UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number:
811-22175
ALPS ETF TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Richard C. Noyes, Esq., Secretary
ALPS ETF Trust
1290 Broadway, Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:(303) 623-2577
Date of fiscal year end:November 30
Date of reporting period:November 30, 2019
| Item 1. | Report to Stockholders. |

Table of Contents
Performance Overview | |
Alerian MLP ETF | 1 |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | 4 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 7 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 8 |
Financial Statements | |
Alerian MLP ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | 9 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
Statement of Operations | 11 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 12 |
Financial Highlights | 13 |
Alerian Energy Infrastrcture ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | 14 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 16 |
Statement of Operations | 17 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 18 |
Financial Highlights | 19 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 20 |
Additional Information | 31 |
Board Consideration Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements | 33 |
Trustees and Officers | 35 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
alpsfunds.com
Alerian MLP ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Alerian MLP ETF (the “Fund” or “AMLP”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index” or “AMZI”). The shares of the Fund are listed and trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol AMLP. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float-adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the United States energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnership (“MLP”) asset class. The Underlying Index is comprised of energy infrastructure MLPs that earn a majority of their cash flow from the transportation, storage, and processing of energy commodities.
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
During the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund delivered a total return of -10.79%. This compares to the Fund’s Underlying Index, which was down -17.42% on a price-return basis and -10.22% on a total-return basis. The difference in performance between the AMZI and AMLP is primarily attributable to the Fund’s operating expenses and the tax impact of the Fund’s C-Corporation structure.
During the period, the Fund paid four distributions:
| • | $0.1950 per share on February 21, 2019 |
| • | $0.1950 per share on May 16, 2019 |
| • | $0.1900 per share on August 15, 2019 |
| • | $0.1950 per share on November 21, 2019 |
For distributions reflecting the third calendar quarter of 2019, nine out of twenty constituents in the AMZI increased their respective distributions sequentially, while eleven MLPs maintained their respective distributions. The majority of AMZI constituents grew their respective third quarter 2019 distributions on a year-over-year basis.
During the period, Noble Midstream Partners (NBLX) was added to the Underlying Index, while Holly Energy Partners (HEP) was removed during quarterly rebalancings. Multiple constituents were removed from the Underlying Index in relation to their acquisition by other entities, including: Andeavor Logistics (ANDX), Antero Midstream Partners (AM), Buckeye Partners (BPL), Enbridge Energy Partners (EEP), and Spectra Energy Partners (SEP). EnLink Midstream (ENLC) acquired EnLink Midstream Partners (ENLK), resulting in the removal of ENLK and addition of ENLC to the Underlying Index. Western Gas Equity Partners (WGP) merged with Western Gas Partners, and Western Midstream Partners (WES) is the surviving entity in the Underlying Index. The methodology for the Underlying Index was updated in February to, among other things, better capture the investable universe, increase benchmarking efficiency, and minimize future index turnover.
In a challenging macro environment, MLPs as an asset class performed defensively relative to other energy sectors due to the fee-based nature of midstream cash flows. The strongest performing sector in the Underlying Index was Petroleum Transportation. Gathering and Processing was the weakest sector, as slowing production growth, particularly for natural gas, weighed more heavily on the names operating closest to the wellhead. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects U.S. energy production to continue growing in 2020, supporting midstream sector infrastructure and export opportunities, albeit at a more moderate rate than in recent years.
MLPs as an asset class rallied from late December 2018 until April 2019 alongside gains in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude to over $66 per barrel and improved performance from the broader markets. Despite increasing macroeconomic headwinds from April to July as a result of the worsening trade war between the U.S. and China and a pullback in oil prices, MLPs outperformed the S&P 500 Index and WTI crude. From July 22 through November 2019, the AMZI Index fell 22.62% on a price-return basis, which contrasted with a steady increase in broader markets. Negative energy sentiment, slowing production growth, and tax-loss selling contributed to MLP weakness during the period. Oil and natural gas prices remained volatile during the year, with natural gas prices dropping to a multi-year low in August as a result of oversupply.
Private equity involvement in midstream has served as a catalyst for the space. Private equity has invested billions of dollars in midstream at the company and asset level, with transactions spanning geographies and business lines. For example, Buckeye Partners (BPL) announced that it had agreed to be acquired in May by Australian fund manager, IFM Investors, at a 27.5% premium to its prior day closing price. Private valuations of energy infrastructure assets have often been at a premium to public equity market valuations, providing support to the midstream investment thesis and giving public companies the option to monetize their assets at favorable prices.
Amidst commodity price volatility, MLPs have focused on company-level improvements, including reducing leverage, self-funding the equity portion of capital expenditures, and eliminating incentive distribution rights (IDRs). AMZI constituents are also better able to afford their distributions with average distribution coverage of 1.4x for the third quarter of 2019 compared to 1.3x for the same quarter in 2018. Improved distribution coverage provides investors with added comfort around yields that were above historical averages at the end of the period. Company-level improvements and a constructive long-term outlook for U.S. energy production and exports support a positive outlook for midstream MLPs.
Alerian MLP ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
Alerian MLP ETF – NAV | -10.79% | -8.36% | 0.14% |
Alerian MLP ETF – Market Price* | -10.58% | -8.33% | 0.15% |
Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index | -10.22% | -9.50% | 2.32% |
Alerian MLP Total Return Index | -11.00% | -9.56% | 1.78% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.85%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.877.398.8461. The Fund accrues deferred income taxes for future tax liabilities associated with the portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital and for any net operating gains as well as capital appreciation of its investment. This deferred tax liability is reflected in the daily NAV and as a result the fund's after-tax performance could differ significantly from the underlying assets even if the pre-tax performance is closely tracked.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced Investment Operations on August 24, 2010 with an Inception Date, the first day of trading on the NYSE ARCA, of August 25, 2010. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
The Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index is comprised of 23 midstream energy Master Limited Partnerships and provides investors with an unbiased benchmark for the infrastructure component of this emerging asset class. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
The Alerian MLP Total Return Index is recognized as a leading gauge of energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). The capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index, whose constituents earn the majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities, is reported on a total-return basis (AMZX), which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given period.
The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The Alerian MLP ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.
Alerian MLP ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Enterprise Products Partners LP | 10.62% |
Magellan Midstream Partners LP | 10.08% |
Energy Transfer LP | 9.98% |
MPLX LP | 9.74% |
Plains All American Pipeline LP | 9.34% |
Western Midstream Partners LP | 6.08% |
Phillips 66 Partners LP | 5.30% |
Tallgrass Energy LP | 4.78% |
NuStar Energy LP | 4.70% |
Shell Midstream Partners LP | 4.13% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 74.75% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Indexes

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund” or “ENFR”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index” or “AMEI”). As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks to provide total return through income and capital appreciation. The Shares of the Fund are listed and trade on the NYSE Acra, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol ENFR. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index is a composite of North American energy infrastructure companies engaged in midstream activities involving energy commodities, including gathering and processing, liquefaction, pipeline transportation, rail terminaling, and storage (also known as “midstream energy businesses”). Midstream energy companies include midstream MLPs and midstream corporations, either based in the United States or Canada. The Underlying Index has a 25% limit for companies taxed as pass-through entities.
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
During the twelve-month period ending November 30, 2019, the Fund delivered a total return of 1.09%. This compares to the Fund’s Underlying Index, which fell -4.55% on a price-return basis but rose 1.93% on a total-return basis.
During the period, the Fund paid five distributions:
| • | $0.186280 per share on December 27, 2018 |
| • | $0.258920 per share on February 21, 2019 |
| • | $0.287530 per share on May 16, 2019 |
| • | $0.312260 per share on August 15, 2019 |
| • | $0.349570 per share on November 21, 2019 |
During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019, CNX Midstream Partners (CNXM) and Equitrans Midstream (ETRN) were added to the Underlying Index. Several other index changes occurred due to merger and acquisition activity. Constituents removed in conjunction with their acquisition by another entity include: Andeavor Logistics (ANDX), Buckeye Partners (BPL), Dominion Energy Midstream Partners (DM), EQGP Holdings (EQGP), and Valero Energy Partners (VLP). Antero Midstream GP (AMGP) merged with Antero Midstream Partners, and Antero Midstream Corporation (AM) is the surviving entity in the Underlying Index. Western Gas Equity Partners (WGP) merged with Western Gas Partners, and Western Midstream Partners (WES) is the surviving entity in the Underlying Index. Additionally, EQM Midstream Partners (EQM) was briefly added to the Underlying Index and replaced by ETRN in a quarterly rebalancing. There were no methodology changes for the Underlying Index during the time period.
Canadian midstream corporations led performance for the fiscal year, and the strongest sector was Petroleum Transportation. Gathering and Processing was the weakest sector, as slowing production growth, particularly for U.S. natural gas, weighed more heavily on the names operating closest to the wellhead. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects U.S. energy production to continue growing in 2020, supporting midstream infrastructure and export opportunities, albeit at a more moderate rate than in recent years.
Relative to other energy sectors, midstream energy businesses ("midstream") continued to perform defensively in the challenging macro environment due to the fee-based nature of cash flows. Energy infrastructure companies rallied from late December 2018 until April 2019 alongside gains in broader markets and in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude to over $66 per barrel. Despite increasing macroeconomic headwinds from April to July as a result of the worsening trade war between the U.S. and China and a pullback in oil prices, midstream held up reasonably well, outperforming WTI crude. From July 22 through November 2019, the Underlying Index fell 12.06% on a price-return basis, which contrasted with a steady increase in broader markets. Negative energy sentiment, slowing oil and gas production growth, and tax-loss selling contributed to midstream weakness during the period. Oil and natural gas prices remained volatile, with natural gas prices dropping to a multi-year low in August as a result of oversupply.
Private equity involvement in midstream has served as a catalyst for the space. Private equity has invested billions of dollars in midstream at the company and asset level, with transactions spanning geographies and business lines. For example, Buckeye Partners (BPL) announced that it had agreed to be acquired in May by Australian fund manager, IFM Investors, at a 27.5% premium to its prior day closing price. Private valuations of energy infrastructure assets have often been at a premium to public equity market valuations, providing support to the midstream investment thesis and giving public companies the option to monetize their assets at favorable prices.
Amidst commodity price volatility, midstream energy infrastructure companies continue to focus on improvements within their control. Many constituents have made progress to reduce leverage and improve their balance sheets. With production growth in the U.S. moderating from lofty levels, companies are emphasizing capital discipline. More modest growth spending can support greater free cash flow generation and shareholder returns. To that end, five constituents have buyback programs in place, most of which were announced in 2019. Company-level improvements and a constructive long-term outlook for North American energy production and exports support a positive outlook for midstream.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF - NAV | 1.09% | -4.05% | -0.89% |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF - Market Price* | 1.35% | -4.07% | -0.86% |
Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index | 1.93% | -3.30% | -0.06% |
Alerian MLP Total Return Index** | -11.00% | -9.56% | -5.94% |
S&P 500® Total Return Index** | 16.11% | 10.98% | 12.32% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.65%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced Investment Operations on November 1, 2013. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
| ** | Effective March 31, 2019, the Fund replaced the S&P 500 Total Return Index as the Fund’s primary benchmark for performance comparison purposes. The Adviser made this recommendation to the Board because the Fund’s new primary benchmark, the Alerian MLP Total Return Index, more closely aligns with the Fund’s investment strategies and investment restrictions. Returns for both benchmarks will be shown for a transition period. |
The Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index is comprised of 38 equity securities of issuers headquartered or incorporated in the United States and Canada that engage in the transportation, storage, and processing of energy commodities. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
S&P 500® Total Return Index: the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
The Alerian MLP Total Return Index is recognized as a leading gauge of energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). The capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index, whose constituents earn the majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities, is reported on a total-return basis (AMZX), which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given period.
The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Enbridge, Inc. | 12.00% |
TC Energy Corp. | 8.82% |
Enterprise Products Partners LP | 8.49% |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | 6.95% |
Energy Transfer LP | 5.81% |
Cheniere Energy, Inc. | 5.38% |
The Williams Cos., Inc. | 4.94% |
ONEOK, Inc. | 4.92% |
Pembina Pipeline Corp. | 4.91% |
Targa Resources Corp. | 4.90% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 67.12% |
| * | % of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned) |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Indexes

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | Expense Ratio(a) | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) |
Alerian MLP ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $851.90 | 0.86% | $3.99 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,020.76 | 0.86% | $4.36 |
| | | | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $946.90 | 0.65% | $3.17 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,021.81 | 0.65% | $3.29 |
| (a) | Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Alerian MLP ETF and Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (the “Funds”), two of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Alerian MLP ETF and Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF of ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
Alerian MLP ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (99.99%) | |
Gathering + Processing (25.99%) | | | | | | | | |
Crestwood Equity Partners LP(a) | | | 6,085,104 | | | $ | 193,019,499 | |
DCP Midstream LP(a) | | | 11,141,993 | | | | 235,207,472 | |
Enable Midstream Partners LP | | | 11,022,664 | | | | 101,298,282 | |
EnLink Midstream LLC(a) | | | 31,906,442 | | | | 151,555,599 | |
MPLX LP | | | 29,881,226 | | | | 706,690,995 | |
Noble Midstream Partners LP(a) | | | 2,659,429 | | | | 55,449,095 | |
Western Midstream Partners LP(a) | | | 24,851,215 | | | | 440,612,042 | |
Total Gathering + Processing | | | | | | | 1,883,832,984 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liquefaction (2.69%) | | | | | | | | |
Cheniere Energy Partners LP | | | 5,016,021 | | | | 194,972,736 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (27.47%) | |
Energy Transfer LP | | | 61,277,221 | | | | 723,683,980 | |
Enterprise Products Partners LP | | | 29,252,366 | | | | 769,922,273 | |
EQM Midstream Partners LP | | | 10,241,477 | | | | 237,295,022 | |
TC PipeLines LP(a) | | | 6,669,422 | | | | 260,040,764 | |
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas | | | | 1,990,942,039 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (43.84%) | |
Genesis Energy LP(a) | | | 13,464,005 | | | | 255,950,735 | |
Magellan Midstream Partners LP(a) | | | 12,507,128 | | | | 731,291,774 | |
NGL Energy Partners LP(a) | | | 14,363,958 | | | | 142,634,103 | |
NuStar Energy LP(a) | | | 12,085,135 | | | | 341,042,510 | |
Phillips 66 Partners LP | | | 6,895,894 | | | | 384,308,173 | |
Plains All American Pipeline LP(a) | | | 38,916,716 | | | | 677,150,858 | |
Shell Midstream Partners LP(a) | | | 15,238,972 | | | | 299,598,190 | |
Tallgrass Energy LP(a) | | | 19,336,412 | | | | 346,315,139 | |
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum | | | | 3,178,291,482 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS | |
(Cost $8,080,872,512) | | | | | | | 7,248,039,241 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.06%) | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 4,325,390 | | | $ | 4,325,390 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $4,325,390) | | | | | | | | | | | 4,325,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.05%) | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $8,085,197,902) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 7,252,364,631 | |
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.05%) | | | (3,359,504 | ) |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 7,249,005,127 | |
| (a) | Affiliated Company. See Note 8 in Notes to Financial Statements. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian MLP ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 3,122,496,851 | |
Investments in affiliates, at value | | | 4,129,867,780 | |
Receivable for investments sold | | | 2,738,491 | |
Deferred tax asset (Note 2) | | | – | (a) |
Income tax receivable | | | 1,935,889 | |
Total Assets | | | 7,257,039,011 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payable for shares redeemed | | | 2,739,722 | |
Franchise tax payable | | | 132,738 | |
Payable to adviser | | | 5,161,424 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 8,033,884 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 7,249,005,127 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 10,003,052,829 | |
Distributable earnings | | | (2,754,047,702 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 7,249,005,127 | |
| | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 3,377,693,980 | |
INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES, AT COST | | | 4,707,503,922 | |
| | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 7,249,005,127 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 926,062,100 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 7.83 | |
| (a) | Net Deferred Tax Asset of $393,545,939 is offset 100% by Valuation Allowance. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian MLP ETF
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | |
Distributions from master limited partnerships | | $ | 709,320,352 | (a) |
Less return of capital distributions | | | (702,615,910 | ) |
Total Investment Income | | | 6,704,442 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | |
Franchise tax expense | | | 320,629 | |
Investment adviser fee | | | 72,786,010 | |
Total Expenses | | | 73,106,639 | |
NET INVESTMENT LOSS, BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | | (66,402,197 | ) |
Current income tax benefit/(expense) | | | (112,428 | ) |
NET INVESTMENT LOSS | | | (66,514,625 | ) |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS): | | | | |
Net realized loss on investments, before income taxes | | | (529,707,372 | ) |
Net realized loss on affiliated investments, before income taxes | | | (576,103,311 | ) |
Current income tax benefit/(expense) | | | (1,872,463 | ) |
Net realized loss | | | (1,107,683,146 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, before income taxes | | | 179,149,699 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on affiliated investments, before income taxes | | | 199,671,951 | |
Current income tax benefit/(expense) | | | 641,575 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation | | | 379,463,225 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS | | | (728,219,921 | ) |
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | (794,734,546 | ) |
| (a) | Includes return of capital distributions and dividend income from affiliated investments in the amount of $428,915,248 and $6,704,442, respectively. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian MLP ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (66,514,625 | ) | | $ | (83,458,686 | ) |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (1,107,683,146 | ) | | | 1,173,533,843 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 379,463,225 | | | | (1,009,447,065 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | (794,734,546 | ) | | | 80,628,092 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | – | | | | (763,495,134 | ) |
From tax return of capital | | | (704,785,128 | ) | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (704,785,128 | ) | | | (763,495,134 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 1,923,590,589 | | | | 3,121,090,140 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (1,874,813,815 | ) | | | (3,143,758,848 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions | | | 48,776,774 | | | | (22,668,708 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (1,450,742,900 | ) | | | (705,535,750 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 8,699,748,027 | | | | 9,405,283,777 | |
End of year | | $ | 7,249,005,127 | | | $ | 8,699,748,027 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 910,762,100 | | | | 907,362,100 | |
Shares sold | | | 209,850,000 | | | | 301,050,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (194,550,000 | ) | | | (297,650,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 926,062,100 | | | | 910,762,100 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian MLP ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 9.55 | | | $ | 10.37 | | | $ | 12.31 | | | $ | 12.25 | | | $ | 18.10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss)(a) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.13 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments | | | (0.87 | ) | | | 0.08 | | | | (0.86 | ) | | | 1.04 | | | | (4.53 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | 1.08 | | | | (4.66 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net realized gains | | | – | | | | (0.81 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | |
From tax return of capital | | | (0.78 | ) | | | – | | | | (0.86 | ) | | | (1.02 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (0.78 | ) | | | (0.81 | ) | | | (0.86 | ) | | | (1.02 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | (1.72 | ) | | | (0.82 | ) | | | (1.94 | ) | | | 0.06 | | | | (5.85 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 7.83 | | | $ | 9.55 | | | $ | 10.37 | | | $ | 12.31 | | | $ | 12.25 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | (10.79 | )% | | | (0.55 | )% | | | (9.27 | )% | | | 9.76 | % | | | (26.84 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 7,249,005 | | | $ | 8,699,748 | | | $ | 9,405,284 | | | $ | 9,378,019 | | | $ | 7,203,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses (excluding net current and deferred tax expenses/benefits and franchise tax expense) | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.85 | % |
Expenses (including net current and deferred tax expenses/benefits)(c) | | | 0.87 | % | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.41 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | (11.40 | )% |
Expenses (including current and deferred tax expenses/benefits)(d) | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.85 | % | | | 1.81 | % | | | (0.36 | )% | | | 1.57 | % |
Net investment loss (excluding deferred tax expenses/benefits and franchise tax expense) | | | (0.77 | )% | | | (0.85 | )% | | | (0.85 | )% | | | (0.85 | )% | | | (0.85 | )% |
Net investment income/(loss)(including deferred tax expenses/benefits)(d) | | | (0.77 | )% | | | (0.85 | )% | | | (1.81 | )% | | | 0.36 | % | | | (1.57 | )% |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(e) | | | 34 | % | | | 26 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 31 | % | | | 21 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net assets value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (c) | Includes amount of current and deferred taxes/benefits for all components of the Statement of Operations. |
| (d) | Includes amount of current and deferred tax benefit associated with net investment income/(loss). |
| (e) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
CANADIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES (35.09%) | |
Gathering + Processing (3.41%) | | | | | | | | |
Keyera Corp. | | | 72,338 | | | $ | 1,765,019 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (8.70%) | |
TC Energy Corp. | | | 89,136 | | | | 4,509,478 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (21.18%) | |
Enbridge, Inc. | | | 162,006 | | | | 6,134,835 | |
Inter Pipeline, Ltd. | | | 140,469 | | | | 2,326,521 | |
Pembina Pipeline Corp. | | | 71,976 | | | | 2,513,173 | |
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum | | | | | | | 10,974,529 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Storage (1.80%) | | | | | | | | |
Gibson Energy, Inc. | | | 49,527 | | | | 930,658 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL CANADIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES | |
(Cost $17,927,185) | | | | | | | 18,179,684 | |
| | | | | | | | |
U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES (27.71%) | |
Gathering + Processing (9.69%) | | | | | | | | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | 35,394 | | | | 2,514,744 | |
Targa Resources Corp. | | | 68,558 | | | | 2,504,424 | |
Total Gathering + Processing | | | | | | | 5,019,168 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liquefaction (5.76%) | | | | | | | | |
Cheniere Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 45,447 | | | | 2,751,361 | |
Tellurian, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 32,037 | | | | 233,550 | |
Total Liquefaction | | | | | | | 2,984,911 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (9.43%) | | | | | | | | |
Equitrans Midstream Corp. | | | 133,490 | | | | 1,330,895 | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | | | 181,269 | | | | 3,554,685 | |
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas | | | | 4,885,580 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (0.80%) | | | | | | | | |
SemGroup Corp., Class A | | | 26,913 | | | | 413,653 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Storage (2.03%) | | | | | | | | |
Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. | | | 25,056 | | | | 1,051,099 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANIES | |
(Cost $17,030,045) | | | | | | | 14,354,411 | |
| | | | | | | | |
U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MLPS (25.19%) | |
Gathering + Processing (3.51%) | | | | | | | | |
CNX Midstream Partners LP | | | 4,668 | | | | 67,686 | |
Crestwood Equity Partners LP | | | 5,491 | | | | 174,174 | |
Enable Midstream Partners LP | | | 9,955 | | | | 91,486 | |
MPLX LP | | | 43,375 | | | | 1,025,819 | |
Noble Midstream Partners LP | | | 2,336 | | | | 48,706 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Gathering + Processing (continued) | | | | | | | | |
Summit Midstream Partners LP | | | 4,611 | | | $ | 14,110 | |
Western Midstream Partners LP | | | 22,452 | | | | 398,074 | |
Total Gathering + Processing | | | | | | | 1,820,055 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas (14.12%) | | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP | | | 251,656 | | | | 2,972,058 | |
Enterprise Products Partners LP | | | 164,948 | | | | 4,341,431 | |
Total Pipeline Transportation | Natural Gas | | | | | | | 7,313,489 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (7.56%) | | | | | |
BP Midstream Partners LP | | | 5,315 | | | | 77,599 | |
Genesis Energy LP | | | 12,168 | | | | 231,314 | |
Holly Energy Partners LP | | | 5,081 | | | | 113,611 | |
Magellan Midstream Partners LP | | | 25,320 | | | | 1,480,460 | |
NGL Energy Partners LP | | | 12,987 | | | | 128,961 | |
NuStar Energy LP | | | 10,919 | | | | 308,134 | |
Phillips 66 Partners LP | | | 6,230 | | | | 347,198 | |
Shell Midstream Partners LP | | | 13,773 | | | | 270,777 | |
Tallgrass Energy LP | | | 53,621 | | | | 960,352 | |
Total Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum | | | | | | | 3,918,406 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE MLPS | |
(Cost $16,951,202) | | | | | | | 13,051,950 | |
| | | | | | | | |
U.S. GENERAL PARTNERS (10.64%) | | | | |
Gathering + Processing (6.47%) | | | | | | | | |
Antero Midstream Corp. | | | 87,875 | | | | 402,467 | |
EnLink Midstream LLC | | | 88,790 | | | | 421,753 | |
The Williams Cos., Inc. | | | 111,289 | | | | 2,528,486 | |
Total Gathering + Processing | | | | | | | 3,352,706 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Pipeline Transportation | Petroleum (4.17%) | | | | | |
Plains GP Holdings LP | | | 123,781 | | | | 2,162,454 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL U.S. GENERAL PARTNERS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $9,506,964) | | | | | | | 5,515,160 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.51%) | | | | | | | | |
Money Market Fund (0.08%) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $39,357) | | | 1.56 | % | | | 39,357 | | | $ | 39,357 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (0.43%) | |
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 1.63% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $223,456) | | | | | | | 223,456 | | | | 223,456 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $262,813) | | | | | | | | | | | 262,813 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.14%) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $61,678,209) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 51,364,018 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.86%) | | | | 444,713 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 51,808,731 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $210,193. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 51,364,018 | |
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $678) | | | 678 | |
Receivable for Investments Sold | | | 660,598 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 106,688 | |
Total Assets | | | 52,131,982 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payable for investments purchased | | | 69,827 | |
Payable to adviser | | | 29,968 | |
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 223,456 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 323,251 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 51,808,731 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 62,377,589 | |
Distributable earnings | | | (10,568,858 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 51,808,731 | |
| | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 61,678,209 | |
| | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 51,808,731 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 2,700,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 19.19 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | |
Dividends* | | $ | 2,899,093 | |
Securities lending income | | | 39,910 | |
Total Investment Income | | | 2,939,003 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | |
Investment adviser fees | | | 391,551 | |
Total Expenses | | | 391,551 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 2,547,452 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS): | | | | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 381,598 | |
Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions | | | 3,686 | |
Net realized gain | | | 385,284 | |
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments | | | (1,916,250 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | | | 107 | |
Net change in unrealized depreciation | | | (1,916,143 | ) |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES | | | (1,530,859 | ) |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 1,016,593 | |
* Net of foreign tax withholding. | | $ | 168,199 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 2,547,452 | | | $ | 1,615,960 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | 385,284 | | | | (1,675,089 | ) |
Net change in unrealized depreciation | | | (1,916,143 | ) | | | (3,099,925 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 1,016,593 | | | | (3,159,054 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (1,375,978 | ) | | | (882,519 | ) |
From tax return of capital | | | (2,575,568 | ) | | | (207,836 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (3,951,546 | ) | | | (1,090,355 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 28,422,425 | | | | 11,228,448 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (15,378,212 | ) | | | (7,649,908 | ) |
Net increase from share transactions | | | 13,044,213 | | | | 3,578,540 | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | 10,109,260 | | | | (670,869 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 41,699,471 | | | | 42,370,340 | |
End of period | | $ | 51,808,731 | | | $ | 41,699,471 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 2,050,000 | | | | 1,900,000 | |
Shares sold | | | 1,400,000 | | | | 500,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (750,000 | ) | | | (350,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 2,700,000 | | | | 2,050,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 20.34 | | | $ | 22.30 | | | $ | 22.95 | | | $ | 18.97 | | | $ | 28.55 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.88 | | | | 0.85 | | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.80 | | | | 0.83 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments | | | (0.64 | ) | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (0.72 | ) | | | 3.95 | | | | (9.78 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.24 | | | | (1.38 | ) | | | 0.07 | | | | 4.75 | | | | (8.95 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.50 | ) | | | (0.47 | ) | | | (0.47 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | (0.48 | ) |
Tax return of capital | | | (0.89 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (0.58 | ) | | | (0.72 | ) | | | (0.77 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | (1.15 | ) | | | (1.96 | ) | | | (0.65 | ) | | | 3.98 | | | | (9.58 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 19.19 | | | $ | 20.34 | | | $ | 22.30 | | | $ | 22.95 | | | $ | 18.97 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 1.09 | % | | | (6.27 | )% | | | 0.21 | % | | | 25.63 | % | | | (31.83 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 51,809 | | | $ | 41,699 | | | $ | 42,370 | | | $ | 18,357 | | | $ | 12,331 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 4.23 | % | | | 3.86 | % | | | 3.39 | % | | | 4.04 | % | | | 3.31 | % |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(c) | | | 26 | % | | | 73 | % | | | 37 | % | | | 38 | % | | | 47 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net assets value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (c) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consisted of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).
The investment objective of the Alerian MLP ETF is to seek investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index. The investment objective of the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF is to seek investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Total Return Index. The investment advisor uses a “passive management” or indexing investment approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. Each Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (“the NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”), in blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Funds’ NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
B. Fair Value Measurements
Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:
Equity securities, including restricted securities, and Limited Partnerships for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments at November 30, 2019:
Alerian MLP ETF
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Master Limited Partnerships* | | $ | 7,248,039,241 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 7,248,039,241 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 4,325,390 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 4,325,390 | |
Total | | $ | 7,252,364,631 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 7,252,364,631 | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Canadian Energy Infrastructure Companies* | | $ | 18,179,684 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 18,179,684 | |
U.S. Energy Infrastructure Companies* | | | 14,354,411 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 14,354,411 | |
U.S. Energy Infrastructure MLPs* | | | 13,051,950 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 13,051,950 | |
U.S. General Partners* | | | 5,515,160 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 5,515,160 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 262,813 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 262,813 | |
Total | | $ | 51,364,018 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 51,364,018 | |
| * | For a detailed breakdown of sectors, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2019.
C. Foreign Currency Translation
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.
D. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Each Fund intends to declare and make quarterly distributions, or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, if any, are distributed at least annually. Distributions from net investment income and capital gains are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Funds, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Funds.
Distributions received from each Fund’s investments in Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”) may be comprised of both income and return of capital. Each Fund records investment income and return of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received. Such estimates are based on historical information available from each MLP and other industry sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from MLPs after their tax reporting periods are concluded.
The Funds each expect a portion of its distributions to shareholders might be comprised of tax deferred return of capital. Return of capital distributions are not taxable income to the shareholder, but reduce the investor’s tax basis in the investor’s Fund Shares. Such a reduction in tax basis will result in larger taxable gains and/or lower tax losses on a subsequent sale of Fund Shares. Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of dividends or other distributions consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits from the Funds when, in fact, they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of the distributions is from the net profits of the Funds.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
F. Federal Income Taxation and Tax Basis Information
Alerian MLP ETF
The Fund is taxed as a regular C-corporation for federal income tax purposes and as such is obligated to pay federal and state income tax. This treatment differs from most investment companies, which elect to be treated as “regulated investment companies” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) in order to avoid paying entity level income taxes. Under current law, the Fund is not eligible to elect treatment as a regulated investment company due to its investments primarily in MLPs invested in energy assets. The Fund expects that substantially all of the distributions it receives from MLPs may be treated as a tax-deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Fund’s current tax liability. However, the amount of taxes paid by the Fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Fund.
Since the Fund will be subject to taxation on its taxable income, the NAV of the Fund shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any deferred tax liabilities. The Underlying Index however is calculated without any deductions for taxes. As a result, the Fund's after tax performance could differ significantly from the Underlying Index even if the pretax performance of the Fund and the performance of Underlying Index are closely related.
Cash distributions from MLPs to the Fund that exceed the Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income are considered a tax deferred return of capital that will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of any taxable gain (or decrease the amount of any tax loss) recognized by the Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities. The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated with (i) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (ii) capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate the deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining the Fund’s NAV. From time to time, the Adviser will modify the estimates or assumptions related to the Fund’s deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. The Fund will generally compute deferred income taxes based on the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations and an assumed rate attributable to state taxes.
The Fund’s income tax expense/(benefit) consists of the following:
Alerian MLP ETF | | Year ended November 30, 2019 | |
| | Current | | | Deferred | | | Total | |
Federal | | $ | (331,761 | ) | | $ | (167,457,643 | ) | | $ | (167,789,404 | ) |
State | | | 1,675,077 | | | | (18,386,851 | ) | | | (16,711,774 | ) |
Valuation Allowance | | | – | | | | 185,844,494 | | | | 185,844,494 | |
Total tax expense/(benefit) | | $ | 1,343,316 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 1,343,316 | |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Components of the Fund’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Alerian MLP ETF | | As of November 30, 2019 | |
Deferred tax assets: | | | | |
Capital loss carryforward | | $ | 146,683,921 | |
Net operating loss carryforward | | | 232,556,855 | |
Income recognized from MLP investments | | | 884,705,820 | |
Other deferred tax assets | | | 769,513 | |
Valuation allowance | | | (393,545,939 | ) |
Less Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | |
Net unrealized gain on investment securities | | | (871,170,170 | ) |
Net Deferred Tax Asset/Liability | | $ | – | |
Due to the activities of the MLPs that the fund is invested in, the Fund is required to pay franchise tax in certain states. Generally speaking, franchise tax expense is a tax on equity of a corporation, or base minimum fees, imposed by various jurisdictions. The amounts of the tax are estimated throughout the year based upon the Fund's estimate of underlying activities conducted in the states and reconciled to actual amounts paid upon the filing of the tax returns for the states. These taxes are paid as either estimated tax payments, extension payments, or with the tax return filings of the various states.
The net operating loss carryforward is available to offset future taxable income. The Fund has net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes as follows:
Alerian MLP ETF | | Period-Ended | | Amount | | | Expiration |
Federal | | 11/30/2015 | | | 155,497,942 | | | 11/30/2035 |
Federal | | 11/30/2016 | | | 481,506,187 | | | 11/30/2036 |
Federal | | 11/30/2017 | | | 343,920,174 | | | 11/30/2037 |
Total | | | | $ | 980,924,303 | | | |
The Fund also has state tax net operating loss carryforwards of various amounts per state. The Deferred Tax Assets associated with these state tax net operating losses are as follows:
Alerian MLP ETF | | Period-Ended | | Amount | | | Expiration |
State | | 11/30/2013 | | $ | 474,788 | | | Varies by State (5-20 years) |
State | | 11/30/2014 | | | 1,500,663 | | | Varies by State (5-20 years) |
State | | 11/30/2015 | | | 7,185,746 | | | Varies by State (5-20 years) |
State | | 11/30/2016 | | | 11,572,162 | | | Varies by State (5-20 years) |
State | | 11/30/2017 | | | 5,829,393 | | | Varies by State (5-20 years) |
Total | | | | $ | 26,562,752 | | | |
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The TCJA made modifications to the net operating loss (“NOL”) deduction. The TCJA eliminated the NOL carryback ability and replaced the 20 year carryforward period with an indefinite carryforward period for any NOLs arising in tax years ending after December 31, 2017. The TCJA also established a limitation for any NOLs generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 to the lesser of the aggregate of available NOLs or 80% of taxable income before any NOL utilization. As of the current reporting period the Fund is not estimating to have any NOLs affected by these changes.
The Fund reviews the recoverability of its deferred tax assets based upon the weight of available evidence. When assessing the recoverability of its deferred tax assets, significant weight was given to the effects of potential future realized and unrealized gains on investments and the period over which these deferred tax assets can be realized. Currently, any capital losses that may be generated by the Fund are eligible to be carried back up to three years and can be carried forward for five years to offset capital gains recognized by the Fund in those years.
Based upon the Fund’s assessment, it has determined that it is “more-likely-than-not” that a portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized through future taxable income of the appropriate character. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established for the Fund’s deferred tax assets. The Fund will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance in the future. Significant increases in the fair value of its portfolio of investments may change the Fund’s assessment of the recoverability of these assets and may result in the removal of the valuation allowance against all or a portion of the Fund’s gross deferred tax assets.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Total income tax expense/(benefit) (current and deferred) differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate of 21% to net investment income and realized and unrealized gain/(losses) on investment before taxes as follows:
Alerian MLP ETF | | As of November 30, 2019 | |
Income tax expense at statutory rate | | $ | (166,612,158 | ) |
State income tax benefit (net of federal benefit) | | | (17,137,250 | ) |
Permanent differences, net | | | (1,644,442 | ) |
Effect of tax rate change | | | 892,672 | |
Valuation allowance | | | 185,844,494 | |
Net income tax expense | | $ | 1,343,316 | |
The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:
Alerian MLP ETF | | Inception to November 30, 2019 | |
Unrecognized tax benefit - Beginning | | $ | – | |
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period | | | – | |
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period | | | – | |
Gross increases - tax positions in current period | | | – | |
Settlement | | | – | |
Lapse of statute of limitations | | | – | |
Unrecognized tax benefit - Ending | | $ | – | |
The Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. For the period from inception to November 30, 2019, the Fund had no accrued penalties or interest.
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on U.S. tax returns and state tax returns filed since inception of the Fund. Tax periods ended November 30, 2016 through November 30, 2018 remain subject to examination by tax authorities in the United States. Due to the nature of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be required to file income tax returns in several states. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, permanent book and tax differences resulting primarily from differing treatment of investments in partnerships and redemptions in kind were identified and reclassified among components of the Fund’s net assets as follows:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | $ | 568,713 | | | $ | (568,713 | ) |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
| | Ordinary Income | | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | | Return of Capital | |
November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | $ | 1,375,978 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 2,575,568 | |
| | Ordinary Income | | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | | Return of Capital | |
November 30, 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | $ | 882,519 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 207,836 | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF used capital loss carryovers during the year ended November 30, 2019 in the amount of $413,965.
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
| | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | $ | 1,074,081 | | | $ | 869,503 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
| | Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | $ | (1,943,584 | ) |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | | | (6,900,551 | ) |
Other accumulated losses | | | (1,724,723 | ) |
Total | | $ | (10,568,858 | ) |
As of November 30, 2019, the costs of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
| | Alerian MLP ETF | | | Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | |
Cost of investments for income tax purposes | | $ | 7,204,816,091 | | | $ | 58,264,388 | |
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | $ | 1,502,019,959 | | | $ | 6,944,749 | |
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | (1,454,471,419 | ) | | | (13,845,119 | ) |
Net depreciation of foreign currency | | | – | | | | (181 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | $ | 47,548,540 | | | $ | (6,900,551 | ) |
The difference between cost amounts for financial statement purposes is due primarily to the recognition of pass-through income from a Fund’s investments in master limited partnerships and wash sales.
G. Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2019:
| | Market Value of Securities on Loan | | | Cash Collateral Recieved | | | Non-Cash Collateral Received | | | Total Collateral Received | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | $ | 210,193 | | | $ | 223,456 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 223,456 | |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2019:
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Securities Lending Transactions | | Overnight & Continuous | | | Up to 30 days | | | 30-90 days | | | Greater than 90 days | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 223,456 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 223,456 | |
Total Borrowings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 223,456 | |
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received) | | $ | 223,456 | |
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below.
Fund | | Advisory Fee |
Alerian MLP ETF | 0.85% | up to and including $10 billion |
| 0.80% | greater than $10 billion up to and including $15 billion |
| 0.70% | greater than $15 billion up to and including $20 billion |
| 0.55% | greater than $20 billion up to and including $25 billion |
| 0.40% | greater than $25 billion |
Fund | | Advisory Fee |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | 0.65% | |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Funds.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Alerian MLP ETF | | $ | 2,889,354,536 | | | $ | 4,816,561,707 | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | | 15,140,127 | | | | 15,388,644 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Alerian MLP ETF | | $ | 1,914,135,211 | | | $ | – | |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | | 28,419,272 | | | | 15,309,828 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF had in-kind net realized loss of $67,382.
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
MLPs are publicly traded partnerships engaged in, among other things, the transportation, storage and processing of minerals and natural resources, and are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By confining their operations to these specific activities, their interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level taxation. To qualify as a MLP and to not be taxed as a corporation, a partnership must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include, among other things, natural resource-based activities such as the processing, transportation and storage of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP, or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners typically own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD is distributed to both common and subordinated units and generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions.
6. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Funds engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2019 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.
Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchase cost paid | | | Sale proceeds received | | | Realized gain/(loss) on sales | |
Alerian MLP ETF | | $ | 325,434 | | | $ | 1,870,566 | | | $ | (473,255 | ) |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | | | 755,226 | | | | 393,262 | | | | (3,086 | ) |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
8. AFFILIATED COMPANIES
As defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, an affiliated person, including an affiliated company, is one in which a Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund.
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the Alerian MLP ETF held shares in the following affiliates, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Security Name | | Share Balance as of November 30, 2018 | | | Purchases | | | Purchases In-Kind | | | Sales | | | Corporate Action | | | Share Balance as of November 30, 2019 | | | Market Value as of November 30, 2019 | | | Dividends | | | Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | | | Realized Gain/(Loss) | |
Crestwood Equity Partners LP | | | 4,276,648 | | | | 2,226,190 | | | | 1,146,580 | | | | (1,564,314 | ) | | | – | | | | 6,085,104 | | | $ | 193,019,499 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 15,682,902 | | | $ | (3,655,646 | ) |
DCP Midstream LP | | | 7,897,589 | | | | 4,097,722 | | | | 2,106,325 | | | | (2,959,643 | ) | | | – | | | | 11,141,993 | | | | 235,207,472 | | | | – | | | | (62,054,281 | ) | | | (30,457,995 | ) |
EnLink Midstream LLC* | | | – | | | | 17,917,562 | | | | 3,907,159 | | | | (5,380,162 | ) | | | 15,461,883 | | | | 31,906,442 | | | | 151,555,599 | | | | – | | | | (47,007,892 | ) | | | (7,562,484 | ) |
Genesis Energy LP | | | 9,545,334 | | | | 4,950,299 | | | | 2,545,328 | | | | (3,576,956 | ) | | | – | | | | 13,464,005 | | | | 255,950,735 | | | | – | | | | 31,017,157 | | | | (45,900,808 | ) |
Magellan Midstream Partners LP | | | 14,961,861 | | | | 1,039,768 | | | | 3,182,104 | | | | (6,676,605 | ) | | | – | | | | 12,507,128 | | | | 731,291,774 | | | | – | | | | 54,035,667 | | | | (12,347,594 | ) |
NGL Energy Partners LP | | | 9,846,434 | | | | 5,295,922 | | | | 2,685,249 | | | | (3,463,647 | ) | | | – | | | | 14,363,958 | | | | 142,634,103 | | | | – | | | | 12,603,697 | | | | (500,324 | ) |
Noble Midstream Partners LP | | | – | | | | 2,729,716 | | | | 299,151 | | | | (369,438 | ) | | | – | | | | 2,659,429 | | | | 55,449,095 | | | | – | | | | (30,166,519 | ) | | | (2,023,877 | ) |
NuStar Energy LP | | | 8,525,973 | | | | 4,457,854 | | | | 2,279,155 | | | | (3,177,847 | ) | | | – | | | | 12,085,135 | | | | 341,042,510 | | | | – | | | | 105,751,430 | | | | (44,015,212 | ) |
Plains All American Pipeline LP | | | 37,215,207 | | | | 3,953,045 | | | | 8,671,632 | | | | (10,923,168 | ) | | | – | | | | 38,916,716 | | | | 677,150,858 | | | | – | | | | 22,870,661 | | | | (176,171,253 | ) |
Shell Midstream Partners LP | | | 10,799,735 | | | | 5,600,988 | | | | 2,880,044 | | | | (4,041,795 | ) | | | – | | | | 15,238,972 | | | | 299,598,190 | | | | – | | | | 106,241,310 | | | | (78,948,484 | ) |
TC PipeLines LP | | | 4,728,180 | | | | 2,449,594 | | | | 1,260,809 | | | | (1,769,161 | ) | | | – | | | | 6,669,422 | | | | 260,040,764 | | | | – | | | | 102,608,736 | | | | (44,434,644 | ) |
Tallgrass Energy LP | | | 12,885,583 | | | | 7,151,340 | | | | 3,558,686 | | | | (4,259,197 | ) | | | – | | | | 19,336,412 | | | | 346,315,139 | | | | 6,704,442 | | | | (26,737,764 | ) | | | (3,933,424 | ) |
Western Midstream Partners LP** | | | 8,761,525 | | | | 12,186,696 | | | | 3,801,203 | | | | (5,030,105 | ) | | | 5,131,896 | | | | 24,851,215 | | | | 440,612,042 | | | | – | | | | (205,522,314 | ) | | | (30,072,179 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,129,867,780 | | | $ | 6,704,442 | | | $ | 79,322,790 | | | $ | (480,023,924 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments no longer affiliated as of November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Buckeye Partners LP | | | 12,761,673 | | | | 3,530,260 | | | | 2,475,046 | | | | (18,766,979 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 188,175,733 | | | $ | 7,123,362 | |
EQM Midstream Partners LP | | | 7,247,759 | | | | 3,768,453 | | | | 1,934,044 | | | | (2,708,779 | ) | | | – | | | | 10,241,477 | | | | 237,295,022 | | | | – | | | | (67,826,572 | ) | | | (103,202,749 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 237,295,022 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 120,349,161 | | | $ | (96,079,387 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
GRAND TOTAL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 6,704,442 | | | $ | 199,671,951 | | | $ | (576,103,311 | ) |
| * | On 1/28/2019 EnLink Midstream LLC and EnLink Midstream Partners LP merged. |
| ** | On 2/27/2019 Western Gas Equity Partners LP and Western Gas Partners LP merged. Following the merger, the company changed its name to Western Midstream Partners LP. |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Form N-Q or N-PORT reports for each Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Each Fund’s Form N-Q or N-PORT reports will be available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| Qualified Dividend Income | Dividend Received Deduction |
Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | 90.13% | 40.22% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distribution paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
LICENSING AGREEMENTS
Alerian (the “Licensor”) has entered into an index licensing agreement with ALPS Advisors Inc. (the “Adviser”) with respect to each of the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF, to allow the Adviser’s use of AMZI and AMEI. The following disclosure relates to the Licensor: Alerian is the designer of the construction and methodology for the underlying index (each an “Underlying Index”) for each of the Alerian MLP ETF and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). “Alerian,” “Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index,” “Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index,” “Alerian Index Series” and “AMZI” are service marks or trademarks of Alerian. Alerian acts as brand licensor for each Underlying Index. Alerian is not responsible for the descriptions of either Underlying Index or the Funds that appear herein. Alerian is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor.
Neither Fund is issued, sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Alerian (“Licensor”) or its affiliates. Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (“Index”) to track general market performance. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing or trading of either Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of either Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the relevant Fund. Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total Return Index, AMZI and AMZIX are trademarks of GKD Index Partners, LLC and their general use is granted under a license from GKD Index Partners, LLC.
LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE QUALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY KIND RELATED TO THE INDEX OR DATA. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED TO LICENSEE OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of either Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by either Fund, owners of the Shares of the relevant Fund or any other person or entity from the use of either Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to either Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of either Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
(Applicable to the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF only)
The Underlying Index is the exclusive property of GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) (“S&P Dow Jones Indices”) to calculate and maintain the Underlying Index. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and its related stylized mark(s) have been licensed for use by Alerian.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices, SPFS, Dow Jones or any of their affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities”). S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities only relationship to Alerian with respect to the Underlying Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALERIAN, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Advisory Agreements | |
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF (“AMLP”) and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (“ENFR”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Investment Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the investment parameters of the index of each Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Independent Trustees also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between each underlying index and its corresponding Fund’s performance. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for each of these Funds is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Funds’ respective net expense ratios, however, are (i) in the case of ENFR, at the median of its FUSE expense group and (ii) in the case of AMLP, its net expense ratio is higher than the median of its respective FUSE expense group.
With respect to AMLP, the Independent Trustees took into account, among other things, supplemental information provided by the Adviser showing AMLP’s total expenses were in line with the total expenses of peer groups deemed by the Adviser to be more comparable, including peer groups comprised of (i) the master limited partnership (“MLP”) asset class as a whole and (ii) exchange-traded products focused solely on MLP investments. The Independent Trustees also considered the additional costs and expenses incurred by AAI in managing and administering the Fund and that AMLP’s investment advisory fee schedule included breakpoints.
The Board also took into account, among other things, the brand recognition of the Funds’ index provider and the fees charged by the index provider for licensing its indexes.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small size of ENFR and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. With respect to AMLP, the Independent Trustees noted that the Fund’s asset levels have decreased over the prior year and the Fund’s asset levels have not yet recovered to its historic highs. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Advisory Agreements | |
With respect to AMLP, the Independent Trustees considered, among other things the brand recognition of AMLP’s index provider as well as the trading volumes of the Fund and the narrow trading spreads. The Independent Trustees considered the breakpoint schedule adopted previously and whether the breakpoints would benefit shareholders and appropriately reflect economies of scale achieved by AAI with respect to AMLP should AMLP’s assets increase, noting that AMLP’s assets were still below historical highs. Upon discussion, the Independent Trustees determined that the advisory fee rate for the Fund reflects an appropriate sharing of economies of scale.
In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested Trustee* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Trustee is deemed an interested person of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
Alerian Exchange Traded Funds
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |

Table of Contents
Performance Overview | 1 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 4 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 5 |
Financial Statements | |
Schedule of Investments | 6 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 7 |
Statement of Operations | 8 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 9 |
Financial Highlights | 10 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 11 |
Additional Information | 16 |
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement | 17 |
Trustees and Officers | 18 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
alpsfunds.com
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund” or “EQL”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the NYSE Equal Sector Weight IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”).
The Underlying Index is an index of ETFs comprised of all active Select Sector SPDR® ETFs in an equal weighted portfolio. These are the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR®Fund, Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Industrial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, Health Care Select Sector SPDR®Fund and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR® Fund (each, an “Underlying Sector ETF” and collectively, the “Underlying Sector ETFs”). In order to track the Underlying Index, the Fund will use a “fund of funds” approach, and seek to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 90% of its total assets in the shares of the Underlying Sector ETFs.
The Underlying Index is designed to track performance of the equally weighted Underlying Sector ETFs. Accordingly, the Underlying Index is rebalanced to an equal weighting quarterly during the months of March, June, September, and December.
Each Underlying Sector ETF is an “index fund” that invests in the equity securities of companies in a particular sector or group of industries. The objective of each Underlying Sector ETF is to track its respective underlying sector index by replicating the securities in the underlying sector index. Together, the Underlying Sector ETFs represent the Underlying Index as a whole.
Performance Overview
The Fund for the twelve month period ended November 30, 2019, generated a total return of 13.86%, compared with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 14.02%. The Fund underperformed the S&P 500® Total Return Index (the “S&P 500”), which returned 16.11% for the same period.
The S&P 500 returned 16.11% for the twelve month period ended November 30, 2019, finishing at an all-time index-level high. The U.S. broad-based benchmark started 2019 on an optimistic note, returning 8.01% in January 2019 after a 9.03% decline in December 2018. In general, corporate earnings continued to meet expectations while economic data validated a continued, but volatile, bull market. Geopolitical tensions partly drove market volatility throughout the year while the U.S. and China moved slowly towards phase 1 of a trade agreement. In addition, U.S. presidential impeachment hearings also generally contributed to the market volatility throughout the second half of the twelve month period ended November 30, 2019. Despite the continued angst in the growth of political risks, U.S. markets saw both growth-styled and valued-styled stocks march higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “FED”) started the year off with a hawkish overtone, increasing the Federal Funds Rate to 2.5%. However, as the year progressed, a more neutral stance was taken as manufacturing data began to weaken globally and the FED lowered the overnight lending rates 3 times to promote the sustained growth in the economy. The FED overnight rate currently stands at 1.75%.
Compared to the S&P 500, the Fund experienced a negative impact (-1.75%) from sector allocation effects during the period. This impact was largely driven by relative underweight to Information Technology (average weight for the period of 9.23% vs. 21.33% in the S&P 500).
For the twelve month period ended November 30, 2019, the best performing Fund holdings for the period were the Technology Select Sector SPDR® (XLK), which increased 31.64% and the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR® (XLC), which saw a gain of 17.93%. The worst performing fund holdings for the period were the Energy Select Sector SPDR® (XLE) which declined 7.72% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR® (XLV) which returned 5.52%.
Looking forward we believe the Fund’s strategy of holding each of the eleven sectors in the S&P 500 via the Select Sector SPDR® Funds can result in a diversified core holding, and potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF - NAV | 13.86% | 9.01% | 12.13% | 13.87% |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF - Market Price* | 13.98% | 9.00% | 12.13% | 13.89% |
NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Total Return Index | 14.02% | 9.17% | 12.42% | 14.16% |
S&P 500® Total Return Index | 16.11% | 10.98% | 13.44% | 15.16% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current Prospectus) 0.50%. Net Expense Ratio (per the current Prospectus) 0.28%. Net expense ratio reflects the reimbursement of distribution fees for underlying sector ETFs. In addition, the Adviser has contractually agreed, through March 31, 2020, to reduce its advisory fee by 0.19%. This fee waiver may only be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (and not by the Adviser) prior to such date. Please see the prospectus for additional information.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced Investment Operations on July 6, 2009 with an Inception Date, the first day of trading on the Exchange, of July 7, 2009. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
The NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Total Return Index consists of a strategy that holds all active Select Sector SPDR® ETFs in an equal-weighted portfolio. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
S&P 500® Total Return Index: the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. The indexes are reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The following table shows the sector weights of both the Fund and the S&P 500® Total Return Index as of November 30,2019:
Sector Weighting Comparison(as of November 30, 2019)
| EQL* | S&P 500® | +/- |
Technology | 9.6% | 22.8% | -13.2% |
Healthcare | 9.5% | 14.0% | -4.5% |
Financials | 9.4% | 13.1% | -3.7% |
Industrials | 9.3% | 9.3% | 0.0% |
Communication Services | 9.1% | 10.5% | -1.4% |
Materials | 9.1% | 2.8% | 6.3% |
Consumer Staples | 9.0% | 7.2% | 1.8% |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.0% | 9.8% | -0.8% |
Real Estate | 8.7% | 3.0% | 5.7% |
Utilities | 8.7% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
Energy | 8.6% | 4.2% | 4.4% |
Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | |
Source: S&P 500®
| * | % of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned). |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes
The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example:As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return:The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return:The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | Expense Ratio(a) | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,127.40 | 0.15% | $0.80 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,024.32 | 0.15% | $0.76 |
| (a) | Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF of ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (99.95%) |
Communication Services (9.13%) |
Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 292,439 | | | $ | 15,370,594 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (8.95%) | | |
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 123,127 | | | | 15,076,901 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (9.05%) | | |
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 245,748 | | | | 15,236,376 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (8.46%) | | | | | | | | |
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund(a) | | | 241,896 | | | | 14,245,255 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (9.45%) | | | | | | | | |
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 527,902 | | | | 15,916,245 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Healthcare (9.52%) | | | | | | | | |
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund(a) | | | 161,122 | | | | 16,030,028 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (9.28%) | | | | | | | | |
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 190,509 | | | | 15,629,358 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (9.06%) | | | | | | | | |
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 254,090 | | | | 15,255,564 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Real Estate (8.69%) | | | | | | | | |
Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 378,921 | | | | 14,645,297 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Technology (9.67%) | | | | | | | | |
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund | | | 184,695 | | | | 16,282,711 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (8.69%) | | | | | | | | |
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund(a) | | | 232,087 | | | | 14,633,085 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS | | |
(Cost $122,059,840) | | | | | | | 168,321,414 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (8.18%) | | | | | |
Money Market Fund (0.06%) | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $101,038) | | | 1.56 | % | | | 101,038 | | | $ | 101,038 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (8.12%) | |
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 1.63% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $13,674,258) | | | | | | | 13,674,258 | | | | 13,674,258 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $13,775,296) | | | | | | | | | | | 13,775,296 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (108.13%) | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $135,835,136) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 182,096,710 | |
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS(-8.13%) | | (13,689,385 | ) |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 168,407,325 | |
| (a) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $16,096,385. |
Common Abbreviations:
SPDR® - Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 182,096,710 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 5,413 | |
Total Assets | | | 182,102,123 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payable to adviser | | | 20,540 | |
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 13,674,258 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 13,694,798 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 168,407,325 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 122,920,231 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | 45,487,094 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 168,407,325 | |
| | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 135,835,136 | |
| | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 168,407,325 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 2,150,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 78.33 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | |
Dividends | | $ | 3,488,472 | |
Securities Lending Income | | | 36,132 | |
Total Investment Income | | | 3,524,604 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | |
Investment adviser fees | | | 578,380 | |
Total Expenses before waiver/reimbursement | | | 578,380 | |
Less fee waiver/reimbursement by investment adviser | | | (344,801 | ) |
Net Expenses | | | 233,579 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 3,291,025 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS): | | | | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 4,595,674 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 12,663,405 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS | | | 17,259,079 | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 20,550,104 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 3,291,025 | | | $ | 3,463,259 | |
Net realized gain | | | 4,595,674 | | | | 13,803,509 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 12,663,405 | | | | (11,552,035 | ) |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 20,550,104 | | | | 5,714,733 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (3,395,008 | ) | | | (3,383,829 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (3,395,008 | ) | | | (3,383,829 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 14,156,882 | | | | 17,967,851 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (17,646,683 | ) | | | (31,840,276 | ) |
Net decrease from capital share transactions | | | (3,489,801 | ) | | | (13,872,425 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | 13,665,295 | | | | (11,541,521 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 154,742,030 | | | | 166,283,551 | |
End of year | | $ | 168,407,325 | | | $ | 154,742,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 2,200,000 | | | | 2,400,000 | |
Shares sold | | | 200,000 | | | | 250,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (250,000 | ) | | | (450,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 2,150,000 | | | | 2,200,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 70.34 | | | $ | 69.28 | | | $ | 59.74 | | | $ | 56.16 | | | $ | 57.01 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.50 | | | | 1.37 | | | | 1.66 | | | | 1.09 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 8.03 | | | | 1.02 | | | | 10.03 | | | | 3.11 | | | | (0.84 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 9.56 | | | | 2.52 | | | | 11.40 | | | | 4.77 | | | | 0.25 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (1.46 | ) | | | (1.86 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (1.10 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (1.46 | ) | | | (1.86 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (1.10 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 7.99 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 9.54 | | | | 3.58 | | | | (0.85 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 78.33 | | | $ | 70.34 | | | $ | 69.28 | | | $ | 59.74 | | | $ | 56.16 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 13.86 | % | | | 3.66 | % | | | 19.46 | % | | | 8.62 | % | | | 0.48 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000s) | | $ | 168,407 | | | $ | 154,742 | | | $ | 166,284 | | | $ | 140,391 | | | $ | 140,407 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 0.37 | % | | | 0.37 | % | | | 0.37 | % | | | 0.37 | % | | | 0.37 | % |
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 0.15 | % | | | 0.15 | % | | | 0.15 | % | | | 0.15 | % | | | 0.21 | %(c) |
Ratio of net investment income excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 1.89 | % | | | 1.92 | % | | | 1.92 | % | | | 2.71 | % | | | 1.78 | % |
Ratio of net investment income including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 2.11 | % | | | 2.14 | % | | | 2.14 | % | | | 2.93 | % | | | 1.94 | %(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 4 | % | | | 14 | % | | | 5 | % | | | 13 | % | | | 6 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. |
| (c) | The effective expense ratio including waivers changed from 0.34% to 0.15% effective April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016. |
| (d) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consists of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 50,000 Shares each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.
The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
B. Fair Value Measurements
The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Valuation techniques used to value the Fund’s investments by major category are as follows:
Exchange Traded Funds, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following is a summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at November 30, 2019:
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Exchange Traded Funds* | | $ | 168,321,414 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 168,321,414 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 13,775,296 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 13,775,296 | |
Total | | $ | 182,096,710 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 182,096,710 | |
| * | For a detailed breakdown of sectors, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2019.
C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the highest cost basis. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.
D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 4,950,502 | | | $ | (4,950,502 | ) |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
| | Ordinary Income | |
November 30, 2019 | | | | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 3,395,008 | |
| | Ordinary Income | |
November 30, 2018 | | | | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 3,383,829 | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 36,299 | | | $ | 690,898 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:
Undistributed net investment income | | $ | – | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | | (727,197 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 46,214,291 | |
Total | | $ | 45,487,094 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | $ | 49,164,460 | |
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | (2,950,169 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 46,214,291 | |
Cost of investments for income tax purposes | | $ | 135,882,419 | |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales.
F. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
G. Lending of Portfolio Securities
TheFund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2019:
| | Market Value of Securities on Loan | | | Cash Collateral Received | | | Non-Cash Collateral Received | | | Total Collateral Received | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 16,096,385 | | | $ | 13,674,258 | | | $ | 2,841,337 | | | $ | 16,515,595 | |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2019:
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements | |
| | | |
Securities Lending Transactions | | Overnight & Continuous | | | Up to 30 days | | | 30-90 days | | | Greater than 90 days | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 13,674,258 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 13,674,258 | |
Total Borrowings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 13,674,258 | |
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received) | | | | | | | $ | 13,674,258 | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.37% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Effective March 31, 2019, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive 0.19% of its annual unitary fee payable by the Fund until at least March 31, 2020. The waiver may only be terminated by the Fund's Board of Trustees prior to such date. Prior to March 31, 2019, the Adviser waived 0.19% of its annual unitary fee payable by the Fund on a voluntary basis.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (“APSD”) is both the distributor for the Fund as well as the Select Sector SPDR exchange traded funds (“Underlying Sector ETFs”) that the Fund invests in. As required by exemptive relief obtained by the Underlying Sector ETFs, the Adviser will reimburse the Fund an amount equal to the distribution fee received by APSD from the Underlying Sector ETFs attributable to the Fund’s investment in the Underlying Sector ETFs, for so long as APSD acts as the distributor to the Fund and the Underlying Sector ETFs. Such reimbursement is generally expected to equal 0.03% annually.
Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019 the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 6,974,340 | | | $ | 11,698,467 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | | $ | 14,156,950 | | | $ | 13,034,328 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF had in-kind net realized gain of $4,900,503.
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports for the Fund are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| Qualified Dividend Income | Dividend Received Deduction |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | 77.12% | 79.24% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distribution paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
LICENSING AGREEMENT
ICE Data Indices, LLC (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (the “Fund”) or ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”). The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.
The only relationship that the Index Provider has with the Fund, the Adviser or Distributor of the Fund in connection with the Fund is that the Index Provider has licensed certain of its intellectual property, including the determination of the component stocks of the Underlying Index and the name of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is selected and calculated without regard to the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the specific needs of the Adviser, Distributor or owners of the Fund into consideration in the determination and calculation of the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the net asset value of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Fund.
NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index is a service mark of ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates (“ICE Data”) and has been licensed for use by the Adviser in connection with the Fund. Neither the Trust nor the Fund is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ICE Data. ICE Data makes no representations or warranties regarding the Adviser or the Fund or the ability of the NYSE® Equal Sector Weight Index to track general stock market performance.
ICE DATA MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE NYSE® EQUAL SECTOR WEIGHT INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. IN NO EVENT SHALL ICE DATA HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (“EQL” or the “Fund”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment parameters of the index of the Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its benchmark. The Independent Trustees also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between the underlying index and the Fund’s performance. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for the Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for the Fund is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio, however, is lower than the median of its FUSE expense group.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to the Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to the Fund. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
In voting to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT | TRUSTEES | |
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting(management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested | Position(s) Held Trustee* with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF | |
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS | | | |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |


Table of Contents
Performance Overview | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | 1 |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | 4 |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | 7 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 10 |
Report of Independent | |
Registered Public Accounting Firm | 11 |
Financial Statements | |
Schedule of Investments | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | 12 |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | 13 |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | 15 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 17 |
Statement of Operations | 18 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | 19 |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | 20 |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | 21 |
Financial Highlights | 22 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 25 |
Additional Information | 34 |
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements | 38 |
Trustees and Officers | 39 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
alpsfunds.com
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The ALPS Clean Energy ETF (the “Fund” or “ACES”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index (ticker symbol NACEX) (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by CIBC National Trust Company, which is designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund generated a total return of 31.28%. Performance was in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 31.60%. The Fund outperformed the S&P 1000 Total Return Index, which returned 7.61% for the same period.
The S&P 500 Index returned 16.11% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019, finishing at an all-time high. The U.S. broad-based benchmark started 2019 on an optimistic note, returning 8.01% in January 2019 after a 9.03% decline in December 2018. In general, corporate earnings continued to meet expectations while economic data validated a continued, but volatile, bull market. Geopolitical tensions partly drove market volatility as the U.S. and China moved slowly towards "Phase One" of a trade agreement. In addition, U.S. presidential impeachment hearings also contributed to the market volatility. Despite the continued angst in the growth of political risks, U.S. markets saw both growth-styled and valued-styled stocks march higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve ("FED") started the year off with a hawkish overtone, increasing the federal funds rate to 2.5%. However, as the year progressed, a more neutral stance was taken as manufacturing data began to weaken globally and the FED lowered the overnight lending rates 3 times to promote the sustained growth in the economy. The FED overnight rate stands at 1.75%.
Several key pieces of legislation were written during the time period including a few in November 2019 by Democratic Lawmakers. The “100% Clean Economy Act” has 150 co-sponsors and tasks every agency in the federal government with reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The second draft piece of legislation was the “Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now” Act (GREEN), which is designed to extend the federal investment tax credit for solar and offshore wind for 5 years while keeping 60% of the onshore wind production tax credit in place, which is set to expire this year.
The best performing stocks in the Fund for the period were Enphase Energy Inc. (ENPH), which increased 305%, Plug Power Inc. (PLUG), which saw a gain of 122.86%, and Ballard Power Systems Inc. (BLDP), which rose 122.48%. The largest detractors were American Superconductor Corp. (AMSC), which decreased 40.99%, Renewable Energy Group Inc. (REGI), which fell 36.70%, and TPI Composites Inc. (TPIC), which lost 33.62%.
We believe the Fund’s Underlying Index has a differentiated approach to investing in the clean energy sector. First, by narrowing the list of constituents to companies whose primary operations are focused on clean energy, the Fund offers more pure-play exposure to the clean energy sector. Second, constituents are diversified across the sector and offer exposure to the full opportunity set of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Lastly, focusing on U.S. and Canadian based companies helps to further minimize the risk of investing in a global industry by reducing risks related to foreign holdings, including currency exchange rates, financial disclosures, and regulatory and policy changes.
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Fund Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF - NAV | 31.28% | 21.32% |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF - Market Price* | 31.03% | 21.67% |
S&P 1000® Total Return Index | 7.61% | 2.54% |
CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index | 31.60% | 22.38% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.65%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2018, with the first day of trading on the exchange of June 29, 2018. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
The Fund is new with limited operating history.
CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Indexis an adjusted market cap weighted index designed to provide exposure to a diverse set of U.S. or Canadian based companies involved in the clean energy sector including renewables and clean technology. The clean energy sector is comprised of companies that provide the products and services which enable the evolution of a more sustainable energy sector. Clean energy business segments include but are not limited to: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, electric vehicles, LED, biomass, smart grid, energy efficiency and storage. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
The S&P 1000® Total Return Indexcombines the S&P MidCap 400® and the S&P SmallCap 600® to form an investable benchmark for the mid- to small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS Clean Energy ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Clean Energy ETF.
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top Ten Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Tesla, Inc. | 6.88% |
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP | 5.92% |
Itron, Inc. | 5.34% |
Northland Power, Inc. | 5.15% |
Ormat Technologies, Inc. | 5.07% |
Acuity Brands, Inc. | 4.93% |
NextEra Energy Partners LP | 4.86% |
Pattern Energy Group, Inc. | 4.77% |
Cree, Inc. | 4.58% |
First Solar, Inc. | 4.17% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 51.67% |
| * | % of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned) |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Clean Energy Segment Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (the “Fund” or “DTEC”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index (ticker symbol IDTEC) (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index.
The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index utilizes a rules-based methodology developed by Indxx, LLC (the “Index Provider”), which is designed to identify the companies using disruptive technologies in each of ten thematic areas: Healthcare Innovation, Internet of Things, Clean Energy and Smart Grid, Cloud Computing, Data and Analytics, FinTech, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, 3D Printing, and Mobile Payments (each a “Theme” and together, the “Themes”). Companies using disruptive technologies are those that are entering traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, seek to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market-leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share. The Underlying Index is compiled by the Index Provider and may be comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including foreign and emerging markets companies. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s Index Universe, a company’s stock must be traded on one or more major global securities exchanges, have a minimum market capitalization of at least $500 million, and have a six month minimum average daily trading volume of $2 million, and the company must derive a minimum of 50% of its revenue from a single Theme. All equity securities meeting the above criteria are selected for inclusion in the Index Universe. From the Index Universe, the Underlying Index methodology selects ten stocks in each Theme according to proprietary quantitative and qualitative factors. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is reconstituted annually on the third Friday of September and rebalanced quarterly.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund generated a total return of 22.09%. Performance was in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 22.10%. The Fund outperformed the MSCI All Country World Net Total Return Index, which returned 13.68% for the same period.
The S&P 500 Index returned 16.11% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019, finishing at an all-time high. The U.S. broad-based benchmark started 2019 on an optimistic note, returning 8.01% in January 2019 after a 9.03% decline in December 2018. In general, corporate earnings continued to meet expectations while economic data validated a continued, but volatile, bull market. Geopolitical tensions partly drove market volatility as the U.S. and China moved slowly towards "Phase One" of a trade agreement. In addition, U.S. presidential impeachment hearings also contributed to the market volatility. Despite the continued angst in the growth of political risks, U.S. markets saw both growth-styled and valued-styled stocks march higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve ("FED") started the year off with a hawkish overtone, increasing the federal funds rate to 2.5%. However, as the year progressed, a more neutral stance was taken as manufacturing data began to weaken globally and the FED lowered the overnight lending rates 3 times to promote the sustained growth in the economy. The FED overnight rate stands at 1.75%.
Developed Markets (ex-U.S.), as represented by the MSCI EAFE Net Total Return USD Index, returned 12.44% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019. The strength of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro increased, which detracted from positive performance from a U.S. investor’s perspective.
Equity markets in the Eurozone were generally positive, despite Brexit-related headline risks. The change in leadership within U.K’s Conservative Party saw Boris Johnson voted in as Prime Minister, and was positively received by U.K. markets, with the FTSE 100 GBP Index returning 10.08% on the one year period as of November 30, 2019. The European Central Bank ("ECB") decreased the deposit facility rate by 0.10% in 2019, with the deposit rate currently sitting at -0.50% as of November 30, 2019. The ECB has indicated that it is not considering further decreases in the deposit rate. In Japan, domestic consumption remained sluggish, with consumption taxes currently standing at 10%. As manufacturing data continued to weaken globally, investors rotated into more defensive Japanese equities, which have more value characteristics. Japanese equities returned 5.87% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019, as seen in the MSCI Japan JPY Index.
The Fund employs an equal weighted strategy to its disruptive themes, resulting in 10 sub-themes, each with a 10% holding. The Fund picks the top 10 names from its universe that most represent the specific theme. 8 out of 10 themes were positive this year. FinTech, adding 3.96% to return, was the largest contributor for the time period. Within that theme, Xero Ltd. (XRO AU), an online accounting systems firm, accounted for 0.68% of that contribution after gaining 87.69% during the period. The worst performing thematic category was Robotics & Artificial Intelligence, which lost - 0.61%. TransEnterix Inc. (TRXC), a medical device company that specializes in the use of robotics for minimally invasive surgeries, was the worst performer in the theme, losing -77.69% and detracting -0.98%.
Looking forward, we believe the Fund’s strategy of selecting the top disruptive themes in the market today will provide exposure to high-growth areas of the market relative to the Morningstar® Global Markets Index, a global equity index that displays similar geographic exposure relative to the Fund.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Fund Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF - NAV | 22.09%* | 13.48% |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF - Market Price** | 22.38% | 13.65% |
MSCI All Country World Net Total Return Index | 13.68% | 5.42% |
Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index | 22.10% | 13.70% |
Morningstar® Global Markets Index*** | 13.33% | 5.05% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.50%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced operations on December 28, 2017, with the first day of trading on the exchange of December 29, 2017. |
| * | Excludes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value and total return for shareholder transactions reported to the market may differ from the net asset value for financial reporting purposes. |
| ** | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
| *** | Effective December 13, 2019, the Fund replaced the MSCI ACWI Net Total Return Index as the Fund’s secondary benchmark for performance comparison purposes. The Adviser made this recommendation to the Board because the Fund’s new secondary benchmark, the Morningstar Global Markets Index, closely aligns with the Fund’s investment strategies and investment restrictions. Returns for both benchmarks will be shown for a transition period. |
Indxx Disruptive Technologies Net Total Return Index (Ticker: IDTEC)is based around companies that enter traditional markets with new digital forms of production and distribution, are likely to disrupt an existing market and value network, displace established market leading firms, products and alliances and increasingly gain market share. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.
The MSCI All Country World Net Total Return Index, MSCI’s flagship global equity index, is designed to represent performance of the full opportunity set of large- and mid-cap stocks across 23 developed and 26 emerging markets. As of December 2019, it covers more than 3,050 constituents across 11 sectors and approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each market.
The Morningstar® Global Markets Index, measures the performance of performance of the stocks located in the developed and emerging countries across the world. Stocks in the index are weighted by their float capital, which removes corporate cross ownership, government holdings and other locked-in shares.
One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top Ten Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Align Technology, Inc. | 1.47% |
DexCom, Inc. | 1.43% |
ADT, Inc. | 1.43% |
Fortinet, Inc. | 1.24% |
Qorvo, Inc. | 1.23% |
Splunk, Inc. | 1.21% |
Insulet Corp. | 1.19% |
Xero, Ltd. | 1.18% |
Avast PLC | 1.18% |
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP | 1.17% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 12.73% |
| * | % of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned) |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Thematic Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (the “Fund” or “SBIO”) seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the S-Network® Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Underlying Index (or depository receipts based on such securities).
The Fund employs a “passive management” – or indexing – investment approach designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is comprised of small- and mid-cap stocks of biotechnology companies that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") clinical trials. In a Phase II trial, the drug is administered to a group of 100-300 people to see if it is effective and to evaluate its safety. In a Phase III trial, the drug is given to a larger group, between 500-3,000 people, to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely. Stocks selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index must be listed on a U.S. stock exchange. Underlying Index constituents must have a market capitalization of no less than $200 million and no more than $5 billion. Stocks included in the Underlying Index must also sustain an average daily trading volume in excess of $1 million for the 90-day period preceding an Underlying Index reconstitution. Constituents must be able to sustain the monthly rates at which they use shareholder capital ("cash burn rates") for at least 24 months. The Underlying Index is reconstituted semi-annually on the third Fridays of June and December.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund generated a total return of 20.99%, in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 21.33%. The Fund outperformed the broad market’s return of 16.11% as represented by the S&P 500® Index while more than doubling the NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index’s return of 10.11% as the small and mid-cap developmental space outperformed.
The biotechnology space was driven by merger and acquisition (M&A), especially within the small and mid-cap biotech companies, in 2019. Just one week into 2019, the new year got off to the proverbial roaring start with the announcement of two multi-billion-dollar deals valued at a total of $82 billion—one of them among the top 10 of all time at the time. In 2019, the biotech space saw M&A deals totaling nearly $300 billion. As of November 30, 2019, three SBIO constituents were acquired in the year at an average premium of nearly 74%. SBIO fluctuated in the period, due to the inherent volatility in the biotech space. However, SBIO finished the period on a strong note, approaching all-time highs in October and November of 2019. From October 1, 2019 to November 29, 2019, SBIO gained over 28%, fueled by positive drug trial data from its constituents, M&A activity within SBIO and the industry, as well optimistic industry sentiment. With such a volatile space in terms of single stock picking, owning a basket of small-mid cap biotech companies can provide investors downside protection while participating in the growing opportunity of discovering unmet medical needs.
The best performing stocks in the Fund for the period were Constellation Pharmaceutical (CNST), Chemocentryx Inc. (CCXI), and Array Biopharma Inc. (ARRY) up 356.47%, 201.79%, and 190.02%, respectively, while the bottom performers, Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (ACOR), Savara Inc. (SVRA) and AnaptysBio Inc. (ANAB) were down 92.17%, 85.95%, and 81.91%, respectively.
Due to the high failure rate of companies within the space, the non-traditional metrics used to evaluate biotech companies, volatility, and specialized knowledge required to succeed in the space, biotechnology is a difficult industry for stock pickers. This environment makes a passive strategy attractive, as it provides a diversified, rules-based access vehicle for those looking to gain exposure to the biotechnology space, while eliminating single name risk. The Fund and its Underlying Index focus on innovation, seeking to capture research and development opportunities in the biotechnology industry. Looking forward we believe the Fund’s strategy of providing exposure to small- and mid-cap biotechnology companies that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III FDA clinical trials can provide potential alpha and pure-play exposure to the biotech space.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Fund Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 3 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF - NAV | 20.99% | 19.62% | 11.10% |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF - Market Price* | 20.98% | 19.63% | 11.11% |
S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index | 21.33% | 19.86% | 11.44% |
NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index | 10.11% | 10.00% | 3.87% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.50%
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.844.234.5852.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
NASDAQ Biotechnology Total Return Index (Ticker: NBI)is a modified market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of the all NASDAQ stocks in the biotechnology sector. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index (Ticker: PMBI)is designed to capture research and development opportunities in the biotechnology industry. PMBI consists of small-cap and mid-cap biotechnology stocks listed on U.S. stock exchanges that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III U.S. FDA clinical trials. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
Companies in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry may be subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Legislation introduced or considered by certain governments on such industries or on the healthcare sector cannot be predicted.
Companies in the pharmaceuticals industry are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. The profitability of some companies in the pharmaceuticals industry may be dependent on a relatively limited number of products. In addition, their products can become obsolete due to industry innovation, changes in technologies or other market developments. Many new products in the pharmaceuticals industry are subject to government approvals, regulation and reimbursement rates. The process of obtaining government approvals may be long and costly. Many companies in the pharmaceuticals industry are heavily dependent on patents and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.
The development of new drugs generally has a high failure rate, and such failures may negatively impact the stock price of the company developing the failed drug. Biotechnology companies may have persistent losses during a new product’s transition from development to production. In order to fund operations, biotechnology companies may require financing from the capital markets, which may not always be available on satisfactory terms or at all.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is not affiliated with S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top Ten Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 4.75% |
Allakos, Inc. | 4.56% |
United Therapeutics Corp. | 4.01% |
Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. | 3.96% |
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. | 3.93% |
MorphoSys AG | 3.86% |
FibroGen, Inc. | 3.65% |
Immunomedics, Inc. | 3.57% |
Alkermes PLC | 3.28% |
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 2.81% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 38.38% |
| * | % of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned) |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Sector Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Index

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
ALPS ETF Trust
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example:As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return:The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return:The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | Expense Ratio(a) | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,208.80 | 0.65% | $3.60 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,021.81 | 0.65% | $3.29 |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,123.30 | 0.50% | $2.66 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,022.56 | 0.50% | $2.54 |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,222.50 | 0.50% | $2.79 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,022.56 | 0.50% | $2.54 |
| (a) | Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
ALPS ETF Trust
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (the “Funds”), three of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019; the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the three funds listed above constituting ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of their operations for the year then ended, and the changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for the periods listed in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Individual Fund Comprising the ALPS ETF Trust | Statements of Operation | Statements of Changes in Net Assets | Financial Highlights |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | For the year ended November 30, 2019 | For the year ended November 30, 2019 and for the period June 28, 2018 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2018 | For the year ended November 30, 2019 and for the period June 28, 2018 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2018 |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | For the year ended November 30, 2019 | For the year ended November 30, 2019 and for the period December 28, 2017 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2018 | For the year ended November 30, 2019 and for the period December 28, 2017 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2018 |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | For the year ended November 30, 2019 | For the years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 | For the years ended November 30, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and for the period December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2015 |
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
ALPS Clean Energy ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (87.30%) | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (6.87%) | | | | | | | | |
Tesla, Inc.(a) | | | 22,154 | | | $ | 7,309,491 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (2.55%) | | | | | | | | |
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.(a) | | | 88,773 | | | | 1,514,468 | |
REX American Resources Corp.(a) | | | 13,091 | | | | 1,202,408 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 2,716,876 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (20.31%) | | | | | | | | |
Acuity Brands, Inc. | | | 40,033 | | | | 5,235,516 | |
Ameresco, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 44,699 | | | | 730,829 | |
American Superconductor Corp.(a) | | | 43,866 | | | | 366,281 | |
Ballard Power Systems, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 374,994 | | | | 2,486,210 | |
Covanta Holding Corp. | | | 275,920 | | | | 4,058,783 | |
Plug Power, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 586,501 | | | | 2,287,354 | |
Sunrun, Inc.(a) | | | 257,044 | | | | 3,567,771 | |
TPI Composites, Inc.(a) | | | 78,188 | | | | 1,411,293 | |
Vivint Solar, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 102,037 | | | | 749,972 | |
Willdan Group, Inc.(a) | | | 24,828 | | | | 707,846 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 21,601,855 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology (23.22%) | | | | | | | | |
Cree, Inc.(a) | | | 109,944 | | | | 4,860,624 | |
Enphase Energy, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 198,339 | | | | 4,337,674 | |
First Solar, Inc.(a) | | | 80,205 | | | | 4,430,524 | |
Itron, Inc.(a) | | | 70,806 | | | | 5,670,144 | |
SunPower Corp.(a)(b) | | | 140,053 | | | | 1,048,997 | |
Universal Display Corp. | | | 22,424 | | | | 4,355,189 | |
Total Information Technology | | | | | | | 24,703,152 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Real Estate (4.09%) | | | | | | | | |
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. | | | 148,062 | | | | 4,345,620 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (30.26%) | | | | | | | | |
Boralex, Inc., Class A | | | 198,497 | | | | 3,713,506 | |
Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C | | | 171,830 | | | | 3,407,389 | |
Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc. | | | 287,889 | | | | 3,712,669 | |
Northland Power, Inc. | | | 263,950 | | | | 5,468,573 | |
Ormat Technologies, Inc. | | | 69,987 | | | | 5,378,501 | |
Pattern Energy Group, Inc., Class A | | | 184,225 | | | | 5,069,872 | |
TerraForm Power, Inc., Class A | | | 170,524 | | | | 2,644,827 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Utilities (continued) | | | | | | |
TransAlta Renewables, Inc. | | | 246,084 | | | $ | 2,784,493 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 32,179,830 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $81,077,553) | | | | | | | 92,856,824 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (12.41%) | | | | |
Energy (1.65%) | | | | | | | | |
Enviva Partners LP | | | 50,641 | | | | 1,750,153 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (10.76%) | | | | | | | | |
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP | | | 134,705 | | | | 6,283,462 | |
NextEra Energy Partners LP | | | 97,211 | | | | 5,164,820 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 11,448,282 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS | | | | |
(Cost $10,521,876) | | | | | | | 13,198,435 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (3.91%) | | | | |
Money Market Fund (0.12%) | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $123,745) | | | 1.56 | % | | | 123,745 | | | | 123,745 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (3.79%) | |
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 1.63% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $4,033,807) | | | | | | | 4,033,807 | | | | 4,033,807 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $4,157,552) | | | | | | | | | | | 4,157,552 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (103.62%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $95,756,981) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 110,212,811 | |
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-3.62%) | | | | (3,853,675 | ) |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 106,359,136 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $7,458,828. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (98.75%) | | | | | | |
Communication Services (2.03%) | | | | | | |
Netflix, Inc.(a) | | | 2,387 | | | $ | 751,093 | |
Spotify Technology SA(a) | | | 5,406 | | | | 770,625 | |
Total Communication Services | | | | | | | 1,521,718 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (1.68%) | | | | | | | | |
Garmin, Ltd. | | | 8,100 | | | | 791,290 | |
iRobot Corp.(a)(b) | | | 10,522 | | | | 458,338 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 1,249,628 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (3.93%) | | | | | | | | |
American Express Co. | | | 5,796 | | | | 696,216 | |
LendingTree, Inc.(a) | | | 2,156 | | | | 777,303 | |
Moody's Corp. | | | 3,242 | | | | 734,864 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | 2,757 | | | | 729,640 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 2,938,023 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (12.73%) | | | | | | | | |
ABIOMED, Inc.(a) | | | 3,682 | | | | 722,335 | |
Align Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 3,969 | | | | 1,100,762 | |
Boston Scientific Corp.(a) | | | 16,347 | | | | 707,008 | |
Cochlear, Ltd. | | | 4,834 | | | | 765,079 | |
CYBERDYNE, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 111,200 | | | | 621,956 | |
Demant A/S(a) | | | 22,837 | | | | 698,771 | |
DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc. | | | 13,349 | | | | 754,752 | |
DexCom, Inc.(a) | | | 4,721 | | | | 1,073,131 | |
Insulet Corp.(a) | | | 4,800 | | | | 891,360 | |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a) | | | 1,328 | | | | 787,371 | |
Smith & Nephew PLC, Sponsored ADR | | | 14,686 | | | | 657,639 | |
Tecan Group AG | | | 2,850 | | | | 765,701 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 9,545,865 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (18.46%) | | | | | | | | |
ABB, Ltd., Sponsored ADR(b) | | | 34,134 | | | | 745,145 | |
ADT, Inc. | | | 115,721 | | | | 1,069,262 | |
AeroVironment, Inc.(a) | | | 11,196 | | | | 686,763 | |
ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 49,442 | | | | 732,157 | |
Experian PLC | | | 22,180 | | | | 735,203 | |
FANUC Corp. | | | 3,696 | | | | 706,131 | |
IHS Markit, Ltd.(a) | | | 10,221 | | | | 742,555 | |
Proto Labs, Inc.(a) | | | 6,302 | | | | 610,601 | |
Prysmian SpA | | | 30,270 | | | | 690,039 | |
RELX PLC, Sponsored ADR(b) | | | 29,532 | | | | 719,990 | |
Schneider Electric SE | | | 7,778 | | | | 750,711 | |
Sensata Technologies Holding PLC(a) | | | 13,560 | | | | 698,204 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Industrials (continued) | | | | | | |
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA | | | 46,310 | | | $ | 739,084 | |
Thomson Reuters Corp. | | | 10,249 | | | | 716,651 | |
TransUnion | | | 8,600 | | | | 742,266 | |
Verisk Analytics, Inc. | | | 4,384 | | | | 646,552 | |
Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | 8,442 | | | | 803,437 | |
Wolters Kluwer NV | | | 9,687 | | | | 695,458 | |
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Class H | | | 551,800 | | | | 613,957 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 13,844,166 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology (57.22%) | | | | | | | | |
3D Systems Corp.(a) | | | 81,344 | | | | 690,610 | |
Adobe, Inc.(a) | | | 2,501 | | | | 774,135 | |
Adyen NV(a)(c)(d) | | | 980 | | | | 751,728 | |
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 13,886 | | | | 605,707 | |
ams AG(a) | | | 14,729 | | | | 710,852 | |
ANSYS, Inc.(a) | | | 3,292 | | | | 838,439 | |
Autodesk, Inc.(a) | | | 4,435 | | | | 802,292 | |
Avast PLC(d) | | | 152,000 | | | | 880,681 | |
Black Knight, Inc.(a) | | | 11,115 | | | | 700,356 | |
Brooks Automation, Inc. | | | 17,700 | | | | 792,429 | |
Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.(a) | | | 6,240 | | | | 735,571 | |
Cognex Corp. | | | 13,795 | | | | 692,233 | |
CyberArk Software, Ltd.(a) | | | 7,050 | | | | 863,978 | |
Dassault Systemes SE | | | 4,831 | | | | 761,156 | |
FARO Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 12,579 | | | | 612,849 | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. | | | 5,200 | | | | 718,380 | |
First Solar, Inc.(a) | | | 11,097 | | | | 612,998 | |
Fiserv, Inc.(a) | | | 6,685 | | | | 777,064 | |
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 2,406 | | | | 738,450 | |
Fortinet, Inc.(a) | | | 8,808 | | | | 925,809 | |
Global Payments, Inc. | | | 4,120 | | | | 746,132 | |
Guidewire Software, Inc.(a) | | | 6,421 | | | | 782,270 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | | 2,589 | | | | 670,266 | |
Itron, Inc.(a) | | | 9,450 | | | | 756,756 | |
Keyence Corp. | | | 2,208 | | | | 755,507 | |
Landis+Gyr Group AG | | | 7,700 | | | | 786,367 | |
Mastercard, Inc., Class A | | | 2,513 | | | | 734,374 | |
Nemetschek SE | | | 13,647 | | | | 806,692 | |
NortonLifeLock, Inc. | | | 28,143 | | | | 700,761 | |
Okta, Inc.(a) | | | 6,515 | | | | 845,517 | |
Omron Corp. | | | 12,700 | | | | 746,308 | |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a) | | | 3,323 | | | | 755,052 | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 6,446 | | | | 696,232 | |
Proofpoint, Inc.(a) | | | 5,551 | | | | 658,848 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Information Technology (continued) | | | | | | |
PTC, Inc.(a) | | | 10,469 | | | $ | 801,925 | |
Qorvo, Inc.(a) | | | 8,869 | | | | 924,238 | |
Renishaw PLC | | | 14,000 | | | | 717,364 | |
salesforce.com, Inc.(a) | | | 4,493 | | | | 731,865 | |
SAP SE, Sponsored ADR(b) | | | 5,709 | | | | 776,139 | |
ServiceNow, Inc.(a) | | | 2,688 | | | | 760,812 | |
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | | 6,040 | | | | 639,817 | |
SimCorp A/S | | | 7,602 | | | | 813,845 | |
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | | | 8,389 | | | | 824,639 | |
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 9,680 | | | | 789,985 | |
Splunk, Inc.(a) | | | 6,095 | | | | 909,496 | |
Square, Inc.(a) | | | 11,941 | | | | 825,362 | |
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. | | | 13,242 | | | | 795,182 | |
StoneCo, Ltd.(a) | | | 21,100 | | | | 864,678 | |
Stratasys, Ltd.(a) | | | 27,820 | | | | 513,001 | |
Temenos AG | | | 4,112 | | | | 623,946 | |
Trend Micro, Inc. | | | 14,863 | | | | 802,781 | |
Visa, Inc., Class A | | | 3,907 | | | | 720,881 | |
VMware, Inc., Class A | | | 4,514 | | | | 702,469 | |
Wirecard AG | | | 4,143 | | | | 546,855 | |
Workday, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 4,078 | | | | 730,451 | |
Xero, Ltd.(a) | | | 16,087 | | | | 884,425 | |
Zscaler, Inc.(a) | | | 13,976 | | | | 728,569 | |
Total Information Technology | | | | | | | 42,855,524 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Real Estate (1.86%) | | | | | | | | |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | | 5,489 | | | | 663,895 | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | 1,282 | | | | 726,701 | |
Total Real Estate | | | | | | | 1,390,596 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (0.84%) | | | | | | | | |
China Longyuan Power Group Corp., Ltd., Class H | | | 1,167,000 | | | | 632,084 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $65,491,414) | | | | | | | 73,977,604 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MASTER LIMITED PARTERSHIPS (1.17%) | | |
Utilities (1.17%) | | | | | | | | |
Brookfield Renewable Partners LP | | | 18,779 | | | | 875,967 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTERSHIPS | | | | |
(Cost $585,587) | | | | | | | 875,967 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.99%) | | | | |
Money Market Fund (0.05%) | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $37,519) | | | 1.56 | % | | | 37,519 | | | $ | 37,519 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (1.94%) |
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 1.63% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $1,451,456) | | | | | | | 1,451,456 | | | | 1,451,456 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $1,488,975) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,488,975 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (101.91%) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $67,565,976) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 76,342,546 | |
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-1.91%) | | | | (1,432,459 | ) |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 74,910,087 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $2,204,947. |
| (c) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $751,728, representing 1.00% of net assets. |
| (d) | Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2019, the market value of those securities was $1,632,409 representing 2.18% of net assets. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (100.01%) | | | | | | |
Biotechnology (100.01%) | | | | | | |
AC Immune SA(a)(b) | | | 132,093 | | | $ | 1,056,744 | |
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 207,442 | | | | 9,395,048 | |
Acceleron Pharma, Inc.(a) | | | 103,326 | | | | 5,058,841 | |
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 273,040 | | | | 1,695,579 | |
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 93,965 | | | | 150,344 | |
Aduro Biotech, Inc.(a) | | | 156,667 | | | | 186,434 | |
Agenus, Inc.(a) | | | 268,427 | | | | 1,124,709 | |
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 114,861 | | | | 4,468,093 | |
Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 181,860 | | | | 3,540,814 | |
Albireo Pharma, Inc.(a) | | | 24,842 | | | | 561,926 | |
Alkermes PLC(a) | | | 308,039 | | | | 6,474,980 | |
Allakos, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 94,810 | | | | 9,006,950 | |
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 66,272 | | | | 705,797 | |
AnaptysBio, Inc.(a) | | | 52,868 | | | | 713,189 | |
Anika Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 26,974 | | | | 1,559,097 | |
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 124,565 | | | | 3,348,307 | |
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 97,693 | | | | 4,628,694 | |
ArQule, Inc.(a) | | | 235,053 | | | | 2,254,158 | |
Assembly Biosciences, Inc.(a) | | | 50,250 | | | | 815,055 | |
Athersys, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 298,485 | | | | 394,000 | |
Cara Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 91,038 | | | | 2,365,167 | |
ChemoCentryx, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 113,831 | | | | 3,452,494 | |
Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 46,489 | | | | 350,527 | |
Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 50,450 | | | | 2,348,952 | |
Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 126,397 | | | | 594,066 | |
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 47,271 | | | | 924,621 | |
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 95,892 | | | | 4,534,733 | |
Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 133,632 | | | | 3,215,186 | |
Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 72,125 | | | | 4,062,801 | |
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(a) | | | 100,883 | | | | 5,534,441 | |
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 38,504 | | | | 2,451,165 | |
Epizyme, Inc.(a) | | | 177,989 | | | | 2,940,378 | |
Fate Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 127,829 | | | | 1,996,689 | |
FibroGen, Inc.(a) | | | 170,325 | | | | 7,216,670 | |
G1 Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 73,384 | | | | 1,585,094 | |
Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 117,594 | | | | 7,820,001 | |
GlycoMimetics, Inc.(a) | | | 84,474 | | | | 496,707 | |
Gossamer Bio, Inc.(a) | | | 128,842 | | | | 3,285,471 | |
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 286,044 | | | | 5,546,393 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Biotechnology (continued) | | | | | | |
ImmunoGen, Inc.(a) | | | 293,020 | | | $ | 1,057,802 | |
Immunomedics, Inc.(a) | | | 376,066 | | | | 7,062,520 | |
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Class A(a) | | | 37,423 | | | | 398,555 | |
Krystal Biotech, Inc.(a) | | | 33,812 | | | | 1,910,716 | |
Kura Oncology, Inc.(a) | | | 88,344 | | | | 1,408,203 | |
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 37,284 | | | | 4,213,092 | |
MacroGenics, Inc.(a) | | | 95,575 | | | | 905,095 | |
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 30,153 | | | | 3,337,636 | |
Magenta Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 75,815 | | | | 1,003,791 | |
MannKind Corp.(a)(b) | | | 370,704 | | | | 455,966 | |
Marker Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 89,272 | | | | 298,169 | |
MediciNova, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 84,735 | | | | 603,313 | |
MeiraGTx Holdings PLC(a) | | | 71,513 | | | | 1,378,056 | |
Minerva Neurosciences, Inc.(a) | | | 76,272 | | | | 476,700 | |
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 76,994 | | | | 7,758,685 | |
MorphoSys AG, ADR(a) | | | 249,347 | | | | 7,635,005 | |
Orchard Therapeutics PLC, ADR(a) | | | 185,449 | | | | 2,112,264 | |
PDL BioPharma, Inc.(a) | | | 223,217 | | | | 691,973 | |
PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 54,734 | | | | 178,433 | |
Principia Biopharma, Inc.(a) | | | 46,828 | | | | 1,677,847 | |
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 168,958 | | | | 881,961 | |
ProQR Therapeutics NV(a) | | | 75,959 | | | | 648,690 | |
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 115,485 | | | | 5,423,176 | |
Puma Biotechnology, Inc.(a) | | | 76,031 | | | | 721,534 | |
Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 92,167 | | | | 4,306,964 | |
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 67,499 | | | | 1,515,353 | |
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 327,693 | | | | 734,032 | |
Savara, Inc.(a) | | | 80,555 | | | | 101,499 | |
Scholar Rock Holding Corp.(a) | | | 58,043 | | | | 493,946 | |
uniQure NV(a) | | | 83,506 | | | | 4,647,944 | |
United Therapeutics Corp.(a) | | | 85,878 | | | | 7,923,104 | |
UroGen Pharma, Ltd.(a)(b) | | | 40,902 | | | | 1,294,139 | |
Vericel Corp.(a) | | | 86,310 | | | | 1,610,545 | |
Viking Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 141,194 | | | | 1,033,540 | |
Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 72,240 | | | | 985,354 | |
Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 50,347 | | | | 595,605 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Biotechnology (continued) | | | | | | |
Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 66,839 | | | $ | 2,255,816 | |
Total Biotechnology | | | | | | | 197,597,338 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $172,913,329) | | | | | | | 197,597,338 | |
| | | | | | | | |
WARRANTS(0.00%)(c) | | | | | | | | |
Corium International, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
(Expiring 4/1/2020) | | | 59,464 | | | | 595 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL WARRANTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $–) | | | | | | | 595 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (4.68%) | |
Money Market Fund (0.01%) | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $26,649) | | | 1.56 | % | | | 26,649 | | | | 26,649 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (4.67%) | |
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 1.63% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $9,210,717) | | | | | | | 9,210,717 | | | | 9,210,717 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $9,237,366) | | | | | | | | | | | 9,237,366 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (104.69%) | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $182,150,695) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 206,835,299 | |
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-4.69%) | | | | (9,265,573 | ) |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 197,569,726 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $19,218,928. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS ETF Trust
Statements of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
| | ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | | ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | |
ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 110,212,811 | | | $ | 76,342,546 | | | $ | 206,835,299 | |
Foreign Currency, at value (Cost $11,774, $– and $–) | | | 11,774 | | | | – | | | | – | |
Dividends receivable | | | 221,027 | | | | 48,874 | | | | 19,368 | |
Receivable for shares sold | | | 3,240,864 | | | | – | | | | 1,974,534 | |
Total Assets | | | 113,686,476 | | | | 76,391,420 | | | | 208,829,201 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payable to adviser | | | 52,643 | | | | 29,877 | | | | 74,146 | |
Payable for investments purchased | | | 3,240,890 | | | | – | | | | 1,974,612 | |
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 4,033,807 | | | | 1,451,456 | | | | 9,210,717 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 7,327,340 | | | | 1,481,333 | | | | 11,259,475 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 106,359,136 | | | $ | 74,910,087 | | | $ | 197,569,726 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 92,461,354 | | | $ | 68,658,374 | | | $ | 254,116,174 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | 13,897,782 | | | | 6,251,713 | | | | (56,546,448 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 106,359,136 | | | $ | 74,910,087 | | | $ | 197,569,726 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 95,756,981 | | | $ | 67,565,976 | | | $ | 182,150,695 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 106,359,136 | | | $ | 74,910,087 | | | $ | 197,569,726 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 3,300,002 | | | | 2,350,002 | | | | 5,000,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 32.23 | | | $ | 31.88 | | | $ | 39.51 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS ETF Trust
Statements of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
| | ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | | ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends* | | $ | 669,274 | | | $ | 456,736 | | | $ | 693,722 | |
Securities Lending Income | | | 322,472 | | | | 143,996 | | | | 382,291 | |
Total Investment Income | | | 991,746 | | | | 600,732 | | | | 1,076,013 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment adviser fees | | | 368,844 | | | | 304,961 | | | | 917,940 | |
Total Expenses | | | 368,844 | | | | 304,961 | | | | 917,940 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 622,902 | | | | 295,771 | | | | 158,073 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized loss on investments | | | (376,547 | ) | | | (1,821,912 | ) | | | (9,081,617 | ) |
Net realized gain/(loss) on foreign currency transactions | | | 78 | | | | (6,184 | ) | | | – | |
Total net realized loss | | | (376,469 | ) | | | (1,828,096 | ) | | | (9,081,617 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 14,645,269 | | | | 12,543,326 | | | | 38,722,701 | |
Net change in unrealized depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | | | (27 | ) | | | (29 | ) | | | – | |
Total net change in unrealized appreciation | | | 14,645,242 | | | | 12,543,297 | | | | 38,722,701 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS | | | 14,268,773 | | | | 10,715,201 | | | | 29,641,084 | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 14,891,675 | | | $ | 11,010,972 | | | $ | 29,799,157 | |
*Net of foreign tax withholding. | | $ | 69,675 | | | $ | 31,948 | | | $ | 122,711 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Clean Energy ETF
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Period June 28, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 622,902 | | | $ | 48,640 | |
Net realized loss | | | (376,469 | ) | | | (30,533 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 14,645,242 | | | | (189,451 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 14,891,675 | | | | (171,344 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (391,478 | ) | | | – | |
From tax return of capital | | | (652,198 | ) | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (1,043,676 | ) | | | – | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 77,603,077 | | | | 18,954,155 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (1,362,989 | ) | | | (2,511,762 | ) |
Net increase from capital share transactions | | | 76,240,088 | | | | 16,442,393 | |
Net increase in net assets | | | 90,088,087 | | | | 16,271,049 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 16,271,049 | | | | – | |
End of year | | $ | 106,359,136 | | | $ | 16,271,049 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 650,002 | | | | – | |
Shares sold | | | 2,700,000 | | | | 750,002 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (50,000 | ) | | | (100,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 3,300,002 | | | | 650,002 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Period December 28, 2017 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 295,771 | | | $ | 131,590 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (1,828,096 | ) | | | 625,009 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 12,543,297 | | | | (3,766,883 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 11,010,972 | | | | (3,010,284 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (147,001 | ) | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (147,001 | ) | | | – | |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 22,068,308 | | | | 57,258,516 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (6,505,138 | ) | | | (5,765,286 | ) |
Net increase from capital share transactions | | | 15,563,170 | | | | 51,493,230 | |
Net increase in net assets | | | 26,427,141 | | | | 48,482,946 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 48,482,946 | | | | – | |
End of year | | $ | 74,910,087 | | | $ | 48,482,946 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 1,850,002 | | | | – | |
Shares sold | | | 750,000 | | | | 2,050,002 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (250,000 | ) | | | (200,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 2,350,002 | | | | 1,850,002 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 158,073 | | | $ | (557,556 | ) |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (9,081,617 | ) | | | 15,057,328 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 38,722,701 | | | | (15,342,539 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 29,799,157 | | | | (842,767 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (4,900,375 | ) | | | (2,404,884 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (4,900,375 | ) | | | (2,404,884 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 23,073,262 | | | | 141,518,675 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (72,096,324 | ) | | | (44,979,196 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from capital share transactions | | | (49,023,062 | ) | | | 96,539,479 | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (24,124,280 | ) | | | 93,291,828 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 221,694,006 | | | | 128,402,178 | |
End of year | | $ | 197,569,726 | | | $ | 221,694,006 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 6,600,000 | | | | 4,050,000 | |
Shares sold | | | 650,000 | | | | 3,900,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (2,250,000 | ) | | | (1,350,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 5,000,000 | | | | 6,600,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Clean Energy ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Period June 28, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 25.03 | | | $ | 24.95 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.32 | | | | 0.09 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 7.42 | | | | (0.01 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 7.74 | | | | 0.08 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.23 | ) | | | – | |
Tax return of capital | | | (0.31 | ) | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (0.54 | ) | | | – | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net asset value | | | 7.20 | | | | 0.08 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 32.23 | | | $ | 25.03 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 31.28 | % | | | 0.32 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 106,359 | | | $ | 16,271 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | %(c) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.10 | % | | | 0.89 | %(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 15 | % | | | 9 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (d) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Period December 28, 2017 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2018 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 26.21 | | | $ | 25.08 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.13 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | | 5.61 | | | | 1.00 | (b) |
Total from investment operations | | | 5.75 | | | | 1.13 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.08 | ) | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (0.08 | ) | | | – | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net asset value | | | 5.67 | | | | 1.13 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 31.88 | | | $ | 26.21 | |
TOTAL RETURN(c) | | | 22.04 | % | | | 4.47 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 74,910 | | | $ | 48,483 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | %(d) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 0.48 | % | | | 0.53 | %(d) |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 42 | % | | | 33 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Net realized and unrealized loss on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain in the Statements of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio. |
| (c) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (e) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Period December 31, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 33.59 | | | $ | 31.70 | | | $ | 24.16 | | | $ | 32.23 | | | $ | 24.64 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) (a) | | | 0.03 | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 0.18 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 6.67 | | | | 2.57 | (b) | | | 7.36 | | | | (7.98 | ) | | | 7.72 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 6.70 | | | | 2.47 | | | | 7.54 | | | | (8.07 | ) | | | 7.59 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.78 | ) | | | (0.58 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (0.78 | ) | | | (0.58 | ) | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value | | | 5.92 | | | | 1.89 | | | | 7.54 | | | | (8.07 | ) | | | 7.59 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 39.51 | | | $ | 33.59 | | | $ | 31.70 | | | $ | 24.16 | | | $ | 32.23 | |
TOTAL RETURN(c) | | | 20.99 | % | | | 7.81 | % | | | 31.21 | % | | | (25.04 | )% | | | 30.80 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 197,570 | | | $ | 221,694 | | | $ | 128,402 | | | $ | 118,370 | | | $ | 170,824 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | %(d) |
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets | | | 0.09 | % | | | (0.27 | )% | | | 0.66 | % | | | (0.38 | )% | | | (0.42 | )%(d) |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 88 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 43 | % | | | 62 | % | | | 25 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Net realized and unrealized loss on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain in the Statements of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio. |
| (c) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (e) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consisted of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF, ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF, and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). ALPS Clean Energy ETF and ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF are considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund. ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The investment objective of the ALPS Clean Energy ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Total Return Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Total Return Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Total Return Index.
The shares of the ALPS Clean Energy ETF and ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (“Shares”) are listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Cboe BZX”). The shares of the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.
The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
B. Fair Value Measurements
Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability; including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments at November 30, 2019:
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 92,856,824 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 92,856,824 | |
Master Limited Partnerships* | | | 13,198,435 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 13,198,435 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 4,157,552 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 4,157,552 | |
Total | | $ | 110,212,811 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 110,212,811 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 73,977,604 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 73,977,604 | |
Master Limited Parterships* | | | 875,967 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 875,967 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 1,488,975 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 1,488,975 | |
Total | | $ | 76,342,546 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 76,342,546 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 197,597,338 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 197,597,338 | |
Warrants | | | – | | | | 595 | | | | – | | | | 595 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 9,237,366 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 9,237,366 | |
Total | | $ | 206,834,704 | | | $ | 595 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 206,835,299 | |
| * | For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2019.
C. Foreign Investment Risk
The Funds may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors. The Fund will not enter into transactions to hedge against declines in the value of the Fund’s assets that are denominated in foreign currency.
Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets. The economies of emerging markets countries also may be based on only a few industries, making them more vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions and more sensitive to debt burdens, inflation rates or adverse news and events.
Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of the Fund, the value of the Funds’ securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Fund. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
D. Foreign Currency Translation
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.
E. Other Risks
Equity Risk:A principal risk of investing in the Funds is equity risk, which is the risk that the value of the securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by a Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held by a Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in a Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition.
Small- and Mid- Capitalization Company Risk:Investments in securities of small and mid-capitalization companies are subject to the risks of common stocks. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally have a limited track record. Smaller companies often have narrower markets, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.
Concentration Risk:Each Fund seeks to track its respective Underlying Index, which may have concentration in certain industries or sectors, as well as regions, economies or markets. Underperformance or increased risk in such other concentrated areas may result in underperformance or increased risk in a Fund.
Non-Correlation Risk:Each Fund’s return may not match the return of its respective Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, a Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to its Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Underlying Index. In addition, the performance of a Fund and its Underlying Index may vary due to asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions. Due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations, a Fund may not be able to invest in all securities included in its Underlying Index. For tax efficiency purposes, a Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate from the Underlying Index. The Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and expenses. If a Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index, its return may not correlate as well with the return on its Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.
F. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the highest cost basis. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.
G. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income for both ALPS Disruptive Technology ETF and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF, if any, are declared and paid annually or as the Board may determine from time to time. Dividends from net investment income for ALPS Clean Energy ETF, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
H. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 415,043 | | | $ | (415,043 | ) |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | $ | 569,083 | | | $ | (569,083 | ) |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | $ | 20,127,679 | | | $ | (20,127,679 | ) |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
| | Ordinary Income | | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | | Return of Capital | |
November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 391,478 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 652,198 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 147,001 | | | $ | – | | | | – | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 4,900,375 | | | $ | – | | | | – | |
November 30, 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | – | | | $ | – | | | | – | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 2,404,884 | | | $ | – | | | | – | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 681,866 | | | $ | 43,253 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 1,750,762 | | | | 989,644 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 39,644,148 | | | | 39,378,453 | |
The ALPS Medical Breakthrough ETF elects to defer to the period ending November 30, 2020, late year ordinary losses in the amount of $484,171.
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:
| | Undistributed net investment income | | | Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | | Other accumulated gains | | | Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | | | Total | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | – | | | $ | (725,119 | ) | | $ | 50 | | | $ | 14,622,851 | | | $ | 13,897,782 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 234,065 | | | | (2,740,406 | ) | | | – | | | | 8,758,054 | | | | 6,251,713 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | – | | | | (79,022,601 | ) | | | (484,171 | ) | | | 22,960,324 | | | | (56,546,448 | ) |
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
As of November 30, 2019, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
| | ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | | ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | |
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | $ | 18,805,822 | | | $ | 11,484,192 | | | $ | 43,362,867 | |
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | (4,182,932 | ) | | | (2,725,982 | ) | | | (20,402,543 | ) |
Net depreciation of foreign currency | | | (39 | ) | | | (156 | ) | | | – | |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | $ | 14,622,851 | | | $ | 8,758,054 | | | $ | 22,960,324 | |
Cost of investments for income tax purposes | | $ | 95,589,921 | | | $ | 67,584,336 | | | $ | 183,874,975 | |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales, investments in partnerships and Passive Foreign Investment Company adjustments.
I. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
J. Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Funds have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend their portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. Each Funds’ securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with each Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in a Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of each Fund, and each Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The following is a summary of each Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2019:
| | Market Value of Securities on Loan | | | Cash Collateral Received | | | Non-Cash Collateral Received | | | Total Collateral Received | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 7,458,828 | | | $ | 4,033,807 | | | $ | 4,055,075 | | | $ | 8,088,882 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 2,204,947 | | | | 1,451,456 | | | | 834,231 | | | | 2,285,687 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 19,218,928 | | | | 9,210,717 | | | | 10,648,360 | | | | 19,859,077 | |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
The following tables reflect a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2019:
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements | |
Securities Lending Transactions | | Overnight & Continuous | | | Up to 30 days | | | 30-90 days | | | Greater than 90 days | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 4,033,807 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 4,033,807 | |
Total Borrowings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,033,807 | |
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received) | | | | | | $ | 4,033,807 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements | |
Securities Lending Transactions | | Overnight & Continuous | | | Up to 30 days | | | 30-90 days | | | Greater than 90 days | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 1,451,456 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 1,451,456 | |
Total Borrowings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,451,456 | |
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received) | | | | | | | $ | 1,451,456 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements | |
Securities Lending Transactions | | Overnight & Continuous | | | Up to 30 days | | | 30-90 days | | | Greater than 90 days | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 9,210,717 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 9,210,717 | |
Total Borrowings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9,210,717 | |
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received) | | | | | | | $ | 9,210,717 | |
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.
Fund | Advisory Fee |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | 0.65% |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | 0.50% |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | 0.50% |
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund's expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator for the Funds.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 8,364,247 | | | $ | 8,647,381 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 26,024,483 | | | | 25,442,085 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 162,480,411 | | | | 167,010,279 | |
For the year or period ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 77,600,538 | | | $ | 1,014,866 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 21,602,578 | | | | 6,363,315 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 23,075,929 | | | | 71,154,753 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:
Fund | | Net Realized Gain/(Loss) | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | 415,071 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 570,671 | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 23,280,327 | |
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
ALPS ETF Trust
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Funds engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2019 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.
Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchase cost paid | | | Sale proceeds received | | | Realized gain/(loss) on sales | |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | | $ | – | | | $ | 522,512 | | | $ | 46,376 | |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | | | 522,512 | | | | – | | | | – | |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | | | 427,299 | | | | – | | | | – | |
ALPS ETF Trust
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports for each Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Each Fund’s Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports will be available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION
The Funds designate the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| Qualified Dividend Income | Dividend Received Deduction |
ALPS Clean Energy ETF | 100.00% | 15.28% |
ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF | 100.00% | 76.16% |
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | 14.09% | 0.00% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distribution paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
LICENSING AGREEMENT
ALPS Clean Energy ETF
CIBC NTC is the designer of the construction and methodology for the Underlying Index. “CIBC NTC” and “CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index” are service marks or trademarks of the Index Provider. CIBC NTC acts as brand licensor for the Underlying Index and is not responsible for the descriptions of the Fund that appear herein.
The Fund is not sponsored by CIBC NTC or any of its affiliates. CIBC NTC makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or commodities generally or in the Fund particularly. CIBC NTC does not guarantee the quality, accuracy or completeness of the Underlying Index or any Underlying Index data included herein or derived therefrom and assumes no liability in connection with their use. The Underlying Index is determined and composed without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. CIBC NTC has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser, the Fund or the shareholders of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. CIBC NTC is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund and is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the Fund.
CIBC NTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. CIBC NTC makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Adviser, the Fund, Fund shareholders or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. CIBC NTC makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall CIBC NTC have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
All intellectual property rights in the Underlying Index vests in CIBC NTC.
ALPS ETF Trust
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Underlying Index is the property of CIBC NTC, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) to calculate and maintain the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is not sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices or its affiliates or its third party licensors (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices will not be liable for any errors or omissions in calculating the Underlying Index. “Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices” and the related stylized mark(s) are service marks of S&P Dow Jones Indices and have been licensed for use by CIBC NTC. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“SPFS”), and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”).
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to CIBC NTC with respect to the Underlying Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and the provision of the calculation services related to the Underlying Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Underlying Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY CIBC NTC, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the “Distributor”). The Index Provider has entered into a license agreement with the Adviser (the “License Agreement”). The use of the Underlying Index by the Adviser and the Fund is subject to the terms of the License Agreement, which impose certain limitations and conditions on the Fund’s ability to use the Underlying Index.
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
ALPS Disruptive Technology ETF
The Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index (the “Underlying Index”) is a service mark of Indxx, LLC (“Indxx” or the “Index Provider”) and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by ALPS Advisors, Inc. The ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Indxx and Indxx makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.
The ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Indxx. Indxx makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF particularly. Indxx has no obligation to take the needs of ALPS Advisors, Inc. or the shareholders of ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Underlying Index. Indxx is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, amount or pricing of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF shares to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF is to be converted into cash. Indxx has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF.
INDXX MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX(ES), TRADING BASED ON THE INDEX(ES), OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCTS, OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. INDXX EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, INDXX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX(ES) OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY DATA SUPPLIED BY IT OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE FUNDS, ITS SHAREHOLDERS OR AFFILIATES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE DATA SUPPLIED BY INDXX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. INDXX MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA SUPPLIED BY INDXX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL INDXX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
ALPS ETF Trust
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. (“Licensor”). Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track the performance of the physical commodities market. Licensor’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of Licensor and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Licensee or the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Standard & Poor’s Custom Indexes serves as calculation agent for the Index. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to S-Network Global Indexes, Inc. is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.
ALPS ETF Trust
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Standard & Poor’s®, and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by S-Network Global Indexes, Inc.
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
ALPS ETF Trust
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Clean Energy ETF (“ACES”), the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (“DTEC”) and the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (“SBIO”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Investment Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the investment parameters of the index of each Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Independent Trustees also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between each underlying index and its corresponding Fund’s performance. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for each of SBIO and ACES is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Funds’ respective net expense ratios, however, are (i) in the case of SBIO, lower than the median of its FUSE expense group and (ii) in the case of ACES, slightly above the median of its respective FUSE expense group.
The gross management fee rate for DTEC is lower than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio, however, is slightly lower than the median for its FUSE expense group.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small sizes of the Funds and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
ALPS ETF Trust
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
ALPS ETF Trust
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested Trustee* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Trustee is deemed an interested person of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
ALPS ETF Trust
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |

Table of Contents
Performance Overview | 1 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 10 |
Report of Independent | |
Registered Public Accounting Firm | 11 |
Financial Statements | |
Schedule of Investments | 12 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities | 17 |
Statements of Operations | 18 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 19 |
Financial Highlights | 22 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 25 |
Additional Information | 32 |
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements | 34 |
Trustees and Officers | 35 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
alpsfunds.com
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index (the “Underlying Index”).
The Underlying Index is a rules based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S&P 500® Total Return Index (“SPX”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S&P 500® Total Return Index which offer the highest dividend yields.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund generated a total return of 7.26%, in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 7.75%. The Fund underperformed the S&P 500® Total Return Index (the "S&P 500"), which returned 16.11% for the same period.
The trailing twelve month yield for the Fund’s underlying constituents as of November 30, 2019 was 4.46% vs. 1.85% for the S&P 500.
The S&P 500 Index returned 16.11% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019, finishing at an all-time high. The U.S. broad-based benchmark started 2019 on an optimistic note, returning 8.01% in January 2019 after a 9.03% decline in December 2018. In general, corporate earnings continued to meet expectations while economic data validated a continued, but volatile, bull market. Geopolitical tensions partly drove market volatility as the U.S. and China moved slowly towards "Phase One" of a trade agreement. In addition, U.S. presidential impeachment hearings also contributed to the market volatility. Despite the continued angst in the growth of political risks, U.S. markets saw both growth-styled and valued-styled stocks march higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve ("FED") started the year off with a hawkish overtone, increasing the federal funds rate to 2.5%. However, as the year progressed, a more neutral stance was taken as manufacturing data began to weaken globally and the FED lowered the overnight lending rates 3 times to promote the sustained growth in the economy. The FED overnight rate stands at 1.75%.
Compared to the S&P 500, the Fund saw a negative impact (-1.98%) from sector allocation effect for the period. This was largely driven by relative under-weighting in Information Technology (average weight for the period of 10.54% vs. 21.33% in S&P 500) and relative over-weight in Energy (average weight for the period of 9.82% vs. 5.00% in S&P 500); a result of the equal sector weight strategy. The Fund also saw a negative impact (-5.33%) from selection effect, as the constituents in Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services, and Consumer Staples underperformed. The Fund’s Utilities constituents exhibited the strongest positive contribution to overall selection effect for the period.
The best performing stocks in the Fund for the period were Leggett & Platt Inc. (LEG), which increased 54.38% and Western Union Co. (WU), which saw a gain of 49.34%. Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), which rose 49.11%, and Johnson Controls International (JCI), which climbed 48.21%, were other top performers. The largest detractors were Macy’s (M), which decreased 52.12%, Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY), which fell 41.86%, and Helmerich & Payne (HP), which lost 30.83%.
Looking forward we believe the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest yielding securities in each of the GICS sectors (excluding Real Estate) in the S&P 500 will provide meaningfully higher yield relative to the S&P 500, potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting, and a deep value portfolio of securities as identified through high yield relative to their sector peers.
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV | 7.26% | 7.07% | 12.39% |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* | 7.33% | 7.06% | 12.40% |
S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Total Return Index | 7.75% | 7.56% | 12.92% |
S&P 500® Total Return Index | 16.11% | 10.98% | 14.27% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.40%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.
1 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund Commencement Date was June 29, 2012. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
The S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Total Return Index is designed to serve as a fair, impartial and transparent measure of the performance of US large cap equities with above average dividend yields. The Underlying Index is a portfolio of fifty stocks derived from the S&P 500® Index. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
The S&P 500® Total Return Index is an index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping among other factors. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period.
The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.
2 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2019)
AbbVie, Inc. | 2.43% |
Leggett & Platt, Inc. | 2.42% |
Altria Group, Inc. | 2.31% |
Western Union Co. | 2.25% |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.25% |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | 2.23% |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | 2.21% |
CenturyLink, Inc. | 2.19% |
Cummins, Inc. | 2.16% |
PPL Corp. | 2.15% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 22.60% |
Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2019)
Health Care | 10.94% |
Consumer Staples | 10.46% |
Utilities | 10.10% |
Communication Services | 10.08% |
Materials | 10.04% |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.90% |
Financials | 9.86% |
Information Technology | 9.75% |
Industrials | 9.73% |
Energy | 9.09% |
Money Market Fund | 0.05% |
Total | 100.00% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes
The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
3 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).
The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® International Developed Markets (ex-Americas) Index, a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks in international developed markets not located in the Americas (the “S-Net Developed Markets”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S-Net Developed Markets which offer the highest dividend yields.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund generated a total return of 11.79%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 12.28%. The Fund underperformed the MSCI EAFE® Net Total Return Index (MXEA) which returned 12.44% for the same period.
The trailing twelve month yield for the Fund’s constituents as of November 30, 2019 was 5.45% vs. 3.39% on the MSCI EAFE®.
Developed Markets (ex-U.S.), as represented by the MSCI EAFE Net Total Return Index, returned 12.44% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019. The strength of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro increased, which detracted from positive performance from a U.S. investor’s perspective.
Equity markets in the Eurozone were generally positive, despite Brexit-related headline risks. The change in leadership within U.K’s Conservative Party saw Boris Johnson voted in as Prime Minister, and was positively received by U.K. markets, with the FTSE 100 GBP Index returning 10.08% on the one year period as of November 30, 2019. The European Central Bank ("ECB") decreased the deposit facility rate by 0.10% in 2019, with the deposit rate currently sitting at -0.50% as of November 30, 2019. The ECB has indicated that it is not considering further decreases in the deposit rate. In Japan, domestic consumption remained sluggish, with consumption taxes currently standing at 10%. As manufacturing data continued to weaken globally, investors rotated into more defensive Japanese equities, which have more value characteristics. Japanese equities returned 5.87% on a one year period as of November 30, 2019, as seen in the MSCI Japan JPY Index.
Compared to the MSCI EAFE® Net Total Return Index, the Fund saw a slightly negative impact of -0.02% from sector allocation where a relative overweight in Energy (average weight for the period of 9.88% vs. 5.44% in MXEA) detracted from positive performance, a result of the equal sector weighting strategy. The Fund’s relative underweight to the Financials sector (average weight for the period of 9.73% vs. 18.97% in MXEA) contributed to positive performance. The Fund also saw relative outperformance 1.47% attributed to selection effect.
From a geographical perspective, the highest contribution to return was attributed to holdings based in Japan. The Fund’s performance was adversely impacted by holdings based in Denmark. Overall, currency effect lowered the overall performance of the Fund by roughly -1.31%.
The best performing stock for the period was Tokyo Electron Ltd. (8035 JP), which returned 52.53% for the Fund. The worst performing stock was Nokia OYJ (NOKIA FH), which returned -34.25% for the Fund.
Looking forward, we believe the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest yielding securities in each of the ten sectors in the S-Network Developed Markets (Ex N.A.) Index will provide high yield relative to the MSCI EAFE® Net Total Return Index, potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting, and a deep value portfolio of securities as identified through high yield relative to their sector peers.
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV | 11.79% | 3.71% | 5.10% |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* | 11.49% | 3.66% | 5.08% |
S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index | 12.28% | 4.12% | 5.50% |
MSCI EAFE® Net Total Return Index | 12.44% | 4.26% | 5.75% |
Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total Return Index** | 12.28% | 4.56% | 5.96% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.50%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.
4 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund Commencement Date was June 28, 2013. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
| ** | Effective December 13, 2019, the Fund replaced the MSCI EAFE Net Total Return Index as the Fund’s secondary benchmark for performance comparison purposes. The Adviser made this recommendation to the Board because the Fund’s new secondary benchmark, the Morningstar Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total Return Index, closely aligns with the Fund’s investment strategies and investment restrictions. Returns for both benchmarks will be shown for a transition period. |
The S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index is designed to serve as a fair, impartial and transparent measure of the performance of international large cap equities with above average dividend yields. The Underlying Index is a portfolio of fifty stocks derived from the S-Net International Developed Markets Index (ex-Americas) Index. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.
MSCI EAFE® Net Total Return Index is a stock market index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. & Canada.
Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Net Total Return Index measures the performance of companies in developed markets ex-North America. It covers approximately 97% of the full market capitalization in the Developed Markets ex-North America.
The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.
5 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2019)
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 2.28% |
BT Group PLC | 2.27% |
SSE PLC | 2.23% |
UPM-Kymmene Oyj | 2.20% |
Roche Holding AG | 2.19% |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | 2.17% |
Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG | 2.15% |
Mowi ASA | 2.14% |
Woodside Petroleum, Ltd. | 2.12% |
Kyocera Corp. | 2.12% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 21.87% |
Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2019)
Health Care | 10.68% |
Utilities | 10.45% |
Communication Services | 10.37% |
Industrials | 10.21% |
Materials | 10.10% |
Consumer Staples | 9.99% |
Energy | 9.93% |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.70% |
Information Technology | 9.55% |
Financials | 8.79% |
Money Market Fund | 0.23% |
Total | 100.00% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
6 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”).
The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying stocks (i.e. “Dividend Dogs”) in the S-Network® Emerging Markets Index, a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks domiciled in emerging markets (the “S-Network Emerging Markets”) on a sector-by-sector basis. “Dividend Dogs” refers to the five stocks in each of the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the S-Network® Emerging Markets which offer the highest dividend yields. Emerging market countries are countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund generated a total return of 2.67%, relatively in-line with the Fund’s Underlying Index, net of fees, which returned 3.42%. The Fund underperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index® (the "MSCI EM®."), which returned 7.28% for the same period.
The trailing twelve month yield for the Fund’s constituents as of November 30, 2019 was 5.42% vs. 2.75% on the MSCI EM®.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the U.S. - China trade war continued to drive emerging market performance in 2019. Emerging markets recovered in the first quarter of 2019, led by China, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s dovish comments, and the U.S. decision (at the time) to suspend tariff hikes. Bouts of volatility in the U.S. – China trade talks followed the initial sense of optimism causing emerging market equities to fluctuate for the remainder of the year, especially in Southeast Asian countries. The U.S. and China ultimately announced further tariff increases on each other’s goods, with U.S. Treasury officials labeling China a currency manipulator. The trade war also caused China’s economy to continue to slow. Chinese industrial production growth declined as businesses shifted to Southeast Asian countries. Late in 2019, the U.S. and China made progress towards a “Phase One” trade deal which boosted emerging market equities. Due to a strong U.S. dollar, a number of markets sensitive to U.S. dollar strength lagged, most notably in Latin America and South Africa. Political unrest also took center stage last year in Hong Kong, and many countries in Latin America, rattling markets. In Brazil, markets gained in 2019 after the government announced its long awaited reform to its pension system and its central bank eased its stance on the Brazilian Real. Turkey outperformed broad emerging market indices in the period following interest rate cuts by its central bank and the lifting of U.S. sanctions late in 2019. Russian markets saw large outperformance as the U.S. lifted sanctions on a number of Russian companies and did not impose any further sanctions in 2019 providing a tailwind for markets.
Compared to the MSCI EM®, the Fund saw a negative impact (-2.49%) from sector allocation effect which was largely driven by the relative overweight in Healthcare (average weight for the period of 10.05% vs. 2.69% in MSCI EM) and a relative underweight to Information Technology over the one year period (average weight for the period of 9.83% vs. 14.53% in MSCI EM), a result of the equal sector weighting strategy. The Fund also saw a negative impact (-0.94%) due to selection effect, as the constituents in Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary were leading detractors, while constituents in Industrials and Health Care propped up Fund performance.
From a geographical perspective, the highest contribution to return was attributed by holdings based in Russia. The Fund’s performance was adversely impacted by holdings based in South Africa. Overall, the currency effect lowered the overall performance of the Fund by roughly 0.24%.
The best performing stocks for the period were Zoom Lion Heavy Industry (1157 HK), which increased 112.74%, Thai Beverage PCL (THBEV SP), which returned 55.05%, and Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc. (1513 HK), which rose 45.68%. The worst performing stocks were PT Bukit Asam TBK (PTBA IJ), which lost 34.62%, Alfa, S.A.B. de C.V. (ALFAA MM), which fell 28.47%; and Vedanta Limited (VEDL), which decreased 27.03%.
Looking forward we believe the Fund’s strategy of annually selecting the five highest yielding securities in each of the ten sectors in the S-Network Emerging Markets Index will provide high yield relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index®, potential for market participation in all economic cycles through equal sector weighting, and a deep value portfolio of securities as identified through high yield relative to their sector peers.
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – NAV | 2.67% | -1.06% | 0.57% |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF – Market Price* | 2.57% | -1.15% | 0.50% |
S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index | 3.42% | -0.23% | 1.40% |
MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index® | 7.28% | 3.12% | 3.64% |
Morningstar® Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index** | 8.23% | 3.53% | 4.10% |
7 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.60%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.675.2639.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund Commencement Date was March 28, 2014. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
| ** | Effective December 13, 2019, the Fund replaced the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index as the Fund’s secondary benchmark for performance comparison purposes. The Adviser made this recommendation to the Board because the Fund’s new secondary benchmark, the Morningstar Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index, closely aligns with the Fund’s investment strategies and investment restrictions. Returns for both benchmarks will be shown for a transition period. |
The S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Net Total Return Index is a portfolio of stocks derived from a universe of mainly large capitalization stocks domiciled in emerging markets (the “S-Network Emerging Markets Index” “SNEMX”). The index methodology selects the five stocks in each of the GICS sectors, excluding the real estate sector, that make up the universe which offer the highest dividend yields as of the last trading day of November. The fifty stocks that are selected for inclusion in the portfolio are equally weighted. The universe includes stocks whose domicile and primary exchange listings are in countries identified by the World Bank as Upper Middle Income (certain lower middle income countries are also included, as well as stocks traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange despite non-recognition by the World Bank). The selection criteria for the universe, in addition to the aforementioned country qualifications, also include requirements for sector inclusion, primary exchange listing, minimum market capitalization, share price, average daily trading volume and other factors. Total Return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. Net Total Return (NTR) is obtained by reinvesting the net dividend, which is equal to the ordinary gross dividend minus the amount of withholding tax.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index® is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.
Morningstar® Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index measures the performance of emerging markets targeting the top 97% of stocks by market capitalization.
The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the ETF.
8 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings* (as of November 30, 2019)
Richter Gedeon Nyrt | 2.44% |
Netcare, Ltd. | 2.38% |
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC | 2.36% |
Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS | 2.30% |
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV | 2.29% |
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC | 2.21% |
Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. | 2.19% |
Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Ltd. | 2.16% |
MISC Bhd | 2.16% |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV | 2.16% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 22.65% |
Sector Allocation* (as of November 30, 2019)
Health Care | 11.03% |
Materials | 10.61% |
Industrials | 10.11% |
Consumer Discretionary | 10.06% |
Communication Services | 9.98% |
Consumer Staples | 9.78% |
Financials | 9.67% |
Utilities | 9.59% |
Information Technology | 9.56% |
Energy | 9.43% |
Money Market Fund | 0.18% |
Total | 100.00% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Growth of $10,000 (as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
9 | November 30, 2019
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | | Expense Ratio(a) | | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,153.20 | | | | 0.40 | % | | $ | 2.16 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,023.06 | | | | 0.40 | % | | $ | 2.03 | |
�� | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,095.60 | | | | 0.50 | % | | $ | 2.63 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.56 | | | | 0.50 | % | | $ | 2.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,021.80 | | | | 0.60 | % | | $ | 3.04 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.06 | | | | 0.60 | % | | $ | 3.04 | |
| (a) | Annualized based on the Fund's most recent half-year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
10 | November 30, 2019
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF and ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (the “Funds”), three of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF of ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
11 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (99.55%) | | | | | | |
Communication Services (10.04%) | | | | | | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 896,668 | | | $ | 33,517,450 | |
CenturyLink, Inc. | | | 2,633,433 | | | | 38,158,444 | |
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. | | | 1,603,995 | | | | 35,929,488 | |
Omnicom Group, Inc. | | | 424,315 | | | | 33,724,556 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 565,783 | | | | 34,082,768 | |
Total Communication Services | | | | | | | 175,412,706 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (9.86%) | | | | | | | | |
Ford Motor Co. | | | 3,617,222 | | | | 32,772,032 | |
General Motors Co. | | | 874,856 | | | | 31,494,816 | |
Leggett & Platt, Inc. | | | 806,337 | | | | 42,187,552 | |
Macy's, Inc. | | | 1,983,210 | | | | 30,382,777 | |
Newell Brands, Inc. | | | 1,845,396 | | | | 35,468,511 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 172,305,688 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (10.42%) | | | | | | | | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | 809,108 | | | | 40,212,667 | |
Campbell Soup Co. | | | 734,407 | | | | 34,201,334 | |
General Mills, Inc. | | | 629,405 | | | | 33,559,875 | |
Kraft Heinz Co. | | | 1,161,856 | | | | 35,436,608 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 464,626 | | | | 38,531,434 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 181,941,918 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (9.06%) | | | | | | | | |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | | 824,278 | | | | 32,583,709 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 753,632 | | | | 29,067,586 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | 456,364 | | | | 32,424,662 | |
Schlumberger, Ltd. | | | 908,496 | | | | 32,887,555 | |
Williams Cos., Inc. | | | 1,376,152 | | | | 31,266,174 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 158,229,686 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (9.82%) | | | | | | | | |
Invesco, Ltd. | | | 1,953,431 | | | | 34,302,248 | |
MetLife, Inc. | | | 702,875 | | | | 35,080,491 | |
People's United Financial, Inc. | | | 2,082,494 | | | | 34,361,151 | |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. | | | 586,445 | | | | 32,313,120 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 379,332 | | | | 35,513,062 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 171,570,072 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (10.89%) | | | | | | | | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | 481,372 | | | | 42,230,765 | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | | 686,807 | | | | 39,106,791 | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | | 705,067 | | | | 38,799,837 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 511,142 | | | | 34,369,188 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 925,940 | | | | 35,667,209 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 190,173,790 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (9.69%) | | | | | | | | |
Cummins, Inc. | | | 205,569 | | | | 37,590,347 | |
Eaton Corp. PLC | | | 388,403 | | | | 35,927,277 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Industrials (continued) | | | | | | |
Johnson Controls International PLC | | | 771,541 | | | $ | 33,045,101 | |
Nielsen Holdings PLC | | | 1,513,116 | | | | 29,581,418 | |
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B | | | 276,594 | | | | 33,116,600 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 169,260,743 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology (9.71%) | | | | | | | | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | | 236,215 | | | | 31,759,107 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 432,897 | | | | 36,168,544 | |
Seagate Technology PLC | | | 604,626 | | | | 36,084,080 | |
Western Digital Corp. | | | 526,209 | | | | 26,484,099 | |
Western Union Co. | | | 1,455,152 | | | | 39,114,486 | |
Total Information Technology | | | | | | | 169,610,316 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (10.00%) | | | | | | | | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | 679,278 | | | | 31,389,436 | |
International Paper Co. | | | 794,125 | | | | 36,799,752 | |
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A | | | 393,477 | | | | 36,412,362 | |
Packaging Corp. of America | | | 313,239 | | | | 35,051,444 | |
Westrock Co. | | | 867,729 | | | | 34,995,511 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 174,648,505 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (10.06%) | | | | | | | | |
Dominion Resources, Inc. | | | 432,266 | | | | 35,925,627 | |
Edison International | | | 471,794 | | | | 32,600,965 | |
Entergy Corp. | | | 299,012 | | | | 34,802,007 | |
PPL Corp. | | | 1,099,654 | | | | 37,421,226 | |
Southern Co. | | | 564,443 | | | | 34,989,822 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 175,739,647 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $1,691,095,331) | | | | | | | 1,738,893,071 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.05%) | | | | |
Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 885,125 | | | | 885,125 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $885,125) | | | | | | | | | | | 885,125 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.60%) | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $1,691,980,456) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 1,739,778,196 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.40%) | | | | 7,006,284 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 1,746,784,480 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (99.08%) | | | | | | |
Australia (18.88%) | | | | | | |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd. | | | 225,331 | | | $ | 3,785,948 | |
BHP Group, Ltd. | | | 169,062 | | | | 4,371,721 | |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | | | 76,394 | | | | 4,176,190 | |
National Australia Bank, Ltd. | | | 215,234 | | | | 3,769,165 | |
Rio Tinto, Ltd. | | | 67,288 | | | | 4,410,254 | |
South32, Ltd. | | | 2,227,325 | | | | 4,067,706 | |
Telstra Corp., Ltd. | | | 1,738,744 | | | | 4,539,679 | |
Wesfarmers, Ltd. | | | 159,349 | | | | 4,566,779 | |
Westpac Banking Corp. | | | 211,402 | | | | 3,506,160 | |
Woodside Petroleum, Ltd. | | | 200,251 | | | | 4,674,356 | |
Total Australia | | | | | | | 41,867,958 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Finland (7.37%) | | | | | | | | |
Fortum Oyj | | | 187,424 | | | | 4,417,095 | |
Nokia Oyj | | | 832,406 | | | | 2,945,397 | |
Nordea Bank Abp | | | 582,865 | | | | 4,128,476 | |
UPM-Kymmene Oyj | | | 145,146 | | | | 4,848,808 | |
Total Finland | | | | | | | 16,339,776 | |
| | | | | | | | |
France (6.12%) | | | | | | | | |
Bouygues SA | | | 109,844 | | | | 4,487,628 | |
Engie SA | | | 285,214 | | | | 4,512,591 | |
Sanofi | | | 49,044 | | | | 4,566,618 | |
Total France | | | | | | | 13,566,837 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Germany (8.23%) | | | | | | | | |
Bayer AG | | | 57,120 | | | | 4,323,602 | |
Daimler AG | | | 80,091 | | | | 4,518,085 | |
Deutsche Post AG | | | 125,004 | | | | 4,660,741 | |
Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG | | | 1,552,183 | | | | 4,738,929 | |
Total Germany | | | | | | | 18,241,357 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Hong Kong (3.95%) | | | | | | | | |
Sands China, Ltd. | | | 868,200 | | | | 4,103,549 | |
WH Group, Ltd.(a)(b) | | | 4,539,500 | | | | 4,662,321 | |
Total Hong Kong | | | | | | | 8,765,870 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Italy (1.89%) | | | | | | | | |
Eni SpA | | | 277,658 | | | | 4,195,416 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Japan (16.28%) | | | | | | | | |
Canon, Inc.(c) | | | 158,163 | | | | 4,379,765 | |
Hitachi, Ltd. | | | 112,300 | | | | 4,413,179 | |
Japan Tobacco, Inc. | | | 199,100 | | | | 4,538,978 | |
Kyocera Corp. | | | 68,600 | | | | 4,668,838 | |
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. | | | 253,100 | | | | 4,486,268 | |
Subaru Corp. | | | 151,500 | | | | 3,968,879 | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | | 123,200 | | | | 5,016,048 | |
Tokyo Electron, Ltd. | | | 22,400 | | | | 4,626,576 | |
Total Japan | | | | | | | 36,098,531 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Netherlands (1.96%) | | | | | | |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A | | | 151,800 | | | $ | 4,348,564 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Norway (2.13%) | | | | | | | | |
Mowi ASA | | | 190,353 | | | | 4,719,189 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Portugal (2.08%) | | | | | | | | |
EDP - Energias de Portugal SA | | | 1,141,194 | | | | 4,614,517 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Spain (5.99%) | | | | | | | | |
Aena SME SA(a)(b) | | | 23,738 | | | | 4,359,939 | |
Endesa SA | | | 166,735 | | | | 4,533,908 | |
Repsol SA | | | 278,821 | | | | 4,389,938 | |
Total Spain | | | | | | | 13,283,785 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Sweden (1.90%) | | | | | | | | |
Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B | | | 218,033 | | | | 4,208,411 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Switzerland (2.17%) | | | | | | | | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 15,638 | | | | 4,820,837 | |
| | | | | | | | |
United Kingdom (20.13%) | | | | | | | | |
Anglo American PLC | | | 173,598 | | | | 4,549,757 | |
BAE Systems PLC | | | 606,267 | | | | 4,495,920 | |
BP PLC | | | 685,348 | | | | 4,256,280 | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 116,348 | | | | 4,604,445 | |
BT Group PLC | | | 2,016,709 | | | | 4,996,259 | |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC | | | 210,777 | | | | 4,781,341 | |
Imperial Brands PLC | | | 158,354 | | | | 3,488,122 | |
SSE PLC | | | 292,039 | | | | 4,909,996 | |
Vodafone Group PLC | | | 2,141,283 | | | | 4,247,008 | |
WPP PLC | | | 332,059 | | | | 4,296,643 | |
Total United Kingdom | | | | | | | 44,625,771 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $220,694,790) | | | | | | | 219,696,819 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.23%) | | | | | | |
Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 507,169 | | | | 507,169 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $507,169) | | | | | | | | | | | 507,169 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.31%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $221,201,959) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 220,203,988 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.69%) | | | | | | | | 1,537,070 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 221,741,058 | |
13 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
| (a) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $9,022,260, representing 4.07% of net assets. |
| (b) | Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2019, the market value of those securities was $9,022,260 representing 4.07% of net assets. |
| (c) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $3,938,729. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (99.67%) | | | | | | |
Brazil (8.05%) | | | | | | |
BB Seguridade Participacoes SA | | | 72,106 | | | $ | 586,733 | |
Cielo SA | | | 318,022 | | | | 585,911 | |
Cogna Educacao | | | 226,690 | | | | 548,828 | |
Engie Brasil Energia SA | | | 55,180 | | | | 609,577 | |
Total Brazil | | | | | | | 2,331,049 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Chile (1.50%) | | | | | | | | |
Aguas Andinas SA, Class A | | | 1,058,658 | | | | 433,342 | |
| | | | | | | | |
China (9.65%) | | | | | | | | |
China Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd., Class H(a)(b) | | | 3,472,000 | | | | 505,618 | |
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., ADR | | | 9,458 | | | | 528,229 | |
Lenovo Group, Ltd. | | | 828,000 | | | | 546,838 | |
Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, Inc., Class H | | | 215,730 | | | | 633,836 | |
Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Class H | | | 817,400 | | | | 578,472 | |
Total China | | | | | | | 2,792,993 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Colombia (1.98%) | | | | | | | | |
Grupo Energia Bogota SA ESP | | | 919,017 | | | | 573,558 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Czech Republic (2.03%) | | | | | | | | |
CEZ AS | | | 26,594 | | | | 588,915 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Hungary (2.44%) | | | | | | | | |
Richter Gedeon Nyrt | | | 36,795 | | | | 704,777 | |
| | | | | | | | |
India (7.82%) | | | | | | | | |
Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Ltd., ADR | | | 15,349 | | | | 625,011 | |
Infosys, Ltd., Sponsored ADR | | | 50,443 | | | | 495,855 | |
Vedanta, Ltd., ADR | | | 70,308 | | | | 565,979 | |
Wipro, Ltd., ADR | | | 158,690 | | | | 576,045 | |
Total India | | | | | | | 2,262,890 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Indonesia (9.70%) | | | | | | | | |
Adaro Energy Tbk PT | | | 6,038,500 | | | | 526,576 | |
Astra International Tbk PT | | | 1,229,900 | | | | 566,774 | |
Bukit Asam Tbk PT | | | 3,242,900 | | | | 556,386 | |
Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT | | | 1,106,800 | | | | 623,826 | |
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT | | | 4,941,000 | | | | 534,209 | |
Total Indonesia | | | | | | | 2,807,771 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Malaysia (10.13%) | | | | | | | | |
Genting Bhd | | | 424,000 | | | | 591,864 | |
Genting Malaysia Bhd | | | 768,600 | | | | 577,853 | |
MISC Bhd | | | 320,100 | | | | 624,642 | |
Sime Darby Bhd | | | 1,057,700 | | | | 569,813 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Malaysia (continued) | | | | | | |
Tenaga Nasional Bhd | | | 179,700 | | | $ | 566,228 | |
Total Malaysia | | | | | | | 2,930,400 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Mexico (7.95%) | | | | | | | | |
Alfa Sab De Cv | | | 667,182 | | | | 523,587 | |
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR | | | 6,168 | | | | 624,078 | |
Grupo Lala SAB de CV | | | 501,144 | | | | 493,399 | |
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B | | | 253,148 | | | | 660,662 | |
Total Mexico | | | | | | | 2,301,726 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Philippines (1.87%) | | | | | | | | |
PLDT, Inc. | | | 25,595 | | | | 541,467 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Poland (4.09%) | | | | | | | | |
Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA | | | 21,615 | | | | 578,564 | |
Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA | | | 61,239 | | | | 605,305 | |
Total Poland | | | | | | | 1,183,869 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Russia (8.31%) | | | | | | | | |
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC, ADR | | | 24,323 | | | | 638,479 | |
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC, Sponsored ADR | | | 72,213 | | | | 681,691 | |
Severstal PJSC, GDR(b) | | | 38,109 | | | | 535,431 | |
X5 Retail Group NV, GDR(b) | | | 16,536 | | | | 548,995 | |
Total Russia | | | | | | | 2,404,596 | |
| | | | | | | | |
South Africa (10.03%) | | | | | | | | |
Absa Group, Ltd. | | | 51,797 | | | | 520,639 | |
AVI, Ltd. | | | 97,573 | | | | 578,292 | |
MTN Group, Ltd. | | | 85,269 | | | | 537,613 | |
Netcare, Ltd. | | | 503,743 | | | | 687,680 | |
Vodacom Group, Ltd. | | | 69,929 | | | | 578,124 | |
Total South Africa | | | | | | | 2,902,348 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Thailand (7.85%) | | | | | | | | |
Delta Electronics Thailand PCL | | | 364,124 | | | | 560,330 | |
Intouch Holdings PCL, NVDR | | | 279,700 | | | | 543,803 | |
Thai Beverage PCL | | | 897,300 | | | | 583,940 | |
Thai Oil PCL | | | 256,000 | | | | 584,562 | �� |
Total Thailand | | | | | | | 2,272,635 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Turkey (6.27%) | | | | | | | | |
Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS | | | 476,421 | | | | 664,475 | |
Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS | | | 55,870 | | | | 619,887 | |
Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS | | | 24,558 | | | | 529,148 | |
Total Turkey | | | | | | | 1,813,510 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $30,330,432) | | | | | | | 28,845,846 | |
15 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.19%) | | | | | | |
Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 53,238 | | | $ | 53,238 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $53,238) | | | | | | | | | | | 53,238 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.86%) | | | | | | | |
(Cost $30,383,670) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 28,899,084 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.14 %) | | | | | | | | 41,668 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 28,940,752 | |
| (a) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $505,618, representing 1.75% of net assets. |
| (b) | Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of November 30, 2019, the market value of those securities was $1,590,044 representing 5.49% of net assets. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | November 30, 2019
Statements of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
| | ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 1,739,778,196 | | | $ | 220,203,988 | | | $ | 28,899,084 | |
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $–, $42,343 and $9,585) | | | – | | | | 42,343 | | | | 9,566 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | – | | | | 456,873 | | | | 4,539 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 7,581,380 | | | | 1,128,952 | | | | 42,087 | |
Total Assets | | | 1,747,359,576 | | | | 221,832,156 | | | | 28,955,276 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payable to adviser | | | 575,096 | | | | 91,098 | | | | 14,524 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 575,096 | | | | 91,098 | | | | 14,524 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 1,746,784,480 | | | $ | 221,741,058 | | | $ | 28,940,752 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 1,873,230,940 | | | $ | 265,884,377 | | | $ | 38,451,769 | |
Total Distributable earnings | | | (126,446,460 | ) | | | (44,143,319 | ) | | | (9,511,017 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 1,746,784,480 | | | $ | 221,741,058 | | | $ | 28,940,752 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 1,691,980,456 | | | $ | 221,201,959 | | | $ | 30,383,670 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 1,746,784,480 | | | $ | 221,741,058 | | | $ | 28,940,752 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 38,159,141 | | | | 8,250,000 | | | | 1,400,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 45.78 | | | $ | 26.88 | | | $ | 20.67 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
17 | November 30, 2019
Statements of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
| | ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends* | | $ | 80,614,255 | | | $ | 13,047,319 | | | $ | 1,522,850 | |
Securities Lending Income | | | – | | | | 8,538 | | | | 1,630 | |
Total Investment Income | | | 80,614,255 | | | | 13,055,857 | | | | 1,524,480 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment adviser fees | | | 7,372,762 | | | | 1,266,457 | | | | 192,088 | |
Total Expenses | | | 7,372,762 | | | | 1,266,457 | | | | 192,088 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 73,241,493 | | | | 11,789,400 | | | | 1,332,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized loss on investments | | | (29,760,791 | ) | | | (20,773,999 | ) | | | (3,318,580 | ) |
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions | | | – | | | | (91,193 | ) | | | (39,378 | ) |
Total net realized loss | | | (29,760,791 | ) | | | (20,865,192 | ) | | | (3,357,958 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 59,917,242 | | | | 34,530,500 | | | | 2,765,337 | |
Net change in unrealized depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | | | – | | | | (16,184 | ) | | | (1,398 | ) |
Total net change in unrealized appreciation | | | 59,917,242 | | | | 34,514,316 | | | | 2,763,939 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | | | 30,156,451 | | | | 13,649,124 | | | | (594,019 | ) |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 103,397,944 | | | $ | 25,438,524 | | | $ | 738,373 | |
*Net of foreign tax withholding: | | $ | – | | | $ | 1,034,352 | | | $ | 172,683 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 73,241,493 | | | $ | 77,375,612 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (29,760,791 | ) | | | 206,685,007 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 59,917,242 | | | | (272,966,359 | ) |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 103,397,944 | | | | 11,094,260 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Equalization Credits | | | 2,780,661 | | | | 2,185,761 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (66,976,075 | ) | | | (80,000,025 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (66,976,075 | ) | | | (80,000,025 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 6,339,997 | | | | 565,538,675 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (462,685,894 | ) | | | (652,128,952 | ) |
Net income equalization (Note 2) | | | (2,780,661 | ) | | | (2,185,761 | ) |
Net decrease from share transactions | | | (459,126,558 | ) | | | (88,776,038 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (419,924,028 | ) | | | (155,496,042 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 2,166,708,508 | | | | 2,322,204,550 | |
End of period | | $ | 1,746,784,480 | | | $ | 2,166,708,508 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 48,959,141 | | | | 50,909,141 | |
Shares sold | | | 150,000 | | | | 12,350,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (10,950,000 | ) | | | (14,300,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 38,159,141 | | | | 48,959,141 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
19 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 11,789,400 | | | $ | 13,792,452 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (20,865,192 | ) | | | 25,890,526 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 34,514,316 | | | | (63,610,558 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 25,438,524 | | | | (23,927,580 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Equalization Credits | | | 364,051 | | | | 584,886 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (11,551,790 | ) | | | (13,263,685 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (11,551,790 | ) | | | (13,263,685 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 10,544,878 | | | | 92,142,123 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (88,017,701 | ) | | | (118,807,393 | ) |
Net income equalization (Note 2) | | | (364,051 | ) | | | (584,886 | ) |
Net decrease from share transactions | | | (77,836,874 | ) | | | (27,250,156 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (63,586,089 | ) | | | (63,856,535 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 285,327,147 | | | | 349,183,682 | |
End of period | | $ | 221,741,058 | | | $ | 285,327,147 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 11,350,000 | | | | 12,350,000 | |
Shares sold | | | 400,000 | | | | 3,250,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (3,500,000 | ) | | | (4,250,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 8,250,000 | | | | 11,350,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
|
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 1,332,392 | | | $ | 1,712,483 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (3,357,958 | ) | | | 683,042 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 2,763,939 | | | | (6,852,091 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 738,373 | | | | (4,456,566 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Equalization Credits | | | 18,601 | | | | 181,291 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (1,883,340 | ) | | | (1,535,255 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1,883,340 | ) | | | (1,535,255 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | – | | | | 18,738,927 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (5,114,874 | ) | | | (24,902,706 | ) |
Net income equalization (Note 2) | | | (18,601 | ) | | | (181,291 | ) |
Net decrease from share transactions | | | (5,133,475 | ) | | | (6,345,070 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (6,259,841 | ) | | | (12,155,600 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 35,200,593 | | | | 47,356,193 | |
End of period | | $ | 28,940,752 | | | $ | 35,200,593 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 1,650,000 | | | | 1,950,000 | |
Shares sold | | | – | | | | 750,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (250,000 | ) | | | (1,050,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 1,400,000 | | | | 1,650,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
21 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | |
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 44.26 | | | $ | 45.61 | | | $ | 42.29 | | | $ | 36.23 | | | $ | 38.80 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 1.71 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.40 | | | | 1.26 | | | | 1.21 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 1.34 | | | | (1.31 | ) | | | 3.39 | | | | 6.15 | | | | (2.47 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 3.05 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 4.79 | | | | 7.41 | | | | (1.26 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.53 | ) | | | (1.58 | ) | | | (1.42 | ) | | | (1.34 | ) | | | (1.31 | ) |
Tax return of capital | | | – | | | | – | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (1.53 | ) | | | (1.58 | ) | | | (1.47 | ) | | | (1.35 | ) | | | (1.31 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value | | | 1.52 | | | | (1.35 | ) | | | 3.32 | | | | 6.06 | | | | (2.57 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 45.78 | | | $ | 44.26 | | | $ | 45.61 | | | $ | 42.29 | | | $ | 36.23 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 7.26 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 11.59 | % | | | 20.86 | % | | | (3.21 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 1,746,784 | | | $ | 2,166,709 | | | $ | 2,322,205 | | | $ | 1,702,405 | | | $ | 1,014,899 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.40 | % | | | 0.40 | % | | | 0.40 | % | | | 0.40 | % | | | 0.40 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 3.97 | % | | | 3.40 | % | | | 3.24 | % | | | 3.23 | % | | | 3.25 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(c) | | | 55 | % | | | 61 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 49 | % | | | 55 | % |
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(d) | | $ | 0.06 | | | $ | 0.04 | | | $ | 0.03 | | | $ | 0.06 | | | $ | 0.06 | |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (c) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
| (d) | The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22 | November 30, 2019
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 25.14 | | | $ | 28.27 | | | $ | 22.84 | | | $ | 24.25 | | | $ | 27.33 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 1.20 | | | | 1.15 | | | | 0.94 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 1.06 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 1.69 | | | | (3.19 | ) | | | 5.41 | | | | (1.47 | ) | | | (3.13 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.89 | | | | (2.04 | ) | | | 6.35 | | | | (0.47 | ) | | | (2.07 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.15 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (0.92 | ) | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (0.99 | ) |
Tax return of capital | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | | (0.02 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1.15 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (0.92 | ) | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (1.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value | | | 1.74 | | | | (3.13 | ) | | | 5.43 | | | | (1.41 | ) | | | (3.08 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 26.88 | | | $ | 25.14 | | | $ | 28.27 | | | $ | 22.84 | | | $ | 24.25 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 11.79 | % | | | (7.47 | )% | | | 28.21 | % | | | (1.95 | )% | | | (7.76 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 221,741 | | | $ | 285,327 | | | $ | 349,184 | | | $ | 161,042 | | | $ | 135,778 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % | | | 0.50 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 4.65 | % | | | 4.16 | % | | | 3.55 | % | | | 4.28 | % | | | 4.05 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(c) | | | 58 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 37 | % | | | 47 | % | | | 67 | % |
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(d) | | $ | 0.04 | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.09 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (c) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
| (d) | The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
23 | November 30, 2019
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 21.33 | | | $ | 24.29 | | | $ | 21.17 | | | $ | 20.78 | | | $ | 26.57 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.89 | | | | 0.91 | | | | 0.80 | | | | 0.67 | | | | 1.26 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (3.02 | ) | | | 3.06 | | | | 0.39 | | | | (6.15 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.56 | | | | (2.11 | ) | | | 3.86 | | | | 1.06 | | | | (4.89 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.22 | ) | | | (0.85 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.90 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1.22 | ) | | | (0.85 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.90 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (2.96 | ) | | | 3.12 | | | | 0.39 | | | | (5.79 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 20.67 | | | $ | 21.33 | | | $ | 24.29 | | | $ | 21.17 | | | $ | 20.78 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 2.67 | % | | | (8.76 | )% | | | 18.37 | % | | | 5.10 | % | | | (18.66 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 28,941 | | | $ | 35,201 | | | $ | 47,356 | | | $ | 19,057 | | | $ | 9,349 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.60 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 4.16 | % | | | 3.88 | % | | | 3.33 | % | | | 3.11 | % | | | 5.34 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(c) | | | 83 | % | | | 85 | % | | | 42 | % | | | 68 | % | | | 96 | % |
Undistributed net investment income included in price of units issued and redeemed(a)(d) | | $ | 0.01 | | | $ | 0.10 | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | 0.36 | | | $ | 0.03 | |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (c) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year is not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
| (d) | The per share amount of equalization is presented to show the impact of equalization on distributable earnings per share. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consisted of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains to the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The investment objective of the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index. The investment objective of the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF is to seek investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index.
The shares of the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). Each Fund issues and redeems Shares, at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market.
The Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
25 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
B. Fair Value Measurements
Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments at November 30, 2019:
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 1,738,893,071 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 1,738,893,071 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 885,125 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 885,125 | |
Total | | $ | 1,739,778,196 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 1,739,778,196 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 219,696,819 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 219,696,819 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 507,169 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 507,169 | |
Total | | $ | 220,203,988 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 220,203,988 | |
26 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | |
Thailand | | | 1,688,695 | | | | 583,940 | | | | – | | | | 2,272,635 | |
Other* | | | 26,573,211 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 26,573,211 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 53,238 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 53,238 | |
Total | | $ | 28,315,144 | | | $ | 583,940 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 28,899,084 | |
| * | For a detailed sector/country breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.
C. Foreign Securities
The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investments in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
Because foreign markets may be open on different days than the days during which investors may purchase the shares of each Fund, the value of each Fund's securities may change on the days when investors are not able to purchase the shares of the Funds. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE or NASDAQ. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by the Index may adversely affect a Fund's ability to track its Index.
D. Foreign Currency Translation
The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.
E. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the highest cost basis. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including any amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income for each Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.
G. Equalization
The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, the ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF utilize the accounting practice known as “Equalization” by which a portion of the proceeds from sales and costs of reacquiring the Funds’ shares, equivalent on a per share basis to the amount of distributable net investment income on the date of the transaction, is credited or charged to undistributed net investment income. As a result, undistributed net investment income per share is unaffected by sales or reacquisitions of the Funds’ shares. Amounts related to Equalization can be found on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
H. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
27 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 38,778,100 | | | $ | (38,778,100 | ) |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 3,382,704 | | | | (3,382,704 | ) |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 84,513 | | | | (84,513 | ) |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
Fund | | Ordinary Income | |
November 30, 2019 | | | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 66,976,075 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 11,551,790 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 1,883,340 | |
Fund | | Ordinary Income | |
November 30, 2018 | | | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 80,000,025 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 13,263,685 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 1,535,255 | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 2,169,732 | | | $ | 173,041,937 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 8,275,625 | | | | 35,798,889 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 1,412,622 | | | | 6,268,339 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:
| | Undistributed net investment income | | | Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | | Net unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments | | | Total | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 6,437,764 | | | $ | (175,211,669 | ) | | $ | 42,327,445 | | | $ | (126,446,460 | ) |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 3,456,697 | | | | (44,074,514 | ) | | | (3,525,502 | ) | | | (44,143,319 | ) |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 178,037 | | | | (7,680,961 | ) | | | (2,008,093 | ) | | | (9,511,017 | ) |
28 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
As of November 30, 2019, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
| | Gross Appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | | Gross Depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | Net Appreciation/ (Depreciation) of Foreign Currency | | | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | | Cost of Investments for Income Tax Purposes | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 210,981,985 | | | $ | (168,654,540 | ) | | $ | – | | | $ | 42,327,445 | | | $ | 1,697,450,751 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 19,126,688 | | | | (22,625,923 | ) | | | (26,267 | ) | | | (3,525,502 | ) | | | 223,703,223 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 1,643,682 | | | | (3,651,824 | ) | | | 49 | | | | (2,008,093 | ) | | | 30,907,226 | |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and PFIC adjustments.
I. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, each Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Each Fund’s tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
J. Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Funds have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2019:
| | Market Value of Securities on Loan | | | Cash Collateral Received | | | Non-Cash Collateral Received | | | Total Collateral Received | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 3,938,729 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 4,212,975 | | | $ | 4,212,975 | |
29 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Funds benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.
Fund | Advisory Fee |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 0.40% |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 0.50% |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 0.60% |
Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including licensing fees to the Underlying Index provider, the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund's expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator for the Funds.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 1,019,052,160 | | | $ | 1,009,166,740 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 145,734,077 | | | | 145,098,462 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 26,388,609 | | | | 27,934,252 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 6,339,744 | | | $ | 462,478,963 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 10,540,689 | | | | 88,104,687 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | – | | | | 4,071,571 | |
30 | November 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:
Fund | | Net Realized Gain/(Loss) | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 42,294,129 | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 4,261,658 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | | 151,908 | |
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The ALPS Sector Dvidend Dogs ETF engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2019 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.
Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchase cost paid | | | Sale proceeds received | | | Realized gain/(loss) on sales | |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 1,411,479 | | | $ | 1,442,537 | | | $ | 59,717 | |
31 | November 30, 2019
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Form N-Q or N-PORT reports for each Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Each Fund’s Form N-Q or N-PORT reports will be available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The Funds designate the following for federal income tax purposes for distributions made during the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| QDI | DRD |
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 100.00% | 93.21% |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 100.00% | 0.00% |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 73.64% | 0.00% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
Pursuant to Section 853(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, the following Funds designated the following for the calendar year ended December 31, 2019:
| | Foreign Taxes Paid | | | Foreign Source Income | |
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 875,478 | | | $ | 14,021,730 | |
ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | | $ | 158,659 | | | $ | 1,737,681 | |
LICENSING AGREEMENTS
ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, and ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF
The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of each Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in each Fund particularly or the ability of each Fund to track the performance of the physical commodities market. The Index Provider’s only relationship to the Adviser or each Fund is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of the Index Provider and of each Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to the Adviser or the Funds. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the Funds or the owners of each Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating each Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of each Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which each Fund is to be converted into cash. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of each Fund.
THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, EACH FUND, OWNERS OF EACH FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
32 | November 30, 2019
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of each Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in each Fund particularly or the ability of each Underlying Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s and its third party licensor’s only relationship to the Index Provider is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P and/or its third party licensors and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Underlying Index. Neither S&P nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of each Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of each Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which each Fund is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of each Fund.
NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRADEMARKS, EACH UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.
Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; “Calculated by S&P Custom Indices” and its related stylized mark are service marks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. These marks have been licensed for use by the Index Provider.
The S&P 500® is the property of Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and has been licensed by S&P for use by S-Network® Global Indexes, Inc. in connection with the S-Network® Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: SDOGX), the S-Network® Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: EDOGX), and the S-Network® International Sector Dividend Dogs Index (Ticker: IDOGX).
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of each Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by each Fund, owners of the Shares of each Fund or any other person or entity from the use of each Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to each Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of each Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
33 | November 30, 2019
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“SDOG”), ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“IDOG”) and the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (“EDOG”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Investment Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the investment parameters of the index of each Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable benchmark. The Independent Trustees also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between each underlying index and its corresponding Fund’s performance. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for each of the Funds is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Funds’ respective net expense ratios, however, are slightly above the median of their respective FUSE expense group.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small sizes of IDOG and EGOD and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale with respect to such Funds. With respect to SDOG, the Independent Trustees considered the growth in assets and that the Fund may be achieving some economies of scale, but that the Fund’s present advisory fees are appropriate. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
34 | November 30, 2019
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
35 | November 30, 2019
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested Trustee* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Trustee is deemed an interested person of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
36 | November 30, 2019
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |
37 | November 30, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Performance Overview | 1 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 5 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 6 |
Schedule of Investments | 7 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 12 |
Statement of Operations | 13 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 14 |
Financial Highlights | 15 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 16 |
Additional Information | 22 |
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement | 24 |
Trustees & Officers | 25 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund” or “BFOR”) seeks investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of high performing equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the equity securities which comprise the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index generally consists of 400 stocks. The Underlying Index’s stocks are constituents of the MarketGrader U.S. Coverage Universe. In compiling the Underlying Index, MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) selects the 400 stocks from the MarketGrader U.S. Coverage Universe by using a methodology that selects components based on the strength of their fundamentals in growth, value, profitability and cash flow and then screens such potential Underlying Index components for certain criteria regarding concentration, market capitalization, and liquidity. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is rebalanced by the Index Provider semiannually, on the third Friday of March and September each year.
Performance Overview
The Fund began its 2019 fiscal year in similar fashion as it had ended fiscal 2018, facing significant downward pressure, as the dive U.S. equities took in calendar 2018’s fourth quarter extended into the new year. In fact, December 2018, the first month in the Fund’s fiscal year, ended as one of its worst on record with a decline of 12.1%. And while the market would bottom out in early January, such inauspicious start meant that fiscal 2019 was a relatively poor year for the Fund, which gained only 5.0% during the period, despite rising 18.5% from the beginning of calendar 2019, through November 30, 2019, the end of its fiscal year. The Fund trailed its benchmark, which rose 5.6% during the same period. Meanwhile the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, the broadest measure of the U.S. equity market, gained 15.4% between November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2019, besting the Barron’s 400 Index by 9.8 percentage points. Despite the Fund’s run of poor returns during calendar 2018’s fourth quarter (which adversely impacted its fiscal 2018 and 2019 returns), it has gained 75.13% since inception on June 3, 2013, equivalent to an average annual return of 9.0%1.
A Poor Year for Small Cap and for Value Stocks
While the Fund’s Underlying Index adheres to a stock selection methodology based on growth at a reasonable price (“GARP”), its equal weighting means it will often underperform when small cap value strategies trail large cap growth strategies, despite selecting stocks from across the entire market capitalization spectrum among all U.S. equities. Figure 1 illustrates how Russell’s four style and size benchmarks did during the Fund’s fiscal year.
Figure 1. Performance of Russell Style & Size Benchmarks Between Nov. 30, 2018 and Nov. 30, 20192
Benchmark | Return | Rank |
Russell 1000 Growth Total Return Index | 21.0% | 1 |
Russell 1000 Value Total Return Index | 11.3% | 2 |
Russell 2000 Growth Total Return Index | 10.9% | 3 |
Russell 2000 Value Total Return Index | 4.0% | 4 |
During the most recently ended fiscal year, a total of 766 stocks were members of the Underlying Index. Of these, 404 stocks had a net positive return during the Underlying Index’s fiscal year while 362 had a net negative return. The fact that the number of total stocks in the Underlying Index during a single fiscal year is higher than its 400-constituent cap is explained by the fact that each fiscal year includes stocks from three selection periods (in the most recent year’s case these included the selections from September 2018, March 2019 and September 2019). A further breakdown by size reveals where the Underlying Index was vulnerable during fiscal 2019.
Among all 766 companies held by the Underlying Index during fiscal year 2019, 291, or 38% of the total, were labeled as ‘large capitalization stocks’ by the Index Provider3. Among these, the overwhelming majority, or 183 companies (62.9% of all large caps) had a positive return during the period held by the Fund; the other 108 large caps (37.1% of the total) had a negative return. On the other hand, among the 472 companies labeled by the Index Provider as ‘small capitalization stocks’, or 62% of the total, 254 had a negative return compared to just 221, which had a positive return. Placed in the context of the numbers illustrated in Figure 1, these figures help explain why the Fund did poorly during fiscal year 2019, since it held 1.6 small cap stocks for every large cap stock. The breakdowns within size segments of the Fund described above are illustrated in Figure 2.
| 1 | Source of returns: Bloomberg. |
| 2 | All Russell Indexes returns are total returns. Source: Bloomberg |
| 3 | MarketGrader ranks the entire universe of U.S. stocks it covers annually in June, and designates those that comprise the top 85% of the total universe’s aggregate market cap as ‘Large Capitalization Stocks’; the stocks that comprise the bottom 15% on aggregate total market capitalization are designated as ‘Small Capitalization Stocks.’ Source: MarketGrader Research. |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Figure 2. Breakdown of Stocks with Positive and Negative Returns in the Barron’s 400 Index (B400) by Market Cap Segment During Fiscal Year 2019
| Large Cap Stocks | Small Cap Stocks |
Stocks with Positive Returns | 183 | 62.9% | 221 | 46.5% |
Stocks with Negative Returns | 108 | 37.1% | 254 | 53.3% |
Total | 291 | 38% | 475 | 62% |
The average gain for all stocks that generated a positive price return while held by the Index in fiscal 2019 was 15.7%, while the average return for stocks that declined in value was -13.7%4. Figure 3 illustrates the top and bottom 20 performers in the Index during fiscal year 2019.
Figure 3. Top and Bottom 20 Performing Stocks in the Barron’s 400 Index (B400) During Fiscal Year 2019
Top 20 Performing Stocks Ticker | Name | Sector | Size Category | Return |
ARWR | Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Health Care | Small | 152.8 |
PAYC | Paycom Software, Inc. | Technology | Large | 108.49 |
BLDR | Builders FirstSource, Inc. | Industrials | Small | 85.88 |
TTD | Trade Desk, Inc. Class A | Consumer Discretionary | Small | 84.86 |
CASH | Meta Financial Group, Inc. | Financials | Small | 75.31 |
MTCH | Match Group, Inc. | Technology | Small | 75.02 |
BMCH | BMC Stock Holdings, Inc. | Industrials | Small | 74.07 |
CPRT | Copart, Inc. | Industrials | Large | 73.9 |
GNRC | Generac Holdings Inc. | Industrials | Small | 73.05 |
LRCX | Lam Research Corporation | Technology | Large | 70 |
CMTL | Comtech Telecommunications Corp. | Technology | Small | 68.63 |
KLAC | KLA-Tencor Corporation | Technology | Large | 66.25 |
CSGP | CoStar Group, Inc. | Technology | Large | 65.91 |
IBP | Installed Building Products, Inc. | Industrials | Small | 62.92 |
MTH | Meritage Homes Corporation | Consumer Discretionary | Small | 62.43 |
WGO | Winnebago Industries, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Small | 59.93 |
SAIA | Saia, Inc. | Industrials | Small | 57.35 |
EGOV | NIC Inc. | Technology | Small | 56.23 |
AMAT | Applied Materials, Inc. | Technology | Large | 55.31 |
VEEV | Veeva Systems Inc Class A | Technology | Large | 55.14 |
Bottom 20 Performing Stocks Ticker | Name | Sector | Size Category | Return |
TUSK | Mammoth Energy Services, Inc. | Energy | Small | -88.28 |
BPT | BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust | Financials | Small | -64.76 |
GPOR | Gulfport Energy Corporation | Energy | Small | -62.32 |
CRC | California Resources Corp | Energy | Small | -55.33 |
SWN | Southwestern Energy Company | Energy | Small | -53.86 |
CEIX | CONSOL Energy Inc | Energy | Small | -52.33 |
AAWW | Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | Industrials | Small | -50.83 |
NKTR | Nektar Therapeutics | Health Care | Large | -50.11 |
STMP | Stamps.com Inc. | Technology | Small | -49.11 |
FIZZ | National Beverage Corp. | Consumer Staples | Small | -48.39 |
CPE | Callon Petroleum Company | Energy | Small | -47.02 |
X | United States Steel Corporation | Materials | Small | -45.38 |
REGI | Renewable Energy Group, Inc. | Materials | Small | -44.42 |
MCFT | MCBC Holdings, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Small | -43.88 |
CXO | Concho Resources Inc. | Energy | Large | -43.82 |
CC | Chemours Co. | Industrials | Large | -43.15 |
CASA | Casa Systems, Inc. | Technology | Small | -42.44 |
ABMD | ABIOMED, Inc. | Health Care | Large | -42.06 |
PUMP | ProPetro Holding Corp. | Energy | Small | -41.74 |
NCS | NCI Building Systems, Inc. | Industrials | Small | -41.15 |
| 4 | Based on cumulative price return for every stock while it was a member of the Barron’s 400 Index between December 3, 2018 and November 30, 2019. Sources: FactSet and MarketGrader Research. |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
Barron’s 400SM ETF – NAV | 5.00% | 6.67% | 9.01% |
Barron’s 400SM ETF – Market Price* | 4.94% | 6.67% | 9.01% |
Barron’s 400 IndexSM | 5.64% | 7.36% | 9.73% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.66%
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.855.724.0450.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced Investment Operations on June 4, 2013. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
The Barron’s 400 IndexSM, calculated by NYSE Arca or its affiliates, measures the performance of a diversified group of U.S. companies selected in part based on fundamentals-related rules-based criteria. The index includes companies that have scored highest according to fundamentals-related rankings calculated by MarketGrader Capital, LLC. Additional rules-based screening provides for sector and market cap diversification. The Underlying Index has been licensed by MarketGrader for use with the Barron’s 400SMETF.
The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect Fund performance.
Funds that emphasize investments in small/mid cap companies will generally experience greater price volatility.
Barron’s 400SM ETF shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Barron’s 400SM ETF on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The Barron’s 400SM ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Fund.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 0.60% |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 0.42% |
Qorvo, Inc. | 0.33% |
KEMET Corp. | 0.33% |
Fortinet, Inc. | 0.32% |
Atkore International Group, Inc. | 0.32% |
Centene Corp. | 0.31% |
Paycom Software, Inc. | 0.31% |
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. | 0.31% |
Paylocity Holding Corp. | 0.31% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 3.56% |
| * | % of Total Investments (excluding investments purchased with collateral from securities loaned). |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Sector Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)

Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund and the Underlying Index

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return: The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return: The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | Expense Ratio(a) | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) |
Barron's 400 ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,119.90 | 0.65% | $3.45 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,021.81 | 0.65% | $3.29 |
| (a) | Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Barron’s 400SM ETF of ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (95.95%) | |
Communication Services (3.26%) | |
Activision Blizzard, Inc. | | | 6,412 | | | $ | 351,570 | |
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 288 | | | | 375,578 | |
CBS Corp., Class B | | | 8,196 | | | | 330,955 | |
Comcast Corp., Class A | | | 7,604 | | | | 335,717 | |
Electronic Arts, Inc.(a) | | | 3,537 | | | | 357,272 | |
Facebook, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 1,886 | | | | 380,293 | |
IAC/InterActiveCorp(a) | | | 1,500 | | | | 334,050 | |
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. | | | 16,678 | | | | 373,587 | |
Match Group, Inc.(b) | | | 4,451 | | | | 313,706 | |
Omnicom Group, Inc. | | | 4,481 | | | | 356,150 | |
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(a) | | | 2,710 | | | | 328,859 | |
T-Mobile US, Inc.(a) | | | 4,425 | | | | 347,584 | |
Twitter, Inc.(a) | | | 8,208 | | | | 253,709 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 5,927 | | | | 357,042 | |
Total Communication Services | | | | | | | 4,796,072 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (13.17%) | |
America's Car-Mart, Inc.(a) | | | 3,818 | | | | 417,155 | |
Aramark | | | 8,300 | | | | 362,212 | |
AutoZone, Inc.(a) | | | 307 | | | | 361,621 | |
Best Buy Co., Inc. | | | 5,187 | | | | 418,280 | |
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 171 | | | | 325,589 | |
Burlington Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 1,796 | | | | 404,100 | |
Carter's, Inc. | | | 3,960 | | | | 409,108 | |
Cavco Industries, Inc.(a) | | | 1,786 | | | | 357,218 | |
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(a) | | | 430 | | | | 349,986 | |
Columbia Sportswear Co. | | | 3,618 | | | | 334,665 | |
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. | | | 2,113 | | | | 324,853 | |
Darden Restaurants, Inc. | | | 2,817 | | | | 333,645 | |
Deckers Outdoor Corp.(a) | | | 2,482 | | | | 417,423 | |
Dollar General Corp. | | | 2,263 | | | | 356,106 | |
DR Horton, Inc. | | | 6,992 | | | | 387,007 | |
eBay, Inc. | | | 8,756 | | | | 311,013 | |
Expedia, Inc. | | | 2,675 | | | | 271,940 | |
Five Below, Inc.(a) | | | 2,721 | | | | 336,615 | |
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 7,245 | | | | 347,832 | |
Fox Factory Holding Corp.(a) | | | 5,252 | | | | 346,264 | |
General Motors Co. | | | 9,269 | | | | 333,684 | |
Gentex Corp. | | | 12,622 | | | | 358,465 | |
Hanesbrands, Inc. | | | 23,932 | | | | 360,655 | |
Hasbro, Inc. | | | 2,975 | | | | 302,557 | |
Helen of Troy, Ltd.(a) | | | 2,364 | | | | 381,597 | |
Home Depot, Inc. | | | 1,541 | | | | 339,806 | |
Installed Building Products, Inc.(a) | | | 5,948 | | | | 426,472 | |
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | | | 6,003 | | | | 376,688 | |
Lennar Corp., Class B | | | 8,263 | | | | 389,766 | |
Lowe's Cos., Inc. | | | 3,148 | | | | 369,292 | |
Marriott International, Inc., Class A | | | 2,717 | | | | 381,358 | |
NIKE, Inc., Class B | | | 4,051 | | | | 378,728 | |
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd.(a) | | | 6,576 | | | | 352,737 | |
NVR, Inc.(a) | | | 98 | | | | 371,605 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Consumer Discretionary (continued) | |
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a) | | | 906 | | | $ | 400,706 | |
Polaris Industries, Inc. | | | 3,908 | | | | 381,812 | |
Ross Stores, Inc. | | | 3,281 | | | | 381,088 | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. | | | 3,111 | | | | 373,382 | |
Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A(a) | | | 10,058 | | | | 404,533 | |
Stamps.com, Inc.(a) | | | 4,678 | | | | 408,155 | |
Starbucks Corp. | | | 3,910 | | | | 334,031 | |
Steven Madden, Ltd. | | | 10,127 | | | | 430,094 | |
Stoneridge, Inc.(a) | | | 10,920 | | | | 329,129 | |
Target Corp. | | | 3,308 | | | | 413,533 | |
Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A(a) | | | 13,970 | | | | 324,383 | |
TJX Cos., Inc. | | | 6,349 | | | | 388,114 | |
TopBuild Corp.(a) | | | 3,786 | | | | 417,520 | |
Tractor Supply Co. | | | 3,689 | | | | 348,389 | |
Vail Resorts, Inc. | | | 1,478 | | | | 358,666 | |
VF Corp. | | | 4,035 | | | | 357,259 | |
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | | | 5,282 | | | | 366,571 | |
Yum China Holdings, Inc. | | | 7,632 | | | | 339,777 | |
Zumiez, Inc.(a) | | | 11,132 | | | | 328,839 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 19,382,023 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (5.94%) | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | 8,590 | | | | 426,923 | |
Boston Beer Co., Inc., Class A(a) | | | 1,009 | | | | 387,779 | |
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B | | | 5,526 | | | | 374,773 | |
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | | | 4,877 | | | | 342,560 | |
Clorox Co. | | | 2,280 | | | | 337,964 | |
Coca-Cola Co. | | | 6,544 | | | | 349,450 | |
Conagra Brands, Inc. | | | 11,842 | | | | 341,879 | |
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A | | | 1,724 | | | | 320,767 | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | 1,218 | | | | 365,169 | |
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A | | | 1,855 | | | | 362,597 | |
General Mills, Inc. | | | 6,449 | | | | 343,861 | |
Hershey Co. | | | 2,324 | | | | 344,324 | |
Hormel Foods Corp. | | | 8,221 | | | | 366,081 | |
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. | | | 4,797 | | | | 402,852 | |
McCormick & Co., Inc. | | | 2,232 | | | | 377,766 | |
Monster Beverage Corp.(a) | | | 6,120 | | | | 366,098 | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | 2,615 | | | | 355,195 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 4,928 | | | | 408,679 | |
Simply Good Foods Co.(a) | | | 12,138 | | | | 335,373 | |
Sysco Corp. | | | 4,527 | | | | 364,650 | |
Turning Point Brands, Inc. | | | 13,509 | | | | 372,984 | |
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A | | | 3,993 | | | | 358,931 | |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | | 3,047 | | | | 362,867 | |
WD-40 Co. | | | 1,943 | | | | 375,213 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 8,744,735 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (2.66%) | | | | | | | | |
Baker Hughes Co. | | | 15,179 | | | | 340,313 | |
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 13,863 | | | | 242,048 | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 2,864 | | | | 335,460 | |
CVR Energy, Inc. | | | 7,951 | | | | 344,994 | |
Delek US Holdings, Inc. | | | 9,422 | | | | 323,269 | |
Hess Corp. | | | 5,234 | | | | 324,979 | |
HollyFrontier Corp. | | | 6,692 | | | | 344,973 | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Energy (continued) | | | | | | | | |
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.(a) | | | 126,330 | | | $ | 272,873 | |
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.(a) | | | 173,461 | | | | 308,761 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | 4,658 | | | | 330,951 | |
Phillips 66 | | | 3,471 | | | | 398,193 | |
Talos Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 14,808 | | | | 343,546 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 3,910,360 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (18.73%) | | | | | | | | |
Ally Financial, Inc. | | | 10,163 | | | | 323,590 | |
Associated Banc-Corp | | | 17,264 | | | | 370,140 | |
Athene Holding, Ltd., Class A(a) | | | 8,383 | | | | 377,403 | |
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. | | | 9,023 | | | | 341,069 | |
BancFirst Corp. | | | 6,176 | | | | 364,940 | |
BancorpSouth Bank | | | 11,977 | | | | 372,485 | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | 11,854 | | | | 394,975 | |
Bank of Hawaii Corp. | | | 4,108 | | | | 370,172 | |
Banner Corp. | | | 6,216 | | | | 339,580 | |
BB&T Corp. | | | 6,726 | | | | 368,047 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | 3,782 | | | | 378,238 | |
CenterState Bank Corp. | | | 14,485 | | | | 368,354 | |
Central Pacific Financial Corp. | | | 12,226 | | | | 355,288 | |
Charles Schwab Corp. | | | 8,233 | | | | 407,533 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | 5,107 | | | | 383,638 | |
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | | | 9,750 | | | | 374,985 | |
City Holding Co. | | | 4,575 | | | | 363,621 | |
Cohen & Steers, Inc. | | | 6,590 | | | | 442,387 | |
Columbia Banking System, Inc. | | | 9,540 | | | | 372,823 | |
Community Bank System, Inc. | | | 5,512 | | | | 373,989 | |
Credit Acceptance Corp.(a) | | | 718 | | | | 309,070 | |
CVB Financial Corp. | | | 16,416 | | | | 350,646 | |
Discover Financial Services | | | 4,230 | | | | 359,000 | |
Eaton Vance Corp. | | | 7,722 | | | | 364,247 | |
Enova International, Inc.(a) | | | 14,636 | | | | 337,067 | |
Evercore, Inc., Class A | | | 4,188 | | | | 324,067 | |
Federated Investors, Inc., Class B | | | 10,951 | | | | 367,078 | |
First Bancorp | | | 9,607 | | | | 375,634 | |
First BanCorp | | | 34,688 | | | | 364,224 | |
First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A | | | 742 | | | | 385,692 | |
First Commonwealth Financial Corp. | | | 25,906 | | | | 368,124 | |
First Financial Bankshares, Inc. | | | 10,689 | | | | 369,519 | |
First Horizon National Corp. | | | 21,410 | | | | 344,273 | |
Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. | | | 9,493 | | | | 353,709 | |
FNB Corp. | | | 31,051 | | | | 385,653 | |
Fulton Financial Corp. | | | 21,201 | | | | 363,809 | |
German American Bancorp, Inc. | | | 10,824 | | | | 364,769 | |
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. | | | 8,635 | | | | 378,645 | |
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. | | | 7,689 | | | | 363,075 | |
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. | | | 7,602 | | | | 362,387 | |
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | | | 24,392 | | | | 363,197 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 2,992 | | | | 394,226 | |
KeyCorp | | | 19,576 | | | | 379,579 | |
Meta Financial Group, Inc. | | | 10,441 | | | | 371,386 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Financials (continued) | | | | | | | | |
National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A | | | 9,512 | | | $ | 340,910 | |
NBT Bancorp, Inc. | | | 9,482 | | | | 379,280 | |
NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 12,724 | | | | 427,145 | |
OFG Bancorp | | | 15,957 | | | | 342,278 | |
Old National Bancorp | | | 19,815 | | | | 358,255 | |
OneMain Holdings, Inc. | | | 9,368 | | | | 403,667 | |
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. | | | 11,052 | | | | 354,106 | |
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. | | | 6,281 | | | | 385,779 | |
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | | | 2,549 | | | | 390,532 | |
Popular, Inc. | | | 6,590 | | | | 364,493 | |
Preferred Bank | | | 6,680 | | | | 368,402 | |
Regions Financial Corp. | | | 21,827 | | | | 363,201 | |
RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,867 | | | | 351,612 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | 1,385 | | | | 366,540 | |
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. | | | 9,860 | | | | 348,650 | |
Simmons First National Corp., Class A | | | 13,988 | | | | 362,429 | |
South State Corp. | | | 4,590 | | | | 382,255 | |
SunTrust Banks, Inc. | | | 5,213 | | | | 369,289 | |
Synchrony Financial | | | 10,451 | | | | 390,972 | |
Synovus Financial Corp. | | | 9,638 | | | | 367,111 | |
T Rowe Price Group, Inc. | | | 3,009 | | | | 371,792 | |
TCF Financial Corp. | | | 8,878 | | | | 377,226 | |
Trustmark Corp. | | | 10,338 | | | | 355,214 | |
Umpqua Holdings Corp. | | | 21,150 | | | | 346,225 | |
United Community Banks, Inc. | | | 12,812 | | | | 397,172 | |
Univest Financial Corp. | | | 13,561 | | | | 354,078 | |
Washington Federal, Inc. | | | 9,330 | | | | 343,437 | |
Webster Financial Corp. | | | 7,338 | | | | 357,287 | |
Westamerica Bancorporation | | | 5,520 | | | | 358,800 | |
Western Alliance Bancorp | | | 7,603 | | | | 396,572 | |
WSFS Financial Corp. | | | 7,818 | | | | 348,605 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 27,565,647 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (12.03%) | | | | | | | | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | 4,245 | | | | 362,735 | |
Agilent Technologies, Inc. | | | 4,546 | | | | 367,180 | |
Amedisys, Inc.(a) | | | 2,681 | | | | 436,896 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | 1,803 | | | | 423,200 | |
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 6,833 | | | | 323,748 | |
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 12,015 | | | | 877,215 | |
Baxter International, Inc. | | | 4,052 | | | | 332,142 | |
Biogen, Inc.(a) | | | 1,487 | | | | 445,818 | |
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | | 1,051 | | | | 388,218 | |
Boston Scientific Corp.(a) | | | 8,385 | | | | 362,651 | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | | 10,585 | | | | 602,710 | |
Bruker Corp. | | | 8,115 | | | | 415,407 | |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | | | 7,353 | | | | 404,636 | |
Centene Corp.(a) | | | 7,642 | | | | 462,112 | |
Chemed Corp. | | | 838 | | | | 360,357 | |
Cooper Cos, Inc. | | | 1,160 | | | | 363,184 | |
Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 25,810 | | | | 331,142 | |
CVS Health Corp. | | | 5,590 | | | | 420,759 | |
Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 5,999 | | | | 350,822 | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Health Care (continued) | | | | | | | | |
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a) | | | 1,617 | | | $ | 396,068 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | 3,133 | | | | 367,658 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 5,362 | | | | 360,541 | |
HCA Healthcare, Inc. | | | 2,838 | | | | 393,517 | |
HMS Holdings Corp.(a) | | | 9,386 | | | | 283,457 | |
Humana, Inc. | | | 1,296 | | | | 442,234 | |
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | | 1,304 | | | | 328,060 | |
Incyte Corp.(a) | | | 4,486 | | | | 422,402 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 2,737 | | | | 376,310 | |
Medpace Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 4,132 | | | | 316,800 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | 4,212 | | | | 367,202 | |
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a) | | | 499 | | | | 358,986 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 9,723 | | | | 374,530 | |
Quest Diagnostics, Inc. | | | 3,339 | | | | 355,770 | |
ResMed, Inc. | | | 2,649 | | | | 396,290 | |
Stryker Corp. | | | 1,625 | | | | 332,898 | |
Teleflex, Inc. | | | 1,047 | | | | 369,947 | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | 1,213 | | | | 380,821 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 1,525 | | | | 426,802 | |
Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B | | | 2,337 | | | | 325,988 | |
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 26,039 | | | | 435,632 | |
Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 2,386 | | | | 355,944 | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a) | | | 2,016 | | | | 447,048 | |
Waters Corp.(a) | | | 1,552 | | | | 344,653 | |
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. | | | 2,477 | | | | 364,193 | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | 2,899 | | | | 349,388 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 17,704,071 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (17.33%) | | | | | | | | |
Acuity Brands, Inc. | | | 2,626 | | | | 343,428 | |
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 6,754 | | | | 298,527 | |
Alamo Group, Inc. | | | 2,883 | | | | 330,968 | |
Albany International Corp., Class A | | | 4,074 | | | | 340,912 | |
Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. | | | 7,565 | | | | 366,146 | |
AMETEK, Inc. | | | 3,926 | | | | 388,713 | |
AO Smith Corp. | | | 7,219 | | | | 349,400 | |
Atkore International Group, Inc.(a) | | | 11,231 | | | | 468,557 | |
Barrett Business Services, Inc. | | | 3,943 | | | | 348,404 | |
BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 13,671 | | | | 404,798 | |
Brady Corp., Class A | | | 6,395 | | | | 364,515 | |
Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a) | | | 17,448 | | | | 443,354 | |
Carlisle Cos., Inc. | | | 2,442 | | | | 380,903 | |
Caterpillar, Inc. | | | 2,685 | | | | 388,600 | |
Cintas Corp. | | | 1,420 | | | | 365,025 | |
Copart, Inc.(a) | | | 4,252 | | | | 378,428 | |
CoStar Group, Inc.(a) | | | 594 | | | | 364,039 | |
Crane Co. | | | 4,329 | | | | 359,610 | |
Cummins, Inc. | | | 2,177 | | | | 398,086 | |
Curtiss-Wright Corp. | | | 2,659 | | | | 365,107 | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | | | 5,978 | | | | 342,599 | |
Donaldson Co., Inc. | | | 6,719 | | | | 376,802 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Industrials (continued) | | | | | | | | |
EMCOR Group, Inc. | | | 4,094 | | | $ | 364,079 | |
Encore Wire Corp. | | | 5,918 | | | | 345,256 | |
Ennis, Inc. | | | 16,749 | | | | 345,699 | |
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | | | 4,709 | | | | 352,045 | |
Exponent, Inc. | | | 4,950 | | | | 314,573 | |
Federal Signal Corp. | | | 10,770 | | | | 354,764 | |
FTI Consulting, Inc.(a) | | | 3,218 | | | | 350,730 | |
Generac Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 4,313 | | | | 424,831 | |
Graco, Inc. | | | 7,661 | | | | 370,103 | |
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.(a) | | | 34,008 | | | | 363,205 | |
HEICO Corp., Class A | | | 3,493 | | | | 350,837 | |
Herman Miller, Inc. | | | 7,969 | | | | 380,759 | |
Hexcel Corp. | | | 4,253 | | | | 338,666 | |
Hubbell, Inc. | | | 2,648 | | | | 389,309 | |
IDEX Corp. | | | 2,069 | | | | 336,709 | |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | | | 2,253 | | | | 392,766 | |
Knoll, Inc. | | | 13,979 | | | | 385,261 | |
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. | | | 1,655 | | | | 332,804 | |
Landstar System, Inc. | | | 3,189 | | | | 355,287 | |
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. | | | 3,968 | | | | 366,088 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | | 900 | | | | 351,927 | |
MasTec, Inc.(a) | | | 5,430 | | | | 360,226 | |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | | 946 | | | | 332,774 | |
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | | | 2,039 | | | | 390,652 | |
Oshkosh Corp. | | | 4,666 | | | | 422,086 | |
PACCAR, Inc. | | | 5,007 | | | | 407,420 | |
Parker-Hannifin Corp. | | | 1,981 | | | | 393,803 | |
Raytheon Co. | | | 1,766 | | | | 383,964 | |
Saia, Inc.(a) | | | 3,751 | | | | 355,970 | |
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A | | | 4,159 | | | | 361,791 | |
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 2,458 | | | | 387,725 | |
Teledyne Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 1,103 | | | | 377,215 | |
The Timken Co. | | | 7,977 | | | | 419,510 | |
TransUnion | | | 4,333 | | | | 373,981 | |
Trex Co., Inc.(a) | | | 4,050 | | | | 348,543 | |
TriMas Corp.(a) | | | 11,327 | | | | 350,911 | |
UniFirst Corp. | | | 1,812 | | | | 373,725 | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | | 2,127 | | | | 374,331 | |
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 3,944 | | | | 366,003 | |
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B | | | 2,900 | | | | 347,217 | |
Universal Forest Products, Inc. | | | 8,842 | | | | 438,563 | |
Waste Management, Inc. | | | 3,117 | | | | 351,941 | |
Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A | | | 3,625 | | | | 351,480 | |
Werner Enterprises, Inc. | | | 10,200 | | | | 374,952 | |
Woodward, Inc. | | | 3,255 | | | | 380,152 | |
WW Grainger, Inc. | | | 1,217 | | | | 385,728 | |
Xylem, Inc. | | | 4,530 | | | | 351,120 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 25,494,402 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology (17.47%) | |
Adobe, Inc.(a) | | | 1,246 | | | | 385,674 | |
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 3,891 | | | | 338,984 | |
Analog Devices, Inc. | | | 3,078 | | | | 347,660 | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Information Technology (continued) | |
ANSYS, Inc.(a) | | | 1,642 | | | $ | 418,201 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 1,608 | | | | 429,738 | |
Applied Materials, Inc. | | | 6,931 | | | | 401,305 | |
Arista Networks, Inc.(a) | | | 1,451 | | | | 283,134 | |
Aspen Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 2,794 | | | | 350,368 | |
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | | | 2,234 | | | | 381,522 | |
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | | | 4,870 | | | | 354,341 | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | 1,227 | | | | 387,990 | |
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | | | 2,790 | | | | 345,151 | |
Cabot Microelectronics Corp. | | | 2,521 | | | | 336,327 | |
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 5,269 | | | | 370,147 | |
CDW Corp. | | | 3,118 | | | | 421,086 | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A | | | 5,545 | | | | 355,490 | |
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. | | | 12,007 | | | | 453,744 | |
Corning, Inc. | | | 12,572 | | | | 365,091 | |
CSG Systems International, Inc. | | | 6,684 | | | | 382,258 | |
CTS Corp. | | | 10,787 | | | | 295,348 | |
Diodes, Inc.(a) | | | 8,862 | | | | 408,893 | |
Entegris, Inc. | | | 7,482 | | | | 354,048 | |
EPAM Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 1,935 | | | | 409,930 | |
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a) | | | 2,430 | | | | 381,972 | |
EVERTEC, Inc. | | | 10,674 | | | | 346,051 | |
Fair Isaac Corp.(a) | | | 1,110 | | | | 408,202 | |
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 1,194 | | | | 366,462 | |
FormFactor, Inc.(a) | | | 18,427 | | | | 426,401 | |
Fortinet, Inc.(a) | | | 4,466 | | | | 469,421 | |
Genpact, Ltd. | | | 8,892 | | | | 361,904 | |
Global Payments, Inc. | | | 2,167 | | | | 392,444 | |
Intel Corp. | | | 6,832 | | | | 396,598 | |
Intelligent Systems Corp.(a)(b) | | | 7,519 | | | | 327,377 | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | | 2,495 | | | | 335,453 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | | 1,321 | | | | 341,994 | |
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. | | | 2,411 | | | | 366,327 | |
KEMET Corp. | | | 18,030 | | | | 481,762 | |
Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 3,500 | | | | 374,605 | |
KLA Corp. | | | 2,326 | | | | 381,138 | |
Lam Research Corp. | | | 1,499 | | | | 399,978 | |
Leidos Holdings, Inc. | | | 4,094 | | | | 371,899 | |
MAXIMUS, Inc. | | | 4,413 | | | | 329,430 | |
Methode Electronics, Inc. | | | 10,106 | | | | 376,044 | |
Microchip Technology, Inc. | | | 3,785 | | | | 357,834 | |
Micron Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 6,980 | | | | 331,620 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 2,533 | | | | 383,446 | |
NVIDIA Corp. | | | 1,960 | | | | 424,810 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | 6,712 | | | | 376,812 | |
OSI Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 3,383 | | | | 336,575 | |
Paychex, Inc. | | | 4,300 | | | | 370,316 | |
Paycom Software, Inc.(a) | | | 1,647 | | | | 455,906 | |
Paylocity Holding Corp.(a) | | | 3,691 | | | | 451,483 | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 3,301 | | | | 356,541 | |
Paysign, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 31,603 | | | | 324,247 | |
Qorvo, Inc.(a) | | | 4,649 | | | | 484,472 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Information Technology (continued) | |
Qualys, Inc.(a) | | | 4,380 | | | $ | 383,294 | |
Rogers Corp.(a) | | | 2,430 | | | | 315,949 | |
salesforce.com, Inc.(a) | | | 2,322 | | | | 378,231 | |
SMART Global Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 11,375 | | | | 350,350 | |
SPS Commerce, Inc.(a) | | | 7,257 | | | | 408,787 | |
Synopsys, Inc.(a) | | | 2,596 | | | | 366,140 | |
Teradyne, Inc. | | | 6,119 | | | | 382,988 | |
Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | 2,739 | | | | 329,255 | |
Trade Desk, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 1,663 | | | | 437,934 | |
Universal Display Corp. | | | 1,961 | | | | 380,865 | |
Visa, Inc., Class A | | | 2,010 | | | | 370,865 | |
Xilinx, Inc. | | | 3,402 | | | | 315,638 | |
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a) | | | 1,682 | | | | 422,081 | |
Total Information Technology | | | | | | | 25,708,331 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (4.16%) | | | | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | | 1,601 | | | | 378,364 | |
Ball Corp. | | | 4,731 | | | | 312,530 | |
Carpenter Technology Corp. | | | 6,404 | | | | 336,658 | |
Celanese Corp. | | | 2,862 | | | | 359,381 | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | 7,017 | | | | 324,256 | |
Commercial Metals Co. | | | 18,788 | | | | 401,312 | |
Ecolab, Inc. | | | 1,821 | | | | 339,926 | |
FMC Corp. | | | 3,914 | | | | 383,416 | |
Ingevity Corp.(a) | | | 4,036 | | | | 364,491 | |
Innospec, Inc. | | | 3,736 | | | | 367,622 | |
Livent Corp.(a) | | | 47,224 | | | | 368,347 | |
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. | | | 1,327 | | | | 356,167 | |
NewMarket Corp. | | | 780 | | | | 385,297 | |
Packaging Corp. of America | | | 3,379 | | | | 378,110 | |
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | | | 3,434 | | | | 405,143 | |
Vulcan Materials Co. | | | 2,396 | | | | 339,921 | |
Warrior Met Coal, Inc. | | | 15,704 | | | | 322,403 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 6,123,344 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Real Estate (0.45%) | | | | | | | | |
Jernigan Capital, Inc. | | | 17,727 | | | | 309,868 | |
RMR Group, Inc., Class A | | | 7,545 | | | | 354,389 | |
Total Real Estate | | | | | | | 664,257 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (0.75%) | | | | | | | | |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | | 7,380 | | | | 351,952 | |
PPL Corp. | | | 11,164 | | | | 379,911 | |
Southern Co. | | | 5,860 | | | | 363,261 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 1,095,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | |
(Cost $126,925,367) | | | | | | | 141,188,366 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (2.74%) | |
Energy (2.74%) | | | | | | | | |
Black Stone Minerals LP | | | 23,379 | | | | 277,509 | |
BP Midstream Partners LP | | | 23,464 | | | | 342,574 | |
Cheniere Energy Partners LP | | | 7,385 | | | | 287,055 | |
CNX Midstream Partners LP | | | 23,947 | | | | 347,231 | |
Energy Transfer LP | | | 26,184 | | | | 309,233 | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Energy (continued) | | | | | | | | |
Enterprise Products Partners LP | | | 12,241 | | | $ | 322,183 | |
Holly Energy Partners LP | | | 13,592 | | | | 303,917 | |
Magellan Midstream Partners LP | | | 5,330 | | | | 311,645 | |
MPLX LP | | | 11,838 | | | | 279,969 | |
NGL Energy Partners LP | | | 24,209 | | | | 240,395 | |
Oasis Midstream Partners LP | | | 21,286 | | | | 340,576 | |
Phillips 66 Partners LP | | | 6,112 | | | | 340,622 | |
Shell Midstream Partners LP | | | 16,522 | | | | 324,822 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 4,027,731 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS | |
(Cost $4,907,320) | | | | | | | 4,027,731 | |
| | | | | | | | |
RIGHTS (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
Health Care (0.01%) | | | | | | | | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | | | 3,600 | | | | 7,740 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL RIGHTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $7,668) | | | | | | | 7,740 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.73%) | | | | | |
Money Market Fund (1.23%) | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $1,812,464) | | | 1.56 | % | | | 1,812,464 | | | | 1,812,464 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments Purchased with Collateral from Securities Loaned (0.50%) |
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 1.63% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $746,285) | | | | | | | 746,285 | | | | 746,285 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $2,558,749) | | | | | | | | | | | 2,558,749 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.43%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $134,399,104) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 147,782,586 | |
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.41%) | | | | (632,754 | ) |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 147,149,832 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Security, or a portion of the security position is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $723,614. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 147,782,586 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 190,992 | |
Total Assets | | | 147,973,578 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payable to adviser | | | 77,461 | |
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 746,285 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 823,746 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 147,149,832 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 176,066,418 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | (28,916,586 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 147,149,832 | |
| | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 134,399,104 | |
| | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 147,149,832 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 3,500,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 42.04 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | |
Dividends(a) | | $ | 2,630,237 | |
Securities Lending Income | | | 30,851 | |
Total Investment Income | | | 2,661,088 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | |
Investment adviser fees | | | 986,887 | |
Net Expenses | | | 986,887 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 1,674,201 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS): | | | | |
Net realized loss on investments | | | (13,333,969 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 18,178,162 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS | | | 4,844,193 | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 6,518,394 | |
| (a) | Net of foreign tax withholding of $763. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 1,674,201 | | | $ | 1,772,954 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (13,333,969 | ) | | | 34,798,091 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 18,178,162 | | | | (39,573,824 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 6,518,394 | | | | (3,002,779 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (1,353,834 | ) | | | (1,229,976 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1,353,834 | ) | | | (1,229,976 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | – | | | | 82,914,634 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (21,723,092 | ) | | | (120,574,045 | ) |
Net decrease from capital share transactions | | | (21,723,092 | ) | | | (37,659,411 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (16,558,532 | ) | | | (41,892,166 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 163,708,364 | | | | 205,600,530 | |
End of year | | $ | 147,149,832 | | | $ | 163,708,364 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 4,050,000 | | | | 4,950,000 | |
Shares sold | | | – | | | | 1,900,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (550,000 | ) | | | (2,800,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 3,500,000 | | | | 4,050,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 40.42 | | | $ | 41.54 | | | $ | 34.35 | | | $ | 31.75 | | | $ | 31.64 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.44 | | | | 0.40 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.32 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 1.51 | | | | (1.27 | ) | | | 7.17 | | | | 2.53 | | | | 0.02 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.95 | | | | (0.87 | ) | | | 7.46 | | | | 2.86 | | | | 0.34 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.26 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.26 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 1.62 | | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 7.19 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 0.11 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 42.04 | | | $ | 40.42 | | | $ | 41.54 | | | $ | 34.35 | | | $ | 31.75 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 5.00 | % | | | (2.12 | )% | | | 21.87 | % | | | 9.12 | % | | | 1.07 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000s) | | $ | 147,150 | | | $ | 163,708 | | | $ | 205,601 | | | $ | 178,612 | | | $ | 204,805 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.10 | % | | | 0.93 | % | | | 0.78 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.00 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(c) | | | 109 | % | | | 88 | % | | | 84 | % | | | 88 | % | | | 87 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. |
| (c) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consisted of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the Barron’s 400SM ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market.
The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
B. Fair Value Measurements
The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability; including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Valuation techniques used to value the Fund's investments by major category are as follows:
Equity securities and Limited Partnerships, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2019:
Barron's 400 ETF
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Quoted and Unadjusted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 141,188,366 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 141,188,366 | |
Limited Partnerships* | | | 4,027,731 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 4,027,731 | |
Rights* | | | 7,740 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 7,740 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 2,558,749 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 2,558,749 | |
Total | | $ | 147,782,586 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 147,782,586 | |
| * | For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2019.
C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the highest cost basis. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.
D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid annually or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF | | $ | 958,376 | | | $ | (958,376 | ) |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
| | Ordinary Income | | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | | Return of Capital | |
November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF | | $ | 1,353,834 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | |
November 30, 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF | | $ | 1,229,976 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF | | $ | 34,243,564 | | | $ | 9,297,396 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:
| | Barron’s 400SM ETF | |
Undistributed net investment income | | $ | 814,645 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | | (43,540,960 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 14,036,599 | |
Other accumulated losses | | | (226,870 | ) |
Total | | $ | (28,916,586 | ) |
Other accumulated losses are mostly due to partnership losses being suspended for tax purposes.
As of November 30, 2019, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
| | Barron’s 400SM ETF | |
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | $ | 18,243,689 | |
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | (4,207,090 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | $ | 14,036,599 | |
Cost of investments for income tax purposes | | $ | 133,745,987 | |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and investments in partnerships.
F. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
G.Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
The following is a summary of the Fund's securities lending agreement and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of November 30, 2019:
| | Market Value of Securities on Loan | | | Cash Collateral Received | | | Non-Cash Collateral Received | | | Total Collateral Received | |
Barron's 400 ETF | | $ | 723,614 | | | $ | 746,285 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 746,285 | |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged or securities loaned, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of November 30, 2019:
Barron's 400 ETF | | Remaining contractual maturity of the agreements | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Securities Lending Transactions | | Overnight & Continuous | | | Up to 30 days | | | 30-90 days | | | Greater than 90 days | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 746,285 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 746,285 | |
Total Borrowings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 746,285 | |
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received) | | | $ | 746,285 | |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.
Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Barron's 400 ETF | | $ | 164,482,846 | | | $ | 164,729,783 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
Barron's 400 ETF | | $ | – | | | $ | 21,591,454 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the Barron's 400 ETF had in-kind net realized gains of $922,735.
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2019 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.
Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchase cost paid | | | Sale proceeds received | | | Realized gain/(loss) on sales | |
Barron's 400 ETF | | $ | 2,570,399 | | | $ | 1,783,471 | | | $ | (194,846 | ) |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports for the Fund are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| Qualified Dividend Income | Dividend Received Deduction |
Barron's 400 ETF | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distribution paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
LICENSING AGREEMENT
MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) has entered into a license agreement with Dow Jones & Company to use the “Barron’s” name and certain related intellectual property in connection with the Underlying Index. The Index Provider also has entered into a license and services agreement with its parent company, MarketGrader.com, to use the methodology for constructing the Underlying Index. The Index Provider in turn has entered into the Sublicense Agreement with ALPS Advisers, Inc. to use the Underlying Index. The following disclosure relates to such licensing agreements:
The Barron’s 400 ETF (the “Fund”) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the the Index Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to track the performance of the physical commodities market. The Index Provider’s only relationship to the ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) or the Fund is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of the Index Provider and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the Fund or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.
THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, THE FUND, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
“The Barron’s 400 IndexSM” is calculated and published by MarketGrader Capital, LLC (“MarketGrader”). “Barron’s,” “Barron’s 400” and “Barron’s 400 Index” are trademarks or service marks of DJC & Company, Inc. or its affiliates and have been licensed to MarketGrader and sublicensed for certain purposes by Barron’s 400 Exchange Traded Fund, a sub-fund of that certain ALPS ETF Trust, a Delaware Statutory Trust (“Sub-Licensee”). The Barron’s 400 ETF (the “Product”) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by DJC or its affiliates. DJC and its affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the Fund particularly. DJC and its affiliates’ only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of DJC. DJC has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Fund into consideration in connection with its licensing of the Barron’s 400 Index to MarketGrader or the sublicense to Licensee. DJC and its affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be sold or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product are to be converted into cash. DJC and its affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Barron’s 400 Index or the Product.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
DOW JONES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONESAND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES AND ITS AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN DJC AND THE LICENSEE, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF MARKETGRADER.
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Advisory Agreement | |
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the Barron’s 400 ETF (“BFOR” or the “Fund”). The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment parameters of the index of the Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its benchmark. The Independent Trustees also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between the underlying index and the Fund’s performance. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for the Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for the Fund is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio, however, is at the median of its FUSE expense group.
The Independent Trustees took into account, among other things, the unique features and performance of the Fund’s underlying index and the costs and benefits of linkage to the Barron’s name.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to the Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to the Fund. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
In voting to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested Trustee* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Trustee is deemed an interested person of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
Barron’s 400SM ETF
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |


Table of Contents
Performance Overview | 1 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 4 |
Report of Independent | |
Registered Public Accounting Firm | 5 |
Financial Statements | |
Schedule of Investments | 6 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 8 |
Statement of Operations | 9 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 10 |
Financial Highlights | 11 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 12 |
Additional Information | 18 |
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement | 19 |
Trustees & Officers | 20 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
alpsfunds.com
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before the Fund’s fees and expenses, of an index called the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks and other equity securities (which may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) that comprise the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index consists of the largest and most liquid securities within the global real estate universe that Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (“Cohen & Steers” or the “Index Provider”) believes are likely to lead the global securitization of real estate. The Underlying Index is free float and modified market-capitalization weighted, with a limit of 4.0% on any security’s weighting. Underlying Index constituents must have a free float adjusted market-capitalization of $750 million or greater for initial inclusion in the Underlying Index. Cohen & Steers considers country weights relative to each country’s GDP share representing the real estate securities universe and share of the private market for real estate, with up to 10% being allocated to securities of emerging markets. The Underlying Index is rebalanced quarterly.
Performance Overview
For the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, the Fund’s market price return was 13.02% and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) return was 13.00%.
The S&P 500 Total Return Index returned 16.11% for the one year period ended November 30, 2019, finishing at an all-time high. The U.S. broad-based benchmark started 2019 on an optimistic note, returning 8.01% in January 2019 after a 9.03% decline in December 2018. In general, corporate earnings continued to meet expectations while economic data validated a continued, but volatile, bull market. Geopolitical tensions partly drove market volatility as the U.S. and China moved slowly towards phase 1 of a trade agreement. In addition, U.S. presidential impeachment hearings also contributed to the market volatility. Despite the continued angst in the growth of political risks, U.S. markets saw both growth-styled and valued-styled stocks march higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve ("FED") started the year off with a hawkish overtone, increasing the federal funds rate to 2.5%. However, as the year progressed, a more neutral stance was taken as manufacturing data began to weaken globally and the FED lowered the overnight lending rates 3 times to promote the sustained growth in the economy. The FED overnight rate stands at 1.75%.
Developed Markets (ex-U.S.), as represented by the MSCI EAFE Net Total Return USD Index, returned 12.44% for the one year period ended November 30, 2019. The strength of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro increased, which detracted from positive performance from a U.S. investor’s perspective.
Equity markets in the Eurozone were generally positive, despite Brexit-related headline risks. The change in leadership within U.K’s Conservative Party saw Boris Johnson voted in as Prime Minister, and was positively received by United Kingdom markets, with the FTSE 100 GBP Index returning 10.08% for the one year period ended November 30, 2019. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) decreased the deposit facility rate by 0.10% in 2019, with the Deposit Rate currently sitting at -0.50% as of November 30, 2019. The ECB has indicated that it is not considering further decreases in the Deposit Rate. In Japan, domestic consumption remained sluggish, with consumption taxes currently standing at 10%. As manufacturing data continued to weaken globally, investors rotated into more defensive Japanese equities, which have more value characteristics. Japanese equities returned 5.87% for the one year period ended November 30, 2019, as seen in the MSCI Japan JPY Index.
Global real estate, as represented by the Underlying Index, was generally positive in 2019. From a regional perspective, real estate in the Americas exhibited the highest average return as the FED decreased interest rates in a mid-cycle adjustment. Real estate development companies were the top performing segment for the fund while health care real estate investment trust (REIT) securities detracted the most from positive performance for the fund.
The top performing security in GRI, from the portfolio’s perspective in USD, was Segro PLC (SGRO LN), which returned 54.44% during the one year period ended November 30, 2019. In contrast, the worst performing security in the Fund, from the portfolio’s perspective in USD, was Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (PK), which returned -17.62% for the one year period ended November 30, 2019. In summary, of the 82 securities held by the Fund throughout the one year period ended November 30, 2019, 66 holdings had a positive contribution to the Fund’s total return while 16 holdings had a negative contribution to the Fund’s total return.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year | Since Inception^ |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF - NAV | 13.00% | 5.32% | 8.71% | 3.58% |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF - Market Price* | 13.02% | 5.32% | 8.71% | 3.56% |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors® Index | 13.84% | 6.08% | 9.50% | 4.39% |
FTSE EPRA/ NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index | 15.67% | 6.49% | 9.57% | 4.67% |
S&P 500® Total Return Index | 16.11% | 10.98% | 13.44% | 9.60% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current Prospectus) 0.55%
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.513.5856.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | Fund Inception May 7, 2008. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
Risks of Investing in Real Estate Securities
Risks of investing in real estate securities are similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including falling property values due to increasing vacancies or declining rents resulting from economic, legal, political or technological developments, lack of liquidity, limited diversification and sensitivity to certain economic factors such as interest rate changes and market recessions. Foreign securities involve special risks, including currency fluctuations, lower liquidity, political and economic uncertainties, and differences in accounting standards. Some international securities may represent small- and medium-sized companies, which may be more susceptible to price volatility and less liquidity than larger companies.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors® Index:A free-float adjusted, modified market capitalization-weighted index of global real estate equities. The modified market capitalization weighting approach and qualitative screening process emphasize those companies that, in the opinion of the Cohen & Steers investment committee, are leading the securitization of real estate globally.
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index:An unmanaged market-weighted total return index that consists of many companies from developed markets whose floats are larger than $100 million and which derive more than half of their revenue from property-related activities.
S&P 500® Total Return Index:The Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
The indexes are not actively managed and do not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. Total return assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
The Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF is not suitable for all investors. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is not affiliated with Cohen & Steers.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Prologis, Inc. | 4.25% |
Equinix, Inc. | 4.09% |
American Tower Corp. | 4.03% |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | 3.98% |
Welltower, Inc. | 3.23% |
Public Storage | 2.97% |
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | 2.82% |
Equity Residential | 2.79% |
Vonovia SE | 2.66% |
SBA Communications Corp. | 2.51% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 33.33% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Country Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
United States | 57.80% |
Japan | 10.10% |
Hong Kong | 8.39% |
Australia | 5.85% |
Germany | 4.98% |
France | 4.09% |
United Kingdom | 3.47% |
Singapore | 2.18% |
Canada | 1.66% |
Sweden | 0.52% |
Switzerland | 0.50% |
Spain | 0.29% |
Brazil | 0.17% |
Total | 100.00% |
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Indexes
The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example:As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return:The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by
$1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return:The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | Expense Ratio(a) | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF | | | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,046.10 | 0.55% | $2.82 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,022.31 | 0.55% | $2.79 |
| (a) | Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF of ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (99.63%) | | | | | | | | |
Australia (5.84%) | | | | | | | | |
Dexus | | | 54,380 | | | $ | 449,850 | |
Goodman Group | | | 80,394 | | | | 805,887 | |
Mirvac Group | | | 198,570 | | | | 452,632 | |
Scentre Group, Ltd. | | | 267,059 | | | | 711,714 | |
The GPT Group | | | 96,679 | | | | 402,170 | |
Vicinity Centres | | | 160,097 | | | | 290,215 | |
Total Australia | | | | | | | 3,112,468 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Brazil (0.17%) | | | | | | | | |
Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA | | | 13,534 | | | | 92,449 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Canada (1.66%) | | | | | | | | |
Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust | | | 5,816 | | | | 233,814 | |
Canadian Apartment Properties | | | 8,020 | | | | 334,735 | |
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust | | | 15,289 | | | | 312,387 | |
Total Canada | | | | | | | 880,936 | |
| | | | | | | | |
France (4.08%) | | | | | | | | |
Covivio | | | 2,247 | | | | 248,564 | |
Gecina SA | | | 2,735 | | | | 472,502 | |
Klepierre SA | | | 10,426 | | | | 374,142 | |
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield | | | 6,900 | | | | 1,078,778 | |
Total France | | | | | | | 2,173,986 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Germany (4.97%) | | | | | | | | |
alstria office REIT-AG | | | 7,851 | | | | 143,420 | |
Deutsche Wohnen SE | | | 17,997 | | | | 702,938 | |
LEG Immobilien AG | | | 3,442 | | | | 388,529 | |
Vonovia SE | | | 27,112 | | | | 1,412,641 | |
Total Germany | | | | | | | 2,647,528 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Hong Kong (8.38%) | | | | | | | | |
China Overseas Land & Investment, Ltd. | | | 187,000 | | | | 627,060 | |
CK Asset Holdings, Ltd. | | | 127,500 | | | | 847,752 | |
Hang Lung Properties, Ltd. | | | 95,000 | | | | 194,655 | |
Hongkong Land Holdings, Ltd. | | | 58,200 | | | | 320,100 | |
Link REIT | | | 105,164 | | | | 1,074,720 | |
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd. | | | 74,000 | | | | 1,076,697 | |
Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd. | | | 58,000 | | | | 321,926 | |
Total Hong Kong | | | | | | | 4,462,910 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Japan (10.09%) | | | | | | | | |
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. | | | 70 | | | | 476,604 | |
Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. | | | 131 | | | | 298,467 | |
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. | | | 69,600 | | | | 1,276,297 | |
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. | | | 49,600 | | | | 1,234,334 | |
Nippon Building Fund, Inc. | | | 70 | | | | 525,864 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Japan (continued) | | | | | | |
Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc. | | | 117 | | | $ | 314,046 | |
Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc. | | | 229 | | | | 418,152 | |
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd. | | | 23,800 | | | | 829,585 | |
Total Japan | | | | | | | 5,373,349 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Singapore (2.18%) | | | | | | | | |
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust | | | 150,105 | | | | 327,079 | |
CapitaLand Mall Trust | | | 142,447 | | | | 262,479 | |
CapitaLand, Ltd. | | | 125,600 | | | | 337,970 | |
City Developments, Ltd. | | | 30,800 | | | | 232,869 | |
Total Singapore | | | | | | | 1,160,397 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Spain (0.29%) | | | | | | | | |
Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA | | | 12,212 | | | | 154,061 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Sweden (0.52%) | | | | | | | | |
Castellum AB | | | 12,860 | | | | 275,293 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Switzerland (0.50%) | | | | | | | | |
PSP Swiss Property AG | | | 2,056 | | | | 267,552 | |
| | | | | | | | |
United Kingdom (3.47%) | | | | | | | | |
British Land Co. PLC | | | 47,095 | | | | 350,584 | |
Derwent London PLC | | | 5,284 | | | | 252,713 | |
Hammerson PLC | | | 38,444 | | | | 147,766 | |
Land Securities Group PLC | | | 37,658 | | | | 466,768 | |
Segro PLC | | | 54,429 | | | | 629,310 | |
Total United Kingdom | | | | | | | 1,847,141 | |
| | | | | | | | |
United States (57.48%) | | | | | | | | |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. | | | 5,678 | | | | 922,789 | |
American Campus Communities, Inc. | | | 6,881 | | | | 330,563 | |
American Tower Corp. | | | 10,019 | | | | 2,144,367 | |
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | | | 6,997 | | | | 1,500,227 | |
Boston Properties, Inc. | | | 7,184 | | | | 995,271 | |
Cousins Properties, Inc. | | | 7,310 | | | | 295,982 | |
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | | | 10,434 | | | | 1,261,992 | |
Douglas Emmett, Inc. | | | 8,215 | | | | 362,035 | |
Duke Realty Corp. | | | 18,104 | | | | 636,899 | |
Equinix, Inc. | | | 3,839 | | | | 2,176,137 | |
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. | | | 9,102 | | | | 674,276 | |
Equity Residential | | | 17,446 | | | | 1,484,655 | |
Essex Property Trust, Inc. | | | 3,288 | | | | 1,026,448 | |
Extra Space Storage, Inc. | | | 6,407 | | | | 679,462 | |
Federal Realty Investment Trust | | | 3,498 | | | | 461,981 | |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. | | | 36,509 | | | | 638,542 | |
Invitation Homes, Inc. | | | 23,895 | | | | 729,514 | |
Kilroy Realty Corp. | | | 4,631 | | | | 385,484 | |
National Retail Properties, Inc. | | | 8,597 | | | | 479,197 | |
Prologis, Inc. | | | 24,706 | | | | 2,261,834 | |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
United States (continued) | | | | | | |
Public Storage | | | 7,507 | | | $ | 1,581,575 | |
Realty Income Corp. | | | 15,931 | | | | 1,220,792 | |
Regency Centers Corp. | | | 8,371 | | | | 544,450 | |
SBA Communications Corp. | | | 5,655 | | | | 1,337,238 | |
Simon Property Group, Inc. | | | 14,004 | | | | 2,117,545 | |
SL Green Realty Corp. | | | 4,118 | | | | 351,389 | |
UDR, Inc. | | | 14,639 | | | | 703,404 | |
Ventas, Inc. | | | 18,623 | | | | 1,085,907 | |
Vornado Realty Trust | | | 7,938 | | | | 512,557 | |
Welltower, Inc. | | | 20,294 | | | | 1,716,264 | |
Total United States | | | | | | | 30,618,776 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $43,198,999) | | | | | | | 53,066,846 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.24%) | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 127,468 | | | | 127,468 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $127,468) | | | | | | | | | | | 127,468 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.87%) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $43,326,467) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 53,194,314 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.13%) | | | | 70,851 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 53,265,165 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 53,194,314 | |
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $2,807) | | | 2,812 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | 13,513 | |
Dividends receivable | | | 78,533 | |
Total Assets | | | 53,289,172 | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | |
Payable to adviser | | | 24,007 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 24,007 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 53,265,165 | |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 49,166,573 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | 4,098,592 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 53,265,165 | |
| | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 43,326,467 | |
| | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 53,265,165 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 1,100,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 48.42 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | |
Dividends(a) | | $ | 1,663,576 | |
Total Investment Income | | | 1,663,576 | |
| | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | |
Investment adviser fees | | | 294,592 | |
Total Expenses | | | 294,592 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 1,368,984 | |
| | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS): | | | | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 1,746,811 | |
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions | | | (2,791 | ) |
Total Net realized gain | | | 1,744,020 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 3,448,282 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | | | 534 | |
Total net change in unrealized appreciation | | | 3,448,816 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS | | | 5,192,836 | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 6,561,820 | |
| (a) | Net of foreign tax withholding of $78,366. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 1,368,984 | | | $ | 1,604,135 | |
Net realized gain | | | 1,744,020 | | | | 1,545,197 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | | | 3,448,816 | | | | (2,489,161 | ) |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 6,561,820 | | | | 660,171 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (1,634,862 | ) | | | (2,627,653 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1,634,862 | ) | | | (2,627,653 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (6,883,881 | ) | | | (10,860,609 | ) |
Net decrease from capital share transactions | | | (6,883,881 | ) | | | (10,860,609 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (1,956,923 | ) | | | (12,828,091 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 55,222,088 | | | | 68,050,179 | |
End of year | | $ | 53,265,165 | | | $ | 55,222,088 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 1,250,000 | | | | 1,500,000 | |
Shares sold | | | – | | | | – | |
Shares redeemed | | | (150,000 | ) | | | (250,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 1,100,000 | | | | 1,250,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Financial Highlights | For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 44.18 | | | $ | 45.37 | | | $ | 41.31 | | | $ | 42.25 | | | $ | 44.07 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 1.19 | | | | 1.17 | | | | 0.75 | | | | 1.24 | | | | 1.41 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 4.45 | | | | (0.53 | ) | | | 4.45 | | | | (0.90 | ) | | | (1.57 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 5.64 | | | | 0.64 | | | | 5.20 | | | | 0.34 | | | | (0.16 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.40 | ) | | | (1.83 | ) | | | (1.14 | ) | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (1.66 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1.40 | ) | | | (1.83 | ) | | | (1.14 | ) | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (1.66 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 4.24 | | | | (1.19 | ) | | | 4.06 | | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (1.82 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 48.42 | | | $ | 44.18 | | | $ | 45.37 | | | $ | 41.31 | | | $ | 42.25 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 13.00 | % | | | 1.47 | % | | | 12.77 | % | | | 0.61 | % | | | (0.38 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (in 000s) | | $ | 53,265 | | | $ | 55,222 | | | $ | 68,050 | | | $ | 80,550 | | | $ | 99,298 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.55 | % | | | 0.55 | % | | | 0.55 | % | | | 0.55 | % | | | 0.55 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
net assets | | | 2.56 | % | | | 2.67 | % | | | 1.71 | % | | | 2.86 | % | | | 3.24 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(c) | | | 10 | % | | | 14 | % | | | 10 | % | | | 8 | % | | | 7 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the reinvestment prices. |
| (c) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consisted of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (the “Fund”). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before the Fund’s fees and expenses, of an index called the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Index (the “Underlying Index”). The investment advisor uses a “passive” or indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the "NYSE Arca"). The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Underlying Index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
The Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market.
The Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Fund may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of the Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
B. Fair Value Measurements
The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Valuation techniques used to value the Fund’s investments by major category are as follows:
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2019:
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1- Unadjusted Quoted Prices | | | Level 2- Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3- Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 53,066,846 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 53,066,846 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 127,468 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 127,468 | |
TOTAL | | $ | 53,194,314 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 53,194,314 | |
| * | For a detailed geographical breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Fund did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.
C. Foreign Securities
The Fund may directly purchase securities of non-U.S. issuers. Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers, including, among others, less liquidity generally, greater market volatility than U.S. securities and less complete financial information than for U.S. issuers. In addition, adverse political, economic or social developments could undermine the value of the Fund’s investments or prevent the Fund from realizing the full value of its investments. Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the United States. Finally, the value of the currency of the country in which the Fund has invested could decline relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the value of the investment to U.S. investors.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
D. Foreign Currency Translation
The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment valuations and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. The portion of realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed and is included in realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments, when applicable.
E. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the highest cost basis. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any foreign taxes withheld. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.
F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Fund, if any, are distributed at least annually.
G. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)
As part of its investments in real estate related securities, the Fund will invest in REITs and is subject to certain risks associated with direct investment in REITs. REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool investors’ capital to acquire, develop and/or finance real estate and provide services to their tenants. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types, e.g., regional malls, shopping centers, office buildings, apartment buildings and industrial warehouses. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareowners, and certain REITs have self-liquidation provisions by which mortgages held may be paid in full and distributions of capital returns may be made at any time.
As REITs generally pay a higher rate of dividends than most other operating companies, to the extent application of the Fund’s investment strategy results in the Fund investing in REIT shares, the percentage of the Fund’s dividend income received from REIT shares will likely exceed the percentage of the Fund’s portfolio that is comprised of REIT shares. Distributions received by the Fund from REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital.
Dividend income from REITs is recognized on the ex-dividend date. The calendar year-end amounts of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital included in distributions received from the Fund’s investments in REITs are reported to the Fund after the end of the calendar year; accordingly, the Fund estimates these amounts for accounting purposes until the characterization of REIT distributions is reported to the Fund after the end of the calendar year. Estimates are based on the most recent REIT distribution information available.
The performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Due to the Fund’s investments in REITs, the Fund may also make distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and capital gains. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder.
H. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF | | $ | 1,158,794 | | | $ | (1,158,794 | ) |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
| | Ordinary Income | |
November 30, 2019 | | | | |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF | | $ | 1,634,862 | |
November 30, 2018 | | | | |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF | | $ | 2,627,653 | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
Capital loss carryovers used during the year ended November 30, 2019, were $271,174
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF | | $ | 955,134 | | | $ | 3,344,205 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:
Undistributed net investment income | | $ | 471,105 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | | (4,299,339 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 7,926,826 | |
Total | | $ | 4,098,592 | |
As of November 30, 2019, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | $ | 10,214,660 | |
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | (2,287,050 | ) |
Net depreciation on foreign currency transactions | | | (784 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 7,926,826 | |
Cost of investments for income tax purposes | | $ | 45,266,704 | |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are due to the deferral of losses from wash sales, Passive Foreign Investment Companies and partnerships.
I. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
J. Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund has entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Fund’s lending agent. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. The Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations. As of November 30, 2019, the Fund had no securities on loan.
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Fund could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.
Out of the unitary management fees, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services to the Fund.
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Fund.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:
Purchases | | | Sales | |
$ | 5,569,391 | | | $ | 5,730,258 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Purchases | | | Sales | |
$ | – | | | $ | 6,848,458 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the Cohen and Steers Global Realty Majors ETF had in-kind net realized gains of $1,413,904.
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On January 2, 2020, the Fund changed its name to ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF and the Fund’s ticker symbol changed from GRI to RDOG. ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of an index called S-Network REIT Dividend Dogs Index (the "New Underlying Index"). The New Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the highest dividend paying REITS in the S-Network US Composite REIT Index, a universe of mainly REITS listed in the U.S., on a segment-by-segment basis. ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks and other equity securities (which may include REITs, ADRS, ADSs and GDRs) that comprise the New Underlying Index. In addition, the Fund's management fee changed from 0.55% to 0.35%.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports for the Fund are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund designates the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| Qualified Dividend Income | Dividend Received Deduction |
Cohen and Steers Global Realty Majors ETF | 39.21% | 0.00% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distribution paid to them by the Fund during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Fund will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
LICENSING AGREEMENT
Cohen & Steers is the Index Provider for the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF. Cohen & Steers is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor. ALPS, an affiliate of the Adviser, and the Trust have entered into a license agreement with Cohen & Steers to use the Index.
THE FUND IS NOT SPONSORED, MANAGED OR ADVISED BY COHEN & STEERS CAPTIAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (“C&S”). C&S MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE FUND PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX TO TRACK PERFORMANCE OF A MARKET OR SECTOR. C&S’S ONLY RELATIONSHIP TO ALPS IS IN RELATION TO THE LICENSING OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES OF C&S AND OF ONE OR MORE C&S INDEXES, INCLUDING THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX WHICH IS DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY C&S WITHOUT REGARD TO ALPS OR THE FUND. C&S HAS NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF ALPS, THE FUND OR THE FUND SHAREHOLDERS INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX. C&S IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE TIMING OF THE ISSUANCE OR SALE OF FUND SHARES OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE VALUATION OF THE FUND’S ASSETS. C&S HAS NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND. C&S DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND C&S SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. C&S MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALPS, THE FUND, FUND SHAREHOLDERS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. C&S MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF USE WITH RESPECT TO THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL C&S HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY MAJORS INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
The Advisor does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein, and the Advisor shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Advisor makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or any data included therein. The Advisor makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Advisor have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Index even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF (the “Fund”)1. The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment parameters of the index of the Fund, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of the Fund and its benchmark. The Independent Trustees also evaluated the correlation and tracking error between the underlying index and the Fund’s performance. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for the Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Fund (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Advisory Agreement, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for the Fund is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio, however, is slightly above the median of its FUSE expense group.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Fund and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to the Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to the Fund. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small size of the Fund and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
In voting to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
| 1 | On January 2, 2020, the Fund was redesignated as ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF, among other changes. The discussion herein reflects the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund from the meeting held on June 3, 2019 prior to various subsequent changes to the Fund that took effect on January 2, 2020. |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested Trustee* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Trustee is deemed an interested person of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |
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Table of Contents
Performance Overview
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 1 |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | 4 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 7 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | 10 |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | 13 |
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | 16 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 17 |
Financial Statements | |
Schedule of Investments | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 18 |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | 24 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 28 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | 30 |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | 32 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 35 |
Statement of Operations | 36 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 37 |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | 38 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 39 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | 40 |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | 41 |
Financial Highlights | 42 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 47 |
Additional Information | 56 |
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements | 57 |
Trustees & Officers | 59 |
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.alpsfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary.
alpsfunds.com
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (the “Fund” or "RFCI") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations.
Market Outlook
Global equity markets experienced the full range of emotions during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019, leaving investors wary despite the double-digit overall gains racked up by both the equity and bond markets during this period.
Led by the U.S., markets around the world collapsed in the fall, as concerns over global trade and federal policy gripped investors in a pessimistic wave of recession fears. In retrospect, however, the meltdown in the fourth quarter of 2018 turned out to be the pessimistic crescendo for the year. Global markets staged a powerful rally in the first quarter and kept grinding generally higher throughout the rest of the fiscal year, as the U.S. Federal Reserve reversed their tightening stance and cut interest rates three times, starting at the end of July. By the end of October, U.S. large-caps had forged new all-time highs, while international stocks had broken up through important resistance levels and showed increasing signs of relative strength.
Staring into 2020, global stocks look poised to continue to climb this 'wall of worry', in our opinion; while trade, political and economic concerns still dominate in a slower-growth environment, central banks are still highly accommodative, market trends appear positive, inflation still appears contained, and the sentiment for stocks still appears muted compared to typical market peaks. These factors are providing an investment backdrop that is still conducive to further equity gains, in our opinion, though there is likely to be further volatility as U.S. investors turn their attention to the looming 2020 presidential election.
2019 Performance Attribution
The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, based upon its return at NAV. The underperformance of the Fund relative to its benchmark was primarily due to the Fund’s selection within investment grade bonds as well as an overweight to cash throughout the period.
Negative Contributors:
| • | Selection within Investment Grade (or "IG") Corporates –During the attribution period, IG credit spreads tightened 34 basis points as credit concerns faded. As such, the ICE BAML US Corporate Index was up over 15% for this time period and spreads tightened to 111 basis points. However, the Fund had most of its corporate bond allocation in short-duration securities, which underperformed longer corporates as the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell 121 basis points to 1.78%. |
| • | Overweight Cash –The Fund maintained an overweight to cash throughout this time period. With a flat yield curve, there was little incentive to take additional credit risk or extend maturities. However, as spreads tightened and rates fell, the Fund did not participate in full due to the elevated cash levels. |
Positive Contributors:
| • | Overweight to IG Corporates –The Fund benefited from an overweight allocation to corporate bonds. Despite the negative selection from holding shorter-term maturities, the larger position to the sector added to overall performance. |
| • | Selection within U.S. Treasuries –The Fund held longer dated U.S. Treasury securities which benefited as interest rates fell. This allocation was used for portfolio protection to offset the credit risk associated with our overweight to corporate bonds. |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | Since Inception^ |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF – NAV | 10.22% | 2.71% |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF – Market Price* | 10.13% | 2.69% |
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index | 10.79% | 2.95% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.53%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
| ^ | The Fund commenced operations on June 14, 2016. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Indexis a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*^(as of November 30, 2019)
United States Treasury Bond 2.75%, 2/15/2028 | 6.73% |
United States Treasury Note 3.00% 10/31/2025 | 3.36% |
United States Treasury Note 2.88% 11/15/2021 | 3.20% |
United States Treasury Strip Principal 08/15/2039 | 2.49% |
United States Treasury Strip Principal 02/15/2038 | 2.18% |
United States Treasury Note 2.88% 10/31/2023 | 1.96% |
United States Treasury Strip Principal 05/15/2048 | 1.33% |
United States Treasury Bond 2.75% 11/15/2047 | 1.32% |
United States Treasury Bond 3.88% 08/15/2040 | 1.14% |
United States Treasury Strip Principal 11/15/2046 | 1.03% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 24.74% |
| ^ | Excludes Money Market Fund |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Asset Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF (the “Fund” or "RFUN") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations.
Market Outlook
Global equity markets experienced the full range of emotions during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019, leaving investors wary despite the double-digit overall gains racked up by both the equity and bond markets during this period.
Led by the U.S., markets around the world collapsed in the fall, as concerns over global trade and federal policy gripped investors in a pessimistic wave of recession fears. In retrospect, however, the meltdown in the fourth quarter of 2018 turned out to be the pessimistic crescendo for the year. Global markets staged a powerful rally in the first quarter and kept grinding generally higher throughout the rest of the fiscal year, as the U.S. Federal Reserve reversed their tightening stance and cut interest rates three times, starting at the end of July. By the end of October, U.S. large-caps had forged new all-time highs, while international stocks had broken up through important resistance levels and showed increasing signs of relative strength.
Staring into 2020, global stocks look poised to continue to climb this 'wall of worry', in our opinion; while trade, political and economic concerns still dominate in a slower-growth environment, central banks are still highly accommodative, market trends appear positive, inflation still appears contained, and the sentiment for stocks still appears muted compared to typical market peaks. These factors are providing an investment backdrop that is still conducive to further equity gains, in our opinion, though there is likely to be further volatility as U.S. investors turn their attention to the looming 2020 presidential election.
2019 Performance Attribution
The Fund underperformed its benchmark over the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019, based upon its return at NAV. The underperformance of the Fund was primarily due to its higher credit quality and overweight to cash. We believe that this higher quality strategy will outperform over a full credit cycle however, due to the lower historical defaults on higher quality bonds.
Negative Contributors:
| • | Quality Bias and Cash Overweight:The Fund was at a yield disadvantage relative to the benchmark for most of the year. As credit spreads tightened, we increased the overall credit quality of the portfolio. Furthermore, the Fund maintained an overweight to cash which also dragged on performance. |
Positive Contributors:
| • | Security Selection Within Energy:Security selection was a positive contributor within energy. In general, the Fund held higher-quality positions in the sector, which was one of the worst performing groups in 2019. |
2020 Outlook
We believe that fixed income returns next year will be much more muted than they were last year. The starting Treasury yield and corporate bond spreads dictate that a repeat of last year’s returns is unlikely. We begin this new fiscal year with Treasury yields over 100 basis points lower than they were a year ago. In addition, investment grade corporate bond and high yield bond spreads are both about 30 basis points lower than they were. It would likely take a recession/deflation scare for Treasury yields to repeat last year’s drop.
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | Since Inception^ |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF – NAV | 9.15% | 5.53% |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF – Market Price* | 9.51% | 5.51% |
ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Master II Total Return Index | 9.61% | 7.14% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.52%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
| ^ | The Fund commenced operations on June 14, 2016. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Master II Total Return Indextracks the performance of below-investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds issued in the U.S. Domestic market. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*^(as of November 30, 2019)
CIT Group, Inc. | 1.46% |
CenturyLink, Inc. | 1.41% |
Altice Financing SA | 1.35% |
United Rentals North America, Inc. | 1.32% |
Hanesbrands, Inc. | 1.31% |
Spectrum Brands, Inc. | 1.29% |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 1.15% |
HCA, Inc. | 1.09% |
Sprint Communications, Inc. | 0.97% |
Ally Financial, Inc. | 0.95% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 12.30% |
| ^ | Excludes Money Market Fund |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Asset Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (the “Fund” or "RFDA") seeks to provide capital appreciation and dividend income. Under normal conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in a portfolio of equity securities of publicly traded U.S. companies with the potential for dividend growth. Equity securities include common stocks and common or preferred shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Market Outlook
Global equity markets experienced the full range of emotions during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019, leaving investors wary despite the double-digit overall gains racked up by both the equity and bond markets during this period.
Led by the U.S., markets around the world collapsed in the fall, as concerns over global trade and federal policy gripped investors in a pessimistic wave of recession fears. In retrospect, however, the meltdown in the fourth quarter of 2018 turned out to be the pessimistic crescendo for the year. Global markets staged a powerful rally in the first quarter and kept grinding generally higher throughout the rest of the fiscal year, as the U.S. Federal Reserve reversed their tightening stance and cut interest rates three times, starting at the end of July. By the end of October, U.S. large-caps had forged new all-time highs, while international stocks had broken up through important resistance levels and showed increasing signs of relative strength.
Staring into 2020, global stocks look poised to continue to climb this 'wall of worry', in our opinion; while trade, political and economic concerns still dominate in a slower-growth environment, central banks are still highly accommodative, market trends appear positive, inflation still appears contained, and the sentiment for stocks still appears muted compared to typical market peaks. These factors are providing an investment backdrop that is still conducive to further equity gains, in our opinion, though there is likely to be further volatility as U.S. investors turn their attention to the looming 2020 presidential election.
2019 Performance Attribution
Broadly, the Fund underperformed its benchmark during the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019 due to allocation and selection decisions.
| 1. | Sector Allocation:The sector allocations in RFDA are determined through a bottoms-up process that ranks stocks on three fundamental cornerstones: value, quality and momentum/sentiment. If a sector produces more highly ranked stocks relative to another sector, that sector’s allocation is allowed to exceed its benchmark by a tolerable level, and vice versa. Sector allocation was a slightly negative contributor for the Fund in fiscal year 2019. |
| a. | Positive contributors:The underweights to consumer non-cyclicals and non-energy materials and an overweight to utilities were positive contributors. |
| b. | Negative contributors:The portfolio’s underweight to business services and frictional cash and over-weighted exposure to energy negatively impacted portfolio returns. |
| 2. | Security Selection:The investment selection process behind the Fund is built on making a number of security selection choices. This means that there are rarely just one or two things contributing to the returns in the Fund. In fiscal year 2019, our equity selection posted negative results in aggregate. A few of the top themes that contributed most to performance in the fiscal year were: |
| a. | Positive contributors:Security selection in consumer cyclicals, technology and healthcare were additive. |
| b. | Negative contributors:Security selection in financials, consumer services and consumer non-cyclicals detracted from returns. |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | Since Inception^ |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF – NAV | 11.29% | 11.27% |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF – Market Price* | 11.43% | 11.28% |
S&P 500® Total Return Index | 16.11% | 14.38% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.52%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced operations on June 7, 2016. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
S&P 500® Total Return Indexis the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Microsoft Corp. | 5.53% |
Apple, Inc. | 5.22% |
Amazon.com, Inc. | 2.86% |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 2.53% |
Chevron Corp. | 2.05% |
Johnson & Johnson | 1.94% |
AT&T, Inc. | 1.73% |
Bank of America Corp. | 1.71% |
Home Depot, Inc. | 1.67% |
Procter & Gamble Co. | 1.66% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 26.90% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Asset Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (the “Fund” or "RFFC") seeks to provide capital appreciation. Under normal conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in a portfolio of equity securities of publicly traded U.S. companies. Equity securities include common stocks and common or preferred shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Market Outlook
Global equity markets experienced the full range of emotions during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019, leaving investors wary despite the double-digit overall gains racked up by both the equity and bond markets during this period.
Led by the U.S., markets around the world collapsed in the fall, as concerns over global trade and federal policy gripped investors in a pessimistic wave of recession fears. In retrospect, however, the meltdown in the fourth quarter of 2018 turned out to be the pessimistic crescendo for the year. Global markets staged a powerful rally in the first quarter and kept grinding generally higher throughout the rest of the fiscal year, as the U.S. Federal Reserve reversed their tightening stance and cut interest rates three times, starting at the end of July. By the end of October, U.S. large-caps had forged new all-time highs, while international stocks had broken up through important resistance levels and showed increasing signs of relative strength.
Staring into 2020, global stocks look poised to continue to climb this 'wall of worry', in our opinion; while trade, political and economic concerns still dominate in a slower-growth environment, central banks are still highly accommodative, market trends appear positive, inflation still appears contained, and the sentiment for stocks still appears muted compared to typical market peaks. These factors are providing an investment backdrop that is still conducive to further equity gains, in our opinion, though there is likely to be further volatility as U.S. investors turn their attention to the looming 2020 presidential election.
2019 Performance Attribution
Broadly, the Fund underperformed its benchmark during the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2019 due to both allocation and selection decisions.
| 1. | Sector Allocation:The sector allocations in the Fund are determined through a bottoms-up process that ranks stocks on three fundamental cornerstones: value, quality and momentum/sentiment. If a sector produces more highly ranked stocks relative to another sector, that sector’s allocation is allowed to exceed its benchmark by a tolerable level, and vice versa. Sector allocation was a slightly negative contributor for the Fund in fiscal year 2019. |
| a. | Positive contributors:The over-weight to utilities and underweight to technology and healthcare were positive contributors. |
| b. | Negative contributors:The portfolio’s over-weights to energy and non-energy materials and underweight to financials negatively impacted portfolio returns. |
| 2. | Security Selection:The investment selection process behind the Fund is built on making a number of security selection choices. This means that there are rarely just one or two things contributing to the returns in the Fund. In fiscal year 2019, an equity selection posted negative results in aggregate. A few of the top themes that contributed most to performance in the year were: |
| a. | Positive contributors:Security selection in industrials, energy, and technology were net positives. |
| b. | Negative contributors:Security selection in finance, consumer cyclicals, and consumer services were detractors. |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | Since Inception^ |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF – NAV | 7.49% | 11.04% |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF – Market Price* | 7.48% | 11.05% |
S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Index | 15.31% | 14.03% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.52%.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For the most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
| ^ | The Fund commenced operations on June 7, 2016. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid-ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. |
S&P Composite 1500® Total Return Indexis the Standard & Poor’s broad-based unmanaged capitalization-weighted index comprising 1,500 stocks of Large-cap, Mid-cap, and Small-cap U.S. companies. The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
The Fund’s shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the Fund on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Fund, typically in blocks of 50,000 shares.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the Distributor for the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Top 10 Holdings*(as of November 30, 2019)
Apple, Inc. | 4.04% |
Microsoft Corp. | 3.98% |
Alphabet, Inc. | 3.32% |
Amazon.com, Inc. | 2.68% |
Facebook, Inc. | 1.94% |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 1.82% |
Johnson & Johnson | 1.54% |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. | 1.41% |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 1.29% |
Home Depot, Inc. | 1.13% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 23.15% |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Asset Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Investment Objective
The RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund” or "RIGS") seeks total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of fixed income securities of various maturities, ratings and currency denominations. The Fund intends to utilize various investment strategies in a broad array of fixed income sectors.
Market Outlook
Global equity markets experienced the full range of emotions during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019, leaving investors wary despite the double-digit overall gains racked up by both the equity and bond markets during this period.
Led by the U.S., markets around the world collapsed in the fall, as concerns over global trade and federal policy gripped investors in a pessimistic wave of recession fears. In retrospect, however, the meltdown in the fourth quarter of 2018 turned out to be the pessimistic crescendo for the year. Global markets staged a powerful rally in the first quarter and kept grinding generally higher throughout the rest of the fiscal year, as the U.S. Federal Reserve reversed their tightening stance and cut interest rates three times, starting at the end of July. By the end of October, U.S. large-caps had forged new all-time highs, while international stocks had broken up through important resistance levels and showed increasing signs of relative strength.
Staring into 2020, global stocks look poised to continue to climb this 'wall of worry', in our opinion; while trade, political and economic concerns still dominate in a slower-growth environment, central banks are still highly accommodative, market trends appear positive, inflation still appears contained, and the sentiment for stocks still appears muted compared to typical market peaks. These factors are providing an investment backdrop that is still conducive to further equity gains, in our opinion, though there is likely to be further volatility as U.S. investors turn their attention to the looming 2020 presidential election.
2019 Performance Attribution
The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the twelve-month period ending November 30, 2019. The underperformance was primarily due to the Fund's shorter duration.
Negative Contributors:
| • | Shorter Duration –Throughout the course of the 12-month period, the Fund maintained a shorter duration than its benchmark and was primarily invested in bonds with maturities of less than 5 years. The shorter duration negatively impacted performance as interest rates fell significantly over the past year. |
Positive Contributors:
| • | Quality Bias in High Yield Security Selection –The 12-month returns for the different rating categories within the high yield universe, based upon ICE BofAML High Yield Indices, were as follows: BB-rated (12.7%), B-rated 9.2%, CCC-rated -1.3%. The portfolio maintained an average credit quality of BB-rated over the past year. |
Performance(as of November 30, 2019)
| 1 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception^ |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund – NAV | 5.96% | 3.99% | 4.21% |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund – Market Price* | 6.31% | 4.03% | 4.24% |
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Index | 10.79% | 3.08% | 3.43% |
Total Expense Ratio (per the current prospectus) 0.48%. The Fund’s management fees consist of a fee of 0.11% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.35% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser.
Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance data may be higher or lower than actual data quoted. For most current month-end performance data please visit www.alpsfunds.com or call 1.866.759.5679.
NAV is an exchange-traded fund’s per-share value. The per-share dollar amount of the Fund is derived by dividing the total value of all the securities in its portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding. Market Price is the price at which a share can currently be traded in the market. Information detailing the number of days the Market Price of the Fund was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV can be obtained at www.alpsfunds.com.
| ^ | The Fund commenced Investment Operations on October 8, 2013. |
| * | Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Performance Overview | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of the price (the value of principal) of a fixed-income investment to a change in interest rates. Duration is expressed as a number of years. The duration number is a calculation involving present value, yield, coupon, final maturity and call features. The bigger the duration number, the greater the interest-rate risk or reward for bond prices. Rising interest rates mean falling bond prices, while declining interest rates mean rising bond prices.
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Total Return Indexis a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS (agency and non-agency). The index is reported on a total return basis, which assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions realized during a given time period. The index is not actively managed and does not reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. One cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect fund performance.
The RiverFront Strategic Income Fund is not suitable for all investors. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA member, is the distributor for the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Performance OverviewNovember 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
Top 10 Holdings*^(as of November 30, 2019)
Sprint Communications, Inc. | 1.46% |
CIT Group, Inc. | 1.46% |
Park Aerospace Holdings, Ltd. | 1.43% |
WESCO Distribution, Inc. | 1.38% |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 1.37% |
EMC Corp. | 1.32% |
CenturyLink, Inc. | 1.30% |
Energy Transfer Operating LP | 1.28% |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | 1.26% |
WR Grace & Co.-Conn | 1.25% |
Total % of Top 10 Holdings | 13.51% |
| ^ | Excludes Money Market Fund |
Future holdings are subject to change.
Asset Allocation*(as of November 30, 2019)
Growth of $10,000(as of November 30, 2019)
Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund and the Fund’s benchmark

The chart above compares historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund since inception with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
RiverFront ETFs
Disclosure of Fund Expenses | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
Shareholder Expense Example:As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs which may include creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the (six month) period and held through November 30, 2019.
Actual Return:The first line of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return:The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
The expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing Fund costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as creation and redemption fees or brokerage charges. Therefore, the second line is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | | Expense Ratio(a) | | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19 - 11/30/19(b) | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,034.00 | | | | 0.51 | % | | $ | 2.60 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.51 | | | | 0.51 | % | | $ | 2.59 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,045.00 | | | | 0.51 | % | | $ | 2.61 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.51 | | | | 0.51 | % | | $ | 2.59 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,134.80 | | | | 0.52 | % | | $ | 2.78 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.46 | | | | 0.52 | % | | $ | 2.64 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,127.90 | | | | 0.52 | % | | $ | 2.77 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.46 | | | | 0.52 | % | | $ | 2.64 | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,025.70 | | | | 0.46 | % | | $ | 2.34 | |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,022.76 | | | | 0.46 | % | | $ | 2.33 | |
| (a) | Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half year expenses. |
| (b) | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365. |
RiverFront ETFs
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the shareholders and the Board of Trustees of ALPS ETF Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF and RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (the “Funds”), five of the funds constituting the ALPS ETF Trust, as of November 30, 2019; the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended for RiverFront Strategic Income Fund; the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below for RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF; and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the five funds listed above constituting ALPS ETF Trust as of November 30, 2019, and the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (or for the period listed in the table below), in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Individual Fund Comprising the ALPS ETF Trust | Statements of Operation | Statements of Changes in Net Assets | Financial Highlights |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | For the year ended November 30, 2019 | For the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018 | For the years ended November 30, 2019, 2018, 2017, and for the period June 14, 2016 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2016 |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | For the year ended November 30, 2019 | For the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018 | For the years ended November 30, 2019, 2018, 2017 and for the period June 7, 2016 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2016 |
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by ALPS Advisors, Inc. since 2007.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
CORPORATE BONDS (59.46%) |
Communications (3.82%) |
Alphabet, Inc. | | | | | | |
2.00%, 08/15/2026 | | $ | 246,000 | | | $ | 245,478 | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.40%, 05/15/2025 | | | 164,000 | | | | 171,361 | |
4.10%, 02/15/2028 | | | 419,000 | | | | 453,641 | |
CBS Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.50%, 02/15/2023 | | | 132,000 | | | | 132,878 | |
3.50%, 01/15/2025 | | | 449,000 | | | | 467,617 | |
3.70%, 06/01/2028 | | | 45,000 | | | | 46,979 | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital | | | | | | | | |
3.58%, 07/23/2020 | | | 328,000 | | | | 330,395 | |
Comcast Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.60%, 03/01/2024 | | | 88,000 | | | | 93,247 | |
3.55%, 05/01/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 265,817 | |
4.15%, 10/15/2028 | | | 164,000 | | | | 185,035 | |
Discovery Communications LLC | | | | | | | | |
2.95%, 03/20/2023 | | | 164,000 | | | | 167,069 | |
3.95%, 03/20/2028 | | | 164,000 | | | | 173,425 | |
Lamar Media Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 05/01/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 334,557 | |
5.38%, 01/15/2024 | | | 164,000 | | | | 168,098 | |
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 05/01/2023 | | | 72,000 | | | | 72,719 | |
Time Warner Cable LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 02/01/2020 | | | 327,000 | | | | 328,346 | |
4.00%, 09/01/2021 | | | 107,000 | | | | 109,581 | |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 04/15/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 253,993 | |
TWDC Enterprises 18 Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.45%, 03/04/2022 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,324 | |
3.15%, 09/17/2025 | | | 49,000 | | | | 52,135 | |
VeriSign, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 05/01/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 250,610 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.38%, 02/15/2025 | | | 27,000 | | | | 28,539 | |
3M US L + 1.10%, | | | | | | | | |
05/15/2025(a) | | | 139,000 | | | | 141,682 | |
4.33%, 09/21/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 279,234 | |
4.02%, 12/03/2029 | | | 138,000 | | | | 154,012 | |
Walt Disney Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.00%, 09/15/2022(b) | | | 164,000 | | | | 169,155 | |
Total Communications | | | | | | | 5,158,927 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (4.66%) | |
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
3.60%, 11/28/2024 | | | 328,000 | | | | 344,856 | |
3.40%, 12/06/2027 | | | 246,000 | | | | 255,685 | |
Amazon.com, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.15%, 08/22/2027 | | | 487,000 | | | | 517,904 | |
American Honda Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.60%, 11/16/2022 | | | 182,000 | | | | 185,260 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Consumer Discretionary (continued) |
Aramark Services, Inc. | | | | | | |
5.13%, 01/15/2024 | | $ | 266,000 | | | $ | 274,310 | |
Delta Air Lines, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.40%, 04/19/2021 | | | 246,000 | | | | 249,204 | |
eBay, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.88%, 08/01/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 166,024 | |
3.45%, 08/01/2024 | | | 164,000 | | | | 171,329 | |
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 1.00%, | | | | | | | | |
01/09/2020(a) | | | 246,000 | | | | 246,191 | |
General Motors Financial Co., Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.20%, 07/13/2020 | | | 132,000 | | | | 132,705 | |
4.38%, 09/25/2021 | | | 82,000 | | | | 84,845 | |
3.70%, 05/09/2023 | | | 419,000 | | | | 431,387 | |
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 11/15/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 248,458 | |
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC / Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 04/01/2025 | | | 82,000 | | | | 84,494 | |
Home Depot, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.70%, 04/01/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 336,723 | |
Lowe's Cos., Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.50%, 04/15/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,758 | |
3.10%, 05/03/2027 | | | 164,000 | | | | 170,420 | |
Marriott International, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 04/15/2028 | | | 214,000 | | | | 230,090 | |
McDonald's Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.70%, 01/30/2026 | | | 246,000 | | | | 264,731 | |
3.50%, 03/01/2027 | | | 82,000 | | | | 87,698 | |
Service Corp. International | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 05/15/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 253,993 | |
Starbucks Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.85%, 10/01/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 261,766 | |
TJX Cos., Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.75%, 06/15/2021 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,004 | |
Toyota Motor Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.42%, 07/20/2023 | | | 592,000 | | | | 621,314 | |
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.39%, | | | | | | | | |
01/11/2023(a) | | | 246,000 | | | | 245,454 | |
3.20%, 01/11/2027 | | | 164,000 | | | | 174,623 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 6,287,226 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (1.91%) | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev | | | | | | | | |
Worldwide, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 04/13/2028 | | | 164,000 | | | | 181,043 | |
Constellation Brands, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.70%, 05/09/2022 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,087 | |
4.25%, 05/01/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 262,336 | |
4.75%, 12/01/2025 | | | 82,000 | | | | 91,932 | |
Kroger Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.70%, 08/01/2027 | | | 83,000 | | | | 88,905 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Consumer Staples (continued) |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | | | | |
1.70%, 10/06/2021 | | $ | 592,000 | | | $ | 591,680 | |
3.10%, 07/17/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 253,782 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | | | | | | |
2.45%, 11/03/2026 | | | 246,000 | | | | 252,977 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.40%, 06/26/2023 | | | 225,000 | | | | 236,344 | |
3.30%, 04/22/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 258,825 | |
3.70%, 06/26/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 272,204 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 2,573,115 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (6.87%) | | | | | | | | |
BP Capital Markets America, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.25%, 05/06/2022 | | | 838,000 | | | | 865,029 | |
BP Capital Markets PLC | | | | | | | | |
3.51%, 03/17/2025 | | | 214,000 | | | | 227,943 | |
3.72%, 11/28/2028 | | | 164,000 | | | | 178,671 | |
Chevron Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.90%, 03/03/2024 | | | 419,000 | | | | 435,070 | |
3.33%, 11/17/2025 | | | 246,000 | | | | 263,085 | |
2.95%, 05/16/2026 | | | 235,000 | | | | 247,309 | |
Concho Resources, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.75%, 10/01/2027 | | | 164,000 | | | | 169,936 | |
ConocoPhillips Co. | | | | | | | | |
4.95%, 03/15/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 189,232 | |
Continental Resources, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 04/15/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 256,599 | |
3.80%, 06/01/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 251,967 | |
DCP Midstream Operating LP | | | | | | | | |
5.35%, 03/15/2020(b) | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,896 | |
Energy Transfer Operating LP | | | | | | | | |
3.60%, 02/01/2023 | | | 142,000 | | | | 145,270 | |
4.25%, 03/15/2023 | | | 35,000 | | | | 36,409 | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC | | | | | | | | |
3.35%, 03/15/2023 | | | 419,000 | | | | 432,964 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.22%, 03/01/2021 | | | 419,000 | | | | 421,199 | |
3.04%, 03/01/2026 | | | 592,000 | | | | 623,895 | |
Halliburton Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.80%, 11/15/2025 | | | 164,000 | | | | 173,007 | |
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 09/01/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 262,674 | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.05%, 12/01/2019 | | | 419,000 | | | | 419,000 | |
Marathon Oil Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.40%, 07/15/2027 | | | 47,000 | | | | 50,640 | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.80%, 04/01/2028 | | | 164,000 | | | | 172,629 | |
MPLX LP | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 07/15/2023 | | | 214,000 | | | | 226,988 | |
5.25%, 01/15/2025(b) | | | 261,000 | | | | 274,084 | |
Nabors Industries, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 09/15/2020 | | | 52,000 | | | | 51,850 | |
Newfield Exploration Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 07/01/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 268,715 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Energy (continued) |
ONEOK Partners LP | | | | | | |
3.38%, 10/01/2022 | | $ | 419,000 | | | $ | 429,591 | |
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 02/01/2021 | | | 82,000 | | | | 84,380 | |
5.63%, 04/15/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 356,493 | |
5.75%, 05/15/2024 | | | 164,000 | | | | 182,722 | |
Schlumberger Investment SA | | | | | | | | |
3.65%, 12/01/2023 | | | 674,000 | | | | 709,491 | |
Shell International Finance BV | | | | | | | | |
2.88%, 05/10/2026 | | | 246,000 | | | | 255,068 | |
Williams Cos., Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.55%, 06/24/2024 | | | 164,000 | | | | 175,664 | |
3.90%, 01/15/2025 | | | 259,000 | | | | 270,126 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 9,272,596 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (23.53%) | |
Aflac, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.63%, 11/15/2024 | | | 328,000 | | | | 349,821 | |
Aircastle, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 02/15/2022 | | | 328,000 | | | | 349,029 | |
Ally Financial, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.13%, 02/13/2022 | | | 610,000 | | | | 628,970 | |
American Express Credit Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.25%, 05/05/2021 | | | 328,000 | | | | 329,628 | |
American International Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.13%, 02/15/2024 | | | 132,000 | | | | 141,536 | |
3.90%, 04/01/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 176,347 | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.77%, | | | | | | | | |
02/05/2026(a) | | | 838,000 | | | | 838,183 | |
4.25%, 10/22/2026 | | | 419,000 | | | | 458,454 | |
Bank of Montreal | | | | | | | | |
1.90%, 08/27/2021 | | | 838,000 | | | | 837,556 | |
2.35%, 09/11/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 248,634 | |
2.55%, 11/06/2022 | | | 164,000 | | | | 166,670 | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.45%, 11/27/2020 | | | 544,000 | | | | 546,989 | |
3M US L + 1.05%, | | | | | | | | |
10/30/2023(a) | | | 412,000 | | | | 419,660 | |
3.25%, 05/16/2027 | | | 67,000 | | | | 70,791 | |
Barclays PLC | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 1.38%, | | | | | | | | |
05/16/2024(a) | | | 419,000 | | | | 422,274 | |
BB&T Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.63%, 06/29/2020 | | | 132,000 | | | | 132,460 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.13%, 03/15/2026 | | | 419,000 | | | | 441,786 | |
BNP Paribas SA | | | | | | | | |
2.38%, 05/21/2020 | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,327 | |
5.00%, 01/15/2021 | | | 132,000 | | | | 136,425 | |
3.25%, 03/03/2023 | | | 214,000 | | | | 222,265 | |
Boston Properties LP | | | | | | | | |
3.85%, 02/01/2023 | | | 674,000 | | | | 707,553 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Financials (continued) |
Branch Banking & Trust Co. | | | | | | |
2.10%, 01/15/2020 | | $ | 246,000 | | | $ | 246,024 | |
2.25%, 06/01/2020 | | | 246,000 | | | | 246,331 | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 06/15/2023 | | | 510,000 | | | | 529,771 | |
3.30%, 10/30/2024 | | | 107,000 | | | | 110,913 | |
3.80%, 01/31/2028 | | | 54,000 | | | | 57,335 | |
Capital One NA | | | | | | | | |
2.25%, 09/13/2021 | | | 246,000 | | | | 246,550 | |
Charles Schwab Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.65%, 01/25/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 250,934 | |
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.70%, 03/13/2023 | | | 97,000 | | | | 99,034 | |
3.35%, 05/03/2026 | | | 403,000 | | | | 430,882 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.65%, 10/26/2020 | | | 246,000 | | | | 247,488 | |
2.70%, 03/30/2021 | | | 296,000 | | | | 298,578 | |
3M US L + 1.43%, | | | | | | | | |
09/01/2023(a) | | | 419,000 | | | | 428,016 | |
4.45%, 09/29/2027 | | | 246,000 | | | | 270,976 | |
CME Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.75%, 06/15/2028 | | | 82,000 | | | | 91,064 | |
Cooperatieve Rabobank UA | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 12/01/2023 | | | 419,000 | | | | 452,685 | |
CoreCivic, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 05/01/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 240,772 | |
Credit Suisse Group Funding | | | | | | | | |
Guernsey, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
3.13%, 12/10/2020 | | | 139,000 | | | | 140,410 | |
3.45%, 04/16/2021 | | | 132,000 | | | | 134,256 | |
4.55%, 04/17/2026 | | | 378,000 | | | | 420,283 | |
Crown Castle International Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 04/15/2022 | | | 117,000 | | | | 124,131 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 10/14/2021 | | | 246,000 | | | | 251,595 | |
3.95%, 02/27/2023 | | | 164,000 | | | | 167,126 | |
Discover Bank | | | | | | | | |
7.00%, 04/15/2020 | | | 139,000 | | | | 141,443 | |
3.20%, 08/09/2021 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,373 | |
4.65%, 09/13/2028 | | | 214,000 | | | | 240,556 | |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.25%, 08/15/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,582 | |
3.50%, 04/15/2023 | | | 134,000 | | | | 139,464 | |
GE Capital International Funding Co. | | | | | | | | |
2.34%, 11/15/2020 | | | 164,000 | | | | 163,866 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.75%, | | | | | | | | |
02/23/2023(a) | | | 674,000 | | | | 678,092 | |
3M US L + 1.60%, | | | | | | | | |
11/29/2023(a) | | | 419,000 | | | | 433,719 | |
3.50%, 11/16/2026 | | | 40,000 | | | | 41,776 | |
Host Hotels & Resorts LP | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 06/15/2025 | | | 164,000 | | | | 174,799 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Financials (continued) |
HSBC Holdings PLC | | | | | | |
4.30%, 03/08/2026 | | $ | 214,000 | | | $ | 232,883 | |
3.90%, 05/25/2026 | | | 328,000 | | | | 349,498 | |
3M US L + 1.38%, | | | | | | | | |
09/12/2026(a) | | | 246,000 | | | | 249,167 | |
4.38%, 11/23/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 176,598 | |
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.15%, 03/14/2021 | | | 328,000 | | | | 332,294 | |
4.00%, 05/15/2025 | | | 45,000 | | | | 48,494 | |
Huntington National Bank | | | | | | | | |
3.25%, 05/14/2021 | | | 328,000 | | | | 333,498 | |
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.75%, 12/01/2025 | | | 164,000 | | | | 177,078 | |
3.10%, 09/15/2027 | | | 208,000 | | | | 218,408 | |
3.75%, 09/21/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 269,611 | |
International Lease Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
8.25%, 12/15/2020 | | | 624,000 | | | | 662,547 | |
5.88%, 08/15/2022 | | | 214,000 | | | | 233,591 | |
Iron Mountain, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 08/15/2023 | | | 46,000 | | | | 47,300 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.38%, 05/01/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 340,306 | |
3M US L + 1.23%, | | | | | | | | |
10/24/2023(a) | | | 974,000 | | | | 991,429 | |
KeyBank NA/Cleveland OH | | | | | | | | |
3.38%, 03/07/2023 | | | 214,000 | | | | 222,571 | |
KeyCorp | | | | | | | | |
5.10%, 03/24/2021 | | | 510,000 | | | | 530,112 | |
Lincoln National Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.35%, 03/09/2025 | | | 328,000 | | | | 341,126 | |
3.80%, 03/01/2028 | | | 82,000 | | | | 87,249 | |
M&T Bank Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.68%, | | | | | | | | |
07/26/2023(a) | | | 419,000 | | | | 420,866 | |
Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.27%, | | | | | | | | |
01/25/2021(a) | | | 510,000 | | | | 510,442 | |
MetLife, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.60%, 04/10/2024 | | | 405,000 | | | | 429,694 | |
6.50%, 12/15/2032 | | | 45,000 | | | | 63,377 | |
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.85%, 03/01/2026 | | | 328,000 | | | | 352,457 | |
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.95%, 02/28/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 250,258 | |
3M US L + 1.00%, | | | | | | | | |
09/11/2024(a) | | | 838,000 | | | | 846,468 | |
3.17%, 09/11/2027 | | | 82,000 | | | | 84,706 | |
Morgan Stanley | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 1.40%, | | | | | | | | |
10/24/2023(a) | | | 838,000 | | | | 856,653 | |
5.00%, 11/24/2025 | | | 510,000 | | | | 574,500 | |
National Australia Bank, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
2.50%, 07/12/2026 | | | 82,000 | | | | 82,445 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Financials (continued) |
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | | | | | | |
3.15%, 05/19/2027 | | $ | 328,000 | | | $ | 342,795 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 11/16/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 171,777 | |
Royal Bank of Canada | | | | | | | | |
2.15%, 10/26/2020 | | | 246,000 | | | | 246,627 | |
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 1.48%, | | | | | | | | |
05/15/2023(a) | | | 328,000 | | | | 334,930 | |
3M US L + 1.47%, | | | | | | | | |
05/15/2023(a) | | | 419,000 | | | | 422,691 | |
Simon Property Group LP | | | | | | | | |
3.38%, 10/01/2024 | | | 82,000 | | | | 86,248 | |
3.38%, 12/01/2027 | | | 164,000 | | | | 174,450 | |
Starwood Property Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 12/15/2021 | | | 214,000 | | | | 223,577 | |
State Street Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.30%, 12/16/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 259,342 | |
3.55%, 08/18/2025 | | | 107,000 | | | | 114,874 | |
SunTrust Bank/Atlanta GA | | | | | | | | |
3.30%, 05/15/2026 | | | 328,000 | | | | 341,888 | |
Toronto-Dominion Bank | | | | | | | | |
3.15%, 09/17/2020 | | | 419,000 | | | | 423,109 | |
UBS Group AG | | | | | | | | |
3.49%, 05/23/2023(b) | | | 164,000 | | | | 168,555 | |
4.13%, 09/24/2025(b) | | | 132,000 | | | | 143,216 | |
4.13%, 04/15/2026(b) | | | 82,000 | | | | 89,444 | |
US Bancorp | | | | | | | | |
2.63%, 01/24/2022 | | | 164,000 | | | | 166,583 | |
3.00%, 03/15/2022 | | | 328,000 | | | | 335,908 | |
Visa, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.15%, 12/14/2025 | | | 246,000 | | | | 260,941 | |
2.75%, 09/15/2027 | | | 214,000 | | | | 224,265 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | | | | | | |
2.55%, 12/07/2020 | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,984 | |
3M US L + 0.93%, | | | | | | | | |
02/11/2022(a) | | | 164,000 | | | | 165,194 | |
3M US L + 1.23%, | | | | | | | | |
10/31/2023(a) | | | 246,000 | | | | 250,338 | |
3.00%, 04/22/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 168,975 | |
Westpac Banking Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.10%, 05/13/2021 | | | 286,000 | | | | 286,293 | |
3.65%, 05/15/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 257,616 | |
2.70%, 08/19/2026 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,150 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 31,759,578 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (5.48%) | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | | | | | | |
2.90%, 11/30/2021 | | | 214,000 | | | | 217,931 | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.90%, 11/06/2022 | | | 510,000 | | | | 519,738 | |
3.60%, 05/14/2025 | | | 82,000 | | | | 86,057 | |
Aetna, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 11/15/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 257,089 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Health Care (continued) |
Allergan Funding SCS | | | | | | |
3.00%, 03/12/2020 | | $ | 592,000 | | | $ | 593,020 | |
3.85%, 06/15/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 258,430 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.63%, 05/22/2024 | | | 328,000 | | | | 348,114 | |
Anthem, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 08/15/2024 | | | 82,000 | | | | 85,899 | |
Becton Dickinson and Co. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.875%, | | | | | | | | |
12/29/2020(a) | | | 132,000 | | | | 132,084 | |
Centene Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 05/15/2022 | | | 328,000 | | | | 335,378 | |
Cigna Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 11/15/2021(b) | | | 214,000 | | | | 223,965 | |
3.00%, 07/15/2023(b) | | | 419,000 | | | | 426,277 | |
4.38%, 10/15/2028 | | | 182,000 | | | | 202,259 | |
CVS Health Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.63%, | | | | | | | | |
03/09/2020(a) | | | 4,000 | | | | 4,006 | |
4.00%, 12/05/2023 | | | 132,000 | | | | 139,642 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | | | | | | |
2.75%, 06/01/2025 | | | 58,000 | | | | 59,842 | |
Fresenius Medical Care US | | | | | | | | |
Finance II, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.13%, 10/15/2020(b) | | | 328,000 | | | | 331,667 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.40%, 12/01/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 171,160 | |
2.50%, 09/01/2023 | | | 164,000 | | | | 166,295 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | | | | | | |
2.45%, 03/01/2026 | | | 419,000 | | | | 427,219 | |
Medtronic, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 03/15/2025 | | | 116,000 | | | | 124,237 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.80%, 05/18/2023 | | | 818,000 | | | | 844,534 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.20%, 09/15/2023 | | | 351,000 | | | | 366,050 | |
3.00%, 12/15/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 173,500 | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.65%, 12/15/2025 | | | 132,000 | | | | 142,002 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.88%, 03/15/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 251,812 | |
3.75%, 07/15/2025 | | | 328,000 | | | | 353,871 | |
3.10%, 03/15/2026 | | | 147,000 | | | | 154,602 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 7,396,680 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (4.30%) | |
ADT Security Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.13%, 06/15/2023 | | | 107,000 | | | | 109,941 | |
Boeing Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.45%, 11/01/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 262,686 | |
Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC | | | | | | | | |
3.05%, 09/01/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 252,817 | |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.75%, 08/20/2021 | | | 45,000 | | | | 45,627 | |
2.40%, 06/06/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 248,811 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Industrials (continued) |
CNH Industrial Capital LLC | | | | | | |
4.88%, 04/01/2021 | | $ | 246,000 | | | $ | 254,571 | |
CNH Industrial NV | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 08/15/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 348,895 | |
CSX Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.40%, 08/01/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 259,013 | |
2.60%, 11/01/2026 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,757 | |
FedEx Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.40%, 02/15/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 252,375 | |
General Dynamics Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 05/15/2025 | | | 321,000 | | | | 343,596 | |
2.63%, 11/15/2027 | | | 246,000 | | | | 251,507 | |
General Electric Co. | | | | | | | | |
2.70%, 10/09/2022 | | | 164,000 | | | | 165,425 | |
Honeywell International, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.50%, 11/01/2026 | | | 246,000 | | | | 250,855 | |
John Deere Capital Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.16%, | | | | | | | | |
01/08/2021(a) | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,103 | |
2.65%, 06/24/2024 | | | 328,000 | | | | 336,551 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.55%, 01/15/2026 | | | 246,000 | | | | 264,461 | |
Northrop Grumman Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 03/15/2021 | | | 35,000 | | | | 35,694 | |
3.25%, 01/15/2028 | | | 246,000 | | | | 256,766 | |
Textron, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.65%, 03/01/2021 | | | 71,000 | | | | 72,162 | |
3.65%, 03/15/2027 | | | 214,000 | | | | 223,351 | |
United Parcel Service, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.50%, 04/01/2023 | | | 497,000 | | | | 504,502 | |
2.40%, 11/15/2026 | | | 54,000 | | | | 54,681 | |
United Technologies Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.80%, 05/04/2024 | | | 328,000 | | | | 336,614 | |
WESCO Distribution, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 12/15/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 164,779 | |
XPO Logistics, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.13%, 09/01/2023(b) | | | 246,000 | | | | 254,607 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 5,798,147 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (2.69%) | | | | | | | | |
3M Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.25%, 02/14/2024 | | | 674,000 | | | | 706,890 | |
Ashland LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 08/15/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 258,300 | |
Ball Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 11/15/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 257,682 | |
Celanese US Holdings LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 06/15/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 172,529 | |
4.63%, 11/15/2022 | | | 164,000 | | | | 173,610 | |
Dow Chemical Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.00%, 11/15/2022 | | | 246,000 | | | | 251,671 | |
Glencore Funding LLC | | | | | | | | |
3.00%, 10/27/2022(b) | | | 419,000 | | | | 423,396 | |
Graphic Packaging International LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 04/15/2021 | | | 164,000 | | | | 168,166 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Materials (continued) |
International Paper Co. | | | | | | |
3.00%, 02/15/2027 | | $ | 164,000 | | | $ | 167,645 | |
LyondellBasell Industries NV | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 04/15/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 277,591 | |
Nutrien, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 06/01/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 255,311 | |
Sherwin-Williams Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.45%, 08/01/2025 | | | 246,000 | | | | 259,666 | |
3.45%, 06/01/2027 | | | 164,000 | | | | 173,107 | |
Steel Dynamics, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 10/01/2024 | | | 82,000 | | | | 84,758 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 3,630,322 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Technology (4.13%) | | | | | | | | |
Apple, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.40%, 05/03/2023 | | | 419,000 | | | | 425,662 | |
3.45%, 05/06/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 261,385 | |
2.75%, 01/13/2025 | | | 107,000 | | | | 110,485 | |
3.20%, 05/11/2027 | | | 246,000 | | | | 261,198 | |
Broadcom Corp. / Broadcom Cayman Finance, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
3.00%, 01/15/2022 | | | 164,000 | | | | 165,918 | |
3.63%, 01/15/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 253,305 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.20%, 09/20/2023 | | | 164,000 | | | | 165,750 | |
Corning, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.90%, 05/15/2022 | | | 82,000 | | | | 83,131 | |
Dell International LLC / EMC Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.42%, 06/15/2021(b) | | | 246,000 | | | | 253,364 | |
5.88%, 06/15/2021(b) | | | 30,000 | | | | 30,488 | |
Flex, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 02/15/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 350,013 | |
IBM Credit LLC | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 0.16%, | | | | | | | | |
02/05/2021(a) | | | 624,000 | | | | 624,418 | |
Intel Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.60%, 05/19/2026 | | | 246,000 | | | | 252,326 | |
International Business Machines Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.50%, 01/27/2022 | | | 419,000 | | | | 423,722 | |
3.63%, 02/12/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 259,914 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.45%, 08/08/2036 | | | 214,000 | | | | 236,270 | |
Moody's Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 09/01/2022 | | | 54,000 | | | | 57,226 | |
NCR Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 07/15/2022 | | | 82,000 | | | | 82,902 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.40%, 07/08/2024 | | | 246,000 | | | | 260,021 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
2.60%, 01/30/2023 | | | 328,000 | | | | 333,230 | |
2.90%, 05/20/2024 | | | 321,000 | | | | 330,462 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 06/15/2025 | | | 246,000 | | | | 267,260 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Technology (continued) |
Xerox Corp. | | | | | | |
3.50%, 08/20/2020 | | $ | 82,000 | | | $ | 82,433 | |
Total Technology | | | | | | | 5,570,883 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (2.07%) | | | | | | | | |
AES Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 03/15/2023 | | | 246,000 | | | | 252,763 | |
Alabama Power Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.55%, 12/01/2023 | | | 132,000 | | | | 139,474 | |
CMS Energy Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.60%, 11/15/2025 | | | 132,000 | | | | 138,045 | |
Consumers Energy Co. | | | | | | | | |
3.38%, 08/15/2023 | | | 164,000 | | | | 171,873 | |
3.13%, 08/31/2024 | | | 164,000 | | | | 171,040 | |
Dominion Energy, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 06/01/2028 | | | 214,000 | | | | 237,064 | |
Duke Energy Carolinas LLC | | | | | | | | |
2.95%, 12/01/2026 | | | 164,000 | | | | 170,850 | |
Duke Energy Corp. | | | | | | | | |
1.80%, 09/01/2021 | | | 510,000 | | | | 508,594 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 06/01/2022 | | | 164,000 | | | | 168,221 | |
3.40%, 04/15/2026 | | | 139,000 | | | | 145,375 | |
Exelon Generation Co. LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 06/15/2022 | | | 82,000 | | | | 85,536 | |
Southern Co. | | | | | | | | |
2.95%, 07/01/2023 | | | 419,000 | | | | 427,521 | |
Southwestern Electric Power Co. | | | | | | | | |
4.10%, 09/15/2028 | | | 164,000 | | | | 180,383 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 2,796,739 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS | |
(Cost $76,841,580) | | | | | | | 80,244,213 | |
| | | | | | | | |
GOVERNMENT BONDS (25.06%) | |
United States Treasury Bond | | | | | | | | |
2.75%, 02/15/2028 | | | 8,393,000 | | | | 9,036,080 | |
3.88%, 08/15/2040 | | | 1,177,300 | | | | 1,524,535 | |
2.75%, 11/15/2047 | | | 1,594,000 | | | | 1,774,508 | |
United States Treasury Inflation Indexed Bonds | | | | | | | | |
2.13%, 02/15/2040(c) | | | 459,480 | | | | 608,795 | |
United States Treasury Note | | | | | | | | |
2.88%, 11/15/2021 | | | 4,199,000 | | | | 4,298,644 | |
2.88%, 10/31/2023 | | | 2,514,000 | | | | 2,632,826 | |
3.00%, 10/31/2025 | | | 4,199,000 | | | | 4,507,037 | |
United States Treasury Strip Principal | | | | | | | | |
0.00%, 02/15/2038(d) | | | 4,199,000 | | | | 2,923,722 | |
0.00%, 08/15/2039(d) | | | 5,037,000 | | | | 3,348,731 | |
0.00%, 11/15/2046(d) | | | 2,514,000 | | | | 1,383,457 | |
0.00%, 05/15/2048(d) | | | 3,352,000 | | | | 1,784,336 | |
TOTAL GOVERNMENT BONDS | |
(Cost $30,481,619) | | | | | | | 33,822,671 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (14.97%) | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 20,205,600 | | | $ | 20,205,600 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $20,205,600) | | | | | | | | | | | 20,205,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.49%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $127,528,799) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 134,272,484 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.51%) | | | 678,940 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 134,951,424 | |
Investment Abbreviations:
LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate
Libor Rates:
3M US L - 3 Month LIBOR as of November 30, 2019 was 1.91%
| (a) | Floating or variable rate security. The reference rate is described above. The rate in effect as of November 30, 2019 is based on the reference rate plus the displayed spread as of the security's last reset date. |
| (b) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $2,953,114, representing 2.19% of net assets. |
| (c) | Principal amount of security is adjusted for inflation. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
CORPORATE BONDS (91.49%) |
Communications (16.59%) |
Altice Financing SA | | | | | | |
6.63%, 02/15/2023(a) | | $ | 215,000 | | | $ | 220,373 | |
AMC Networks, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 08/01/2025 | | | 100,000 | | | | 99,500 | |
CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 05/01/2027(a) | | | 140,000 | | | | 148,754 | |
5.00%, 02/01/2028(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,751 | |
CenturyLink, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.45%, 06/15/2021 | | | 180,000 | | | | 189,405 | |
7.50%, 04/01/2024 | | | 35,000 | | | | 39,462 | |
CSC Holdings LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 07/15/2023(a) | | | 140,000 | | | | 144,024 | |
DISH DBS Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 07/15/2022 | | | 105,000 | | | | 109,987 | |
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.63%, 06/15/2021 | | | 70,000 | | | | 75,233 | |
6.63%, 08/01/2026 | | | 70,000 | | | | 77,024 | |
Lamar Media Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 02/01/2026 | | | 70,000 | | | | 74,604 | |
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 01/15/2024 | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,012 | |
Netflix, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 02/15/2022 | | | 130,000 | | | | 137,635 | |
Sinclair Television Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 02/15/2027(a) | | | 35,000 | | | | 35,450 | |
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 05/15/2023(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 106,837 | |
Sprint Communications, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 11/15/2022 | | | 150,000 | | | | 158,250 | |
Sprint Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.88%, 09/15/2023 | | | 70,000 | | | | 77,131 | |
7.13%, 06/15/2024 | | | 70,000 | | | | 75,600 | |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.50%, 01/15/2024 | | | 180,000 | | | | 186,748 | |
Univision Communications, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 05/15/2023(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 69,212 | |
VeriSign, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 07/15/2027 | | | 70,000 | | | | 74,573 | |
Viacom, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3M US L + 3.895%, | | | | | | | | |
02/28/2057(b) | | | 115,000 | | | | 120,230 | |
Virgin Media Finance PLC | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 10/15/2024(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 108,325 | |
Zayo Group LLC / Zayo Capital, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.38%, 05/15/2025 | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,187 | |
5.75%, 01/15/2027(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 71,599 | |
Ziggo BV | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 01/15/2027(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 111,418 | |
Total Communications | | | | | | | 2,743,324 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Consumer Discretionary (14.56%) |
Aramark Services, Inc. | | | | | | |
5.13%, 01/15/2024 | | $ | 105,000 | | | $ | 108,280 | |
5.00%, 02/01/2028(a) | | | 100,000 | | | | 105,253 | |
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC / Avis Budget Finance, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 04/01/2023 | | | 31,000 | | | | 31,594 | |
Boyd Gaming Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.38%, 04/01/2026 | | | 105,000 | | | | 112,331 | |
Builders FirstSource, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.75%, 06/01/2027(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 54,123 | |
Dana, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 12/15/2024 | | | 105,000 | | | | 108,325 | |
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 05/31/2026 | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,545 | |
Hanesbrands, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 05/15/2026(a) | | | 200,000 | | | | 213,222 | |
Hertz Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.63%, 06/01/2022(a) | | | 10,000 | | | | 10,425 | |
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC / Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 04/01/2025 | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,129 | |
International Game Technology PLC | | | | | | | | |
6.25%, 02/15/2022(a) | | | 140,000 | | | | 148,049 | |
KB Home | | | | | | | | |
7.50%, 09/15/2022 | | | 92,000 | | | | 103,874 | |
KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 06/01/2024(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,799 | |
L Brands, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 02/15/2022 | | | 48,000 | | | | 50,460 | |
LKQ Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 05/15/2023 | | | 105,000 | | | | 106,968 | |
Mattamy Group Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.88%, 12/15/2023(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,738 | |
MGM Resorts International | | | | | | | | |
6.63%, 12/15/2021 | | | 70,000 | | | | 76,282 | |
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 05/15/2026 | | | 100,000 | | | | 105,232 | |
PulteGroup, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 01/15/2027 | | | 70,000 | | | | 76,463 | |
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 12/15/2026 | | | 100,000 | | | | 106,485 | |
Service Corp. International | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 12/15/2027 | | | 120,000 | | | | 124,779 | |
ServiceMaster Co. LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 11/15/2024(a) | | | 125,000 | | | | 129,842 | |
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 07/31/2024(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,624 | |
Toll Brothers Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 03/15/2027 | | | 70,000 | | | | 75,974 | |
Wynn Las Vegas LLC / Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 03/01/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 74,812 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Consumer Discretionary (continued) |
Wynn Macau, Ltd. | | | | | | |
4.88%, 10/01/2024(a) | | $ | 140,000 | | | $ | 141,982 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 2,406,590 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (4.56%) | |
Albertsons Cos. Inc / Safeway, Inc. / New Albertsons LP / Albertsons LLC | | | | | | | | |
6.63%, 06/15/2024 | | | 100,000 | | | | 105,151 | |
B&G Foods, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 04/01/2025 | | | 70,000 | | | | 70,875 | |
Energizer Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.38%, 07/15/2026(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 112,331 | |
Pilgrim's Pride Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 03/15/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,799 | |
Post Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 03/01/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 73,587 | |
Spectrum Brands, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 07/15/2025 | | | 200,000 | | | | 209,934 | |
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 02/15/2024(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 109,724 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 754,401 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (10.71%) | | | | | | | | |
Antero Resources Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 11/01/2021 | | | 125,000 | | | | 115,750 | |
Callon Petroleum Co. | | | | | | | | |
6.38%, 07/01/2026 | | | 70,000 | | | | 65,474 | |
CNX Resources Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 04/15/2022 | | | 68,000 | | | | 66,130 | |
CrownRock LP / CrownRock Finance, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 10/15/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 69,343 | |
DCP Midstream Operating LP | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 07/15/2025 | | | 100,000 | | | | 106,747 | |
Endeavor Energy Resources LP / EER Finance, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 01/30/2026(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 71,738 | |
Murphy Oil Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 08/15/2025 | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,753 | |
Nabors Industries, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 01/15/2023 | | | 100,000 | | | | 88,250 | |
NGL Energy Partners LP / NGL Energy Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.13%, 03/01/2025 | | | 130,000 | | | | 112,179 | |
Parkland Fuel Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 04/01/2026(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 112,541 | |
Parsley Energy LLC / Parsley Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 01/15/2025(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,622 | |
Peabody Energy Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 03/31/2022(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 68,425 | |
Range Resources Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 08/15/2022 | | | 115,000 | | | | 109,250 | |
SM Energy Co. | | | | | | | | |
6.13%, 11/15/2022 | | | 70,000 | | | | 68,447 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Energy (continued) |
Sunoco LP / Sunoco Finance Corp. | | | | | | |
5.50%, 02/15/2026 | | $ | 70,000 | | | $ | 72,562 | |
Targa Resources Partners LP / Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 04/15/2026 | | | 105,000 | | | | 110,678 | |
Transocean, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
9.00%, 07/15/2023(a) | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,280 | |
USA Compression Partners LP / USA Compression Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.88%, 04/01/2026 | | | 105,000 | | | | 108,084 | |
WPX Energy, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 06/01/2026 | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,998 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 1,771,251 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (9.44%) | |
Ally Financial, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 11/20/2025 | | | 140,000 | | | | 154,525 | |
Brookfield Property REIT, Inc. / BPR Cumulus LLC / BPR Nimbus LLC / GGSI Sellco LL | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 05/15/2026(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,219 | |
CIT Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 08/15/2022 | | | 166,000 | | | | 177,088 | |
5.25%, 03/07/2025 | | | 55,000 | | | | 60,637 | |
Genworth Holdings, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
7.70%, 06/15/2020 | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,789 | |
Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 02/01/2022 | | | 105,000 | | | | 105,864 | |
Iron Mountain, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 08/15/2024 | | | 105,000 | | | | 106,648 | |
iStar, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 09/15/2022 | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,731 | |
Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 10/18/2023 | | | 70,000 | | | | 76,434 | |
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP / MGP Finance Co.-Issuer, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 05/01/2024 | | | 70,000 | | | | 77,175 | |
Navient Corp. | | | | | | | | |
8.00%, 03/25/2020 | | | 18,000 | | | | 18,284 | |
6.50%, 06/15/2022 | | | 125,000 | | | | 135,878 | |
Park Aerospace Holdings, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 08/15/2022(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 111,816 | |
Quicken Loans, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 01/15/2028(a) | | | 100,000 | | | | 104,578 | |
Springleaf Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 03/15/2023 | | | 110,000 | | | | 118,112 | |
Starwood Property Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 03/15/2025 | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,146 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 1,560,924 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Health Care (6.14%) |
Avantor, Inc. | | | | | | |
6.00%, 10/01/2024(a) | | $ | 105,000 | | | $ | 112,743 | |
Bausch Health Cos., Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 03/01/2023(a) | | | 28,000 | | | | 28,292 | |
6.13%, 04/15/2025(a) | | | 35,000 | | | | 36,486 | |
9.00%, 12/15/2025(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 56,500 | |
Centene Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.13%, 02/15/2024 | | | 140,000 | | | | 145,688 | |
CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 08/01/2021 | | | 150,000 | | | | 149,212 | |
DaVita, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 05/01/2025 | | | 140,000 | | | | 144,785 | |
Encompass Health Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 11/01/2024 | | | 61,000 | | | | 61,991 | |
HCA, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 05/01/2023 | | | 160,000 | | | | 176,798 | |
Hologic, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.38%, 10/15/2025(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,625 | |
Tenet Healthcare Corp. | | | | | | | | |
8.13%, 04/01/2022 | | | 35,000 | | | | 38,325 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV | | | | | | | | |
2.20%, 07/21/2021 | | | 13,000 | | | | 12,597 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 1,015,042 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (8.03%) | |
ADT Security Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.25%, 10/15/2021 | | | 140,000 | | | | 148,715 | |
Anixter, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 03/01/2023 | | | 105,000 | | | | 109,506 | |
Arconic, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 10/01/2024 | | | 100,000 | | | | 109,077 | |
Bombardier, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.13%, 01/15/2023(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 71,148 | |
Covanta Holding Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 03/01/2024 | | | 105,000 | | | | 108,456 | |
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 09/01/2025 | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,708 | |
Terex Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 02/01/2025(a) | | | 140,000 | | | | 142,165 | |
United Rentals North America, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 09/15/2026 | | | 200,000 | | | | 214,505 | |
WESCO Distribution, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 06/15/2024 | | | 105,000 | | | | 108,981 | |
XPO Logistics, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.50%, 06/15/2022(a) | | | 149,000 | | | | 152,852 | |
6.75%, 08/15/2024(a) | | | 100,000 | | | | 108,702 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 1,326,815 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (11.78%) | |
AK Steel Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.63%, 10/01/2021 | | | 100,000 | | | | 99,540 | |
7.50%, 07/15/2023 | | | 119,000 | | | | 119,644 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Materials (continued) |
Allegheny Technologies, Inc. | | | | | | |
5.95%, 01/15/2021 | | $ | 105,000 | | | $ | 109,426 | |
Ball Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 03/15/2026 | | | 70,000 | | | | 76,726 | |
Berry Global, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 07/15/2026(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,406 | |
Cascades, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 07/15/2022(a) | | | 144,000 | | | | 146,261 | |
Chemours Co. | | | | | | | | |
7.00%, 05/15/2025 | | | 140,000 | | | | 129,850 | |
Crown Americas LLC / Crown Americas Capital Corp. V | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 09/30/2026 | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,892 | |
FMG Resources August 2006 Pty, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 03/15/2023(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 73,324 | |
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.88%, 03/15/2023 | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,405 | |
Graphic Packaging International LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 07/15/2027(a) | | | 100,000 | | | | 106,285 | |
Koppers, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 02/15/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 71,049 | |
Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 04/15/2024(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 71,749 | |
NOVA Chemicals Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 06/01/2027(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 106,294 | |
Novelis Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.25%, 08/15/2024(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 73,782 | |
OCI NV | | | | | | | | |
6.63%, 04/15/2023(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 73,220 | |
Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 01/15/2022(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 108,937 | |
Rayonier AM Products, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 06/01/2024(a) | | | 25,000 | | | | 17,573 | |
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc. / Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer Lu | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 07/15/2023(a) | | | 135,000 | | | | 138,374 | |
Sealed Air Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 04/01/2023(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 74,754 | |
SunCoke Energy Partners LP / SunCoke Energy Partners Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.50%, 06/15/2025(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 45,375 | |
United States Steel Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.88%, 08/15/2025 | | | 100,000 | | | | 94,000 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 1,947,866 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Technology (5.85%) | | | | | | | | |
Amkor Technology, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.63%, 09/15/2027(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 54,751 | |
CommScope Technologies LLC | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 06/15/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 67,725 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Technology (continued) |
CommScope, Inc. | | | | | | |
5.50%, 03/01/2024(a) | | $ | 100,000 | | | $ | 104,124 | |
Dell International LLC / EMC Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 06/15/2021(a) | | | 69,000 | | | | 70,121 | |
7.13%, 06/15/2024(a) | | | 35,000 | | | | 37,056 | |
j2 Cloud Services LLC / j2 Cloud Co.-Obligor, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 07/15/2025(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 111,299 | |
MSCI, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 05/15/2027(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 75,150 | |
NCR Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 07/15/2022 | | | 119,000 | | | | 120,309 | |
Nielsen Finance LLC / Nielsen Finance Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 04/15/2022(a) | | | 105,000 | | | | 105,919 | |
NortonLifeLock, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 04/15/2025(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 70,737 | |
Seagate HDD Cayman | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 01/01/2025 | | | 25,000 | | | | 26,316 | |
Western Digital Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 02/15/2026 | | | 70,000 | | | | 72,231 | |
Xerox Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.13%, 03/15/2023 | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,750 | |
Total Technology | | | | | | | 967,488 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (3.83%) | | | | | | | | |
AmeriGas Partners LP / AmeriGas Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 05/20/2027 | | | 105,000 | | | | 114,694 | |
Calpine Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 01/15/2023 | | | 140,000 | | | | 142,275 | |
Cemig Geracao e Transmissao SA | | | | | | | | |
9.25%, 12/05/2024(a) | | | 70,000 | | | | 81,141 | |
NRG Energy, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.63%, 01/15/2027 | | | 125,000 | | | | 135,603 | |
Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 06/01/2024 | | | 105,000 | | | | 107,624 | |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 07/31/2027(a) | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,064 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 633,401 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS | |
(Cost $14,679,684) | | | | | | | 15,127,102 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (7.15%) | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 1,181,971 | | | $ | 1,181,971 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $1,181,971) | | | | | | | | | | | 1,181,971 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (98.64%) | | | | | | | | |
(Cost $15,861,655) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 16,309,073 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (1.36%) | | | 224,317 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 16,533,390 | |
Investment Abbreviations:
LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate
Libor Rates:
3M US L - 3 Month LIBOR as of November 30, 2019 was 1.91%
| (a) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $6,083,598, representing 36.80% of net assets. |
| (b) | Floating or variable rate security. The reference rate is described above. The rate in effect as of November 30, 2019 is based on the reference rate plus the displayed spread as of the security's last reset date. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (99.72%) |
Communication Services (7.60%) |
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 1,034 | | | $ | 1,348,429 | |
Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a) | | | 1,047 | | | | 1,366,293 | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 60,381 | | | | 2,257,042 | |
Facebook, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 10,235 | | | | 2,063,785 | |
TripAdvisor, Inc. | | | 16,108 | | | | 457,467 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 29,252 | | | | 1,762,141 | |
Walt Disney Co. | | | 4,502 | | | | 682,413 | |
Total Communication Services | | | | | | | 9,937,570 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (14.00%) | |
Amazon.com, Inc.(a) | | | 2,074 | | | | 3,734,859 | |
Best Buy Co., Inc. | | | 12,973 | | | | 1,046,143 | |
Dana, Inc. | | | 49,730 | | | | 842,924 | |
Domino's Pizza, Inc. | | | 4,094 | | | | 1,204,864 | |
Expedia Group, Inc. | | | 7,276 | | | | 739,678 | |
H&R Block, Inc. | | | 34,026 | | | | 829,554 | |
Home Depot, Inc. | | | 9,871 | | | | 2,176,654 | |
Kohl's Corp. | | | 16,243 | | | | 763,583 | |
Macy's, Inc. | | | 57,824 | | | | 885,864 | |
Modine Manufacturing Co.(a) | | | 49,693 | | | | 368,722 | |
NIKE, Inc., Class B | | | 14,713 | | | | 1,375,518 | |
NVR, Inc.(a) | | | 180 | | | | 682,540 | |
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. | | | 11,507 | | | | 500,324 | |
Thor Industries, Inc. | | | 11,045 | | | | 704,340 | |
Tiffany & Co. | | | 8,722 | | | | 1,167,004 | |
Tupperware Brands Corp. | | | 40,793 | | | | 344,701 | |
Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | 9,390 | | | | 945,291 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 18,312,563 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (4.27%) | |
Coca-Cola Co. | | | 11,136 | | | | 594,662 | |
Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B | | | 13,453 | | | | 679,108 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 7,897 | | | | 654,898 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | 17,701 | | | | 2,160,584 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | 12,613 | | | | 1,502,082 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 5,591,334 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (5.58%) | | | | | | | | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 22,848 | | | | 2,676,186 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 31,018 | | | | 2,113,257 | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | | | 3,247 | | | | 196,898 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 15,577 | | | | 600,805 | |
ONEOK, Inc. | | | 14,292 | | | | 1,015,447 | |
Phillips 66 | | | 6,131 | | | | 703,348 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 7,305,941 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (8.93%) | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | 66,868 | | | | 2,228,042 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 5,601 | | | | 1,233,900 | |
Everest Re Group, Ltd. | | | 2,847 | | | | 772,277 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 25,032 | | | | 3,298,217 | |
M&T Bank Corp. | | | 684 | | | | 112,682 | |
Navient Corp. | | | 68,643 | | | | 985,027 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Financials (continued) |
Principal Financial Group, Inc. | | | 15,939 | | | $ | 878,239 | |
Synchrony Financial | | | 30,528 | | | | 1,142,053 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 18,842 | | | | 1,026,135 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 11,676,572 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (15.98%) | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | 20,991 | | | | 1,841,541 | |
Agilent Technologies, Inc. | | | 14,329 | | | | 1,157,353 | |
Amgen, Inc. | | | 7,502 | | | | 1,760,870 | |
Baxter International, Inc. | | | 12,777 | | | | 1,047,331 | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | | | 27,480 | | | | 1,564,711 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | 12,431 | | | | 1,458,778 | |
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a) | | | 2,538 | | | | 638,510 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 18,421 | | | | 2,532,703 | |
Medtronic PLC | | | 15,487 | | | | 1,725,097 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | 19,974 | | | | 1,741,333 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 53,764 | | | | 2,070,989 | |
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | | | 5,240 | | | | 1,645,098 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 1,747 | | | | 488,933 | |
Waters Corp.(a) | | | 343 | | | | 76,170 | |
Zoetis, Inc. | | | 9,615 | | | | 1,158,800 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 20,908,217 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (6.96%) | |
AO Smith Corp. | | | 10,830 | | | | 524,172 | |
Boeing Co. | | | 5,371 | | | | 1,966,753 | |
Eaton Corp. PLC | | | 2,103 | | | | 194,528 | |
General Electric Co. | | | 44,933 | | | | 506,395 | |
Lennox International, Inc. | | | 3,857 | | | | 986,813 | |
Matson, Inc. | | | 19,933 | | | | 752,271 | |
Nordson Corp. | | | 6,658 | | | | 1,104,096 | |
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | | | 6,322 | | | | 1,238,101 | |
Roper Technologies, Inc. | | | 3,041 | | | | 1,095,885 | |
Ryder System, Inc. | | | 14,021 | | | | 735,962 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 9,104,976 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology (22.46%) | |
Accenture PLC, Class A | | | 6,748 | | | | 1,357,428 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 25,490 | | | | 6,812,203 | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | 5,253 | | | | 1,661,051 | |
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 14,561 | | | | 1,022,910 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 12,562 | | | | 569,184 | |
Citrix Systems, Inc. | | | 9,878 | | | | 1,114,337 | |
CommVault Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 23,665 | | | | 1,197,922 | |
Intel Corp. | | | 12,895 | | | | 748,555 | |
Intuit, Inc. | | | 4,633 | | | | 1,199,438 | |
j2 Global, Inc. | | | 10,455 | | | | 1,014,344 | |
KLA Corp. | | | 7,301 | | | | 1,196,342 | |
Lam Research Corp. | | | 3,445 | | | | 919,229 | |
Mastercard, Inc., Class A | | | 2,409 | | | | 703,982 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 47,687 | | | | 7,218,858 | |
National Instruments Corp. | | | 21,294 | | | | 896,903 | |
Visa, Inc. | | | 9,490 | | | | 1,751,000 | |
Total Information Technology | | | | | | | 29,383,686 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (1.85%) | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | 18,662 | | | | 862,371 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Materials (continued) |
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A | | | 9,606 | | | $ | 888,939 | |
Westrock Co. | | | 16,487 | | | | 664,921 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 2,416,231 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Real Estate (6.25%) | |
CoreCivic, Inc. | | | 38,511 | | | | 583,442 | |
Iron Mountain, Inc. | | | 20,101 | | | | 645,644 | |
Kimco Realty Corp. | | | 35,133 | | | | 759,575 | |
Macerich Co. | | | 22,361 | | | | 602,182 | |
RMR Group, Inc., Class A | | | 10,689 | | | | 502,062 | |
Senior Housing Properties Trust | | | 96,155 | | | | 703,855 | |
Service Properties Trust | | | 38,846 | | | | 904,723 | |
SITE Centers Corp. | | | 67,181 | | | | 973,453 | |
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. | | | 45,660 | | | | 694,945 | |
The GEO Group, Inc. | | | 41,925 | | | | 581,081 | |
Uniti Group, Inc. | | | 72,688 | | | | 488,463 | |
Washington Prime Group, Inc. | | | 178,802 | | | | 743,816 | |
Total Real Estate | | | | | | | 8,183,241 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (5.84%) | |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | | 10,418 | | | | 905,220 | |
Dominion Energy, Inc. | | | 20,028 | | | | 1,664,527 | |
Duke Energy Corp. | | | 14,733 | | | | 1,299,008 | |
Evergy, Inc. | | | 14,040 | | | | 888,311 | |
PPL Corp. | | | 43,469 | | | | 1,479,250 | |
Southern Co. | | | 22,620 | | | | 1,402,214 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 7,638,530 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | |
(Cost $124,643,019) | | | | | | | 130,458,861 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.01%) | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 9,425 | | | | 9,425 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $9,425) | | | | | | | | | | | 9,425 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.73%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $124,652,444) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 130,468,286 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.27%) | | | | | | | 359,981 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 130,828,267 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS (99.82%) |
Communication Services (10.38%) | |
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 1,592 | | | $ | 2,076,111 | |
Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a) | | | 1,622 | | | | 2,116,645 | |
AT&T, Inc. | | | 20,088 | | | | 750,889 | |
CBS Corp., Class B | | | 11,223 | | | | 453,185 | |
Comcast Corp., Class A | | | 29,090 | | | | 1,284,323 | |
Discovery, Inc., Class C(a) | | | 22,511 | | | | 687,036 | |
EW Scripps Co., Class A | | | 49,436 | | | | 737,585 | |
Facebook, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 12,140 | | | | 2,447,910 | |
Netflix, Inc.(a) | | | 743 | | | | 233,792 | |
News Corp., Class A | | | 39,202 | | | | 504,922 | |
News Corp., Class B | | | 37,268 | | | | 490,820 | |
Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 10,948 | | | | 659,508 | |
Walt Disney Co. | | | 4,676 | | | | 708,788 | |
Total Communication Services | | | | | | | 13,151,514 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (14.89%) | |
Aaron's, Inc. | | | 8,703 | | | | 508,255 | |
Amazon.com, Inc.(a) | | | 1,885 | | | | 3,394,508 | |
Booking Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 321 | | | | 611,194 | |
Dine Brands Global, Inc. | | | 6,657 | | | | 551,732 | |
Dollar General Corp. | | | 4,240 | | | | 667,206 | |
Dollar Tree, Inc.(a) | | | 6,110 | | | | 558,821 | |
Domino's Pizza, Inc. | | | 2,695 | | | | 793,138 | |
Expedia Group, Inc. | | | 4,561 | | | | 463,671 | |
Fossil Group, Inc.(a) | | | 39,649 | | | | 296,971 | |
Fox Factory Holding Corp.(a) | | | 7,343 | | | | 484,124 | |
General Motors Co. | | | 19,269 | | | | 693,684 | |
Genuine Parts Co. | | | 6,452 | | | | 673,395 | |
Home Depot, Inc. | | | 6,502 | | | | 1,433,756 | |
Kohl's Corp. | | | 10,712 | | | | 503,571 | |
Macy's, Inc. | | | 26,499 | | | | 405,965 | |
MarineMax, Inc.(a) | | | 32,503 | | | | 538,250 | |
McDonald's Corp. | | | 5,356 | | | | 1,041,635 | |
MGM Resorts International | | | 20,360 | | | | 650,502 | |
NIKE, Inc., Class B | | | 11,287 | | | | 1,055,222 | |
PulteGroup, Inc. | | | 17,163 | | | | 680,513 | |
Starbucks Corp. | | | 5,985 | | | | 511,298 | |
Target Corp. | | | 8,647 | | | | 1,080,961 | |
Wynn Resorts, Ltd. | | | 5,662 | | | | 684,253 | |
Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | 5,686 | | | | 572,410 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 18,855,035 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (4.36%) | |
Altria Group, Inc. | | | 19,697 | | | | 978,941 | |
Coca-Cola Co. | | | 11,895 | | | | 635,193 | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | 10,538 | | | | 714,687 | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | 9,030 | | | | 1,226,545 | |
Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 2,644 | | | | 219,267 | |
Procter & Gamble Co. | | | 7,254 | | | | 885,423 | |
Unilever NV | | | 8,681 | | | | 516,953 | |
Walmart, Inc. | | | 2,851 | | | | 339,526 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 5,516,535 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (6.49%) | | | | | | | | |
Baker Hughes Co. | | | 26,882 | | | | 602,695 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Energy (continued) |
Chevron Corp. | | | 5,251 | | | $ | 615,050 | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 23,853 | | | | 1,625,105 | |
Kinder Morgan, Inc. | | | 33,377 | | | | 654,523 | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | | | 13,114 | | | | 795,233 | |
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. | | | 23,589 | | | | 531,932 | |
Noble Corp. PLC(a) | | | 240,896 | | | | 255,350 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 11,927 | | | | 460,024 | |
Phillips 66 | | | 7,000 | | | | 803,040 | |
Schlumberger Ltd. | | | 19,307 | | | | 698,913 | |
Transocean, Ltd.(a) | | | 77,534 | | | | 386,119 | |
Valero Energy Corp. | | | 8,310 | | | | 793,522 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 8,221,506 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (9.91%) | |
American Express Co. | | | 5,063 | | | | 608,168 | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | 36,102 | | | | 1,202,919 | |
Banner Corp. | | | 10,181 | | | | 556,188 | |
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 8,097 | | | | 1,783,769 | |
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.(a) | | | 18,528 | | | | 762,612 | |
Citigroup, Inc. | | | 17,178 | | | | 1,290,411 | |
Enova International, Inc.(a) | | | 24,199 | | | | 557,303 | |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 3,948 | | | | 873,890 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 17,480 | | | | 2,303,165 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 8,148 | | | | 762,816 | |
S&P Global, Inc. | | | 2,970 | | | | 786,010 | |
SEI Investments Co. | | | 5,469 | | | | 352,915 | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 13,159 | | | | 716,639 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 12,556,805 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (10.49%) | |
Abbott Laboratories | | | 12,921 | | | | 1,104,100 | |
AbbVie, Inc. | | | 13,324 | | | | 1,168,915 | |
Allergan PLC | | | 4,476 | | | | 827,791 | |
Cerner Corp. | | | 7,923 | | | | 567,208 | |
Cigna Corp. | | | 4,708 | | | | 941,223 | |
Danaher Corp. | | | 6,123 | | | | 893,836 | |
Eli Lilly & Co. | | | 5,915 | | | | 694,125 | |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | | | 10,834 | | | | 728,478 | |
IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 3,980 | | | | 581,000 | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 14,205 | | | | 1,953,045 | |
McKesson Corp. | | | 4,298 | | | | 621,663 | |
Medtronic PLC | | | 5,908 | | | | 658,092 | |
Merck & Co., Inc. | | | 7,226 | | | | 629,963 | |
Pfizer, Inc. | | | 14,118 | | | | 543,825 | |
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 2,527 | | | | 707,232 | |
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. | | | 4,579 | | | | 665,237 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 13,285,733 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (12.79%) | |
3M Co. | | | 4,037 | | | | 685,361 | |
AECOM(a) | | | 17,138 | | | | 742,590 | |
AGCO Corp. | | | 9,114 | | | | 712,077 | |
Albany International Corp., Class A | | | 7,557 | | | | 632,370 | |
Arconic, Inc. | | | 22,778 | | | | 705,207 | |
Boeing Co. | | | 3,521 | | | | 1,289,320 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Industrials (continued) |
Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.(a) | | | 86,706 | | | $ | 598,271 | |
CSX Corp. | | | 11,103 | | | | 794,309 | |
Encore Wire Corp. | | | 11,003 | | | | 641,915 | |
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | | | 8,039 | | | | 600,996 | |
Fluor Corp. | | | 17,294 | | | | 301,607 | |
General Electric Co. | | | 75,294 | | | | 848,563 | |
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 4,874 | | | | 543,207 | |
Hillenbrand, Inc. | | | 14,580 | | | | 461,020 | |
Hubbell, Inc. | | | 4,660 | | | | 685,113 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | | | 1,715 | | | | 670,616 | |
Nordson Corp. | | | 4,261 | | | | 706,602 | |
Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 4,072 | | | | 787,932 | |
Roper Technologies, Inc. | | | 1,864 | | | | 671,730 | |
UniFirst Corp. | | | 2,473 | | | | 510,056 | |
Union Pacific Corp. | | | 5,856 | | | | 1,030,597 | |
United Rentals, Inc.(a) | | | 4,975 | | | | 761,424 | |
United Technologies Corp. | | | 5,474 | | | | 812,013 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 16,192,896 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Information Technology (19.25%) | |
Adobe, Inc.(a) | | | 887 | | | | 274,553 | |
Alliance Data Systems Corp. | | | 3,826 | | | | 409,038 | |
Apple, Inc. | | | 19,104 | | | | 5,105,544 | |
Avnet, Inc. | | | 13,751 | | | | 558,978 | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | 3,414 | | | | 1,079,541 | |
CACI International, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 2,671 | | | | 639,224 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 10,552 | | | | 478,111 | |
Cognizant Technology | | | | | | | | |
Solutions Corp., Class A | | | 10,723 | | | | 687,452 | |
ePlus, Inc.(a) | | | 7,436 | | | | 621,426 | |
HP, Inc. | | | 22,144 | | | | 444,652 | |
Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a) | | | 9,000 | | | | 590,310 | |
Intel Corp. | | | 12,875 | | | | 747,394 | |
LogMeIn, Inc. | | | 8,105 | | | | 632,028 | |
Mastercard, Inc., Class A | | | 4,502 | | | | 1,315,619 | |
Micron Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 16,134 | | | | 766,526 | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 33,261 | | | | 5,035,050 | |
NVIDIA Corp. | | | 3,987 | | | | 864,142 | |
Oracle Corp. | | | 4,020 | | | | 225,683 | |
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 5,204 | | | | 562,084 | |
QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 8,591 | | | | 717,778 | |
Tech Data Corp.(a) | | | 6,237 | | | | 903,679 | |
Virtusa Corp.(a) | | | 17,471 | | | | 780,779 | |
Visa, Inc. | | | 5,115 | | | | 943,769 | |
Total Information Technology | | | | | | | 24,383,360 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (5.03%) | |
Celanese Corp. | | | 5,215 | | | | 654,847 | |
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | | | 11,777 | | | | 544,215 | |
Eastman Chemical Co. | | | 7,955 | | | | 623,433 | |
Linde PLC | | | 3,684 | | | | 759,678 | |
NewMarket Corp. | | | 1,367 | | | | 675,257 | |
Olin Corp. | | | 29,608 | | | | 518,732 | |
Security Description | | Shares | | | Value | |
Materials (continued) |
Packaging Corp. of America | | | 5,398 | | | $ | 604,036 | |
PolyOne Corp. | | | 18,303 | | | | 577,094 | |
PPG Industries, Inc. | | | 5,686 | | | | 732,584 | |
Westrock Co. | | | 16,902 | | | | 681,658 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 6,371,534 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Real Estate (2.59%) | |
American Tower Corp. | | | 4,025 | | | | 861,471 | |
Lexington Realty Trust | | | 58,111 | | | | 643,870 | |
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust | | | 97,540 | | | | 561,830 | |
RMR Group, Inc., Class A | | | 13,071 | | | | 613,945 | |
Vornado Realty Trust | | | 9,344 | | | | 603,342 | |
Total Real Estate | | | | | | | 3,284,458 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (3.64%) | | | | | | | | |
American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 7,733 | | | | 706,410 | |
Avangrid, Inc. | | | 10,625 | | | | 515,737 | |
Avista Corp. | | | 11,991 | | | | 566,934 | |
Dominion Energy, Inc. | | | 9,888 | | | | 821,792 | |
Evergy, Inc. | | | 8,994 | | | | 569,050 | |
Exelon Corp. | | | 15,410 | | | | 684,204 | |
NextEra Energy, Inc. | | | 3,189 | | | | 745,652 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 4,609,779 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | |
(Cost $119,751,747) | | | | | | | 126,429,155 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.02%) | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 29,379 | | | | 29,379 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | |
(Cost $29,379) | | | | | | | | | | | 29,379 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.84%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $119,781,126) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 126,458,534 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.16%) | | | 203,468 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 126,662,002 | |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
CORPORATE BONDS (87.35%) |
Communications (10.76%) |
CenturyLink, Inc. | | | | | | |
5.63%, 04/01/2020 | | $ | 2,137,000 | | $ | | 2,162,227 | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital | | | | | | | | |
3.58%, 07/23/2020 | | | 1,960,000 | | | | 1,974,308 | |
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.63%, 06/15/2021 | | | 1,521,000 | | | | 1,634,695 | |
Lamar Media Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 05/01/2023 | | | 1,608,000 | | | | 1,640,144 | |
Level 3 Financing, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 08/15/2022 | | | 1,486,000 | | | | 1,491,944 | |
Netflix, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 02/01/2021 | | | 1,630,000 | | | | 1,689,413 | |
Sprint Communications, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
7.00%, 08/15/2020 | | | 2,365,000 | | | | 2,425,313 | |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.50%, 01/15/2024 | | | 2,183,000 | | | | 2,264,841 | |
VeriSign, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 05/01/2023 | | | 1,108,000 | | | | 1,128,764 | |
Videotron, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 07/15/2022 | | | 1,569,000 | | | | 1,653,323 | |
Total Communications | | | | | | | 18,064,972 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Discretionary (6.99%) | |
DR Horton, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.38%, 09/15/2022 | | | 1,862,000 | | | | 1,952,937 | |
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC | | | | | | | | |
3.16%, 08/04/2020 | | | 1,117,000 | | | | 1,121,290 | |
Griffon Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 03/01/2022 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,051,391 | |
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC / Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 04/01/2025 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,071,632 | |
International Game Technology PLC | | | | | | | | |
6.25%, 02/15/2022(a) | | | 1,965,000 | | | | 2,077,974 | |
Las Vegas Sands Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.20%, 08/08/2024 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,059,847 | |
Lennar Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 04/01/2021 | | | 500,000 | | | | 513,000 | |
MGM Resorts International | | | | | | | | |
6.75%, 10/01/2020 | | | 1,740,000 | | | | 1,806,555 | |
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 07/31/2024(a) | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,078,990 | |
Total Consumer Discretionary | | | | | | | 11,733,616 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Consumer Staples (1.75%) | |
JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA Finance, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 07/15/2024(a) | | | 1,117,000 | | | | 1,153,023 | |
Spectrum Brands, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 07/15/2025 | | | 280,000 | | | | 293,908 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Consumer Staples (continued) |
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. | | | | | | |
6.00%, 02/15/2024(a) | | $ | 1,425,000 | | $ | | 1,489,111 | |
Total Consumer Staples | | | | | | | 2,936,042 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Energy (16.48%) | | | | | | | | |
Buckeye Partners LP | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 02/01/2021 | | | 1,290,000 | | | | 1,308,574 | |
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC | | | | | | | | |
7.00%, 06/30/2024 | | | 1,366,000 | | | | 1,570,682 | |
Concho Resources, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.38%, 01/15/2025 | | | 1,555,000 | | | | 1,607,947 | |
Continental Resources, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 09/15/2022 | | | 1,118,000 | | | | 1,125,083 | |
DCP Midstream Operating LP | | | | | | | | |
5.35%, 03/15/2020(a) | | | 1,901,000 | | | | 1,911,389 | |
Energy Transfer Operating LP | | | | | | | | |
7.50%, 10/15/2020 | | | 2,040,000 | | | | 2,129,938 | |
EnLink Midstream Partners LP | | | | | | | | |
4.40%, 04/01/2024 | | | 761,000 | | | | 702,015 | |
EQM Midstream Partners LP | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 07/15/2023 | | | 1,117,000 | | | | 1,090,389 | |
EQT Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 11/15/2021 | | | 520,000 | | | | 532,756 | |
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 10/01/2021 | | | 1,600,000 | | | | 1,668,753 | |
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 10/01/2022 | | | 2,063,000 | | | | 2,085,738 | |
Newfield Exploration Co. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 01/30/2022 | | | 1,876,000 | | | | 1,994,011 | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.10%, 02/01/2021 | | | 1,562,000 | | | | 1,588,452 | |
Petroleos Mexicanos | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 03/05/2020 | | | 327,000 | | | | 329,698 | |
5.50%, 01/21/2021 | | | 1,385,000 | | | | 1,424,472 | |
Range Resources Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 06/01/2021 | | | 330,000 | | | | 330,132 | |
5.00%, 08/15/2022 | | | 402,000 | | | | 381,900 | |
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.63%, 04/15/2020(a) | | | 1,470,000 | | | | 1,493,107 | |
Sunoco LP / Sunoco Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 01/15/2023 | | | 1,625,000 | | | | 1,666,299 | |
Tallgrass Energy Partners LP / Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 10/01/2023(a) | | | 925,000 | | | | 894,928 | |
Targa Resources Partners LP / Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 05/01/2023 | | | 1,816,000 | | | | 1,836,412 | |
Total Energy | | | | | | | 27,672,675 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financials (15.51%) | |
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 10/30/2020 | | | 1,880,000 | | | | 1,921,984 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Financials (continued) |
Air Lease Corp. | | | | | | |
4.25%, 02/01/2024 | | $ | 1,090,000 | | | $ | 1,165,325 | |
Ally Financial, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 04/15/2021 | | | 1,657,000 | | | | 1,705,219 | |
Ares Capital Corp. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 02/10/2023 | | | 1,302,000 | | | | 1,318,985 | |
CIT Group, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 08/15/2022 | | | 2,265,000 | | | | 2,416,286 | |
ESH Hospitality, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 05/01/2025(a) | | | 1,302,000 | | | | 1,347,570 | |
GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.35%, 09/01/2024 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,066,608 | |
Iron Mountain, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.38%, 06/01/2021(a) | | | 1,731,000 | | | | 1,745,713 | |
MPT Operating Partnership LP / MPT Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 08/01/2026 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,107,634 | |
Navient Corp. | | | | | | | | |
8.00%, 03/25/2020 | | | 448,000 | | | | 455,072 | |
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.38%, 08/01/2023 | | | 1,740,000 | | | | 1,852,132 | |
Park Aerospace Holdings, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.25%, 08/15/2022(a) | | | 2,225,000 | | | | 2,369,429 | |
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.50%, 06/07/2024 | | | 536,000 | | | | 550,679 | |
SBA Communications Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.88%, 07/15/2022 | | | 1,092,500 | | | | 1,110,245 | |
Service Properties Trust | | | | | | | | |
4.35%, 10/01/2024 | | | 1,562,000 | | | | 1,603,315 | |
Springleaf Finance Corp. | | | | | | | | |
8.25%, 12/15/2020 | | | 1,746,000 | | | | 1,850,324 | |
Starwood Property Trust, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 12/15/2021 | | | 1,848,000 | | | | 1,930,698 | |
Synchrony Financial | | | | | | | | |
2.85%, 07/25/2022 | | | 520,000 | | | | 525,233 | |
Total Financials | | | | | | | 26,042,451 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care (2.26%) | |
Centene Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 01/15/2025 | | | 1,562,000 | | | | 1,626,620 | |
DaVita, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 07/15/2024 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,069,889 | |
HCA Healthcare, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.25%, 02/15/2021 | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,091,740 | |
Total Health Care | | | | | | | 3,788,249 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Industrials (6.03%) | |
ADT Security Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.25%, 10/15/2021 | | | 1,689,000 | | | | 1,794,140 | |
Arconic, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.15%, 08/15/2020 | | | 1,787,000 | | | | 1,833,693 | |
Colfax Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 02/15/2024(a) | | | 500,000 | | | | 531,245 | |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Industrials (continued) |
United Rentals North America, Inc. | | | | | | |
5.50%, 07/15/2025 | | $ | 500,000 | | | $ | 521,870 | |
WESCO Distribution, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.38%, 12/15/2021 | | | 2,285,000 | | | | 2,295,854 | |
XPO Logistics, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.50%, 06/15/2022(a) | | | 1,970,000 | | | | 2,020,930 | |
6.75%, 08/15/2024(a) | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,130,501 | |
Total Industrials | | | | | | | 10,128,233 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Materials (15.16%) | | | | | | | | |
AK Steel Corp. | | | | | | | | |
7.50%, 07/15/2023 | | | 1,630,000 | | | | 1,638,826 | |
Ashland LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 08/15/2022 | | | 1,644,000 | | | | 1,726,200 | |
Ball Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.38%, 12/15/2020 | | | 1,850,000 | | | | 1,891,162 | |
Berry Global, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 10/15/2022 | | | 401,000 | | | | 409,145 | |
Braskem Finance, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
6.45%, 02/03/2024 | | | 500,000 | | | | 554,543 | |
Cascades, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 07/15/2022(a) | | | 744,000 | | | | 755,681 | |
5.75%, 07/15/2023(a) | | | 1,482,000 | | | | 1,523,370 | |
Celanese US Holdings LLC | | | | | | | | |
5.88%, 06/15/2021 | | | 1,650,000 | | | | 1,735,813 | |
CEMEX Finance LLC | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 04/01/2024(a) | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,072,490 | |
CF Industries, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.45%, 06/01/2023 | | | 194,000 | | | | 198,848 | |
Crown Americas LLC / Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 01/15/2023 | | | 1,428,000 | | | | 1,496,530 | |
FMG Resources August 2006 Pty, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 05/15/2022(a) | | | 1,540,000 | | | | 1,582,339 | |
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.55%, 03/01/2022 | | | 1,601,000 | | | | 1,613,008 | |
3.88%, 03/15/2023 | | | 160,000 | | | | 163,664 | |
Graphic Packaging International LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.75%, 04/15/2021 | | | 814,000 | | | | 834,676 | |
4.88%, 11/15/2022 | | | 1,591,000 | | | | 1,671,046 | |
Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 01/15/2022(a) | | | 1,694,000 | | | | 1,757,513 | |
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc. / Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer Lu | | | | | | | | |
5.75%, 10/15/2020 | | | 1,368,380 | | | | 1,371,733 | |
Sasol Financing International, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 11/14/2022 | | | 1,340,000 | | | | 1,384,300 | |
WR Grace & Co.-Conn | | | | | | | | |
5.13%, 10/01/2021(a) | | | 2,001,000 | | | | 2,080,540 | |
Total Materials | | | | | | | 25,461,427 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Schedule of Investments | November 30, 2019 |
Security Description | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
Technology (7.95%) | | | | | | |
Broadcom, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.13%, 04/15/2021(a) | | $ | 1,637,000 | | | $ | 1,655,314 | |
CommScope, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
5.50%, 03/01/2024(a) | | | 1,090,000 | | | | 1,134,952 | |
Dell, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.63%, 04/01/2021 | | | 110,000 | | | | 113,014 | |
EMC Corp. | | | | | | | | |
2.65%, 06/01/2020 | | | 2,182,000 | | | | 2,182,000 | |
Flex, Ltd. | | | | | | | | |
5.00%, 02/15/2023 | | | 1,430,000 | | | | 1,525,972 | |
Micron Technology, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
4.64%, 02/06/2024 | | | 1,090,000 | | | | 1,171,075 | |
Nielsen Finance LLC / Nielsen Finance Co. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 10/01/2020 | | | 1,740,000 | | | | 1,745,655 | |
NortonLifeLock, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
3.95%, 06/15/2022 | | | 160,000 | | | | 162,723 | |
NXP BV / NXP Funding LLC | | | | | | | | |
4.13%, 06/01/2021(a) | | | 1,040,000 | | | | 1,066,341 | |
Seagate HDD Cayman | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 03/01/2022 | | | 378,000 | | | | 390,848 | |
4.75%, 06/01/2023 | | | 770,000 | | | | 809,714 | |
Xerox Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.50%, 05/15/2021 | | | 1,350,000 | | | | 1,386,787 | |
Total Technology | | | | | | | 13,344,395 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Utilities (4.46%) | | | | | | | | |
AES Corp. | | | | | | | | |
4.00%, 03/15/2021 | | | 548,000 | | | | 556,768 | |
4.50%, 03/15/2023 | | | 520,000 | | | | 534,295 | |
Calpine Corp. | | | | | | | | |
6.00%, 01/15/2022(a) | | | 1,765,000 | | | | 1,771,572 | |
DPL, Inc. | | | | | | | | |
7.25%, 10/15/2021 | | | 1,043,000 | | | | 1,087,745 | |
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP | | | | | | | | |
4.25%, 07/15/2024(a) | | | 1,617,000 | | | | 1,665,203 | |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC | | | | | | | | |
3.55%, 07/15/2024(a) | | | 1,851,000 | | | | 1,869,594 | |
Total Utilities | | | | | | | 7,485,177 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS | |
(Cost $144,318,542) | | | | | | | 146,657,237 | |
| | 7 Day Yield | | | Shares | | | Value | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (11.45%) | | | | | | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | | | 1.56 | % | | | 19,218,846 | | | $ | 19,218,846 | |
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS | | | | | | |
(Cost $19,218,846) | | | | | | | | | | | 19,218,846 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (98.80%) | | | | | | |
(Cost $163,537,388) | | | | | | | | | | $ | 165,876,083 | |
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (1.20%) | | | | 2,013,256 | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 167,889,339 | |
| (a) | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in the ordinary course of business in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At period end, the aggregate market value of those securities was $37,178,819, representing 22.14% of net assets. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront ETFs
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | November 30, 2019 |
| | RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | |
ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value | | $ | 134,272,484 | | | $ | 16,309,073 | | | $ | 130,468,286 | | | $ | 126,458,534 | | | $ | 165,876,083 | |
Dividend receivable | | | – | | | | – | | | | 416,019 | | | | 258,130 | | | | – | |
Interest receivable | | | 735,416 | | | | 231,237 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 2,076,338 | |
Total Assets | | | 135,007,900 | | | | 16,540,310 | | | | 130,884,305 | | | | 126,716,664 | | | | 167,952,421 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payable to adviser | | | 56,476 | | | | 6,920 | | | | 56,038 | | | | 54,662 | | | | 63,082 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 56,476 | | | | 6,920 | | | | 56,038 | | | | 54,662 | | | | 63,082 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 134,951,424 | | | $ | 16,533,390 | | | $ | 130,828,267 | | | $ | 126,662,002 | | | $ | 167,889,339 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 128,623,332 | | | $ | 16,549,180 | | | $ | 132,346,208 | | | $ | 133,218,563 | | | $ | 174,973,192 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | 6,328,092 | | | | (15,790 | ) | | | (1,517,941 | ) | | | (6,556,561 | ) | | | (7,083,853 | ) |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 134,951,424 | | | $ | 16,533,390 | | | $ | 130,828,267 | | | $ | 126,662,002 | | | $ | 167,889,339 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INVESTMENTS, AT COST | | $ | 127,528,799 | | | $ | 15,861,655 | | | $ | 124,652,444 | | | $ | 119,781,126 | | | $ | 163,537,388 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PRICING OF SHARES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 134,951,424 | | | $ | 16,533,390 | | | $ | 130,828,267 | | | $ | 126,662,002 | | | $ | 167,889,339 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.01 per share) | | | 5,350,000 | | | | 650,000 | | | | 3,850,002 | | | | 3,650,002 | | | | 6,800,000 | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | | $ | 25.22 | | | $ | 25.44 | | | $ | 33.98 | | | $ | 34.70 | | | $ | 24.69 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront ETFs
Statement of Operations | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
| | RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | |
INVESTMENT INCOME: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 4,503,385 | | | $ | 957,159 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 6,379,707 | |
Dividends(a) | | | 285,601 | | | | 32,036 | | | | 3,441,836 | | | | 2,679,249 | | | | 304,368 | |
Securities Lending Income | | | – | | | | – | | | | 2,836 | | | | 4,272 | | | | – | |
Total Investment Income | | | 4,788,986 | | | | 989,195 | | | | 3,444,672 | | | | 2,683,521 | | | | 6,684,075 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment adviser and sub-adviser fees (Note 3) | | | 750,744 | | | | 95,592 | | | | 696,560 | | | | 704,289 | | | | 716,012 | |
Total Expenses | | | 750,744 | | | | 95,592 | | | | 696,560 | | | | 704,289 | | | | 716,012 | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 4,038,242 | | | | 893,603 | | | | 2,748,112 | | | | 1,979,232 | | | | 5,968,063 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments | | | 1,644,094 | | | | (73,537 | ) | | | 842,336 | | | | (7,792,444 | ) | | | 2,778 | |
NET REALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) | | | 1,644,094 | | | | (73,537 | ) | | | 842,336 | | | | (7,792,444 | ) | | | 2,778 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 9,057,180 | | | | 864,883 | | | | 9,392,104 | | | | 14,831,746 | | | | 3,051,952 | |
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/(DEPRECIATION) | | | 9,057,180 | | | | 864,883 | | | | 9,392,104 | | | | 14,831,746 | | | | 3,051,952 | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS | | | 10,701,274 | | | | 791,346 | | | | 10,234,440 | | | | 7,039,302 | | | | 3,054,730 | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | 14,739,516 | | | $ | 1,684,949 | | | $ | 12,982,552 | | | $ | 9,018,534 | | | $ | 9,022,793 | |
| (a) | Net of foreign tax withholding in the amounts of $2,066, $1,018, $0, $3,927 and $0 respectively. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 4,038,242 | | | $ | 2,915,518 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | 1,644,094 | | | | (1,596,850 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 9,057,180 | | | | (2,358,587 | ) |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 14,739,516 | | | | (1,039,919 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (4,068,776 | ) | | | (2,905,391 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (4,068,776 | ) | | | (2,905,391 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 8,489,400 | | | | 175,961,356 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (34,735,633 | ) | | | (69,450,831 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions | | | (26,246,233 | ) | | | 106,510,525 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (15,575,493 | ) | | | 102,565,215 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 150,526,917 | | | | 47,961,702 | |
End of period | | $ | 134,951,424 | | | $ | 150,526,917 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 6,400,000 | | | | 1,950,000 | |
Shares sold | | | 350,000 | | | | 7,350,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,400,000 | ) | | | (2,900,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 5,350,000 | | | | 6,400,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 893,603 | | | $ | 1,855,468 | |
Net realized loss | | | (73,537 | ) | | | (1,550,548 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 864,883 | | | | (579,055 | ) |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 1,684,949 | | | | (274,135 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (919,523 | ) | | | (1,895,888 | ) |
From return of capital | | | – | | | | (38,248 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (919,523 | ) | | | (1,934,136 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | – | | | | 45,458,974 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (8,712,993 | ) | | | (30,529,047 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions | | | (8,712,993 | ) | | | 14,929,927 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (7,947,567 | ) | | | 12,721,656 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 24,480,957 | | | | 11,759,301 | |
End of period | | $ | 16,533,390 | | | $ | 24,480,957 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 450,000 | |
Shares sold | | | – | | | | 1,800,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (350,000 | ) | | | (1,250,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 650,000 | | | | 1,000,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 2,748,112 | | | $ | 2,559,340 | |
Net realized gain | | | 842,336 | | | | 5,455,249 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 9,392,104 | | | | (9,969,237 | ) |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 12,982,552 | | | | (1,954,648 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (2,830,437 | ) | | | (2,425,732 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (2,830,437 | ) | | | (2,425,732 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 12,883,372 | | | | 153,655,693 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (43,499,849 | ) | | | (57,626,629 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions | | | (30,616,477 | ) | | | 96,029,064 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (20,464,362 | ) | | | 91,648,684 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 151,292,629 | | | | 59,643,945 | |
End of period | | $ | 130,828,267 | | | $ | 151,292,629 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 4,850,002 | | | | 1,900,002 | |
Shares sold | | | 400,000 | | | | 4,750,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,400,000 | ) | | | (1,800,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 3,850,002 | | | | 4,850,002 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 1,979,232 | | | $ | 1,430,016 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (7,792,444 | ) | | | 9,907,208 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 14,831,746 | | | | (13,055,066 | ) |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 9,018,534 | | | | (1,717,842 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (2,084,364 | ) | | | (1,321,640 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (2,084,364 | ) | | | (1,321,640 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 14,320,639 | | | | 177,753,277 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (47,057,304 | ) | | | (62,825,568 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions | | | (32,736,665 | ) | | | 114,927,709 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (25,802,495 | ) | | | 111,888,227 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 152,464,497 | | | | 40,576,270 | |
End of period | | $ | 126,662,002 | | | $ | 152,464,497 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 4,650,002 | | | | 1,250,002 | |
Shares sold | | | 450,000 | | | | 5,250,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,450,000 | ) | | | (1,850,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 3,650,002 | | | | 4,650,002 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | |
OPERATIONS: | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 5,968,063 | | | $ | 10,779,152 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | 2,778 | | | | (2,535,051 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 3,051,952 | | | | (8,164,421 | ) |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 9,022,793 | | | | 79,680 | |
| | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: | | | | | | | | |
From distributable earnings | | | (6,324,290 | ) | | | (10,733,170 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (6,324,290 | ) | | | (10,733,170 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | 26,966,259 | | | | 70,270,323 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (14,655,413 | ) | | | (244,506,109 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) from share transactions | | | 12,310,846 | | | | (174,235,786 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | 15,009,349 | | | | (184,889,276 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 152,879,990 | | | | 337,769,266 | |
End of period | | $ | 167,889,339 | | | $ | 152,879,990 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OTHER INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning shares | | | 6,300,000 | | | | 13,400,000 | |
Shares sold | | | 1,100,000 | | | | 2,850,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (600,000 | ) | | | (9,950,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 6,800,000 | | | | 6,300,000 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF
Financial Highlights | For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Period June 14, 2016 (Commencement) to November 30, 2016 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 23.52 | | | $ | 24.60 | | | $ | 24.32 | | | $ | 25.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.68 | | | | 0.68 | | | | 0.53 | | | | 0.24 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 1.70 | | | | (1.10 | ) | | | 0.23 | | | | (0.68 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.38 | | | | (0.42 | ) | | | 0.76 | | | | (0.44 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.68 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (0.68 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 1.70 | | | | (1.08 | ) | | | 0.28 | | | | (0.68 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 25.22 | | | $ | 23.52 | | | $ | 24.60 | | | $ | 24.32 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 10.22 | % | | | (1.74 | )% | | | 3.15 | % | | | (1.77 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 134,951 | | | $ | 150,527 | | | $ | 47,962 | | | $ | 6,081 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.51 | %(c) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.74 | % | | | 2.83 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 2.12 | %(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 6 | % | | | 15 | % | | | 18 | % | | | 26 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (d) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF
Financial Highlights | For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Period June 14, 2016 (Commencement) to November 30, 2016 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 24.48 | | | $ | 26.13 | | | $ | 25.55 | | | $ | 25.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 1.20 | | | | 1.24 | | | | 1.22 | | | | 0.63 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 0.99 | | | | (1.63 | ) | | | 0.56 | | | | 0.55 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.19 | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | 1.78 | | | | 1.18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.23 | ) | | | (1.15 | ) | | | (1.20 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) |
From net realized gains | | | – | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | – | | | | – | |
Tax return of capital | | | – | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | – | | | | – | |
Total distributions | | | (1.23 | ) | | | (1.26 | ) | | | (1.20 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 0.96 | | | | (1.65 | ) | | | 0.58 | | | | 0.55 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 25.44 | | | $ | 24.48 | | | $ | 26.13 | | | $ | 25.55 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 9.15 | % | | | (1.52 | )% | | | 7.06 | % | | | 4.72 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 16,533 | | | $ | 24,481 | | | $ | 11,759 | | | $ | 5,110 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.51 | %(c) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 4.77 | % | | | 4.93 | % | | | 4.65 | % | | | 5.31 | %(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 23 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 30 | % | | | 11 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (d) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Financial Highlights | For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Period June 7, 2016 (Commencement) to November 30, 2016 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 31.19 | | | $ | 31.39 | | | $ | 26.59 | | | $ | 25.14 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.65 | | | | 0.73 | | | | 0.63 | | | | 0.26 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 2.81 | | | | (0.26 | ) | | | 4.76 | | | | 1.40 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 3.46 | | | | 0.47 | | | | 5.39 | | | | 1.66 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.59 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.59 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 2.79 | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | 4.80 | | | | 1.45 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 33.98 | | | $ | 31.19 | | | $ | 31.39 | | | $ | 26.59 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 11.29 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 20.49 | % | | | 6.64 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 130,828 | | | $ | 151,293 | | | $ | 59,644 | | | $ | 13,297 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.52 | % | | | 0.52 | % | | | 0.52 | % | | | 0.52 | %(c) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.27 | % | | | 2.19 | % | | | 2.13 | %(c) |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 64 | % | | | 96 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 45 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (d) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF
Financial Highlights | For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Period June 7, 2016 (Commencement) to November 30, 2016 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 32.79 | | | $ | 32.46 | | | $ | 26.84 | | | $ | 25.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.48 | | | | 0.44 | | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.17 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | | | 1.93 | | | | 0.27 | (b) | | | 5.59 | | | | 1.70 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.41 | | | | 0.71 | | | | 5.90 | | | | 1.87 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (0.50 | ) | | | (0.38 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (0.50 | ) | | | (0.38 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 1.91 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 5.62 | | | | 1.71 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 34.70 | | | $ | 32.79 | | | $ | 32.46 | | | $ | 26.84 | |
TOTAL RETURN(c) | | | 7.49 | % | | | 2.16 | % | | | 22.08 | % | | | 7.45 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 126,662 | | | $ | 152,464 | | | $ | 40,576 | | | $ | 8,053 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.52 | % | | | 0.52 | % | | | 0.52 | % | | | 0.52 | %(d) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.46 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.34 | %(d) |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 98 | % | | | 152 | % | | | 86 | % | | | 41 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Net realized and unrealized loss on investments per share does not correlate to aggregate of the net realized and unrealized gain in the Statements of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2018, primarily due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of the Fund's shares in relation to the fluctuating market values for the Fund's portfolio. |
| (c) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (e) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund
Financial Highlights | For a share outstanding throughout the periods presented |
| | For the Year Ended November 30, 2019 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2017 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2016 | | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2015 | |
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | $ | 24.27 | | | $ | 25.21 | | | $ | 25.02 | | | $ | 24.36 | | | $ | 25.02 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.94 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 1.11 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 0.88 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) | | | 0.48 | | | | (0.92 | ) | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.71 | | | | (0.65 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.42 | | | | 0.14 | | | | 1.30 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 0.23 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From net investment income | | | (1.00 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | (1.11 | ) | | | (1.10 | ) | | | (0.87 | ) |
From net realized gains | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | | – | | | | (0.02 | ) |
Total distributions | | | (1.00 | ) | | | (1.08 | ) | | | (1.11 | ) | | | (1.10 | ) | | | (0.89 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE | | | 0.42 | | | | (0.94 | ) | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.66 | | | | (0.66 | ) |
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 24.69 | | | $ | 24.27 | | | $ | 25.21 | | | $ | 25.02 | | | $ | 24.36 | |
TOTAL RETURN(b) | | | 5.96 | % | | | 0.57 | % | | | 5.29 | % | | | 7.38 | % | | | 0.91 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000s) | | $ | 167,889 | | | $ | 152,880 | | | $ | 337,769 | | | $ | 326,515 | | | $ | 464,007 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of expenses excluding waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 0.46 | % | | | 0.46 | % | | | 0.46 | % | | | 0.46 | % | | | 0.46 | % |
Ratio of expenses including waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 0.46 | % | | | 0.17 | %(c) | | | 0.16 | %(d) | | | 0.17 | %(d) | | | 0.22 | % |
Ratio of net investment income including expenses waiver/reimbursement to average net assets | | | 3.83 | % | | | 4.31 | % | | | 4.41 | % | | | 4.26 | % | | | 3.54 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 44 | % | | | 35 | % | | | 32 | % | | | 52 | % | | | 36 | % |
| (a) | Based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (b) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period and the redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested at the actual reinvestment prices. Total return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
| (c) | Effective November 1, 2018, the Fund’s management fee consists of a fee of 0.11% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.35% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser ceased its voluntary waiver effective November 1, 2018. |
| (d) | Effective July 1, 2016, the Fund’s management fee consists of a fee of 0.16% paid to the Fund’s investment adviser and a fee of 0.30% paid to the Fund’s sub-adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser voluntarily waived all of its 0.30% annual sub-advisory fee payable by the Fund until November 1, 2018. |
| (e) | Portfolio turnover for periods less than one year are not annualized and does not include securities received or delivered from processing creations or redemptions in-kind. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
1. ORGANIZATION
ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of November 30, 2019, the Trust consists of sixteen separate portfolios. Each portfolio represents a separate series of the Trust. This report pertains solely to the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF, and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).
The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund is considered non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund.
The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF Fund is to seek to provide capital appreciation and dividend income. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The investment objective of the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF Fund is to seek to provide capital appreciation. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
The investment objective of the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund is to seek total return, with an emphasis on income as the source of that total return. The Fund has elected to qualify as a diversified series of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
Each Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. Each Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities and/or cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of a Fund.
Pursuant to the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946.
A. Portfolio Valuation
Each Fund’s NAV is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV is computed by dividing the value of all assets of each Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as determined by NASDAQ. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Portfolio securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities traded on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last quoted sale price in such market.
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
Corporate bonds and United States government bonds are typically valued at the mean between the evaluated bid and ask prices formulated by an independent pricing service.
Each Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value according to procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When market quotations are not readily available or when events occur that make established valuation methods unreliable, securities of the Funds may be valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established primary pricing source or the pricing source is not willing to provide a price; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is most likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; or a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security’s “fair value” due to the security being de-listed from a national exchange or the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open. As a general principle, the current “fair value” of a security would be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive from the sale on the applicable exchange or principal market. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities.
B. Fair Value Measurements
Each Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.
Valuation techniques used to value the Funds’ investments by major category are as follows:
Equity securities, including restricted securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by a third party pricing vendor on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, securities are valued at the mean of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices on such day and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAV each business day and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Debt securities, including restricted securities, are valued based on evaluated prices received from third party pricing vendors or from brokers who make markets in such securities. For corporate bonds, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type as well as broker-supplied prices. When independent prices are unavailable or unreliable, debt securities may be valued utilizing pricing methodologies which consider similar factors that would be used by third party pricing vendors. Debt securities are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy but may be Level 3 depending on the circumstances. The RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF, the RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF, and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund may invest a significant portion of their assets in below investment grade securities. The value of these securities can be more volatile due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer and is sensitive to changes in economic, market and regulatory conditions.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments.
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:
Level 1 – | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
Level 2 – | Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and |
Level 3 – | Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of November 30, 2019:
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Corporate Bonds* | | $ | – | | | $ | 80,244,213 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 80,244,213 | |
Government Bonds | | | – | | | | 33,822,671 | | | | – | | | | 33,822,671 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 20,205,600 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 20,205,600 | |
TOTAL | | $ | 20,205,600 | | | $ | 114,066,884 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 134,272,484 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Corporate Bonds* | | $ | – | | | $ | 15,127,102 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 15,127,102 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 1,181,971 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 1,181,971 | |
TOTAL | | $ | 1,181,971 | | | $ | 15,127,102 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 16,309,073 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 130,458,861 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 130,458,861 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 9,425 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 9,425 | |
TOTAL | | $ | 130,468,286 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 130,468,286 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 126,429,155 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 126,429,155 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 29,379 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 29,379 | |
TOTAL | | $ | 126,458,534 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | | | $ | 126,458,534 | |
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities at Value | | Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices | | | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | Total | |
Corporate Bonds* | | $ | – | | | $ | 146,657,237 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 146,657,237 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 19,218,846 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 19,218,846 | |
TOTAL | | $ | 19,218,846 | | | $ | 146,657,237 | | | $ | – | | | $ | 165,876,083 | |
| * | For a detailed sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments. |
The Funds did not have any securities that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining fair value and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended November 30, 2019.
C. Securities Transactions and Investment Income
Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the highest cost basis. Dividend income and capital gains distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
D. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
Dividends from net investment income for each Fund, if any, are declared and paid monthly or as the Board may determine from time to time. Distributions of net realized capital gains earned by the Funds, if any, are distributed at least annually.
E. Federal Tax and Tax Basis Information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Funds’ capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect permanent tax differences resulting primarily from in-kind transactions:
Fund | | Paid-in Capital | | | Total Distributable Earnings | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 1,557,785 | | | $ | (1,557,785 | ) |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 8,353 | | | | (8,353 | ) |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 3,353,000 | | | | (3,353,000 | ) |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 2,944,764 | | | | (2,944,764 | ) |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | (17,109 | ) | | | 17,109 | |
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 were as follows:
| | Ordinary Income | | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | | Return of Capital | |
November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 4,068,776 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 919,523 | | | | – | | | | – | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 2,830,437 | | | | – | | | | – | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 2,084,364 | | | | – | | | | – | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | 6,324,290 | | | | – | | | | – | |
| | Ordinary Income | | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | | Return of Capital | |
November 30, 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 2,905,391 | | | $ | – | | | $ | – | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 1,868,455 | | | | 27,433 | | | | 38,248 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 2,425,732 | | | | – | | | | – | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 1,321,640 | | | | – | | | | – | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | 10,733,170 | | | | – | | | | – | |
The character of distributions made during the year may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, capital losses maintain their character as short-term or long-term and are carried forward to the next tax year without expiration. As of November 30, 2019, the following amounts are available as carry forwards to the next tax year:
Fund | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 275,669 | | | $ | 132,460 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 433,125 | | | | 14,023 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 7,397,787 | | | | – | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 12,276,604 | | | | 974,123 | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | 6,135,910 | | | | 3,145,418 | |
The RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF used capital loss carryovers during the period ended November 30, 2019 in the amount of $80,631.
As of November 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis for each Fund were as follows:
| | RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Flex- Cap ETF | | | RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | |
Accumulated net investment income | | $ | 4,960 | | | $ | 2,201 | | | $ | 77,049 | | | $ | 20,431 | | | $ | 11,037 | |
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | | | (408,129 | ) | | | (447,148 | ) | | | (7,397,787 | ) | | | (13,250,727 | ) | | | (9,281,328 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | | | 6,731,261 | | | | 429,157 | | | | 5,802,797 | | | | 6,673,735 | | | | 2,186,438 | |
Total | | $ | 6,328,092 | | | $ | (15,790 | ) | | $ | (1,517,941 | ) | | $ | (6,556,561 | ) | | $ | (7,083,853 | ) |
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
As of November 30, 2019, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were as follows:
| | RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | RiverFront Dynamic US Flex- Cap ETF | | | RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | |
Gross appreciation (excess of value over tax cost) | | $ | 6,733,890 | | | $ | 509,418 | | | $ | 15,735,925 | | | $ | 14,704,713 | | | $ | 2,360,331 | |
Gross depreciation (excess of tax cost over value) | | | (2,629 | ) | | | (80,261 | ) | | | (9,933,128 | ) | | | (8,030,978 | ) | | | (173,893 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 6,731,261 | | | | 429,157 | | | | 5,802,797 | | | | 6,673,735 | | | | 2,186,438 | |
Cost of investments for income tax purposes | | $ | 127,541,223 | | | $ | 15,879,916 | | | $ | 124,665,489 | | | $ | 119,784,799 | | | $ | 163,689,645 | |
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis are primarily due to the deferral of losses from wash sales and difference between premium amortization due to ASU 2017-08. See Note 7.
F. Income Taxes
No provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statements, as each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all taxable investment income and realized gains and otherwise comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Each Fund evaluates tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing the Funds’ tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
As of and during the year ended November 30, 2019, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. Each Fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. Each Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return, but may extend to four years in certain jurisdictions. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
G. Lending of Portfolio Securities
The RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and the RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF have entered into a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Co. (“SSB”), the Funds’ lending agent. Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities only to borrowers that are approved by SSB. Each Fund will limit such lending to not more than 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. Each Fund’s securities held at SSB as custodian shall be available to be lent except those securities the Fund or ALPS Advisors, Inc. specifically identifies in writing as not being available for lending. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash (U.S. Dollars only), securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, and cash equivalents (including irrevocable bank letters of credit) issued by a person other than the borrower or an affiliate of the borrower. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of no less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities for U.S equity securities and a value of no less than 105% of the market value for non-U.S. equity securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter, at a market value equal to not less than 102% of the current value of the U.S. equity securities on loan and not less than 105% of the current value of the non-U.S. equity securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the customary time period for settlement of securities transactions.
Any cash collateral received is reinvested in a money market fund managed by SSB as disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned. Non-cash collateral, in the form of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, is not disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund, and the Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate these securities. Income earned by the Fund from securities lending activity is disclosed in the Statement of Operations. As of November 30, 2019, the Funds had no securities on loan.
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Funds benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by SSB. SSB’s indemnity allows for full replacement of securities lent wherein SSB will purchase the unreturned loaned securities on the open market by applying the proceeds of the collateral, or to the extent such proceeds are insufficient or the collateral is unavailable, SSB will purchase the unreturned loan securities at SSB’s expense. However, the Funds could suffer a loss if the value of the investments purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the cash collateral received.
3. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the Funds’ investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below:
Fund | Advisory Fee |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 0.51%(a) |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | 0.51%(a) |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 0.52%(b) |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | 0.52%(b) |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | 0.11% |
| (a) | The unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 0.51% for average net assets up to $600 million, (ii) 0.48% for average net assets equal to or greater than $600 million. |
| (b) | The unitary advisory fee as a percentage of net assets is subject to the following breakpoints: (i) 0.52% for average net assets up to $600 million, (ii) 0.49% for average net assets equal to or greater than $600 million. |
Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of each Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit, independent trustees and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund's business. The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all of each Fund's expenses and to compensate the Adviser for providing services for each Fund.
RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as each Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Sub-Advisory Agreement’’). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a sub-advisory fee out of the Adviser’s advisory fee for the services it provides besides RiverFront Strategic Income Fund, in which the Fund directly pays the Sub-Adviser. The fee is payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets as set out below:
Fund | Sub-Advisory Fee |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 0.35% |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | 0.35% |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 0.35% |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | 0.35% |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | 0.35% |
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Funds.
Each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Adviser, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates (“Independent Trustees”) receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $5,000, (2) a per meeting fee for regularly scheduled meetings of $3,750, (3) $1,500 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee each receives a quarterly retainer of $2,000, in connection with their respective roles.
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 195,390 | | | $ | 7,584,065 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 4,057,230 | | | | 3,964,734 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 85,855,686 | | | | 85,755,190 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 132,422,552 | | | | 132,513,556 | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | 62,065,325 | | | | 73,565,120 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of U.S. Government security purchases and proceeds from U.S. Government security sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 12,121,719 | | | $ | 10,531,169 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of in-kind purchases and proceeds from in-kind sales were as follows:
Fund | | Purchases | | | Sales | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | – | | | $ | 33,207,020 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | – | | | | 8,548,407 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 12,872,436 | | | | 43,467,882 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 14,319,770 | | | | 47,046,493 | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | 21,263,850 | | | | 8,384,018 | |
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the in-kind net realized gains/(losses) were as follows:
Fund | | Net Realized Gain/(Loss) | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 1,587,790 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 11,856 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | | 3,269,384 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | | 2,953,670 | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | (15,825 | ) |
Gains on in-kind transactions are not considered taxable for federal income tax purposes and losses on in-kind transactions are also not deductible for tax purposes.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares are created and redeemed by each Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 Shares. Only broker-dealers or large institutional investors with creation and redemption agreements called Authorized Participants (“AP”) are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from each Fund. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per unit of each Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the AP or as a result of other market circumstances.
RiverFront ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements | November 30, 2019 |
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF engaged in cross trades between other funds in the Trust during the year ended November 30, 2019 pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser. The Board previously adopted procedures that apply to transactions between the Funds of the Trust pursuant to Rule 17a-7. These transactions related to cross trades during the period complied with the requirements set forth by Rule 17a-7 and the Trust’s procedures.
Transactions related to cross trades during the year ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
Fund | | Purchase cost paid | | | Sale proceeds received | | | Realized gain/(loss) on sales | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | | $ | 2,369,169 | | | $ | 847,978 | | | $ | 159,080 | |
RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | | $ | 847,978 | | | $ | 2,369,169 | | | $ | 149,990 | |
7. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 2017, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08 (“ASU 2017-08”), “Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” ASU 2017-08 changed the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, it required the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The Funds have adopted and applied ASU 2017-08 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to distributable earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-08, as of December 1, 2018, the amortized cost basis of investments were reduced by the amounts in the following table. The unrealized appreciation of investments were increased by corresponding amounts. The adoption of ASU 2017-08 had no impact on beginning net assets or any prior period information presented in the financial statements.
Fund | | | |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | | $ | 7,862 | |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | | | 17,004 | |
RiverFront Strategic Income Fund | | | 159,150 | |
RiverFront ETFs
Additional Information | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING RECORDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 and a description of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures used in determining how to vote for proxies are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports for each Fund are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Each Fund’s Forms N-Q or N-PORT reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203.
TAX INFORMATION
The Funds designate the following as a percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions, or up to the maximum amount allowable, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018:
| Qualified Dividend Income | Dividend Received Deduction |
RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% |
RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Riverfront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 100.00% | 98.26% |
Riverfront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Riverfront Strategic Income Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% |
In early 2019, if applicable, shareholders of record received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2018 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2020 of amounts paid to them by the Funds, if any, during the calendar year 2019.
RiverFront ETFs
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
RIGS, RFUN, RFCI, RFDA and RFFC
At an in-person meeting held on June 3, 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), evaluated a proposal to approve the continuance of (i) the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “AAI”) with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (“RIGS”), RiverFront Dynamic Unconstrained Income ETF (“RFUN”), RiverFront Dynamic Core Income ETF (“RFCI”), RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (“RFDA”) and RiverFront Dynamic US Flex-Cap ETF (“RFFC”) (each “a Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) and (ii) the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements between the Trust or AAI and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser” or “RiverFront”) with respect to the Funds. The Independent Trustees also met separately to consider each Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement.
In evaluating the Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to each Fund, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI with respect to the applicable Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Fund compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the costs of the services provided to the Fund by AAI and the profits realized by AAI and its affiliates from its relationship to the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale have been or would be realized if and as the assets of the Fund grow and whether fees reflect the economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by AAI under the Investment Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreements, financial information regarding AAI and its parent company, information describing AAI’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
The Independent Trustees reviewed information on the performance of each Fund and its applicable FUSE performance group. Based on their review, the Independent Trustees found that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreements was appropriate and that the quality was satisfactory.
The Independent Trustees noted that the advisory fees for each Fund were unitary fees pursuant to which AAI assumes all expenses of the Funds (including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services) other than the payments under the Investment Advisory Agreement (and, with respect to RIGS, under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement), brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
With respect to advisory fee rates, the Independent Trustees noted the following:
The gross management fee rate for RFCI is higher than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Fund’s net expense ratio is also slightly above the median of its FUSE expense group.
The gross management fee rate for each of RIGS, RFUN, RFFC and RFDA is lower than the median of its FUSE expense group. The Funds’ respective net expense ratios are also below the median of their respective FUSE expense group.
Based on the foregoing, and the other information available to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the advisory fee rate for each of the Funds was reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of the services provided.
The Independent Trustees considered other benefits available to AAI because of its relationship with the Funds and concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable taking into account any such benefits.
The Independent Trustees also considered with respect to each Fund the information provided by AAI about the costs and profitability of AAI with respect to each of the Funds. The Independent Trustees reviewed and noted the relatively small sizes of the Funds and concluded that AAI was not realizing any economies of scale. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved.
In voting to renew each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, the fees paid by certain other funds, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
RiverFront ETFs
Board Considerations Regarding Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
RiverFront Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements
In evaluating the Funds’ Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered various factors, including (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by RiverFront with respect to the Funds under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements; (ii) the advisory fees and other expenses paid by the Funds compared to those of similar funds managed by other investment advisers; (iii) the profitability to RiverFront of its sub-advisory relationship with the Funds and the reasonableness of compensation to RiverFront; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if, and as, the Funds’ assets increase, and whether the fee level in the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements reflects these economies of scale; and (v) any additional benefits and other considerations.
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by RiverFront under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees considered and reviewed information concerning the services provided under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Funds’ respective performance, financial information regarding RiverFront, information describing RiverFront’s current organization and the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds. Based upon their review, the Independent Trustees concluded that RiverFront was qualified to oversee the portfolio management of the Funds and that the services provided by RiverFront to the Funds are satisfactory. The Independent Trustees considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to RiverFront from RIGS was 0.35% of RIGS’ average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.46% of RIGS’ average daily net assets. The Independent Trustees considered that the contractual sub-advisory fee to be paid to RiverFront with respect to each of RFUN, RFCI, RFDA and RFFC was 0.35% of each Fund’s average daily net assets out of a total management fee of 0.51% with respect to each of RFUN’s and RFCI’s average daily net assets, respectively, and 0.52% with respect to each of RFDA’s and RFFC’s average daily net assets, respectively. Based on the consideration of all factors deemed relevant by them, the Independent Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fees received by RiverFront under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements were reasonable under the circumstances and in light of the quality of services provided.
With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by RiverFront, the Independent Trustees considered the resources involved in sub-advising the Funds. Based on their review of the profitability of each of the Funds to RiverFront, the Independent Trustees concluded that the profitability of each Fund to RiverFront was not unreasonable.
The Independent Trustees also considered other benefits that have been and may be realized by RiverFront from its relationships with each Fund and concluded that the sub-advisory fees with respect to each Fund were reasonable taking into account such benefits.
The Independent Trustees noted that RIGS had recently declined in assets. The Independent Trustees considered the extent to which economies of scale may be realized if RIGS’ assets increase to its previous levels and continue to grow in size and whether fee levels reflect a reasonable sharing of such economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. They also noted that RIGS is still a relatively new product that has experienced fluctuations in assets, which makes it difficult to quantify the potential variability in net assets and thus determine the sustainability of any potential economies of scale which may exist. The Independent Trustees also noted that RFUN, RFCI, RFDA and RFFC were all launched during June 2016 and have not yet reached significant scale in terms of assets. The Independent Trustees determined that AAI should continue to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of any significant developments (e.g., material increases in asset levels) so as to facilitate the Independent Trustees’ evaluation of whether further economies of scale have been achieved with respect to each Fund.
In voting to approve each of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees concluded that the terms of each Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the Independent Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. The Independent Trustees did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.
RiverFront ETFs
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.
The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
Name, Address & Year of Birth* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustees |
Mary K. Anstine, 1940 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Ms. Anstine was formerly an Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver until 1994, President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, from 1994 to 2004, and has been retired since 2004. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV Hunter Trust and Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. | 33 | Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund (1 fund) and Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds). |
Jeremy W. Deems, 1976 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company. | 33 | Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds); Financial Investors Trust (31 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Clough Funds Trust (1 fund. |
Rick A. Pederson, 1952 | Trustee | Since March 2008 | Mr. Pederson is Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (private equity management), 2003 – present; Board Member, Prosci Inc. (private business services) 2013 – 2016; Board Member, Citywide Banks (Colorado community bank) 2014 – present; Board Member, Strong-Bridge Consulting (management consulting) 2015 – present; Board Member, IRI/ODMS Holdings LLC, 2017 – present; Director, National Western Stock Show (not-for-profit organization) 2010 – present; Board Member, History Colorado, 2015 – present; Trustee, Boettcher Foundation, 2018. | 17 | Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (14 funds) and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (1 fund). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
RiverFront ETFs
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Interested | Position(s) Held Trustee* with Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees*** | Other Directorships Held by Trustee |
Edmund J. Burke, 1961 | Trustee | Since December 2017 | Mr. Burke joined ALPS in 1991 and served as the President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., and ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AFS”), and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), ALPS Fund Services, Inc., and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Burke retired from ALPS in June 2019. | 28 | Mr. Burke is a Trustee of Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Equity Fund (1 fund); Clough Global Opportunities Fund (1 fund); Clough Funds Trust (1 fund); Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (1 fund); Director of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (1 fund) and Financial Investors Trust (31 funds). |
| * | The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Trustee is deemed an interested person of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected. |
| *** | The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services. |
RiverFront ETFs
Trustees & Officers | November 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
OFFICERS | | | |
Name, Address and Year of Birth of Officer* | Position(s) Held with Trust | Length of Time Served** | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Bradley Swenson, 1972 | President | Since June 2019 | Mr. Swenson joined ALPS in 2004 and currently serves as President of AFS (since 2019) and also Chief Operating Officer of AFS (since 2015). He also currently serves as President of Clough Global Opportunities Fund, Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund, Clough Global Equity Fund, Clough Funds Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund and ALPS Series Trust. From 2004 – 2015, Mr. Swenson served as Chief Compliance Officer to ALPS, its affiliated entities, and to certain investment companies. Mr. Swenson is registered with FINRA, holding a Series 6, 26 and 27. |
Matthew Sutula, 1985 | Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) | Since December 2019 | Mr. Sutula previously served as the Trust’s interim Chief Compliance Officer from September 2019 to December 2019. Mr. Sutula joined ALPS in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer of AAI. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sutula served as Compliance Manager and Senior Compliance Analyst for AAI, as well as Compliance Analyst for AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, he spent seven years at Morningstar, Inc. in various analyst roles supporting the registered investment company databases. Mr. Sutula is also Chief Compliance Officer of Principal Real Estate Income Fund, ALPS Variable Investment Trust, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. |
Kathryn Burns, 1976 | Treasurer | Since September 2018 | Ms. Burns serves as Vice President, Director of Fund Operations of AAI since 2018. From 2013 to 2018, she served as Vice President and Fund Controller at AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, she worked at Old Mutual Capital where she served as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2010 – 2012) and Regulatory Reporting Manager and Assistant Treasurer to the Old Mutual Funds Trusts (2006 – 2012). She also served as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Burns also serves as Treasurer of Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and as President of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, Principal Real Estate Income Fund and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Richard C. Noyes, 1970 | Secretary | Since September 2019 | Mr. Noyes joined ALPS in 2015 and is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Noyes served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel of Janus Capital Management LLC. |
Sharon Akselrod, 1974 | Assistant Secretary | Since December 2016 | Ms. Akselrod joined ALPS in August 2014 and is currently Senior Investment Company Act Paralegal of AFS. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Akselrod served as Corporate Governance and Regulatory Associate for Nordstrom fsb (2013 – 2014) and Senior Legal Assistant – Legal Manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2008 – 2013). Ms. Akselrod is also Secretary of Principal Real Estate Income Fund and Assistant Secretary of Financial Investors Trust and Clough Funds Trust. |
| * | The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Each Officer is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. |
| ** | This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected. |

| (a) | The Registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or any persons performing similar functions on behalf of the Registrant. |
| (c) | During the period covered by this report, no amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were made. |
| (d) | During the period covered by this report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were granted. |
| (f) | The Registrant's Code of Ethics is attached as an Exhibit hereto. |
| Item 3. | Audit Committee Financial Expert. |
The Board of Trustees of the Registrant has determined that the Registrant has at least one Audit Committee Financial Expert serving on its audit committee. The Board of Trustees of the Registrant has designated Jeremy W. Deems as the Registrant’s “Audit Committee Financial Expert”. Mr. Deems is “independent” as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.
| Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
| (a) | Audit Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements were $321,865 and $362,845, respectively. |
| (b) | Audit-Related Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 and $0, respectively. |
| (c) | Tax Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $98,930, and $117,010, respectively. The fiscal year 2019 and 2018 tax fees were for services pertaining to federal and state income tax return review, review of year end dividend distributions and excise tax preparation. |
| (d) | All Other Fees: For the Registrant’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018, aggregate fees billed to the Registrant by the principal accountant for services provided by the principal accountant other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item 4 were $0 and $0, respectively. |
| (e)(1) | Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures: All services to be performed by the Registrant's principal accountant must be pre-approved by the Registrant's audit committee. |
| (e)(2) | No services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the Registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. |
| (g) | The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Registrant’s accountant for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 of the Registrant were $267,930 and $442,410, respectively. These fees consisted of non-audit fees billed to (i) the Registrant of $98,930 and $117,010, respectively as described in response to paragraph (c) above and (ii) to ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), an entity under common control with ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Registrant’s investment adviser, of $169,000 and $325,400, respectively. The non-audit fees billed to AFS related to SSAE 16 services and other compliance-related matters. |
| (h) | The Registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. The Registrant’s audit committee determined that the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. |
| Item 5. | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. |
Not applicable to the Registrant.
| (a) | Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR. |
| Item 7. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable to Registrant.
| Item 8. | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable to Registrant.
| Item 9. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
Not applicable to Registrant.
| Item 10. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
No material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees have been implemented after the Registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
| Item 11. | Controls and Procedures. |
| (a) | The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report. |
| (b) | There was no change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
| Item 12. | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable.
| (a)(1) | Registrant’s Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 of Form N-CSR, was filed as Exhibit 12(a)(1) to the Registrant’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR, File No. 811-22175, on February 6, 2015. |
| (a)(2) | The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.Cert. |
| (b) | The certifications by the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906Cert. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ALPS ETF TRUST
By: | /s/ Bradley J. Swenson | |
| Bradley J. Swenson (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| President | |
| | |
Date: | February 4, 2020 | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ Bradley J. Swenson | |
| Bradley J. Swenson (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| President | |
| | |
Date: | February 4, 2020 | |
| | |
By: | /s/ Kathryn Burns | |
| Kathryn Burns (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| Treasurer | |
| | |
Date: | February 4, 2020 | |