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 (811-23226)
Listed Funds Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Kent P. Barnes, Secretary
Listed Funds Trust
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 10th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Name and address of agent for service)
(414) 765-6511
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2021
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a)

Cabot Growth ETF (CBTG)
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
May 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
Cabot Growth ETF
Table of Contents
(Unaudited)
| |
Schedule of Investments | 2 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 3 |
Statement of Operations | 4 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets | 5 |
Financial Highlights | 6 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 7 |
Board Consideration and Approval of Advisory Agreement | 13 |
Shareholder Expense Example | 15 |
Supplemental Information | 16 |
Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program | 17 |
1
Cabot Growth ETF
Schedule of Investments
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

| | Shares | | | Value | |
COMMON STOCKS — 96.8% |
Consumer Discretionary Products — 1.6% |
QuantumScape Corp. (a) | | | 21,421 | | | $ | 554,590 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Financial Services — 1.5% | | | | | | | | |
BowX Acquisition Corp. - Class A (a) | | | 43,888 | | | | 538,945 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Health Care — 16.8% | | | | | | | | |
AbCellera Biologics, Inc. (a)(b) | | | 38,342 | | | | 1,028,716 | |
Adaptimmune Therapeutics PLC - ADR (a)(b) | | | 58,768 | | | | 295,603 | |
Gritstone bio, Inc. (a) | | | 116,343 | | | | 1,070,355 | |
Kura Oncology, Inc. (a) | | | 53,683 | | | | 1,194,447 | |
Nano-X Imaging, Ltd. (a)(b) | | | 19,973 | | | | 499,325 | |
Quotient, Ltd. (a)(b) | | | 181,019 | | | | 753,039 | |
VYNE Therapeutics, Inc. (a) | | | 282,083 | | | | 1,114,228 | |
| | | | | | | 5,955,713 | |
Industrial Products — 15.1% | | | | | | | | |
Bombardier, Inc. - Class B (a)(b) | | | 3,041,358 | | | | 2,415,142 | |
RF Industries, Ltd. (a) | | | 100,972 | | | | 767,387 | |
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC - ADR (b) | | | 1,452,156 | | | | 2,149,191 | |
| | | | | | | 5,331,720 | |
Media — 14.6% | | | | | | | | |
Baidu, Inc. - ADR (a)(b) | | | 6,600 | | | | 1,295,382 | |
The Trade Desk, Inc. - Class A (a) | | | 5,374 | | | | 3,160,664 | |
WildBrain, Ltd. (a)(b) | | | 298,270 | | | | 694,969 | |
| | | | | | | 5,151,015 | |
Oil & Gas — 10.1% | | | | | | | | |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. | | | 67,839 | | | | 3,581,899 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Software & Technology Services — 17.5% | | | | | | | | |
HubSpot, Inc. (a) | | | 1,818 | | | | 916,963 | |
Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (a) | | | 9,925 | | | | 245,842 | |
Mimecast, Ltd. (a)(b) | | | 41,795 | | | | 2,089,332 | |
PubMatic, Inc. - Class A (a) | | | 23,533 | | | | 695,871 | |
RingCentral, Inc. - Class A (a) | | | 2,896 | | | | 760,113 | |
Tenable Holdings, Inc. (a) | | | 9,580 | | | | 400,444 | |
Varonis Systems, Inc. (a) | | | 5,916 | | | | 285,743 | |
Vimeo, Inc. (a) | | | 19,000 | | | | 798,000 | |
| | | | | | | 6,192,308 | |
Technology Hardware & Semiconductors — 19.6% | | | | | | | | |
Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (a) | | | 647,313 | | | | 6,201,259 | |
Inseego Corp. (a) | | | 84,047 | | | | 722,804 | |
| | | | | | | 6,924,063 | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $37,696,321) | | | | | | | 34,230,253 | |
| | | | | | | | |
WARRANTS — 2.6% | | | | | | | | |
Oil & Gas — 2.6% | | | | | | | | |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (a) | | | 37,069 | | | | 928,949 | |
Total Warrants (Cost $684,260) | | | | | | | 928,949 | |
| | | | | | | | |
MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 0.03% (c) | | | 221,492 | | | | 221,492 | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $221,492) | | | | | | | 221,492 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (Cost $38,602,073) — 100.0% | | | | | | | 35,380,694 | |
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net — 0.0% | | | | | | | 12,260 | |
Net Assets — 100.0% | | | | | | $ | 35,392,954 | |
ADR | American Depositary Receipt |
PLC | Public Limited Company |
| (a) | Non-Income producing security. |
| (b) | Foreign issued security. |
| (c) | The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end. |
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
2
Cabot Growth ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Assets | | | | |
Investments, at value (cost $38,602,073) | | $ | 35,380,694 | |
Investment securities sold | | | 2,075,481 | |
Dividend and interest receivable | | | 23,325 | |
Total Assets | | $ | 37,479,500 | |
| | | | |
Liabilities | | | | |
Investment securities purchased | | $ | 2,064,940 | |
Payable to Adviser | | | 21,606 | |
Total liabilities | | | 2,086,546 | |
Net Assets | | $ | 35,392,954 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets Consists of: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 35,727,473 | |
Total accumulated earnings (accumulated losses) | | | (334,519 | ) |
Net Assets | | $ | 35,392,954 | |
| | | | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | | | 1,310,000 | |
Net Asset Value, redemption price and offering price per share | | $ | 27.02 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3
Cabot Growth ETF
Statement of Operations
For the Period Ended May 31, 2021(1) (Unaudited)
Investment Income | | | | |
Dividend income | | $ | 88,355 | |
Interest income | | | 63 | |
Total investment income | | | 88,418 | |
| | | | |
Expenses | | | | |
Investment advisory fees | | | 102,008 | |
Total expenses before reimbursement | | | 102,008 | |
Expense reimbursement by Adviser | | | (2,720 | ) |
Net expenses | | | 99,288 | |
Net investment loss | | | (10,870 | ) |
| | | | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | | | | |
Net realized gain from investments | | | 2,897,730 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | | | (3,221,379 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | (323,649 | ) |
| | | | |
Net decrease in net assets from operations | | $ | (334,519 | ) |
(1) | The Fund commenced operations on December 29, 2020. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4
Cabot Growth ETF
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| | Period Ended May 31, 2021(1) (Unaudited) | |
From Operations | | | | |
Net investment loss | | $ | (10,870 | ) |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 2,897,730 | |
Net change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | | | (3,221,379 | ) |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | | | (334,519 | ) |
| | | | |
From Capital Share Transactions | | | | |
Proceeds from shares sold(2) | | | 40,430,787 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | (4,703,314 | ) |
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | | | 35,727,473 | |
| | | | |
Total Increase in Net Assets | | | 35,392,954 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | — | |
End of period | | $ | 35,392,954 | |
| | | | |
Changes in Shares Outstanding | | | | |
Shares outstanding, beginning of period | | | — | |
Shares sold | | | 1,470,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (160,000 | ) |
Shares outstanding, end of period | | | 1,310,000 | |
(1) | The Fund commenced operations on December 29, 2020. |
(2) | Includes reimbursement of $1,645 due to net asset value error. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5
Cabot Growth ETF
Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
| | Period Ended May 31, 2021(1) (Unaudited) | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 25.00 | |
| | | | |
Income (Loss) from investment operations: | | | | |
Net investment loss(2) | | | (0.01 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | | | 2.03 | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.02 | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 27.02 | |
| | | | |
Total return, at NAV(3) | | | 8.07 | %(4) |
Total return, at Market(3) | | | 8.36 | %(4) |
| | | | |
Supplemental Data and Ratios: | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | $ | 35,393 | |
| | | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | | | | |
Before waivers of expenses | | | 0.75 | %(5) |
After waivers of expenses | | | 0.73 | %(5) |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets: | | | | |
Before waivers of expenses | | | -0.10 | %(5) |
After waivers of expenses | | | -0.08 | %(5) |
Portfolio turnover rate(6) | | | 327 | %(4) |
(1) | The Fund commenced investment operations on December 29, 2020. |
(2) | Per share net investment income (loss) was calculated using average shares outstanding. |
(3) | Total return in the table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends. |
(4) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
(5) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(6) | Excludes in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions of the Fund. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6
Cabot Growth ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Cabot Growth ETF (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified series of Listed Funds Trust (the “Trust”), formerly Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 26, 2016, under a Declaration of Trust amended on December 21, 2018 and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
The Fund is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve capital appreciation.
Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization, registration and the initial public offering of shares were paid by Cabot ETF Partners, LLC (“Cabot” or the “Adviser”), the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies. The Fund prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and follows the significant accounting policies described below.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Share Transactions
The net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund will be equal to the Fund’s total assets minus the Fund’s total liabilities divided by the total number of shares outstanding. The NAV that is published will be rounded to the nearest cent. The NAV is determined as of the close of trading (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading.
Fair Value Measurement
In calculating the NAV, the Fund’s exchange-traded equity securities will be valued at fair value, which will generally be determined using the last reported official closing or last trading price on the exchange or market on which the security is primarily traded at the time of valuation. Such valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy described below.
Securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. are generally valued at the NASDAQ official closing price.
If market quotations are not readily available, or if it is determined that a quotation of a security does not represent fair value, then the security is valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser using procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). The circumstances in which a security may be fair valued include, among others: the occurrence of events that are significant to a particular issuer, such as mergers, restructurings or defaults; the occurrence of events that are significant to an entire market, such as natural disasters in a particular region or government actions; trading restrictions on securities; thinly traded securities; and market events such as trading halts and early market closings. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations, fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. Fair valuation could result in a different NAV than a NAV determined by using market quotations. Such valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy described below.
Money market funds are valued at NAV. If NAV is not readily available the securities will be valued at fair value.
7
Cabot Growth ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)
FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and requires disclosure about fair value measurements. It also provides guidance on determining when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability, when a transaction is not orderly, and how that information must be incorporated into fair value measurements. Under ASC 820, various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the following hierarchy:
| ● | Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. |
| ● | Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data. |
| ● | Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available; representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available. |
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
All other securities and investments for which market values are not readily available, including restricted securities, and those securities for which it is inappropriate to determine prices in accordance with the aforementioned procedures, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board, although the actual calculations may be done by others. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The hierarchy classification of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at May 31, 2021 are as follows:
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Investments - Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks* | | $ | 34,230,253 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 34,230,253 | |
Warrants* | | | 928,949 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 928,949 | |
Money Market Funds | | | 221,492 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 221,492 | |
Total Investments - Assets | | $ | 35,380,694 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 35,380,694 | |
* | See the Schedule of Investments for industry classifications. |
Security Transactions
Investment transactions are recorded as of the date that the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses from the sale or disposition of securities are calculated based on the specific identification basis.
8
Cabot Growth ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Investment Income
Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued daily. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends has been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations. An amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity, unless the Adviser determines in good faith that such method does not represent fair value.
Tax Information, Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders and Uncertain Tax Positions
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for Federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must meet certain annual income and quarterly asset diversification requirements and must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if any. If so qualified, the Fund will not be subject to Federal income tax.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund generally pays out dividends from net investment income, if any, at least annually, and distributes its net capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with Federal tax requirements. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their Federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed earnings and profit for tax purposes are reported as a tax return of capital.
Management evaluates the Fund’s tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. Interest and penalties related to income taxes would be recorded as income tax expense. The Fund’s Federal income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) for a period of three fiscal years after they are filed. State and local tax returns may be subject to examination for an additional fiscal year depending on the jurisdiction.
The Fund commenced operations on December 29, 2020.
Indemnification
In the normal course of business, the Fund expects to enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these anticipated arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser expects the risk of loss to be remote.
3. | INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER AGREEMENTS |
Investment Advisory Agreement
The Trust has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s assets in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and limitations, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fund subject to the supervision of the Board, including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.
9
Cabot Growth ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Cabot, the Fund pays a unified management fee to the Adviser, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Cabot has agreed to pay all expenses of the Fund except the fee paid to Cabot under the Advisory Agreement, interest charges on any borrowings, dividends and other expenses on securities sold short, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution (12b-1) fees and expenses (if any).
Fee Waiver Agreement
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive 0.02% of its unified management fee for the Fund until at least December 31, 2021. The Fee Waiver Agreement may only be terminated by, or with the consent of, the Board. The Adviser waived $2,720 during the period ended May 31, 2021. Pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, waived fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.
Distribution Agreement and 12b-1 Plan
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s distributor pursuant to a Distribution Services Agreement. The Distributor receives compensation for the statutory underwriting services it provides to the Fund. The Distributor enters into agreements with certain broker-dealers and others that will allow those parties to be “Authorized Participants” and to subscribe for and redeem shares of the Fund. The Distributor will not distribute shares in less than whole Creation Units and does not maintain a secondary market in shares.
The Board has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12b-1 Plan”). In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets each year for certain distribution-related activities. As authorized by the Board, no Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Fund and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, they will be paid out of the Fund’s assets. The Adviser and its affiliates may, out of their own resources, pay amounts to third parties for distribution or marketing services on behalf of the Fund.
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services” or “Administrator”) serves as administrator, transfer agent and fund accountant of the Fund pursuant to a Fund Servicing Agreement. U.S. Bank N.A. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of Fund Services, serves as the Fund’s custodian pursuant to a Custody Agreement. Under the terms of these agreements, the Adviser pays the Fund’s administrative, custody and transfer agency fees.
A Trustee and all officers of the Trust are affiliated with the Administrator and the Custodian.
4. | CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTIONS |
Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in large blocks of shares called “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit consists of 10,000 shares. Creation Units are to be issued and redeemed principally in kind for a basket of securities and a balancing cash amount. Shares generally will trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit at market prices that change throughout the day. Market prices for the shares may be different from their NAV. The NAV is determined as of the close of trading (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV of the shares of the Fund will be equal to the Fund’s total assets minus the Fund’s total liabilities divided by the total number of shares outstanding. The NAV that is published will be rounded to the nearest cent; however, for purposes of determining the price of Creation Units, the NAV will be calculated to five decimal places.
10
Cabot Growth ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Creation Unit Transaction Fee
Authorized Participants may be required to pay to the Custodian a fixed transaction fee (the “Creation Unit Transaction Fee”) in connection with the issuance or redemption of Creation Units. The standard Creation Unit Transaction Fee will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the applicable business day. The Creation Unit Transaction Fee charged by the Fund for each creation order is $250.
An additional variable fee of up to a maximum of 2% of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction may be imposed for (1) creations effected outside the Clearing Process and (2) creations made in an all cash amount (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust. The Fund may determine to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. Variable fees, if any, received by the Fund are displayed in the Capital Share Transactions section on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
Only “Authorized Participants” may purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund. An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a DTC participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Most retail investors will not qualify as Authorized Participants or have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they will be unable to purchase or redeem the shares directly from the Fund. Rather, most retail investors will purchase shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and will be subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees. Securities received or delivered in connection with in-kind creates and redeems are valued as of the close of business on the effective date of the creation or redemption.
A Creation Unit will generally not be issued until the transfer of good title of the deposit securities to the Fund and the payment of any cash amounts have been completed. To the extent contemplated by the applicable participant agreement, Creation Units of the Fund will be issued to such authorized participant notwithstanding the fact that the Fund’s deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the authorized participant to deliver the missing deposit securities as soon as possible. If the Fund or its agents do not receive all of the deposit securities, or the required cash amounts, by such time, then the order may be deemed rejected and the authorized participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any.
5. | INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS |
During the period ended May 31, 2021, the Fund realized net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions, in which shareholders exchanged Fund shares for securities held by the Fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the Fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from total distributable earnings (accumulated losses) to paid in-capital. The amount of realized gains and losses from in-kind redemptions included in realized gain/(loss) on investments in the Statement of Operations is as follows:
| | Realized Gains | | | Realized Losses | |
Cabot Growth ETF | | $ | 419,525 | | | $ | (58,084 | ) |
Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short-term investments), creations in-kind and redemptions in-kind for the period ended May 31, 2021 were as follows:
| | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Creations In-Kind | | | Redemptions In-Kind | |
Cabot Growth ETF | | $ | 104,534,385 | | | $ | 98,591,411 | | | $ | 34,133,608 | | | $ | 4,584,482 | |
11
Cabot Growth ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)
As with all ETFs, shareholders of the Fund are subject to the risk that their investment could lose money. The Fund is subject to the principal risks, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV, trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has disrupted economic markets and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. The operational and financial performance of the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, and such uncertainty may in turn adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, impair the Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
A complete description of principal risks is included in the prospectus under the heading ‘’Principal Investment Risks’’.
On July 7, 2021, Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”), the Fund’s distributor, announced that it had entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement with Genstar Capital (“Genstar”) such that Genstar would acquire a majority stake in Foreside. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Foreside will remain the Fund’s distributor at the close of the transaction, subject to Board approval.
Other than as disclosed, there were no other subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued.
12
Cabot Growth ETF
Board Consideration and Approval of Advisory Agreement
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
At a meeting held on December 10, 2020 (the “Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Listed Funds Trust (the “Trust”), including those trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”), considered the approval of an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between Cabot ETF Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the Cabot Growth ETF (the “Fund”).
Pursuant to Section 15 of the 1940 Act and related exemptive relief, the Advisory Agreement must be approved by: (i) the vote of the Trustees or a vote of the shareholders of the Fund; and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. In connection with its consideration of such approval, the Board must request and evaluate, and the Adviser is required to furnish, such information as may be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement. In addition, rules under the 1940 Act require an investment company to disclose in its shareholder reports the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of an investment advisory agreement.
Consistent with those responsibilities, prior to the Meeting, the Board reviewed written materials from the Adviser and, during the Meeting, representatives from the Adviser presented additional oral and written information to assist the Board with its evaluation of the Advisory Agreement. Among other things, representatives from the Adviser provided an overview of its advisory business, including information on investment personnel, financial resources, experience, investment processes, and compliance program. The representatives discussed the services to be provided by the Adviser, as well as the rationale for launching the Fund, the Fund’s proposed fees, and the operational aspects of the Fund. During the Meeting, the Board discussed the materials it received, including memoranda from legal counsel to the Trust on the responsibilities of the Trustees in considering the approval of the Advisory Agreement under the 1940 Act, considered the written materials that it received before the Meeting and the oral presentations, and deliberated on the approval of the Advisory Agreement in light of this information. Throughout the process, the Trustees were afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and request additional materials from the Adviser. The Independent Trustees also met in executive session with counsel to the Trust to further discuss the proposed advisory arrangements and the Trustees’ responsibilities relating thereto. The consideration of the Advisory Agreement was conducted by both the full Board and the Independent Trustees, who also voted separately.
At the Meeting, the Board and the Independent Trustees evaluated a number of factors, including, among other things: (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser to the Fund; (ii) Fund expenses and performance; (iii) the cost of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Adviser from the relationship with the Fund; (iv) comparative fee and expense data for the Fund and other investment companies with similar investment objectives; (v) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether the overall advisory fee for the Fund would enable investors to share in the benefits of economies of scale; (vi) any benefits to be derived by the Adviser from its relationship with the Trust, including any fall-out benefits enjoyed by the Adviser; and (vii) other factors the Board deemed relevant. In its deliberations, the Board did not identify any single piece of information that was paramount or controlling and the individual Trustees may have attributed different weights to various factors.
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services to be Provided. The Trustees considered the scope of services to be provided under the Advisory Agreement, noting that these services include, among other things, furnishing a continuous investment program for the Fund, including arranging for, or implementing, the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, the provision of related services such as portfolio management compliance services, and the preparation and filing of certain reports on behalf of the Trust. The Trustees reviewed the extensive responsibilities that the Adviser will have as investment adviser to the Fund, including the oversight of the activities and operations of other service providers, oversight of general fund compliance with federal and state laws, and the implementation of Board directives as they relate to the Fund. The Board also considered, among other things, the professional experience and qualifications of the senior management and key professional personnel of the Adviser, including those individuals responsible for portfolio management. The Board also considered the Adviser’s operational capabilities and resources and its experience in managing investment portfolios. The Board concluded that, within the context of its full deliberations, it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser.
Fund Expenses and Performance. Because the Fund had not yet commenced operations, the Board noted that there were no historical performance records to consider. The Board was presented with information about the Fund’s investment strategy and expected break-even expense analyses. The Board also reviewed information regarding the Fund’s proposed advisory fee,
13
Cabot Growth ETF
Board Consideration and Approval of Advisory Agreement
May 31, 2021 (Unaudited) (Continued)
including advisory fees and total expense ratios of those funds that might be considered peers of the Fund. With regard to the latter point, the Board considered the lack of other active exchange-traded funds that pursue investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. Based on its review, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fees and expense ratios appeared to be competitive and are otherwise reasonable in light of the information provided.
Cost of Services to be Provided and Profitability. The Board considered the cost of the services to be provided by the Adviser, the proposed advisory fee, and the estimated profitability projected by the Adviser, including the methodology underlying such projection. The Board also reviewed information regarding the estimated break-even point for the Fund, taking into consideration potential direct and ancillary revenue received by the Adviser in connection with the services to be provided to the Fund. The Board also took into consideration that the advisory fee for the Fund is a “unified fee,” meaning the Fund would pay no expenses other than the advisory fee and certain other specified costs such as interest, brokerage and extraordinary expenses and, to the extent it is implemented, fees pursuant to a Distribution and/or Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Plan. The Board noted that the Adviser would be responsible for compensating the Trust’s other service providers, and paying the Fund’s other expenses out of its own resources.
Economies of Scale. The Board discussed whether economies of scale would be realized by the Fund at higher asset levels. The Board also assessed whether certain of the Adviser’s costs would increase if asset levels rise. The Board noted that since the Fund had not yet launched, it was difficult to estimate whether economies of scale might be realized in the future. The Board also noted, however, that any economies would, to some degree, be shared with Fund shareholders through the Fund’s unitary fee structure. In the event there were to be significant asset growth in the Fund, the Board determined to reassess whether the advisory fees appropriately took into account any economies of scale that had been realized as a result of that growth.
Other Benefits to the Adviser. In addition to evaluating the services provided by the Adviser, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser may realize other benefits from its relationship to the Fund. While the Board acknowledged that the Adviser may experience reputational success if the Fund performs well in the future, it did not identify any other potential benefits at this early stage and agreed to reassess potential benefits at a future meeting. Based on its review, the Board concluded that any ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund’s shareholders.
Conclusion. Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees separately, unanimously: (i) concluded that the terms of the Advisory Agreement are fair and reasonable; (ii) concluded that the proposed advisory fee was fair and reasonable in light of the services to be provided; and (iii) determined that the approval of the Advisory Agreement for an initial term of two years was in the best interests of the Fund and its future shareholders.
14
Cabot Growth ETF
Shareholder Expense Example
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of a Fund you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs for purchasing and selling shares; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held throughout the entire period (December 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021), except as noted in footnotes below.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first line under the Fund in the table below 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 paid 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 for your Fund under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second line in 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 the 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. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares. Therefore, the second line in the table is useful in comparing ongoing Fund costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| Hypothetical Account Value 12/1/20 | Beginning Account Value 12/29/20^ | Ending Account Value 5/31/21 | Annualized Expense Ratios | Expenses Paid During the Period |
Cabot Growth ETF | | | | |
Actual | N/A | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,080.70 | 0.73% | $ 3.20(1) |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ 1,000.00 | N/A | $ 1,021.29 | 0.73% | $ 3.68(2) |
(^) | Fund commenced operations on December 29, 2020. |
(1) | Actual expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value during the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent inception period, 154 days, and divided by the number of days in the most recent twelve-month period, 365 days. |
(2) | Hypothetical expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value during the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, 182 days, and divided by the number of days in the most recent twelve-month period, 365 days. |
15
Cabot Growth ETF
Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)
Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and ongoing expenses of an investment carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information relevant to an investment in the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. A copy of the prospectus for the Fund may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701, by calling 1-800-617-0004, or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.cabotetfpartners.com.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDING INFORMATION
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for its first and third fiscal quarters with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Part F of Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Part F of Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at 1-800-617-0004. Furthermore, you may obtain the Part F of Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
The Fund is required to file a Form N-PX, with the Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the 12 months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. The Fund’s proxy voting record will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-617-0004 and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF PREMIUMS AND DISCOUNTS
Information regarding how often shares of the Fund trade on an exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund is available without charge, on the Fund’s website at www.cabotetfpartners.com.
16
Cabot Growth ETF
Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program
(Unaudited)
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Trust, on behalf of the series of the Trust covered by this shareholder report (the “Series”), has adopted a liquidity risk management program to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk. Rule 22e-4 seeks to promote effective liquidity risk management, thereby reducing the risk that a fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations and mitigating dilution of the interests of fund shareholders. The Trust’s liquidity risk management program is tailored to reflect the Series’ particular risks, but not to eliminate all adverse impacts of liquidity risk, which would be incompatible with the nature of such Series.
The investment adviser to the Series has adopted and implemented its own written liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) tailored specifically to assess and manage the liquidity risk of the Series. At a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Trustees received a report pertaining to the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Program for the period ended December 31, 2020. The report concluded that the Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Series’ liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively to manage such risk. The report reflected that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Series’ ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.
There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the prospectus for more information regarding the Series’ exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Series may be subject.
17
Investment Adviser:
Cabot ETF Partners, LLC
28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 760
Southfield, MI 48034
Legal Counsel:
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800
Cleveland, OH 44115
Distributor:
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, ME 04101
Administrator, Fund Accountant & Transfer Agent:
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
d/b/a U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Custodian:
U.S. Bank N.A.
1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212
This information must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
(a) Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
| (a) | Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
| (a) | The Registrant’s President and Treasurer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider. |
| (b) | There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 13. Exhibits.
| (a) | (1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Not Applicable |
(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| (Registrant) | Listed Funds Trust | |
| | | | |
| By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ Gregory C. Bakken | |
| | | Gregory C. Bakken, President/Principal Executive Officer | |
| | | | |
| Date | 8/5/2021 | |
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 (Signature and Title)* | /s/ Gregory C. Bakken | |
| | | Gregory C. Bakken, President/Principal Executive Officer | |
| | | | |
| Date | 8/5/2021 | |
| By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ Travis G. Babich | |
| | | Travis G. Babich, Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer |
| | | | |
| Date | 8/5/2021 | |
| * | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |