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)
Gregory C. Bakken, President
Listed Funds Trust
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 6th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Name and address of agent for service)
(414) 516-3097
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Date of fiscal year end: September 30
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2024
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a) |
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Dividend Performers ETF (IPDP)
Preferred-Plus ETF (IPPP)
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
March 31, 2024
(Unaudited)
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Table of Contents
(Unaudited)
Shareholder Expense Example | 2 |
Schedules of Investments and Written Options | 3 |
Dividend Performers ETF | 3 |
Preferred-Plus ETF | 6 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities | 11 |
Statements of Operations | 12 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 13 |
Financial Highlights | 15 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 18 |
Board Consideration and Approval of Advisory Agreement | 27 |
Supplemental Information | 29 |
1
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Shareholder Expense Example
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund 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 the Funds 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 (October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024).
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first line under the Funds 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 each 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 Funds 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.
Beginning | Ending | Annualized | Expenses | |
Dividend Performers ETF | ||||
Actual | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,250.10 | 1.10% | $6.17 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,019.51 | 1.10% | $5.54 |
Preferred-Plus ETF | ||||
Actual | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,115.00 | 1.00% | $5.29 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,020.00 | 1.00% | $5.05 |
(1) | Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the six-month period). |
2
Dividend Performers ETF
Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
COMMON STOCKS — 99.4% | ||||||||
Building Materials — 4.5% | ||||||||
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. | 8,096 | $ | 479,283 | |||||
Trane Technologies PLC(g) | 1,644 | 493,529 | ||||||
972,812 | ||||||||
Chemicals — 2.2% | ||||||||
The Sherwin-Williams Co.(f) | 1,383 | 480,357 | ||||||
Commercial Services — 7.5% | ||||||||
ABM Industries, Inc.(f) | 9,029 | 402,874 | ||||||
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 1,619 | 404,329 | ||||||
Cintas Corp.(f) | 673 | 462,372 | ||||||
Insperity, Inc. | 3,358 | 368,070 | ||||||
1,637,645 | ||||||||
Computers — 3.3% | ||||||||
Accenture PLC - Class A(g)(f) | 1,138 | 394,442 | ||||||
Apple, Inc. | 1,963 | 336,615 | ||||||
731,057 | ||||||||
Distribution & Wholesale — 4.4% | ||||||||
Fastenal Co.(f) | 6,138 | 473,485 | ||||||
WW Grainger, Inc.(f) | 468 | 476,097 | ||||||
949,582 | ||||||||
Diversified Financial Services — 2.1% | ||||||||
SEI Investments Co. | 6,386 | 459,153 | ||||||
Electrical Components & Equipment — 2.3% | ||||||||
Eaton Corp. PLC(g)(f) | 1,642 | $ | 513,421 | |||||
Electronics — 4.1% | ||||||||
Amphenol Corp. - Class A | 4,158 | 479,625 | ||||||
Brady Corp. - Class A | 6,970 | 413,182 | ||||||
892,807 | ||||||||
Hand & Machine Tools — 1.8% | ||||||||
Snap-on, Inc.(f) | 1,355 | 401,378 | ||||||
Healthcare-Products — 6.2% | ||||||||
Abbott Laboratories(f) | 3,683 | 418,610 | ||||||
Agilent Technologies, Inc. | 3,261 | 474,508 | ||||||
Stryker Corp. | 1,277 | 457,000 | ||||||
1,350,118 | ||||||||
Healthcare-Services — 6.5% | ||||||||
Chemed Corp. | 635 | 407,626 | ||||||
Elevance Health, Inc. | 803 | 416,387 | ||||||
Humana, Inc. | 726 | 251,719 | ||||||
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(f) | 690 | 341,343 | ||||||
1,417,075 | ||||||||
Insurance — 10.2% | ||||||||
Globe Life, Inc. | 3,171 | 369,009 | ||||||
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. | 4,877 | 502,576 | ||||||
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | 1,877 | 386,624 | ||||||
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. | 2,344 | 452,111 | ||||||
Travelers Cos., Inc. | 2,173 | 500,094 | ||||||
2,210,414 | ||||||||
Machinery-Diversified — 8.0% | ||||||||
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.(f) | 2,305 | 455,353 | ||||||
Dover Corp.(f) | 2,707 | 479,654 | ||||||
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 1,365 | 397,665 | ||||||
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. - Class A | 1,919 | 407,883 | ||||||
1,740,555 | ||||||||
Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 8.4% | ||||||||
A O Smith Corp. | 4,922 | 440,322 | ||||||
Donaldson Co., Inc.(f) | 6,221 | 464,584 | ||||||
Hillenbrand, Inc. | 9,244 | 464,881 | ||||||
ITT, Inc. | 3,438 | 467,671 | ||||||
1,837,458 | ||||||||
Pharmaceuticals — 7.8% | ||||||||
Cardinal Health, Inc. | 3,604 | 403,288 | ||||||
Cencora, Inc.(f) | 1,891 | 459,493 | ||||||
Johnson & Johnson(f) | 2,508 | 396,741 | ||||||
McKesson Corp.(f) | 826 | 443,438 | ||||||
1,702,960 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3
Dividend Performers ETF
Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Retail — 4.1% | ||||||||
Genuine Parts Co.(f) | 2,708 | $ | 419,550 | |||||
Home Depot, Inc. | 1,215 | 466,074 | ||||||
885,624 | ||||||||
Semiconductors — 6.8% | ||||||||
Broadcom, Inc.(f) | 388 | 514,259 | ||||||
KLA Corp. | 686 | 479,219 | ||||||
QUALCOMM, Inc. | 2,883 | 488,092 | ||||||
1,481,570 | ||||||||
Software — 1.8% | ||||||||
Paychex, Inc.(f) | 3,196 | 392,469 | ||||||
Telecommunications — 3.7% | ||||||||
Cisco Systems, Inc. | 7,750 | 386,803 | ||||||
Motorola Solutions, Inc. | 1,174 | 416,746 | ||||||
803,549 | ||||||||
Transportation — 3.7% | ||||||||
CSX Corp. | 11,884 | 440,540 | ||||||
United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B | 2,534 | 376,628 | ||||||
817,168 | ||||||||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $16,781,306) | 21,677,172 | |||||||
| Notional | Contracts |
| |||||||||
PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.0%(a)(b)(c) | ||||||||||||
Put Options — 0.0%(c) | ||||||||||||
CBOE Mini S&P 500 Index | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/05/2024; Exercise Price: $400.00(d) | $ | 5,520,000 | 138 | 138 | ||||||||
SPDR S&P 500 ETF | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/19/2024; Exercise Price: $425.00(d) | 6,120,000 | 144 | 1,800 | |||||||||
Expiration: 05/03/2024; Exercise Price: $430.00(d) | 6,192,000 | 144 | 3,240 | |||||||||
Total Put Options | 5,178 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (Cost $11,060) | 5,178 |
| Shares | Value | ||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 1.2% | ||||||||
Money Market Funds — 1.2% | ||||||||
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 5.23%(e) | 257,665 | $ | 257,665 | |||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $257,665) | 257,665 | |||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.6% (Cost $17,050,031) | $ | 21,940,015 | ||||||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (0.6)% | (126,478 | ) | ||||||
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0% | $ | 21,813,537 |
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
CBOE Chicago Board Options Exchange
PLC Public Limited Company
(a) | Exchange-traded. |
(b) | 100 shares per contract. |
(c) | Represents less than 0.05% of net assets. |
(d) | Held in connection with a written option, see Schedule of Written Options for more detail. |
(e) | The rate shown represents the 7-day effective yield as of March 31, 2024. |
(f) | A portion or all of the security has been segregated or earmarked as collateral for written options. As of March 31, 2024, the value of these securities amounts to $6,769,606 or 31.0% of net assets. |
(g) | Foreign issued security. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4
Dividend Performers ETF
Schedule of Written Options
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
| Notional | Contracts | Value | |||||||||
OPTIONS WRITTEN - (0.2)% (a)(b) | ||||||||||||
Put Options - (0.2)% | ||||||||||||
CBOE Mini S&P 500 Index | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/05/2024; Exercise Price: $475.00 | $ | (6,555,000 | ) | (138 | ) | $ | (552 | ) | ||||
SPDR S&P 500 ETF | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/19/2024; Exercise Price: $500.00 | (7,200,000 | ) | (144 | ) | (10,584 | ) | ||||||
Expiration: 05/03/2024; Exercise Price: $505.00 | (7,272,000 | ) | (144 | ) | (28,944 | ) | ||||||
Total Put Options | (40,080 | ) | ||||||||||
TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $101,282) | $ | (40,080 | ) |
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
CBOE Chicago Board Options Exchange
(a) | Exchange-traded. |
(b) | 100 shares per contract. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5
Preferred-Plus ETF
Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
PREFERRED STOCKS — 86.3% | ||||||||
Agriculture — 1.9% | ||||||||
CHS, Inc. | ||||||||
Series 2, 7.10% to 03/31/2024 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.30%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 3,854 | $ | 100,975 | |||||
Series 4, 7.50%, Perpetual(i) | 4,475 | 115,007 | ||||||
215,982 | ||||||||
Auto Manufacturers — 2.5% | ||||||||
Ford Motor Co. | ||||||||
6.00%, 12/01/2059(b)(i) | 6,233 | 145,540 | ||||||
6.20%, 06/01/2059(b)(i) | 5,650 | 136,448 | ||||||
281,988 | ||||||||
Banks — 34.2%(c) | ||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | ||||||||
Series HH, 5.88%, Perpetual | 3,947 | 98,241 | ||||||
Series LL, 5.00%, Perpetual | 5,760 | 129,139 | ||||||
Series PP, 4.13%, Perpetual | 5,002 | 97,239 | ||||||
Series QQ, 4.25%, Perpetual | 5,038 | 99,752 | ||||||
Series SS, 4.75%, Perpetual | 6,040 | 133,484 | ||||||
Citigroup Capital XIII | ||||||||
11.95% (3 mo. Term SOFR + 6.63%), 10/30/2040(a)(b)(i) | 3,942 | 116,171 | ||||||
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | ||||||||
Series D, 6.35% to 04/06/2024 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.90%, Perpetual(a) | 5,874 | 148,906 | ||||||
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A, 5.25% to 09/01/2026 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.42%, Perpetual(a) | 4,790 | 95,800 | ||||||
Banks (Continued) | ||||||||
Fifth Third Bancorp | ||||||||
Series I, 9.30% to 03/31/2024 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.97%, Perpetual(a) | 1,729 | $ | 43,675 | |||||
Series K, 4.95%, Perpetual(i) | 3,830 | 90,082 | ||||||
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A, 5.38%, Perpetual(i) | 4,314 | 98,575 | ||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | ||||||||
Series K, 6.38% to 05/10/2024 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.81%, Perpetual(a) | 1,176 | 29,953 | ||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | ||||||||
Series DD, 5.75%, Perpetual | 8,662 | 216,722 | ||||||
Series EE, 6.00%, Perpetual | 4,327 | 108,954 | ||||||
Series LL, 4.63%, Perpetual | 5,160 | 112,385 | ||||||
KeyCorp | ||||||||
6.20% to 12/15/2027 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 3.13%, Perpetual(a) | 8,588 | 196,751 | ||||||
Series E, 6.13% to 12/15/2026 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.15%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 4,800 | 114,912 | ||||||
Merchants Bancorp | ||||||||
8.25% to 10/01/2027 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.34%, Perpetual(a) | 2,658 | 67,752 | ||||||
Midland States Bancorp, Inc. | ||||||||
7.75% to 09/30/2027 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.71%, Perpetual(a) | 4,241 | 106,831 | ||||||
Morgan Stanley | ||||||||
Series F, 6.88% (3 mo. LIBOR US + 394.00%), Perpetual(a)(i) | 6,045 | 152,092 | ||||||
Series K, 5.85% (3 mo. LIBOR US + 349.10%), Perpetual(a)(i) | 6,823 | 170,507 | ||||||
Series P, 6.50%, Perpetual | 4,600 | 121,026 | ||||||
Old National Bancorp | ||||||||
Series C, 7.00%, Perpetual(i) | 5,760 | 145,555 | ||||||
Regions Financial Corp. | ||||||||
Series C, 5.70% to 08/15/2029 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.41%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 5,760 | 135,936 | ||||||
State Street Corp. | ||||||||
Series G, 5.35% (3 mo. LIBOR US + 370.90%), Perpetual(a) | 3,781 | 92,597 | ||||||
Synovus Financial Corp. | ||||||||
Series E, 5.88% to 07/01/2024 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.13%, Perpetual(a) | 9,453 | 232,921 | ||||||
Truist Financial Corp. | ||||||||
Series R, 4.75%, Perpetual(i) | 6,132 | 130,612 | ||||||
US Bancorp | ||||||||
Series K, 5.50%, Perpetual | 5,760 | 142,042 | ||||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | ||||||||
Series DD, 4.25%, Perpetual | 2,760 | 53,792 | ||||||
WesBanco, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A, 6.75% to 08/15/2025 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 6.56%, Perpetual(a) | 4,800 | 114,576 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6
Preferred-Plus ETF
Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Banks (Continued) | ||||||||
Western Alliance Bancorp | ||||||||
Series A, 4.25% to 09/30/2026 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 3.45%, Perpetual(a) | 7,076 | $ | 127,368 | |||||
Wintrust Financial Corp. | ||||||||
Series E, 6.88% to 07/15/2025 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 6.51%, Perpetual(a) | 5,874 | 145,382 | ||||||
3,869,730 | ||||||||
Distribution & Wholesale — 1.5% | ||||||||
WESCO International, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A, 10.63% to 06/22/2025 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 10.33%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 6,678 | 175,698 | ||||||
Diversified Financial Services — 9.5% | ||||||||
Air Lease Corp. | ||||||||
Series A, 6.15% to 03/15/2024 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.91%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 5,760 | 149,414 | ||||||
Apollo Global Management, Inc. | ||||||||
7.63% to 12/15/2028 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 3.23%, 09/15/2053(a)(b) | 4,118 | 108,921 | ||||||
B Riley Financial, Inc. | ||||||||
5.00%, 12/31/2026(b) | 3,369 | 55,521 | ||||||
Capital One Financial Corp. | ||||||||
Series I, 5.00%, Perpetual(i) | 4,864 | 99,517 | ||||||
Series J, 4.80%, Perpetual(i) | 2,923 | 56,882 | ||||||
Series L, 4.38%, Perpetual | 3,475 | 63,523 | ||||||
Stifel Financial Corp. | ||||||||
Series D, 4.50%, Perpetual | 8,559 | 165,361 | ||||||
Synchrony Financial | ||||||||
Series A, 5.63%, Perpetual(i) | 6,348 | 119,660 | ||||||
Series B, 8.25% to 05/15/2029 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.04%, Perpetual(a) | 4,600 | 115,046 | ||||||
Voya Financial, Inc. | ||||||||
Series B, 5.35% to 09/15/2029 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 3.21%, Perpetual(a) | 6,179 | 146,133 | ||||||
1,079,978 | ||||||||
Electric — 7.9% | ||||||||
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (d) | ||||||||
Series 19-A, 6.20% to 07/01/2024 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.01%, 07/01/2079(a)(b) | 5,874 | 146,850 | ||||||
CMS Energy Corp. | ||||||||
5.88%, 03/01/2079(b) | 2,883 | 71,412 | ||||||
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. | ||||||||
Series US, 5.50%, 05/15/2064(b)(i) | 4,800 | 119,040 | ||||||
SCE Trust III | ||||||||
Series H, 8.58% (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.25%), Perpetual(a) | 4,810 | 122,270 | ||||||
SCE Trust IV | ||||||||
Series J, 5.38% to 09/15/2025 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.39%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 4,800 | 112,848 | ||||||
Electric (Continued) | ||||||||
SCE Trust V | ||||||||
Series K, 5.45% to 03/15/2026 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.05%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 4,898 | $ | 117,797 | |||||
Sempra | ||||||||
5.75%, 07/01/2079(b) | 5,760 | 137,895 | ||||||
Southern Co. | ||||||||
Series 2020, 4.95%, 01/30/2080(b) | 2,883 | 66,280 | ||||||
894,392 | ||||||||
Insurance — 18.9% | ||||||||
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. | ||||||||
Series A, 5.95% to 12/01/2024 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.32%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 7,145 | 173,123 | ||||||
Series B, 6.63% to 09/01/2025 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 6.30%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 6,730 | 163,068 | ||||||
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. (d) | ||||||||
Series **, 5.63%, Perpetual | 2,883 | 58,957 | ||||||
Athene Holding Ltd. | ||||||||
Series A, 6.35% to 06/30/2029 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.25%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 9,583 | 228,364 | ||||||
Series C, 6.38% to 09/30/2025 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 5.97%, Perpetual(a) | 3,813 | 94,791 | ||||||
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. | ||||||||
6.25%, 09/15/2058(b)(i) | 3,258 | 74,673 | ||||||
Series B, 6.75%, Perpetual(i) | 6,862 | 171,893 | ||||||
Series C, 5.38%, Perpetual | 3,474 | 71,286 | ||||||
Enstar Group Ltd. (d) | ||||||||
Series D, 7.00% to 09/01/2028 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.02%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 5,760 | 144,288 | ||||||
Equitable Holdings, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A, 5.25%, Perpetual(i) | 6,581 | 150,244 | ||||||
Jackson Financial, Inc. | ||||||||
8.00% to 03/30/2028 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 3.73%, Perpetual(a) | 4,956 | 131,681 | ||||||
Kemper Corp. | ||||||||
5.88% to 03/15/2027 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.14%, 03/15/2062(a)(b) | 4,314 | 100,991 | ||||||
Lincoln National Corp. | ||||||||
Series D, 9.00%, Perpetual | 4,404 | 121,418 | ||||||
MetLife, Inc. | ||||||||
Series E, 5.63%, Perpetual | 5,334 | 128,123 | ||||||
Series F, 4.75%, Perpetual | 5,842 | 124,435 | ||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | ||||||||
5.63%, 08/15/2058(b) | 2,770 | 69,361 | ||||||
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. | ||||||||
5.75% to 06/15/2026 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.04%, 06/15/2056(a)(b) | 2,732 | 68,300 | ||||||
Unum Group | ||||||||
6.25%, 06/15/2058(b) | 2,883 | 72,334 | ||||||
2,147,330 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7
Preferred-Plus ETF
Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Investment Companies — 1.1% | ||||||||
Brookfield BRP Holdings Canada, Inc.(d) | ||||||||
4.63%, Perpetual | 3,220 | $ | 54,740 | |||||
Brookfield Oaktree Holdings LLC | ||||||||
Series B, 6.55%, Perpetual | 2,883 | 66,828 | ||||||
121,568 | ||||||||
Office-Business Equipment — 0.3% | ||||||||
Pitney Bowes, Inc. | ||||||||
6.70%, 03/07/2043(b) | 1,700 | 31,705 | ||||||
Pipelines — 2.3% | ||||||||
Energy Transfer LP | ||||||||
Series E, 7.60% to 05/15/2024 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.16%, Perpetual(a)(i) | 6,730 | 170,269 | ||||||
NuStar Logistics LP | ||||||||
12.31% (3 mo. Term SOFR + 7.00%), 01/15/2043(a)(b) | 3,757 | 94,376 | ||||||
264,645 | ||||||||
Savings & Loans — 2.7% | ||||||||
Banc of California, Inc. | ||||||||
Series F, 7.75% to 09/01/2027 then 5 yr. CMT Rate + 4.82%, Perpetual(a) | 8,182 | 188,350 | ||||||
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A., 6.38% to 03/17/2027 then 3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.82%, Perpetual(a) | 6,822 | 118,839 | ||||||
307,189 | ||||||||
Telecommunications — 3.5% | ||||||||
AT&T, Inc. | ||||||||
5.63%, 08/01/2067(b) | 2,829 | 69,112 | ||||||
Series A, 5.00%, Perpetual(i) | 1,127 | 24,073 | ||||||
Series C, 4.75%, Perpetual(i) | 5,457 | 109,741 | ||||||
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. | ||||||||
Series UU, 6.63%, Perpetual(i) | 5,760 | 106,099 | ||||||
U.S. Cellular Corp. | ||||||||
5.50%, 03/01/2070(b) | 5,019 | 90,442 | ||||||
399,467 | ||||||||
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $10,490,569) | 9,789,672 | |||||||
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS — 12.7% | ||||||||
AGNC Investment Corp. | ||||||||
Series F, 6.13% (3 Month LIBOR USD + 4.70%), 04/15/2025, Perpetual(a) | 6,724 | 154,383 | ||||||
Agree Realty Corp. | ||||||||
Series A, 4.25%, Perpetual | 3,000 | 53,220 | ||||||
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Continued) | ||||||||
Annaly Capital Management, Inc. | ||||||||
Series F, 10.56% (3 Month LIBOR USD + 5.25), 06/30/2024, Perpetual(a) | 2,800 | $ | 70,308 | |||||
Series I, 6.75% (3 Month LIBOR USD + 4.99%), 06/30/2024, Perpetual(a) | 2,848 | 70,716 | ||||||
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. | ||||||||
Series F, 6.25% (SOFR + 5.44%), 10/12/2026, Perpetual(a) | 6,671 | 135,154 | ||||||
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. | ||||||||
Series L, 5.20%, 10/10/2024, Perpetual | 7,520 | 164,838 | ||||||
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. | ||||||||
Series C, 4.75%, 11/16/2026, Perpetual | 2,829 | 39,097 | ||||||
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. | ||||||||
Series A, 6.50%, 04/16/2026, Perpetual(i) | 4,896 | 86,316 | ||||||
MFA Financial, Inc. | ||||||||
Series C, 6.50% (3 Month LIBOR USD + 5.35%), 03/31/2025, Perpetual(a) | 2,410 | 53,454 | ||||||
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | ||||||||
Series G, 6.38%, 05/13/2026, Perpetual(i) | 5,760 | 118,714 | ||||||
Public Storage | ||||||||
Series M, 4.13%, 08/14/2025, Perpetual(i) | 3,362 | 63,508 | ||||||
Series S, 4.10%, 01/13/2027, Perpetual | 1,010 | 19,584 | ||||||
Sachem Capital Corp. | ||||||||
Series A, 7.75%, 06/29/2026(i) | 2,773 | 68,632 | ||||||
6.00%, 12/30/2026(b) | 2,773 | 63,724 | ||||||
6.88%, 12/30/2024(b)(i) | 5,760 | 138,298 | ||||||
Vornado Realty Trust | ||||||||
Series N, 5.25%, 11/24/2025, Perpetual(i) | 7,684 | 115,875 | ||||||
Series O, 4.45%, 09/22/2026, Perpetual | 1,670 | 21,242 | ||||||
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $1,673,433) | 1,437,062 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8
Preferred-Plus ETF
Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
| Notional | Contracts | Value | |||||||||
PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.0%(e)(f)(g) | ||||||||||||
Put Options — 0.0%(g) | ||||||||||||
CBOE Mini S&P 500 Index | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/05/2024; Exercise Price: $400.00(j) | $ | 1,520,000 | 38 | $ | 38 | |||||||
SPDR S&P 500 ETF | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/19/2024; Exercise Price: $425.00(j) | 1,657,500 | 39 | 488 | |||||||||
Expiration: 05/03/2024; Exercise Price: $430.00(j) | 1,677,000 | 39 | 877 | |||||||||
Total Put Options | 1,403 | |||||||||||
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (Cost $3,016) | 1,403 |
| Shares |
| ||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 1.6% | ||||||||
Money Market Funds — 1.6% | ||||||||
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 5.23%(h) | 185,070 | 185,070 | ||||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $185,070) | 185,070 | |||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.6% (Cost $12,352,088) | $ | 11,413,207 | ||||||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (0.6)% | (62,481 | ) | ||||||
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0% | $ | 11,350,726 |
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
CBOE Chicago Board Options Exchange
CMT Constant Maturity Treasury Rate
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
(a) | Coupon rate is variable or floats based on components including but not limited to reference rate and spread. These securities may not indicate a reference rate and/or spread in their description. Variable rate Preferred Stocks will typically have interest rates that redetermine periodically by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. Preferred Stocks that reference SOFR may be subject to a credit spread adjustment, particularly to legacy LIBOR Preferred Stocks that have transitioned to SOFR as the base lending rate. The rate disclosed is as of March 31, 2024. |
(b) | Security may be called/redeemed by the issuer as of an earlier date. |
(c) | To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors or asset classes, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors or asset classes. |
(d) | Foreign issued security. |
(e) | Exchange-traded. |
(f) | 100 shares per contract. |
(g) | Represents less than 0.05% of net assets. |
(h) | The rate shown represents the 7-day effective yield as of March 31, 2024. |
(i) | A portion or all of the security has been segregated or earmarked as collateral for written options. As of March 31, 2024, the value of these securities amounts to $3,897,894 or 34.3% of net assets. |
(j) | Held in connection with a written option, see Schedule of Written Options for more detail. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9
Preferred-Plus ETF
Schedule of Written Options
as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
| Notional | Contracts | Value | |||||||||
OPTIONS WRITTEN — (0.1)% (a)(b) | ||||||||||||
Put Options — (0.1)% | ||||||||||||
CBOE Mini S&P 500 Index | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/05/2024; Exercise Price: $475.00 | $ | (1,805,000 | ) | (38 | ) | $ | (152 | ) | ||||
SPDR S&P 500 ETF | ||||||||||||
Expiration: 04/19/2024; Exercise Price: $500.00 | (1,950,000 | ) | (39 | ) | (2,866 | ) | ||||||
Expiration: 05/03/2024; Exercise Price: $505.00 | (1,969,500 | ) | (39 | ) | (7,839 | ) | ||||||
Total Put Options | (10,857 | ) | ||||||||||
TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $27,589) | $ | (10,857 | ) |
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
CBOE Chicago Board Options Exchange
(a) | Exchange-traded. |
(b) | 100 shares per contract. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
Dividend | Preferred-Plus | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Investments, at value (cost $17,050,031, and $12,352,088, respectively) | $ | 21,940,015 | $ | 11,413,207 | ||||
Cash | 9,191 | 8,892 | ||||||
Receivable for investment securities sold | — | 17,000 | ||||||
Deposit with broker for options | 128,322 | 34,828 | ||||||
Dividend and interest receivable | 14,895 | 57,763 | ||||||
Total assets | 22,092,423 | 11,531,690 | ||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||
Payable to Adviser | 15,567 | 8,269 | ||||||
Written options, at value (premums received $101,282 and $27,589, respectively) | 40,080 | 10,857 | ||||||
Distribution payable | 220,000 | 160,600 | ||||||
Interest payable | 3,239 | 1,238 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 278,886 | 180,964 | ||||||
Net Assets | $ | 21,813,537 | $ | 11,350,726 | ||||
Net Assets Consists of: | ||||||||
Paid-in capital | $ | 17,700,582 | $ | 13,369,315 | ||||
Total distributable earnings (accumulated losses) | 4,112,955 | (2,018,589 | ) | |||||
Net Assets | $ | 21,813,537 | $ | 11,350,726 | ||||
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 1,173,877 | 1,147,107 | ||||||
Net Asset Value, redemption price and offering price per share | $ | 18.58 | $ | 9.90 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
Dividend | Preferred-Plus | |||||||
Investment Income | ||||||||
Dividend income (net of withholding taxes of $0 and $341, respectively) | $ | 168,314 | $ | 386,441 | ||||
Investment interest Income | 2,040 | 1,789 | ||||||
Total investment income | 170,354 | 388,230 | ||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Investment advisory fees | 83,988 | 47,733 | ||||||
Interest expense | 24,440 | 8,444 | ||||||
Total expenses | 108,428 | 56,177 | ||||||
Net investment income | 61,926 | 332,053 | ||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
Investments | 889,103 | (158,825 | ) | |||||
Purchased options | (73,415 | ) | (22,360 | ) | ||||
Written options | 408,841 | 118,358 | ||||||
Net realized gain (loss) | 1,224,529 | (62,827 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: | ||||||||
Investments | 2,921,113 | 873,184 | ||||||
Purchased options | (5,619 | ) | (1,550 | ) | ||||
Written options | 226,043 | 69,272 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | 3,141,537 | 940,906 | ||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | 4,366,066 | 878,079 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations | $ | 4,427,992 | $ | 1,210,132 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12
Dividend Performers ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Six Months | Year Ended | |||||||
From Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 61,926 | $ | 71,969 | ||||
Net realized gain on investments, purchased options and written options | 1,224,529 | 1,294,214 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, purchased options and written options | 3,141,537 | 3,030,907 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 4,427,992 | 4,397,090 | ||||||
From Distributions | ||||||||
Distributable earnings | (418,412 | ) | (71,969 | ) | ||||
Return of capital | — | (177,270 | ) | |||||
Total distributions | (418,412 | ) | (249,239 | ) | ||||
From Capital Share Transactions | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold | 2,814,262 | 8,220,102 | ||||||
Cost of shares redeemed | (2,810,657 | ) | (7,234,360 | ) | ||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | 3,605 | 985,742 | ||||||
Total Increase in Net Assets | 4,013,185 | 5,133,593 | ||||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 17,800,352 | 12,666,759 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 21,813,537 | $ | 17,800,352 | ||||
Changes in Shares Outstanding | ||||||||
Shares outstanding, beginning of period | 1,173,877 | 1,098,877 | ||||||
Shares sold | 175,000 | 575,000 | ||||||
Shares redeemed | (175,000 | ) | (500,000 | ) | ||||
Shares outstanding, end of period | 1,173,877 | 1,173,877 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13
Preferred-Plus ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Six Months | Year Ended | |||||||
From Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 332,053 | $ | 729,321 | ||||
Net realized loss on investments, purchased options and written options | (62,827 | ) | (445,308 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, purchased options and written options | 940,906 | 243,491 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 1,210,132 | 527,504 | ||||||
From Distributions | ||||||||
Distributable earnings | (284,411 | ) | (689,633 | ) | ||||
Total distributions | (284,411 | ) | (689,633 | ) | ||||
From Capital Share Transactions | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold | 1,452,758 | 941,417 | ||||||
Cost of shares redeemed | (2,372,113 | ) | (1,817,965 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | (919,355 | ) | (876,548 | ) | ||||
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | 6,366 | (1,038,677 | ) | |||||
Net Assets | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 11,344,360 | 12,383,037 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 11,350,726 | $ | 11,344,360 | ||||
Changes in Shares Outstanding | ||||||||
Shares outstanding, beginning of period | 1,247,107 | 1,347,107 | ||||||
Shares sold | 150,000 | 100,000 | ||||||
Shares redeemed | (250,000 | ) | (200,000 | ) | ||||
Shares outstanding, end of period | 1,147,107 | 1,247,107 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14
Dividend Performers ETF
Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Six Months | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Period Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 15.16 | $ | 11.53 | $ | 16.93 | $ | 12.91 | $ | 12.16 | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||||||
Income (Loss) from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (2) | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.14 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.07 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 3.72 | 3.79 | (3.45 | ) | 5.06 | 1.06 | (8) | 2.23 | ||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 3.78 | 3.85 | (3.31 | ) | 5.13 | 1.18 | 2.30 | |||||||||||||||||
Less distributions paid: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income | (0.36 | ) | (0.07 | ) | (0.24 | ) | (0.07 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.06 | ) | ||||||||||||
From net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | — | — | (1.08 | ) | (1.04 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||||
From return of capital | — | (0.15 | ) | (0.77 | ) | — | (0.07 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
Total distributions paid | (0.36 | ) | (0.22 | ) | (2.09 | ) | (1.11 | ) | (0.43 | ) | (0.14 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 18.58 | $ | 15.16 | $ | 11.53 | $ | 16.93 | $ | 12.91 | $ | 12.16 | ||||||||||||
Total return, at NAV(3)(5) | 25.01 | % | 33.45 | % | -22.92 | % | 39.80 | % | 10.08 | % | 23.04 | % | ||||||||||||
Total return, at Market(4)(5) | 24.90 | % | 33.88 | % | -22.31 | % | N/A | (11) | N/A | (11) | N/A | (11) | ||||||||||||
Supplemental Data and Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | $ | 21,814 | $ | 17,800 | $ | 12,667 | $ | 15,174 | $ | 9,581 | $ | 11,749 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements (excluding interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 1.30 | % | 2.08 | % | 2.50 | % | 2.48 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements (including interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 1.10 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.52 | % | 2.12 | % | 2.66 | % | 2.56 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements (excluding interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 1.13 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements (including interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 1.10 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.35 | % | 1.54 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.56 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets after reimbursement(6)(9)(10) | 0.63 | % | 0.43 | % | 0.86 | % | 0.41 | % | 1.04 | % | 0.80 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover rate(5) | 13 | %(7) | 42 | %(7) | 74 | %(7) | 58 | % | 129 | % | 15 | % |
(1) | The Fund commenced operations on December 24, 2018. |
(2) | Per share net investment income was calculated using average shares outstanding. |
(3) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to the differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
(4) | Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at market value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. The composite closing price is the last reported sale, regardless of volume, and not an average price, and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
(5) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
(6) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(7) | Excludes in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions of the Fund. |
(8) | The amount of net realized and unrealized gain on investment per share for the period does not accord with the amounts in the Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
(9) | Expense waived or reimbursed reflect reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to the financial statements. These amounts would increase the net investment loss ratio or decrease the net investment income ratio, as applicable, had such reductions not occurred. |
(10) | Does not include income and expenses of investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
(11) | Market value total return was not calculated for the Predecessor Funds (see Note 1), as market value for mutual funds does not differ from net asset value. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15
Preferred-Plus ETF
Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
Six Months | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Period Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 9.10 | $ | 9.19 | $ | 12.04 | $ | 11.09 | $ | 11.21 | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||||||
Income (Loss) from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (2) | 0.28 | 0.56 | 0.49 | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.34 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.76 | (0.12 | ) | (2.66 | ) | 1.25 | — | (8) | 1.24 | |||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 1.04 | 0.44 | (2.17 | ) | 1.65 | 0.41 | 1.58 | |||||||||||||||||
Less distributions paid: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income | (0.24 | ) | (0.53 | ) | (0.38 | ) | (0.38 | ) | (0.41 | ) | (0.29 | ) | ||||||||||||
From net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | — | — | (0.23 | ) | (0.32 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||||
From return of capital | — | — | (0.07 | ) | — | (0.07 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Total distributions paid | (0.24 | ) | (0.53 | ) | (0.68 | ) | (0.70 | ) | (0.53 | ) | (0.37 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 9.90 | $ | 9.10 | $ | 9.19 | $ | 12.04 | $ | 11.09 | $ | 11.21 | ||||||||||||
Total return, at NAV(3)(5) | 11.50 | % | 5.12 | % | -18.64 | % | 15.01 | % | 3.95 | % | 15.97 | % | ||||||||||||
Total return, at Market(4)(5) | 11.69 | % | 5.27 | % | -18.88 | % | N/A | (12) | N/A | (12) | N/A | (12) | ||||||||||||
Supplemental Data and Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | $ | 11,351 | $ | 11,344 | $ | 12,383 | $ | 13,993 | $ | 10,595 | $ | 7,270 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements (excluding interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 1.37 | % | 2.13 | % | 2.43 | % | 2.70 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements (including interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 1.00 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.48 | % | 2.15 | % | 2.48 | % | 2.76 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements (excluding interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 0.85 | % | 0.85 | % | 1.14 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements (including interest expense)(6)(9)(10) | 1.00 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.56 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets after reimbursement(6)(9)(10) | 5.91 | % | 6.08 | % | 4.45 | % | 3.31 | % | 3.90 | % | 3.96 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover rate(5) | 5 | %(7) | 16 | %(7) | 65 | %(7)(11) | 27 | % | 70 | % | 6 | % |
(1) | The Fund commenced operations on December 24, 2018. |
(2) | Per share net investment income (loss) was calculated using average shares outstanding. |
(3) | Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to the differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
(4) | Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at market value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. The composite closing price is the last reported sale, regardless of volume, and not an average price, and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
(5) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
(6) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(7) | Excludes in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions of the Fund. |
(8) | The amount of net realized and unrealized gain on investment per share for the period does not accord with the amounts in the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16
Preferred-Plus ETF
Financial Highlights (Continued)
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(9) | Expense waived or reimbursed reflect reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to the financial statements. These amounts would increase the net investment loss ratio or decrease the net investment income ratio, as applicable, had such reductions not occurred. |
(10) | Does not include income and expenses of investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
(11) | The proceeds from sales of securities incurred by the Fund related to the alignment of the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio with the Fund’s investment style are excluded from the portfolio turnover rate calculation. If such amounts had not been excluded, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 114% for the year ended September 30, 2022. |
(12) | Market value total return was not calculated for the Predecessor Funds (see Note 1), as market value for mutual funds does not differ from net asset value. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
1. | ORGANIZATION |
Dividend Performers ETF (“Dividend Performers” or “IPDP”) and Preferred-Plus ETF (“Preferred-Plus” or “IPPP”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each a 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”).
IPDP is an actively-managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve its primary investment objective to provide income and secondary objective of capital appreciation by investing in dividend paying U.S. equity securities, and credit spread options on an S&P 500 ETF or Index.
IPPP is an actively-managed ETF that seeks to achieve its investment objective to provide income by investing in issues of preferred securities and debt securities that Innovative Portfolios, LLC (“Innovative” or the “Adviser”), the Fund’s investment adviser, believes to be undervalued and credit spread options on an S&P 500 ETF or Index.
IPDP and IPPP are the successors in interest to the Dividend Performers and Preferred-Plus mutual funds, respectively, each a series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust, (the “Predecessor Funds”) pursuant to a tax-free reorganization that took place before the start of business on March 7, 2022. The Funds are the accounting and performance information successors of the Predecessor Funds. Costs incurred by the Funds in connection with the reorganization were paid by the Adviser.
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Each 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. Each 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.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 (“ASU 2022-06”). ASU 2022-06 is an amendment to ASU 2020-04, which provided optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates and which was effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. ASU 2022-06 extends the effective period through December 31, 2024. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying this ASU.
Share Transactions
The net asset value (“NAV”) per share of each Fund will be equal to a Fund’s total assets minus a 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.
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Fair Value Measurement
In calculating the NAV, each 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.
The valuation of each Fund’s investments is performed in accordance with the principles found in Rule 2a-5 of the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has designated a fair valuation committee at the Adviser as the valuation designee of the Funds. In its capacity as valuation designee, the Adviser has adopted procedures and methodologies to fair value each Fund’s investments whose market prices are not “readily available” or are deemed to be unreliable. 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.
Exchange-traded options are valued at the composite mean price, which calculates the mean of the highest bid price and lowest asked price across the exchange. On the last trading day prior to expiration, expiring options may be priced at intrinsic value. The premium a fund pays when purchasing a put option or receives when writing a put option will reflect, among other things, the market price of the security, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the security, the relationship of the exercise price to the volatility of the security, the length of the option period and supply and demand factors. The premium is the value of an option at the date of purchase.
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. 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.
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 Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the following hierarchy:
● | Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have 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 Funds’ 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. |
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
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.
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 Funds’ investments at March 31, 2024, are as follows:
Dividend Performers ETF
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Investments - Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Common Stocks* | $ | 21,677,172 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 21,677,172 | ||||||||
Money Market Fund | 257,665 | — | — | 257,665 | ||||||||||||
Purchased Put Options | — | 5,178 | — | 5,178 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments - Assets | $ | 21,934,837 | $ | 5,178 | $ | — | $ | 21,940,015 | ||||||||
Other Financial Instruments - Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Written Put Options | $ | — | $ | 40,080 | $ | — | $ | 40,080 |
Preferred-Plus ETF
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Investments - Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stocks* | $ | 9,789,672 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 9,789,672 | ||||||||
Real Estate Investment Trusts | 1,437,062 | — | — | 1,437,062 | ||||||||||||
Money Market Fund | 185,070 | — | — | 185,070 | ||||||||||||
Purchased Put Options | — | 1,403 | — | 1,403 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments - Assets | $ | 11,411,804 | $ | 1,403 | $ | — | $ | 11,413,207 | ||||||||
Other Financial Instruments - Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Written Put Options | $ | — | $ | 10,857 | $ | — | $ | 10,857 |
* | See the Schedules 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.
Investment Income
Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, a portion of which may be reclaimable, has been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations. Interest income is accrued daily. 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. Discounts and premiums on fixed income securities purchased are accreted or amortized using the effective interest method.
Distributions received from each Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain, or a return of capital. The proper characterization of REIT distributions is generally not known until after the end of each calendar year. As such, the Funds must use estimates in reporting the character of its income and distributions
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
received during the current calendar year for financial statement purposes. The actual character of distributions to each Fund’s shareholders will be reflected on the Form 1099 received by shareholders after the end of the calendar year. Due to the nature of REIT investments, a portion of the distributions received by each Fund’s shareholders may represent a return of capital.
Tax Information, Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders and Uncertain Tax Positions
The Funds are treated as separate entities for Federal income tax purposes. Each 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, each 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, each Fund will not be subject to Federal income tax.
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Funds generally pay out dividends from net investment income, if any, quarterly. Each Fund will distribute their net capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. The Funds 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 Funds’ 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 Funds’ 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. As of September 30, 2023, the Funds’ most recent fiscal year end, the Funds had no material uncertain tax positions and did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. As of September 30, 2023, the Funds’ most recent fiscal year end, the Funds had no examination in progress and management is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
The Funds recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax benefits in the 2023 fiscal year. At September 30, 2023, the Funds’ most recent fiscal year end, the tax periods for the prior three years are open to examination in the Funds’ major tax jurisdictions.
Indemnification
In the normal course of business, the Funds expect to enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties, and which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these anticipated arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
Derivatives
The Funds may purchase and write put options on indices or securities and enter into related closing transactions. Put options on indices give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is less than the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
The Funds seek to achieve credit spread on an S&P 500 ETF or Index by selling/writing an out-of-the-money (an out-of-the-money put option is one whose strike price is lower than the market price of the underlying reference asset of the option) short put option each month while simultaneously purchasing an out-of-the-money long put option below the short option position. A credit spread is an options strategy that involves the purchase of one option and a sale of another option in the same class and with the same expiration but different strike prices. The strategy objective is a net credit for entering the option position and is profitable when the spreads narrow or expire. By buying a protective long put option, the Funds seek to hedge any significant downside risk posed by the short put option.
Selling (writing) and buying options are speculative activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. Each Fund’s use of put options can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, which may be magnified by certain features of the options. When selling a put option, the Funds will receive a premium; however, this premium may not be enough to offset a loss incurred by the Funds if the price of the underlying asset is below the strike price by an amount equal to or greater than the premium. Purchasing of put options involves the payment of premiums, which may adversely affect the Funds’ performance. Purchasing a put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset at a fixed exercise price over a defined period. Purchased put options may expire worthless resulting in the Funds’ loss of the premium it paid for the option.
The value of an option may be adversely affected if the market for the option becomes less liquid or smaller and will be affected by changes in the value or yield of the option’s underlying asset, an increase in interest rates, a change in the actual or perceived volatility of the stock market or the underlying asset and the remaining time to expiration. Additionally, the value of an option does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying asset. The Funds’ use of options may reduce the Funds’ ability to profit from increases in the value of the underlying asset. If the price of the underlying asset of an option is above the strike price of a written put option, the value of the option, and consequently of the Funds, may decline significantly more than if the Funds invested directly in the underlying asset instead of using options. While the Funds may segregate liquid assets at least equal in value to the maximum potential loss for the Funds, the Funds could still lose a significant amount or nearly all of its value if the price of an underlying asset changes significantly enough.
As of March 31, 2024, the Funds’ derivative instruments are not subject to a master netting arrangement.
The average monthly value outstanding of purchased and written options during the period ended March 31, 2024, were as follows:
Dividend | Preferred-Plus | |||||||
Purchased Options | $ | 7,214 | $ | 2,095 | ||||
Written Options | (104,100 | ) | (30,962 | ) |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Funds’ Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March 31, 2024:
Equity Risk Contracts | Asset Derivatives, | Liability | |||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | Purchased Options | $ | 5,178 | $ | — | ||||
Written Options | — | 40,080 | |||||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | Purchased Options | 1,403 | — | ||||||
Written Options | — | 10,857 |
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Funds’ Statements of Operations for the period ended March 31, 2024:
Net Realized Gain (Loss) | Net Change in Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||
Purchased | Written Options | Purchased | Written Options | ||||||||||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | Equity Risk Contracts | $ | (73,415 | ) | $ | 408,841 | $ | (5,619 | ) | $ | 226,043 | ||||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | Equity Risk Contracts | (22,360 | ) | 118,358 | (1,550 | ) | 69,272 |
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 Funds’ assets in accordance with their investment objectives, policies and limitations, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Funds subject to the supervision of the Board, including the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and Innovative, each Fund pays a unified management fee to the Adviser, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. Innovative has agreed to pay all expenses of the Funds except the fee paid to Innovative 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).
Distribution Agreement and 12b-1 Plan
Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (dba ACA Group) (the “Distributor”) serves as each Fund’s distributor pursuant to a Distribution Services Agreement. The Distributor receives compensation for the statutory underwriting services it provides to the Funds. 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 Funds. 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, each 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 Funds 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 each 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 Funds.
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 accounting agent of the Funds pursuant to a Fund Servicing Agreement. U.S. Bank N.A. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of Fund Services, serves as the Funds’ custodian pursuant to a Custody Agreement. Under the terms of these agreements, the Adviser pays each Fund’s administrative, custody and transfer agency fees.
A Trustee and all officers of the Trust are affiliated with the Administrator and the Custodian.
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
4. | CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTIONS |
Shares of the Funds are listed and traded on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange”). Each Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in large blocks of shares called “Creation Units.” 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 each Fund will be equal to a Fund’s total assets minus a 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 four decimal places.
Creation Unit Transaction Fee
Authorized Participants will 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 or redeemed by an investor on the applicable business day. The Creation Unit Transaction Fee charged for each creation order is $300 for Dividend Performers and $500 for Preferred-Plus.
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 or redeem the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust. Each 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 Funds are displayed in the Capital Share Transactions section on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
Only “Authorized Participants” may purchase or redeem shares directly from the Funds. An Authorized Participant is either (1) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of National Securities Clearing Corporation or (2) 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 Funds. 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 Funds and the payment of any cash amounts have been completed. To the extent contemplated by the applicable participant agreement, Creation Units of the Funds will be issued to such authorized participant notwithstanding the fact that the Funds’ 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 Funds or their 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 Funds for losses, if any.
5. | FEDERAL INCOME TAX |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||
Ordinary | Return of Capital | |||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | $ | 418,412 | $ | — | ||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 284,411 | — |
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Year Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
Ordinary | Return of Capital | |||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | $ | 71,969 | $ | 177,270 | ||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 689,633 | — |
(1) | Ordinary income includes short-term capital gains. |
At September 30, 2023, the Funds’ most recent fiscal year end, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) and the cost of investments on a tax basis, including the adjustments for financial reporting purposes as of the most recently completed Federal income tax reporting year for the Funds were as follows:
Dividend | Preferred-Plus | |||||||
Federal Tax Cost of Investments(1) | $ | 15,668,078 | $ | 13,037,860 | ||||
Gross Tax Unrealized Appreciation | $ | 2,427,998 | $ | 63,691 | ||||
Gross Tax Unrealized Depreciation | (534,708 | ) | (1,886,648 | ) | ||||
Net Tax Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 1,893,290 | (1,822,957 | ) | |||||
Other Accumulated Gain (Loss) | (1,789,915 | ) | (1,149,730 | ) | ||||
Undistributed Ordinary Income | — | 28,377 | ||||||
Total Distributable Earnings / (Accumulated Losses) | $ | 103,375 | $ | (2,944,310 | ) |
(1) | Federal Tax Cost of Investments includes written option premiums. |
The primary reason for the difference between the book and tax cost of investments and premiums from written options is the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and mark-to-market treatment of index options.
Under current tax law, net capital losses realized after October 31 and net ordinary losses incurred after December 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. The Funds’ carryforward losses and post-October losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. At September 30, 2023, the Funds’ most recent fiscal year end, the Funds had carryforward losses which will be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains as follows:
Indefinite Long- | Indefinite Short- | |||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | $ | — | $ | 1,789,915 | ||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 254,259 | 895,470 |
6. | INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS |
During the period ended March 31, 2024, the Funds realized net capital gains and losses resulting from in-kind redemptions, in which shareholders exchanged Fund shares for securities held by the Funds rather than for cash. The amount of realized gains and losses from in-kind redemptions included in realized gain/(loss) on investments in the Statements of Operations is as follows:
Realized Gains | Realized Losses | |||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | $ | 958,205 | $ | — | ||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 44,979 | (125,091 | ) |
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Notes to Financial Statements
March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) (Continued)
Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short-term investments), creations in-kind and redemptions in-kind for the period ended March 31, 2024, were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | Creations | Redemptions | |||||||||||||
Dividend Performers ETF | $ | 2,828,451 | $ | 2,621,159 | $ | 2,713,190 | $ | 2,776,763 | ||||||||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 748,088 | 596,721 | 1,423,996 | 2,337,188 |
7. | PRINCIPAL RISKS |
As with all ETFs, shareholders of the Funds are subject to the risk that their investment could lose money. Each Fund is subject to the principal risks, any of which may adversely affect a Fund’s NAV, trading price, yield, total return, and ability to meet its investment objective.
LIBOR is used extensively in the U.S. and globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and financial contracts, including CLOs. Instruments in which the Fund invests may pay interest at floating rates based on LIBOR or may be subject to interest caps or floors based on LIBOR. The industry currently anticipates the conversion of all LIBOR based instruments to SOFR based instruments in December 2024 or sooner.
Since 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority has been working towards the cessation of LIBOR at the end of December 2021. In November 2020, though, the administrator of the U.S. Dollar LIBOR benchmarks, the ICE Benchmark Administration, extended the retirement date for most U.S. Dollar LIBOR rates until December 2024. Regulators and industry working groups have suggested numerous alternative reference rates to LIBOR. Leading alternatives include Sonia in the United Kingdom, €STR in the European Union, Tonar in Japan, and in the U.S., the New York Fed has been working to develop the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). Global consensus is still coalescing around the transition to a new reference rate and the process for amending existing contracts. Abandonment of or modifications to LIBOR could have adverse impacts on newly issued financial instruments and existing financial instruments which reference LIBOR. There also remains uncertainty and risk regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to include enhanced provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. The transition away from LIBOR may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, reduced values of LIBOR-related investments, and reduced effectiveness of hedging strategies, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance or NAV. In addition, the alternative reference rate may be an ineffective substitute resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions for the Funds.
A complete description of principal risks is included in the Funds’ prospectuses under the heading ‘’Principal Investment Risks’’.
8. | OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS |
In October 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted a final rule relating to Tailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds; Fee Information in Investment Company Advertisements. The rule and form amendments will, among other things, require the Funds to transmit concise and visually engaging shareholder reports that highlight key information. The amendments will require that funds tag information in a structured data format and that certain more in-depth information be made available online and available for delivery free of charge to investors on request. The amendments became effective January 24, 2023. There is an 18-month transition period after the effective date of the amendment.
9. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
Management has evaluated the Funds’ related events and transactions that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2024, through the date of issuance of the Funds’ financial statements. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
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Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Board Consideration and Approval of Advisory Agreement
(Unaudited)
At meetings held on September 12, 2023 and September 20, 2023 (the “Meetings”), 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 the continuation of the advisory agreement (the “Agreement”) between Innovative Portfolios, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of Dividend Performers ETF and Preferred-Plus ETF (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds).
Pursuant to Section 15 of the 1940 Act, the continuation of the Agreement after its initial two-year term must be approved annually by: (i) the vote of the Board or shareholders of each 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. As discussed in greater detail below, in preparation for the Meetings, the Board requested from, and reviewed a wide variety of information provided by, the Adviser.
In addition to the written materials provided to the Board in advance of the Meetings, representatives from the Adviser provided the Board with an overview, during the September 20, 2023 Meeting, of each Fund’s strategy, the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser, and additional information about the Adviser’s personnel and operations. The Board considered the materials it received in advance of the Meetings, including a memorandum from legal counsel to the Trust regarding the responsibilities of the Board in considering the approval of the Agreement under the 1940 Act, and information conveyed during the Adviser’s oral presentation. The Board also considered the information about the Funds and the Adviser provided over the course of the prior year. The Board deliberated on the approval of the Agreement for an additional one-year period in light of this information. Throughout the process, the Board was 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 advisory arrangement and the Independent Trustees’ responsibilities relating thereto.
At the Meetings, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, evaluated a number of factors, including, among other things: (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Funds; (ii) each Fund’s expenses and performance; (iii) the cost of the services provided and profits to be realized by the Adviser from the relationship with Funds; (iv) comparative fee and expense data for each Fund and other investment companies with similar investment objectives; (v) the extent to which the advisory fee for each Fund reflects economies of scale shared with its shareholders; (vi) any benefits derived by the Adviser from the relationship with the Funds, including any fall-out benefits enjoyed by the Adviser; and (vii) other factors the Board deemed relevant. In its deliberations, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the advisory arrangement and the renewal of the Agreement.
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services to be Provided. The Trustees considered the scope of services provided under the Agreement, noting that the Adviser expected to continue to provide substantially similar investment managements services to the Funds with respect to implementing each Fund’s investment program, including arranging for, or implementing, the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, monitoring adherence to each Fund’s investment restrictions, overseeing the activities of the service providers, monitoring compliance with various policies and procedures with applicable securities regulations, and monitoring the extent to which each Fund achieved its investment objective. In considering the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board considered the quality of the Adviser’s compliance program and past and current reports from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) regarding her review of the Adviser’s compliance program, as well as the Board’s experience with the Adviser as the investment adviser to other series of the Trust. The Board noted that it had received a copy of the Adviser’s Form ADV, as well as the responses of the Adviser to a detailed series of questions that included, among other things, information about the Adviser’s decision making process, details about each Fund, and information about the services to be provided by the Adviser.
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 each Fund by the Adviser.
Historical Performance. The Board next considered each Fund’s performance. The Board observed that additional information regarding each Fund’s past investment performance, for periods ended June 30, 2023, had been included in the Materials, including the Barrington Report, which compared the performance results of each Fund with the returns of a group of ETFs selected by Barrington Partners as most comparable (the “Peer Group”) as well as with funds in each Fund’s respective Morningstar category (each, a “Category Peer Group”). Additionally, at the Board’s request, the Adviser identified the funds the Adviser considered to be each Fund’s most direct competitors (each, a “Selected Peer Group”) and provided the Selected Peer Group’s performance results.
27
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
Board Consideration and Approval of Advisory Agreement
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Dividend Performers ETF: The Board noted that, for each of the one-year, three-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2023, the Fund outperformed its broad-based benchmark, the Nasdaq US Broad Dividend Achiever Total Return Index. The Nasdaq US Broad Dividend Achiever Total Return Index provides an indication of the performance of U.S. accepted securities with at least ten consecutive years of increasing annual regular dividend payments.
The Board noted that, for the one-year and three-year periods ended June 30, 2023, the Fund outperformed the average return of its Peer Group and Category Peer Group. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed the returns of the Selected Peer Group for the same one-year and three-year periods.
Preferred-Plus ETF: The Board noted that, for each of the one-year, three-year, and since inception periods ended June 30, 2023, the Fund outperformed its broad-based benchmark, the ICE BofA Core Plus Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index. The ICE BofA Core Plus Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index provides an indication of the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities.
The Board noted that, for the one-year and three-year periods ended June 30, 2023, the Fund underperformed the average return of its Peer Group. The Board also noted that, for the same one-year period the Fund underperformed the average return of its Category Peer Group, but outperformed its Category Peer Group for the same three-year period. The Board further noted that the Fund performed within the range of returns of the Selected Peer Group for the same one-year and three-year periods.
Cost of Services to be Provided and Profitability. The Board reviewed the expense ratio for each Fund and compared the expense ratio to its respective Peer Group and Category Peer Group as shown in the Barrington Report, as well as its respective Selected Peer Group.
The Board took into consideration that the Adviser charges a “unitary fee,” meaning the Funds pay no expenses except for the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to 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 fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board noted that the Adviser continued to be responsible for compensating each Fund’s other service providers and paying each Fund’s other expenses out of its own fee and resources. The Board also evaluated the compensation and benefits received by the Adviser from its relationship with the Funds, taking into account analyses of the Adviser’s profitability with respect to the Funds.
Dividend Performers ETF: The Board noted that the expense ratio for the Fund was equivalent to its unitary fee. The Board further noted that the expense ratio for the Fund was higher than the average of its Peer Group and Category Peer Group. The Board also noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was the highest in the range of the expense ratios for the Selected Peer Group.
Preferred-Plus ETF: The Board noted that the expense ratio for the Fund was equivalent to its unitary fee. The Board further noted that the expense ratio for the Fund was higher than the average of its Category Peer Group and Peer Group. The Board also noted that the Fund’s expense ratio was within the range of the expense ratios for the Selected Peer Group.
Economies of Scale. The Board noted that it is not yet evident that the Funds have reached the size at which they have begun to realize economies of scale, but acknowledged that breakpoints might be warranted if the Funds’ assets continue to grow. However, the Board further determined that, based on the amount and structure of each Fund’s unitary fee, any such economies of scale would be shared with such Fund’s respective shareholders. The Board stated that it would monitor fees as the Funds grow and consider whether fee breakpoints may be warranted in the future.
Conclusion. No single factor was determinative of the Board’s decision to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement; rather, the Board based its determination on the total mix of information available to it. Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the Advisory Agreement, including the compensation payable under the Advisory Agreement, was fair and reasonable to each Fund. The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, therefore determined that the approval of the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders.
28
Innovative Portfolios ETFs
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 Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. A copy of the prospectus for the Funds may be obtained without charge by writing to the Funds, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701, by calling 1-866-704-6857, or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.innovativeportfolios.com.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDING INFORMATION
Each 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 Funds’ Part F of Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at 1-866-704-6857. Furthermore, you may obtain the Part F of Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
Each 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. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-866-704-6857; and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF PREMIUMS AND DISCOUNTS
Information regarding how often shares of the Funds trade on an exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Funds is available without charge, on the Funds’ website at www.innovativeportfolios.com.
TAX INFORMATION
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, certain dividends paid by the Funds may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 20%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The percentage of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income was as follows:
Dividend Performers ETF | 100 | % | ||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 100 | % |
For corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, was as follows:
Dividend Performers ETF | 100 | % | ||
Preferred-Plus ETF | 100 | % |
29
Investment Adviser:
Innovative Portfolios, LLC
8801 River Crossing Boulevard, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46240
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 Funds.
(b) | Not applicable. |
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) | The registrant is an issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (the “Act”) and has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Act. The entire Board of Trustees is acting as the registrant’s audit committee. |
(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. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
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.
(b) | Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Furnished herewith. |
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 | 6/6/2024 |
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 | 6/6/2024 | |
By (Signature and Title)* | /s/ Travis G. Babich | |
Travis G. Babich, Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date | 6/6/2024 |
* | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |