives or pays the proceeds from shares sold or redeemed within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as capital shares receivable. Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.
As outlined in the most recent Form S-1 filing, 50,000 shares represents two Redemption Baskets for the Fund and a minimum level of shares. If the Fund experienced redemptions that caused the number of Shares outstanding to decrease to the minimum level of Shares required to be outstanding, until the minimum number of Shares is again exceeded through the purchase of a new Creation Basket, there can be no more redemptions by an Authorized Purchaser.
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Allocation of Shareholder Income and Losses
Profit or loss is allocated among the shareholders of the Fund in proportion to the number of shares each shareholder holds as of the close of each month.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less when acquired. The Trust reported its cash equivalents in the statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short term maturities. Each Fund that is a series of the Trust has the balance of its cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions. The Fund holds a balance in money market funds that is included in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in alternative demand deposit savings accounts, which is classified as cash and not as cash equivalents. Assets deposited with the bank may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Sponsor invests a portion of the available cash for the Funds in investment grade commercial paper with durations of 90 days or less, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured. The Sponsor may invest a portion of the cash held by the broker in short term Treasury Bills as collateral for open futures contracts, which is classified as a cash equivalent and is not FDIC insured.
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Money Market Funds
$ 11,681,946
$ 16,227,402
Demand Deposit Savings Accounts
32,532,771
17,730,566
Commercial Paper
32,494,165
34,988,757
Total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
$ 76,708,882
$ 68,946,725
Due from/to Broker
The amount recorded by the Fund for the amount due from and to the clearing broker includes, but is not limited to, cash held by the broker, amounts payable to the clearing broker related to open transactions, payables for commodities futures accounts liquidating to an equity balance on the clearing broker’s records and amounts of brokerage commissions paid and recognized as unrealized losses.
Margin is the minimum amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity interest trader with the trader’s broker to initiate and maintain an open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit acts to assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts purchased or sold. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a very small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. Because of such low margin requirements, price fluctuations occurring in the futures markets may create profits and losses that, in relation to the amount invested, are greater than customary in other forms of investment or speculation. As discussed below, adverse price changes in the futures contract may result in margin requirements that greatly exceed the initial margin. In addition, the amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set from time to time by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Brokerage firms, such as the Fund’s clearing brokers, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts generally require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves. Over the counter trading generally involves the extension of credit between counterparties, so the counterparties may agree to require the posting of collateral by one or both parties to address credit exposure.
When a trader purchases an option, there is no margin requirement; however, the option premium must be paid in full. When a trader sells an option, on the other hand, he or she is required to deposit margin in an amount determined by the margin requirements established for the underlying interest and, in addition, an amount substantially equal to the current premium for the option. The margin requirements imposed on the selling of options, although adjusted to reflect the probability that out-of-the-money options will not be exercised, can in fact be higher than those imposed in dealing in the futures markets directly. Complicated margin requirements apply to spreads and conversions, which are complex trading strategies in which a trader acquires a mixture of options positions and positions in the underlying interest.
Ongoing or “maintenance” margin requirements are computed each day by a trader’s clearing broker. When the market value of a particular open futures contract changes to a point where the margin on deposit does not satisfy maintenance margin requirements, a margin call is made by the broker. If the margin call is not met within a reasonable time, the broker may close out the trader’s position. With respect to the Fund’s trading, the Fund (and not its shareholders personally) is subject to margin calls.
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Finally, many major U.S. exchanges have passed certain cross margining arrangements involving procedures pursuant to which the futures and options positions held in an account would, in the case of some accounts, be aggregated and margin requirements would be assessed on a portfolio basis, measuring the total risk of the combined positions.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Fund’s NAV is calculated by:
•
Taking the current market value of its total assets and
•
Subtracting any liabilities.
The administrator, Global Fund Services, calculates the NAV of the Fund once each trading day. It calculates the NAV as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The NAV for a particular trading day is released after 4:15 p.m. (EST).
In determining the value of Wheat Futures Contracts, the administrator uses the CBOT closing price. The administrator determines the value of all other Fund investments as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The value of over the counter wheat interests is determined based on the value of the commodity or futures contract underlying such wheat interest, except that a fair value may be determined if the Sponsor believes that the Fund is subject to significant credit risk relating to the counterparty to such wheat interest. For purposes of financial statements and reports, the Sponsor will recalculate the NAV where necessary to reflect the “fair value” of a Futures Contract when the Futures Contract closes at its price fluctuation limit for the day. Short term Treasury securities held by the Fund are valued by the administrator using values received from recognized third-party vendors and dealer quotes. NAV includes any unrealized profit or loss on open wheat interests and any other income or expense accruing to the Fund but unpaid or not received by the Fund.
Sponsor Fee, Allocation of Expenses and Related Party Transactions
The Sponsor is responsible for investing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the objectives and policies of the Fund. In addition, the Sponsor arranges for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custodial, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Sponsor elected not to outsource services directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds such as accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and trading activities, which the Sponsor performs itself. In addition, the Fund is contractually obligated to pay a monthly management fee to the Sponsor, based on average daily net assets, at a rate equal to 1.00 % per annum.
The Fund generally pays for all brokerage fees, taxes and other expenses, including licensing fees for the use of intellectual property, registration or other fees paid to the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory agency in connection with the offer and sale of subsequent Shares after its initial registration and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith. The Fund also pays its portion of the fees and expenses associated with the Trust’s tax accounting and reporting requirements. Certain aggregate expenses common to all Funds within the Trust are allocated by the Sponsor to the respective Fund based on activity drivers deemed most appropriate by the Sponsor for such expenses, including but not limited to relative assets under management and creation order activity. These aggregate common expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, auditing, accounting and financial reporting, tax-preparation, regulatory compliance, trading activities, and insurance costs, as well as fees paid to the Distributor, which are included in the related line item in the statements of operations. A portion of these aggregate common expenses are related to the Sponsor or related parties of principals of the Sponsor; these are necessary services to the Funds, which are primarily the cost of performing accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and trading activities that are directly attributable to the Fund. Such expenses are primarily recorded as distribution and marketing fees in the financial statements of each Fund.
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Recognized Related Party Transactions
$ 125,598
$ 119,191
$ 226,469
$ 271,360
Waived Related Party Transactions
$ 49,160
$ -
$ 63,859
$ -
The Sponsor has the ability to elect to pay certain expenses on behalf of the Funds or waive the management fee. This election is subject to change by the Sponsor, at its discretion. Expenses paid by the Sponsor and Management fees waived by the Sponsor are, if applicable, presented as waived expenses in the statements of operations for each Fund. The Sponsor has determined that there will be no recovery sought for the amounts below in any future period:
WEAT
Three months ended June 30, 2021
$ 95,936
Three months ended June 30, 2020
$ -
Six months ended June 30, 2021
$ 124,651
Six months ended June 30, 2020
$ -
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Fund uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 financial instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these financial instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Fund’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many financial instruments. This condition could cause a financial instrument to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy. When such a situation exists on a quarter close, the Sponsor will calculate the NAV on a particular day using the Level 1 valuation but will later recalculate the NAV for the impacted Fund based upon the valuation inputs from these alternative verifiable sources (Level 2 or Level 3) and will report such NAV in its applicable financial statements and reports.
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The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period. In making the determination of a Level 1 or Level 2 transfer, the Fund considers the average volume of the specific underlying futures contracts traded on the relevant exchange for the three months being reported.
On June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, in the opinion of the Trust and the Fund, the reported value of the Wheat Futures Contracts traded on the CBOT fairly reflected the value of the Wheat Futures Contracts held by the Fund, and no adjustments were necessary. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period. In making the determination of a Level 1 or Level 2 transfer, the Fund considers the average volume of the specific underlying futures contracts traded on the relevant exchange for the periods being reported.
For the period ended June 30, 2020, the Dec 21 CBOT Wheat Futures Contracts traded on the CBOT did not, in the opinion of the Trust and WEAT, trade in an actively traded futures market as defined in the policy of the Trust and WEAT for the entire period during which they were held. Accordingly, the Trust and WEAT classified these as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2020 due to the quarterly average daily volume for the contract. These Wheat contracts transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended September 30, 2020.
The Fund records its derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative contracts are included in the statements of operations. Derivative contracts include futures contracts related to commodity prices. Futures, which are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the CBOT and the ICE, or reported on another national market, are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. OTC derivatives contracts (such as forward and swap contracts) which may be valued using models, depending on whether significant inputs are observable or unobservable, are categorized in Levels 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Expenses
Expenses are recorded using the accrual method of accounting.
Net Income (Loss) per Share
Net income (loss) per share is the difference between the NAV per unit at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of units outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average unit. The weighted average units are equal to the number of units outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for units created or redeemed based on the amount of time the units were outstanding during such period.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-10: “Codification Improvements.” The amendment improves the disclosure guidance in appropriate Disclosure Sections, without resulting in changes to current GAAP. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Sponsor is evaluating the impacts, but the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-02: “Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendment updates and adds language to ASU 2016-02. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2020-01: Investments Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments clarify the treatment of transactions that require a company to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments were adopted early for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2019-01: "Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These amendments align the guidance for fair value of underlying assets by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers in Topic 842 with that of existing guidance. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
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The FASB issued ASU 2018-13: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. These amendments modify public and private company fair value disclosure requirements. While some disclosures were removed or modified, others were added. The guidance is a result of the FASB’s test of the principals developed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments”. The amendment amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
The Fund’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Fund’s significant accounting policies in Note 3. The following table presents information about the Fund’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
Cash Equivalents
$ 44,176,111
$ -
$ -
$ 44,176,111
Commodity Futures Contracts
Wheat futures contracts
4,165,999
-
-
4,165,999
Total
$ 48,342,110
$ -
$ -
$ 48,342,110
Liabilities
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of June 30, 2021
Commodity Futures Contracts
Wheat futures contracts
$ 232,887
$ -
$ -
$ 232,887
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Cash Equivalents
$ 51,216,159
$ -
$ -
$ 51,216,159
Commodity Futures Contracts
Wheat futures contracts
5,738,162
-
-
5,738,162
Total
$ 56,954,321
$ -
$ -
$ 56,954,321
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, except for the Dec 21 CBOT Wheat contracts held by WEAT, which were reflected as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2020 due to the quarterly average daily volume for the contract. These transferred back to a Level 1 asset for the period ended September 30, 2020.
See the Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy section in Note 3 above for an explanation of the transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy.
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Note 5 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Fund utilizes derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities. Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment. The Fund’s derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, credit, commodity price, and equity price risks. In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Fund is also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund invested only in commodity futures contracts.
Futures Contracts
The Fund is subject to commodity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
The purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with a Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”). Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Futures contracts may reduce the Fund’s exposure to counterparty risk since futures contracts are exchange-traded; and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other equity deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to the Fund’s pro rata share of segregated customer funds available. It is possible that the recovery amount could be less than the total of cash and other equity deposited.
The following table discloses information about offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the statements of assets and liabilities to enable users of these financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements for recognized assets and liabilities. These recognized assets and liabilities are presented as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and subsequently clarified in FASB ASU 2013-01 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.”
The following table also identifies the fair value amounts of derivative instruments included in the statements of assets and liabilities as derivative contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk and held by the FCM, E D & F Man as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ 4,165,999
$ -
$ 4,165,999
$ 232,887
$ -
$ 3,933,112
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities as of June 30, 2021
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due from Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ 232,887
$ -
$ 232,887
$ 232,887
$ -
$ -
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Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2020
(i)
(ii)
(iii) = (i)-(ii)
(iv)
(v)=(iii)-(iv)
Gross Amount Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Description
Gross Amount of Recognized Assets
Gross Amount Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Net Amount Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Futures Contracts Available for Offset
Collateral, Due to Broker
Net Amount
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ 5,738,162
$ -
$ 5,738,162
$ -
$ 2,571,103
$ 3,167,059
The following tables identify the net gain and loss amounts included in the statements of operations as realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading of commodity futures contracts categorized by primary underlying risk:
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ 7,160,668
$ 3,250,623
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Loss on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ ( 285,793 )
$ ( 5,884,890 )
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ 10,080,116
$ ( 1,805,050 )
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Realized Gain on Commodity Futures Contracts
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Commodity Futures Contracts
Commodity Price
Wheat futures contracts
$ 167,515
$ ( 6,884,216 )
Volume of Derivative Activities
The average notional market value categorized by primary underlying risk for all futures contracts held was $ 87.9 million and $ 84.2 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and $ 47.4 million and $ 48.3 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended and June 30, 2020.
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Note 6 – Financial Highlights
The following tables present per unit performance data and other supplemental financial data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements and is presented with total expenses gross of expenses waived by the Sponsor and with total expenses net of expenses waived by the Sponsor, as appropriate.
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Per Share Operation Performance
Net asset value at beginning of period
$ 5.99
$ 5.77
$ 6.16
$ 5.84
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Investment income
-
0.01
0.01
0.04
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts
0.79
( 0.69 )
0.64
( 0.74 )
Total expenses, net
( 0.03 )
( 0.05 )
( 0.06 )
( 0.10 )
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
0.76
( 0.73 )
0.59
( 0.80 )
Net asset value at end of period
$ 6.75
$ 5.04
$ 6.75
$ 5.04
Total Return
12.62 %
( 12.76 )%
9.58 %
( 13.73 )%
Ratios to Average Net Assets (Annualized)
Total expenses
2.18 %
3.62 %
2.27 %
3.53 %
Total expenses, net
1.74 %
3.62 %
1.97 %
3.53 %
Net investment loss
( 1.58 )%
( 2.56 )%
( 1.80 )%
( 2.18 )%
The financial highlights per share data are calculated consistent with the methodology used to calculate asset-based fees and expenses.
Note 7 – Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses incurred in organizing of the Trust and the initial offering of the Shares of the Fund, including applicable SEC registration fees, were borne directly by the Sponsor. The Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.
Note 8 – Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the financial statements for the quarter-ended June 30, 2021 for subsequent events through the date of this filing and noted no material events requiring either recognition through the date of the filing or disclosure herein for the Fund other than those noted below:
The continued uncertainty over the path of COVID-19 may continue to be highly disruptive to economies and markets. The impact of COVID-19 to the Fund is described in more detail in Part 2 of this 10-Q.
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TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash equivalents
$ 1,946
$ 2,786
Other assets
232
1
Equity in trading accounts:
Investments in securities, at fair value (cost $ 8,960,682 and $ 1,586,899 as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)
10,096,819
1,582,262
Total assets
10,098,997
1,585,049
Liabilities
Other liabilities
$ 1,218
$ 661
Net assets
$ 10,097,779
$ 1,584,388
Shares outstanding
387,502
75,002
Shares authorized
4,275,000
4,612,500
Net asset value per share
$ 26.06
$ 21.12
Market value per share
$ 26.05
$ 21.21
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Exchange-traded funds
Teucrium Corn Fund
$ 2,591,714
25.67 %
120,872
Teucrium Soybean Fund
2,552,729
25.28
107,299
Teucrium Sugar Fund
2,495,290
24.71
294,242
Teucrium Wheat Fund
2,457,086
24.33
364,207
Total exchange-traded funds (cost $8,960,682)
$ 10,096,819
99.99 %
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost $1,946)
$ 1,946
0.02 %
1,946
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020
Percentage of
Description: Assets
Fair Value
Net Assets
Shares
Exchange-traded funds
Teucrium Corn Fund
$ 401,787
25.36 %
25,858
Teucrium Soybean Fund
401,177
25.32
20,581
Teucrium Sugar Fund
383,816
24.23
57,124
Teucrium Wheat Fund
395,482
24.96
64,237
Total exchange-traded funds (cost: $1,586,899)
$ 1,582,262
99.87 %
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X (cost: $2,786)
$ 2,786
0.18 %
2,786
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Income
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of securities:
Realized loss on securities
$ ( 12,070 )
$ ( 240,268 )
$ ( 60,430 )
$ ( 311,685 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation on securities
1,027,924
196,238
1,140,774
91,954
Interest income
1
1
5
11
Total income (loss)
1,015,855
( 44,029 )
1,080,349
( 219,720 )
Expenses
Professional fees
5,784
4,609
8,703
7,183
Distribution and marketing fees
15,180
3,464
20,085
8,397
Custodian fees and expenses
1,049
532
1,725
1,066
Business permits and licenses fees
1,794
3,004
8,919
14,129
General and administrative expenses
1,617
677
2,060
1,001
Other expenses
-
6
-
10
Total expenses
25,424
12,292
41,492
31,786
Expenses waived by the Sponsor
( 21,459 )
( 11,681 )
( 35,595 )
( 30,503 )
Total expenses, net
3,965
611
5,897
1,283
Net income (loss)
$ 1,011,890
$ ( 44,640 )
$ 1,074,452
$ ( 221,003 )
Net income (loss) per share
$ 3.64
$ ( 0.60 )
$ 4.94
$ ( 2.95 )
Net income (loss) per weighted average share
$ 2.98
$ ( 0.60 )
$ 4.24
$ ( 2.95 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
339,013
75,002
253,455
75,002
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Operations
Net income (loss)
$ 1,074,452
$ ( 221,003 )
Capital transactions
Issuance of Shares
8,007,179
-
Redemption of Shares
( 568,240 )
( 209,801 )
Total capital transactions
7,438,939
( 209,801 )
Net change in net assets
8,513,391
( 430,804 )
Net assets, beginning of period
$ 1,584,388
$ 1,478,780
Net assets, end of period
$ 10,097,779
$ 1,047,976
Net asset value per share at beginning of period
$ 21.12
$ 19.72
Net asset value per share at end of period
$ 26.06
$ 16.77
Creation of Shares
337,500
-
Redemption of Shares
25,000
12,500
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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TEUCRIUM AGRICULTURAL FUND
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ 1,074,452
$ ( 221,003 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Net change in unrealized appreciation on securities
( 1,140,774 )
( 91,954 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Net (purchase)/sale of investments in securities
( 7,373,783 )
523,605
Interest receivable
-
3
Receivable for investments sold
-
( 211,145 )
Other assets
( 231 )
( 23 )
Other liabilities
557
419
Net cash used in operating activities
( 7,439,779 )
( 98 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of Shares
8,007,179
-
Redemption of Shares
( 568,240 )
-
Net cash provided by financing activities
7,438,939
-
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
( 840 )
( 98 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
2,786
2,633
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$ 1,946
$ 2,535
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Operation
Teucrium Agricultural Fund (referred to herein as “TAGS” or the “Fund”) is a series of Teucrium Commodity Trust (“Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on September 11, 2009. The Fund operates pursuant to the Trust’s Fifth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”). The Fund was formed on March 29, 2011 and is managed and controlled by Teucrium Trading, LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor is a limited liability company formed in Delaware on July 28, 2009. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and a commodity trading adviser (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”).
On April 22, 2011, a registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On February 10, 2012, the Fund’s initial registration of 5,000,000 shares on Form S-1 was declared effective by the SEC. On March 28, 2012, the Fund listed its shares on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “TAGS.” On the business day prior to that, the Fund issued 300,000 shares in exchange for $ 15,000,000 at the Fund’s initial NAV of $ 50 per share. The Fund also commenced investment operations on March 28, 2012 by purchasing shares of the Underlying Funds. On December 31, 2011, the Fund had two shares outstanding, which were owned by the Sponsor. The current registration statement for TAGS was declared effective on April 30, 2021.
The investment objective of the TAGS is to have the daily changes in percentage terms of the NAV of its Shares reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of a weighted average (the “Underlying Fund Average”) of the NAVs per share of four other commodity pools that are series of the Trust and are sponsored by the Sponsor: the Teucrium Corn Fund, the Teucrium Wheat Fund, the Teucrium Soybean Fund and the Teucrium Sugar Fund (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”). The Underlying Fund Average will have a weighting of 25% to each Underlying Fund, and the Fund’s assets will be rebalanced, generally on a daily basis, to maintain the approximate 25% allocation to each Underlying Fund:
TAGS Benchmark
Underlying Fund
Weighting
CORN
25 %
SOYB
25 %
CANE
25 %
WEAT
25 %
The Fund seeks to provide daily investment results that reflect the combined daily performance of the Underlying Funds. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective generally by investing equally in shares of each Underlying Fund and, to a lesser extent, cash equivalents. The Fund’s investments in shares of the Underlying Funds is rebalanced, generally on a daily basis, in order to maintain approximately a 25% allocation of the Fund’s assets to each Underlying Fund. (This weighted average is referred to herein as the Underlying Fund’s “Benchmark,” the Futures Contracts that at any given time make up an Underlying Fund’s Benchmark are referred to herein as the Underlying Fund’s “Benchmark Component Futures Contracts,” and the commodity specified in the Underlying Fund’s name is referred to herein as its “Specified Commodity.”) Specifically, the Teucrium Corn Fund’s Benchmark is: (1) the second to expire Futures Contract for corn traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”), weighted 35%, (2) the third to expire CBOT corn Futures Contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the CBOT corn Futures Contract expiring in the December following the expiration month of the third to expire contract, weighted 35%. The Teucrium Wheat Fund’s Benchmark is: (1) the second to expire CBOT wheat Futures Contract, weighted 35%, (2) the third to expire CBOT wheat Futures Contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the CBOT wheat Futures Contract expiring in the December following the expiration month of the third to expire contract, weighted 35%. The Teucrium Soybean Fund’s Benchmark is: (1) the second to expire CBOT soybean Futures Contract, weighted 35%, (2) the third to expire CBOT soybean Futures Contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the CBOT soybean Futures Contract expiring in the November following the expiration month of the third to expire contract, weighted 35%, except that CBOT soybean Futures Contracts expiring in August and September will not be part of the Teucrium Soybean Fund’s Benchmark because of the less liquid market for these Futures Contracts. The Teucrium Sugar Fund’s Benchmark is: (1) the second to expire Sugar No. 11 Futures Contract traded on ICE Futures US (“ICE Futures”), weighted 35%, (2) the third to expire ICE Futures Sugar No. 11 Futures Contract, weighted 30%, and (3) the ICE Futures Sugar No. 11 Futures Contract expiring in the March following the expiration month of the third to expire contract, weighted 35%.
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While the Fund expects to maintain substantially all of its assets in shares of the Underlying Funds at all times, the Fund may hold some residual amount of assets in obligations of the United States government (“Treasury Securities”) or cash equivalents, and/or merely hold such assets in cash (generally in interest-bearing accounts). The Underlying Funds invest in Commodity Interests to the fullest extent possible without being leveraged or unable to satisfy their expected current or potential margin or collateral obligations with respect to their investments in Commodity Interests. After fulfilling such margin and collateral requirements, the Underlying Funds will invest the remainder of the proceeds from the sale of baskets in short term Treasury Securities or cash equivalents, and/or merely hold such assets in cash. Therefore, the focus of the Sponsor in managing the Underlying Funds is investing in Commodity Interests and in cash and/or cash equivalents. The Fund and Underlying Funds will seek to earn interest income from the short term Treasury Securities and/or cash equivalents that it purchases and on the cash, it holds through the Fund’s custodian.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the Fund’s financial statements for the interim period. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the most recent Form S-1 filing, as applicable. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.
Subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Teucrium Trading, LLC, in its capacity as the Sponsor (“Sponsor”), may terminate a Fund at any time, regardless of whether the Fund has incurred losses, including, for instance, if it determines that the Fund’s aggregate net assets in relation to its operating expenses make the continued operation of the Fund unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require the Sponsor to terminate a Fund.
Note 2 – Principal Contracts and Agreements
The Sponsor employs U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services ("Global Fund Services"), for Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services. The principal address for Global Fund Services is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
For custody services, the Funds will pay to U.S. Bank N.A. 0.0075% of average gross assets up to $1 billion, and .0050% of average gross assets over $1 billion, annually, plus certain per-transaction charges. For Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services, which are based on the total assets for all the Funds in the Trust, the Funds will pay to Global Fund Services 0.05% of average gross assets on the first $500 million, 0.04% on the next $500 million, 0.03% on the next $2 billion and 0.02% on the balance over $3 billion annually. A combined minimum annual fee of up to $47,000 for custody, transfer agency, accounting and administrative services is assessed per Fund. These services are recorded as custodian fees and expenses on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside” or the “Distributor”) as the Distributor for the Funds. The Distribution Services Agreement among the Distributor and the Sponsor calls for the Distributor to work with the Custodian in connection with the receipt and processing of orders for Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets and the review and approval of all Fund sales literature and advertising materials. The Distributor and the Sponsor have also entered into a Securities Activities and Service Agreement (the “SASA”) under which certain employees and officers of the Sponsor are licensed as registered representatives or registered principals of the Distributor, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules. For its services as the Distributor, Foreside receives a fee of 0.01% of each Fund’s average daily net assets and an aggregate annual fee of $100,000 for all Funds, along with certain expense reimbursements. For its services under the SASA, Foreside receives a fee of $5,000 per registered representative and $1,000 per registered location. These services are recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below. Pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement, Foreside Consulting Services, LLC, performs certain consulting support services for the Trust's Sponsor. Additionally, Foreside Distributors, LLC performs certain distribution consulting services pursuant to a Distribution Consulting Agreement with the Sponsor.
E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. (“E D & F Man”) serves as the Underlying Funds’ clearing broker to execute and clear the Underlying Funds’ futures and provide other brokerage-related services. E D & F Man is registered as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the NFA. E D & F Man is also registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC and is a member of FNRA. E D & F Man is a clearing member of ICE Futures U.S., Inc., Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, New York Mercantile Exchange, and all other major United States commodity exchanges. For Corn, Soybean, Sugar and Wheat Futures Contracts E D & F Man is paid $9.00 per round turn . Prior to August 21, 2019, these expenses were recorded in brokerage commissions on the statements of operations. Beginning on August 21, 2019, these expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. A summary of these expenses is included below.
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The sole Trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. For its services, the Trustee receives an annual fee of $ 3,300 from the Trust. These services are recorded in business permits and licenses fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below.
The Sponsor employs Thales Capital Partners LLC (“Thales”) for distribution and solicitation-related services. Thales is registered as a Broker-Dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Thales receives a quarterly fee of the higher of $18,750 or 0.10% of new assets raised in referred accounts for distribution and solicitation-related services. This fee based on new assets raised is determined by an agreed upon level of assets at the time of signing the contract. These services are recorded in distribution and marketing fees on the statements of operations. A summary of these expenses is included below:
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
Six months ended
June 30, 2020
Amount Recognized for Custody Services
$ 1,049
$ 532
$ 1,725
$ 1,066
Amount of Custody Services Waived
$ 1,049
$ 532
$ 1,725
$ 1,066
Amount Recognized for Distribution Services
$ 682
$ 206
$ 1,027
$ 463
Amount of Distribution Services Waived
$ 682
$ 206
$ 869
$ 463
Amount Recognized for Wilmington Trust
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount of Wilmington Trust Waived
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Amount Recognized for Thales
$ 1,255
$ 134
$ 1,758
$ 264
Amount of Thales Waived
$ 1,255
$ 134
$ 1,758
$ 264
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.
Revenue Recognition
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments are reflected in the statements of assets and liabilities as the difference between the original amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Beginning on August 21, 2019, brokerage commission expenses were recognized on a per-trade basis. The half-turn is recognized as an unrealized loss on the statements of operations for contracts that have been purchased since the change in recognition, and a full turn is recognized as a realized loss on the statements of operations when a contract is sold. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the statements of operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Brokerage commissions are accrued on the trade date and on a full-turn basis.
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Income Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund will be treated as a publicly traded partnership. A publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of the publicly traded partnership’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence consists of qualifying income as defined in section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualifying income is defined as generally including, in pertinent part, interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, and gains from the sale or disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends. In the case of a partnership of which a principal activity is the buying and selling of commodities, other than as inventory, or of futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, qualifying income also includes income and gains from commodities and from futures, forwards, options with respect to commodities and, provided the partnership is a trader or investor with respect to such assets, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. The Fund expects that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year will consist of qualifying income and that the Fund will be taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does not record a provision for income taxes because the shareholders report their share of the Fund’s income or loss on their income tax returns. The financial statements reflect the Fund’s transactions without adjustment, if any, required for income tax purposes.
The Fund is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. For all tax years 2018 to 2020, the Fund remains subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in the Fund recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. This policy has been applied to all existing tax positions upon the Fund’s initial adoption. Based on its analysis, the Fund has determined that it has not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. However, the Fund’s conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
The Fund may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. state, or foreign jurisdictional authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws.
Creations and Redemptions
Effective August 28, 2018, the Sponsor filed a prospectus supplement updating the Creation and Redemption Basket size to 12,500 shares. Prior to this prospectus supplement, the basket size for Creations and Redemptions was 25,000 shares.
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets consisting of 12,500 shares from the Fund. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to create the basket is received in good order.
Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from the Fund only in blocks of 12,500 shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. (EST) on the day the order to redeem the basket is received in good order.
The Fund will receive the proceeds from shares sold or will pay for redeemed shares within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption, respectively. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers will be reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as capital shares receivable. Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption will be reflected in the Fund’s statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.
As outlined in the most recent Form S-1 filing, 50,000 shares represents four Redemption Baskets for the Fund and a minimum level of shares. If the Fund experienced redemptions that caused the number of Shares outstanding to decrease to the minimum level of Shares required to be outstanding, until the minimum number of Shares is again exceeded through the purchase of a new Creation Basket, there can be no more redemptions by an Authorized Purchaser.
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Allocation of Shareholder Income and Losses
Profit or loss is allocated among the shareholders of the Fund in proportion to the number of shares each shareholder holds as of the close of each month.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less when acquired. The Fund reported its cash equivalents in the statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly-liquid nature and short term maturities. The Fund has these balances of its assets on deposit with banks. Assets deposited with a financial institution may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. TAGS had a balance of $1,946 and $2,786 in money market funds at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; these balances are included in cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities.
Payable/Receivable for Securities Purchased/Sold
Due from/to broker for investments in securities are securities transactions pending settlement. The Fund is subject to credit risk to the extent any broker with whom it conducts business is unable to fulfill contractual obligations on its behalf. The management of the Fund monitors the financial condition of such brokers and does not anticipate any losses from these counterparties.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
The Fund’s NAV is calculated by:
•
Taking the current market value of its total assets and
•
Subtracting any liabilities.
The administrator, Global Fund Services, will calculate the NAV of the Fund once each trading day. It will calculate the NAV as of the earlier of the close of the New York Stock Exchange or 4:00 p.m. (EST). The NAV for a particular trading day will be released after 4:15 p.m. (EST).
For purposes of determining the Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s investments in the Underlying Funds will be valued based on the Underlying Funds’ NAVs. In turn, in determining the value of the Futures Contracts held by the Underlying Funds, the Administrator will use the closing price on the exchange on which they are traded. The Administrator will determine the value of all other Funds and Underlying Fund investments as of the earlier of the close of the New York Stock Exchange or 4:00 p.m. (EST), in accordance with the current Services Agreement between the Administrator and the Trust. The value of over the counter Commodity Interests will be determined based on the value of the commodity or Futures Contract underlying such Commodity Interest, except that a fair value may be determined if the Sponsor believes that the Underlying Fund is subject to significant credit risk relating to the counterparty to such Commodity Interest. For purposes of financial statements and reports, the Sponsor will recalculate the NAV of an Underlying Fund where necessary to reflect the “fair value” of a Futures Contract held by an Underlying Fund when a Futures Contract held by an Underlying Fund closes at its price fluctuation limit for the day. Short term Treasury Securities held by the Fund or Underlying Funds will be valued by the Administrator using values received from recognized third-party vendors (such as Reuters) and dealer quotes. NAV will include any unrealized profit or loss on open Commodity Interests and any other credit or debit accruing to the Fund but unpaid or not received by the Fund.
Sponsor Fee Allocation of Expenses and Related Party Transactions
The Sponsor is responsible for investing the assets of the Fund in accordance with the objectives and policies of the Fund. In addition, the Sponsor arranges for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custodial, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, the Sponsor elected not to outsource services directly attributable to the Trust and the Funds such as accounting, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and trading activities. In addition, the Fund is contractually obligated to pay a monthly management fee to the Sponsor, based on average daily net assets, at a rate equal to 1.00 % per annum.
The Fund generally pays for all brokerage fees, taxes and other expenses, including licensing fees for the use of intellectual property, registration or other fees paid to the SEC, FINRA, formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, or any other regulatory agency in connection with the offer and sale of subsequent Shares after its initial registration and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith. The Fund also pays its portion of the fees and expenses associated with the Trust’s tax accounting and reporting requirements. Certain aggregate expenses common to all Funds within the Trust are allocated by the Sponsor to the respective funds based on activity drivers deemed most appropriate by the Sponsor for such expenses, including but not limited to relative assets under management and creation order activity.
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These aggregate common expenses include, but are not limited to, legal, auditing, accounting and financial reporting, tax-preparation, regulatory compliance, trading activities, and insurance costs, as well as fees paid to the Distributor, which are included in the related line item in the statements of operations. A portion of these aggregate common expenses are related to the Sponsor or related parties of principals of the Sponsor; these are necessary services to the Funds, which are primarily the cost of performing accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and trading activities that are directly attributable to the Fund. Such expenses are primarily recorded as distribution and marketing fees on the statement of operations. All asset-based fees and expenses for the Funds are calculated on the prior day’s net assets.
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
Six months ended
June 30, 2020
Recognized Related Party Transactions
$ 11,217
$ 2,736
$ 15,107
$ 6,201
Waived Related Party Transactions
$ 9,060
$ 2,315
$ 11,053
$ 5,780
The Sponsor has the ability to elect to pay certain expenses on behalf of the Funds or waive the management fee. This election is subject to change by the Sponsor, at its discretion. Expenses paid by the Sponsor and Management fees waived by the Sponsor are, if applicable, presented as waived expenses in the statements of operations for each Fund. The Sponsor has determined that there will be no recovery sought for the amounts below in any future period:
TAGS
Three months ended June 30, 2021
$ 21,459
Three months ended June 30, 2020
$ 11,681
Six months ended June 30, 2021
$ 35,595
Six months ended June 30, 2020
$ 30,503
Expenses
Expenses are recorded using the accrual method of accounting.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-10: “Codification Improvements.” The amendment improves the disclosure guidance in appropriate Disclosure Sections, without resulting in changes to current GAAP. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Sponsor is evaluating the impacts, but the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-02: “Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendment updates and adds language to ASU 2016-02. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2020-01: Investments Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments clarify the treatment of transactions that require a company to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments were adopted early for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
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The FASB issued ASU 2019-01: "Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These amendments align the guidance for fair value of underlying assets by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers in Topic 842 with that of existing guidance. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2018-13: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. These amendments modify public and private company fair value disclosure requirements. While some disclosures were removed or modified, others were added. The guidance is a result of the FASB’s test of the principals developed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
The FASB issued ASU 2017-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the July 20, 2017 EITF Meeting and Rescission of Prior SEC Staff Announcements and Observer Comments”. The amendment amends the early adoption date option for certain companies related to adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-02. The SEC staff stated the SEC would not object to a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filing with the SEC adopting ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments were adopted for the quarter ended September 30, 2020; the adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Trust or the Fund.
Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy
In accordance with GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In determining fair value, the Fund uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 financial instruments of the Underlying Funds and securities of the Fund, together the “financial instruments”. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these financial instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
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On June 30, 2021 the reported value at the close of the market for each commodity contract fairly reflected the value of the futures and no alternative valuations were required, except for the Sep21 and Dec21 CBOT corn futures contracts, which settled in a “limit up” condition on June 30, 2021. Therefore, the Trust and CORN have used alternative verifiable sources to value these contracts on June 30, 2021, and the financial statements of these funds including TAGS, due to the NAV adjustments for the Underlying Fund, have been adjusted accordingly. The adjustment in CORN has resulted in a $10,393 increase in the investment in the Underlying Funds and have classified these as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021 Corn Futures Contracts for Jul21 CBOT corn futures, Sep21 CBOT corn futures, Dec21 CBOT corn futures, and Soybean Futures Contracts for Jul21 CBOT soybean futures, and the Nov21 CBOT soybean futures, settled in a “limit up” condition. Accordingly, the Trust, CORN, and SOYB classified these as Level 2 assets. The financial statements of these funds including TAGS, due to the NAV adjustment for each of these Underlying Funds, were adjusted accordingly. The adjustment in CORN and SOYB resulted in a $30,191 increase in the investment in the Underlying Funds, which were classified as a Level 2 asset for the period ended March 31, 2021. For the period ended June 30, 2021, the SOYB shares were classified as a Level 1 asset. The CORN shares remained a Level 2 asset as described above.
Net Income (Loss) per Share
Net income (loss) per share is the difference between the NAV per unit at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of units outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average unit. The weighted average units are equal to the number of units outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for units created or redeemed based on the amount of time the units were outstanding during such period.
Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
The Fund’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Fund’s significant accounting policies in Note 3. The following table presents information about the Fund’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of
June 30, 2021
Exchange Traded Funds
$ 7,505,105
$ 2,591,714
$ -
$ 10,096,819
Cash Equivalents
1,946
-
-
1,946
Total
$ 7,507,051
$ 2,591,714
$ -
$ 10,098,765
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Exchange Traded Funds
$ 1,582,262
$ -
$ -
$ 1,582,262
Cash Equivalents
2,786
-
-
2,786
Total
$ 1,585,048
$ -
$ -
$ 1,585,048
On June 30, 2021 the reported value at the close of the market for each commodity contract fairly reflected the value of the futures and no alternative valuations were required, except for the Sep21 and Dec21 CBOT corn futures contracts which settled in a “limit up” condition on June 30, 2021. Therefore, the Trust and CORN have used alternative verifiable sources to value these contracts on June 30, 2021, and the financial statements of these funds including TAGS, due to the NAV adjustments for each of the impacted Underlying Funds have been adjusted accordingly. The adjustment in CORN has resulted in a $10,383 increase in the investment of the Underlying Funds due to the increase in unrealized gain in the Corn Fund, and have classified these Corn Fund shares as a Level 2 asset for the period ended June 30, 2021 due to the updated Corn Fund NAV. The determination is made as of the settlement of the futures contracts on the last day of trading for the reporting period.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021 Corn Futures Contracts for Jul21 CBOT corn futures, Sep21 CBOT corn futures, Dec21 CBOT corn futures, and Soybean Futures Contracts for Jul21 CBOT soybean futures, and the Nov21 CBOT soybean futures, settled in a “limit up” condition. Accordingly, the Trust, CORN, and SOYB classified these as Level 2 assets. The financial statements of these funds including TAGS, due to the NAV adjustment for each of these Underlying Funds, were adjusted accordingly. The adjustment in CORN and SOYB resulted in a $30,191 increase in the investment in the Underlying Funds, which were classified as a Level 2 asset for the period ended March 31, 2021. For the period ended June 30, 2021, the SOYB shares were classified as a Level 1 asset. The CORN shares remained a Level 2 asset as described above. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers between any of the level of the fair value hierarchy.
See the Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy section in Note 3 above for an explanation of the transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy.
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Note 5 – Financial Highlights
The following table presents per unit performance data and other supplemental financial data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements and is presented with total expenses gross of expenses waived by the Sponsor and with total expenses net of expenses waived by the Sponsor, as appropriate.
Three months ended
Three months ended
Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2021
June 30, 2020
Per Share Operation Performance
Net asset value at beginning of period
$ 22.42
$ 17.37
$ 21.12
$ 19.72
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions
3.65
( 0.59 )
4.96
( 2.93 )
Total expenses, net
( 0.01 )
( 0.01 )
( 0.02 )
( 0.02 )
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
3.64
( 0.60 )
4.94
( 2.95 )
Net asset value at end of period
$ 26.06
$ 16.77
$ 26.06
$ 16.77
Total Return
16.24 %
( 3.44 )%
23.39 %
( 14.96 )%
Ratios to Average Net Assets (Annualized)
Total expenses
1.20 %
3.95 %
1.37 %
4.78 %
Total expenses, net
0.19 %
0.20 %
0.19 %
0.19 %
Net investment loss
( 0.19 )%
( 0.20 )%
( 0.19 )%
( 0.19 )%
The financial highlights per share data are calculated consistent with the methodology used to calculate asset-based fees and expenses.
Note 6 – Organizational and Offering Costs
Expenses incurred in organizing of the Trust and the initial offering of the Shares of the Fund, including applicable SEC registration fees, were borne directly by the Sponsor. The Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.
Note 7 – Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the financial statements for the quarter-ended June 30, 2021 for subsequent events through the date of this filing and noted no material events requiring either recognition through the date of the filing or disclosure herein for the Fund other than those noted below:
The continued uncertainty over the path of COVID-19 may continue to be highly disruptive to economies and markets. The impact of COVID-19 to the Fund is described in more detail in Part 2 of this 10-Q.
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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.